Systems, methods and apparatus for geofence networks

• US 10,375,514 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2017
• Issued: 08/06/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GeoFrenzy, Inc
• Original Assignee: GeoFrenzy, Inc
• Inventors: Jones, Benjamin T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meky, Moustafa M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Islam, Sm Z
• Application Number:
  US15/496,602
• Publication Number:
  US 20170230791A1
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/659 Internet protocol version 6 [IPv6] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/69 using geographic information, e.g. room number
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/103 across network layers, e.g. resolution of network layer into physical layer addresses or address resolution protocol [ARP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/35 involving non-standard use of addresses for implementing network functionalities, e.g. coding subscription information within the address or functional addressing, i.e. assigning an address to a function
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/088 Usage controlling of secret information, e.g. techniques for restricting cryptographic keys to pre-authorized uses, different access levels, validity of crypto-period, different key- or password length, or different strong and weak cryptographic algorithms network architectures or network communication protocols for using time-dependent keys in a packet data network H04L63/068
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

Systems, methods and devices for location-based services are disclosed in the present invention. A multiplicity of network devices, a database, and a server platform in network-based communication. The database stores a space-network model binding IP addresses and physical locations. The server platform is operable to generate at least one geofence in the space-network model and specify entitlements for the location-based services within the at least one geofence. The at least one geofence and specific entitlement are stored to the database. The multiplicity of network devices are configured to learn the space-network model and the at least one geofence and perform tasks based on the entitlements specified for the location-based services within the at least one geofence.

Claims

1. A system for location-based services, comprising

a multiplicity of network devices, a database, and a server platform constructed and configured for network-based communication;

wherein the database is configured to store a space-network model binding Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and physical locations;

wherein the server platform is operable to define at least one geofence based on the space network model and specify entitlements for the location-based services within the at least one geofence;

wherein the at least one geofence and the entitlements for the location-based services are stored to the database;

wherein the multiplicity of network devices are configured to learn the space-network model and the at least one geofence and perform tasks based on the entitlements specified for the location-based services within the at least one geofence;

wherein the multiplicity of network devices are operable to refine location information over time for the multiplicity of network devices based on emitting-variance-covariance-based precision; and

wherein the refinement of the location information of the multiplicity of network devices is performed in real-time.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the space-network model comprises a physical topography, a directed graph, a reference datum, and an IP network.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the physical topography is selected from a planet, a tectonic plate, and a geometric solid of any size.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the directed graph is selected from a strip tree, a quadtree, an octree, a b-tree, an r-tree, a weighted graph, a cyclic graph, and any other graph structure in any dimension.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the reference datum is selected from a prime beacon, a center of mass, a center of gravity, a center of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) constellation, a fixed point computed by reference to an astronomical object, a natural or manmade satellite, or any other astronomical object including but not limited to a sun, a comet, an asteroid, and a distant pulsar.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the prime beacon is configured to transmit its physical location via information encoded on an energy source in the form of radiant energy or mechanical energy.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the space-network model provides for a fencing agent to derive a three-dimensional (3D) geographical location using an IPv6 address or a future version of an IP address beyond IPv6.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein each location is assigned and associated with a unique IP address in the space-network model.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the space network model is movable and updatable.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the space network model has a precision of more than 41 trillion IP address per atom in the earth, wherein each IP address corresponds to a three-dimensional (3D) location on the earth'"'"'s surface.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the space-network model has a precision of about 10 to 20 addresses along a radius of a proton in one dimension.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one geofence is a two-dimensional polygon or a three-dimensional volume.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one geofence is associated with a region of interest, and wherein the at least one geofence associated with the region of interest is applied in a global or private registry.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the location-based services are for telecom carrier infrastructure management comprising installation, maintenance, and traffic control within the at least one geofence;

and wherein the multiplicity of network devices are operable to manipulate routing and switching behavior based on the entitlements.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the location-based services are for power system infrastructure management comprising inspection, maintenance, storm management, assessment, and security;

and wherein the multiplicity of network devices are operable to inspect, assess, and surveil power system infrastructure within the at least one geofence based on the entitlements.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the multiplicity of network devices are operable to aggregate IP addresses assigned to locations within the at least one geofence.

17. A system for advertising location information, comprising:

a multiplicity of devices constructed and configured for network-based communication within a geofence;

wherein each of the multiplicity of devices comprises a processor, a transmitter, and a receiver;

wherein each of the multiplicity of devices is configured to emit a unique space-network identifier continuously within the geofence;

wherein the unique space-network identifier comprises a binding of an IP address and physical location information for each of the multiplicity of devices;

wherein each of the multiplicity of devices is configured to receive space-network identifiers from its peers within the geofence;

wherein each of the multiplicity of devices is configured to update the unique space-network identifier based on space-network identifiers received from its peers within the geofence; and

wherein the multiplicity of devices are operable to refine location information over time for the multiplicity of devices based on emitting-variance-covariance-based precision; and

wherein the refinement of the location information of the multiplicity of devices is performed in real-time.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the unique space-network identifier comprises an IP number portion encoded with physical location information for a device emitting the unique space-network identifier, and wherein the physical location information is refined continuously in real-time.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the unique space-network identifier comprises a network portion representing a network that a device emitting the unique space-network identifier is in;

wherein the network portion is encoded with location information for the network that a device emitting the unique space-network identifier is in.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the unique space-network identifier comprises a metadata portion.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the metadata portion comprises an accuracy value, and wherein the accuracy value is a confidence level in precision of the location information for the device emitting the unique space-network identifier.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein each of the multiplicity of devices is operable to augment the accuracy value in the unique space-network identifier emitted from each of the multiplicity of devices.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the metadata portion comprises a blockchain ID, a transaction ID, and/or a hash in a blockchain for a transaction.

24. The system of claim 17, wherein the multiplicity of devices are movable;

wherein the multiplicity of devices are operable to relearn their location and update the unique space-network identifier based on space-network identifiers received from its peers.

25. The system of claim 17, wherein the multiplicity of devices are selected from beacons, routers, switches, hosts, and other network connected devices.

26. The system of claim 17, wherein the geofence is defined in a space-network model binding Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and physical locations.