Normally.......
.........you connect your GPS to the laptop - mine is serial, more modern may be USB.
In autoroute and similar mapping products, there is a setting to accept data from your GPS.
The way the system works is that the GPS sends a data 'word' telling the software where the GPS is. The software interprets the word and draws that point on your map.
There are various international formats of this data word. Most GPS units can send various versions - it's just a case of finding out a format common to both unit and mapping software.
You could probably do it via a bluetooth unit if you have this on laptop as this means you are not constrained by wires.
HTH