Pointing Based Search generally refers to a search technique that allows a user to input spatial data to a computer by using a pointing device to identify an object of interest and then receive information related to that object.

To perform pointing based search with the iPointer®, the user first activates an iPointer® Client application on a cell phone or PDA. Once the application is running, the user simply points the handset at a landmark, building, or Point of Interest, and clicks a selector button. The iPointer® Client then builds its search criteria with input from a GPS receiver (position) and a digital magnetic Compass (orientation) and sends it to the iPointer® Server. The GPS and compass can either be on board the handset or made available as an accessory device connected via Bluetooth technology.

The iPointer® Geospatial Search Engine receives the search criteria and identifies the physical location that the user has selected using patent-pending pointing based search algorithms. Once the location has been identified, relevant location-specific content is assembled by the iPointer®’s content aggregation logic and delivered to the user’s handset.

When the search results are returned, the iPointer® Client prepares the results for display to the end-user.  In some cases, the search results may be augmented with data stored in a local content cache (e.g., compact flash memory) at the handset.  This technique can be useful when the number of potential searches for a particular area is finite and the search results include multi-media content (e.g., a tour of a historic battlefield).