Methods and apparatus for altitude-based geofencing
First Claim
1. A method of three-dimensional geofencing performed utilizing a user-carried mobile device including a processor, at least one sensor, and a memory containing software instructions executed by the processor, the method comprising:
- receiving, via the user-carried mobile device, user input defining a virtual boundary in a three-dimensional geographical space, the virtual boundary including lateral position parameters and an altitude parameter;
establishing the virtual boundary, at user-carried mobile device, as a geosphere defined by a central point and a radius value;
further receiving, via the user-carried mobile device, user input defining a boundary-related event and an action to be triggered based on the position of the user-carried mobile device with respect to the virtual boundary;
estimating the position of the user-carried mobile device based on lateral position values and an altitude value associated with the user-carried mobile device, as estimated utilizing the at least one sensor by;
estimating the position of the user-carried mobile device comprising;
determining, by further utilizing the at least one sensor, a floor of a multistory building on which the user-carried mobile device is currently located, wherein the user-carried mobile device is operated in the multi-story building, andestimating the altitude value at the user-carried mobile device further comprising;
deriving, from connectivity of a wireless connection between the user-carried mobile device and an associated access point, a signal strength indicator value which is received and corresponds to an estimated altitude value; and
performing the action or causing the action to be performed, via user-carried the mobile device, if it is determined that the position of the user-carried mobile device triggers the boundary-related event.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of three-dimensional geofencing includes defining a virtual boundary in a three-dimensional geographical space, the virtual boundary including lateral position parameters and an altitude parameter. A boundary-related event and an action to be triggered based on the position of a trackable object is defined with respect to the virtual boundary. The position of the trackable object is estimated based on lateral position values and an altitude value associated with the trackable object. The action is performed if it is determined that the position of the trackable object triggers the boundary-related event.
14 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of three-dimensional geofencing performed utilizing a user-carried mobile device including a processor, at least one sensor, and a memory containing software instructions executed by the processor, the method comprising:
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receiving, via the user-carried mobile device, user input defining a virtual boundary in a three-dimensional geographical space, the virtual boundary including lateral position parameters and an altitude parameter; establishing the virtual boundary, at user-carried mobile device, as a geosphere defined by a central point and a radius value; further receiving, via the user-carried mobile device, user input defining a boundary-related event and an action to be triggered based on the position of the user-carried mobile device with respect to the virtual boundary; estimating the position of the user-carried mobile device based on lateral position values and an altitude value associated with the user-carried mobile device, as estimated utilizing the at least one sensor by; estimating the position of the user-carried mobile device comprising;
determining, by further utilizing the at least one sensor, a floor of a multistory building on which the user-carried mobile device is currently located, wherein the user-carried mobile device is operated in the multi-story building, andestimating the altitude value at the user-carried mobile device further comprising;
deriving, from connectivity of a wireless connection between the user-carried mobile device and an associated access point, a signal strength indicator value which is received and corresponds to an estimated altitude value; andperforming the action or causing the action to be performed, via user-carried the mobile device, if it is determined that the position of the user-carried mobile device triggers the boundary-related event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of three-dimensional geofencing performed utilizing a computing device including a processor and a memory containing software instructions executed by the processor, the method comprising:
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receiving, at the computing device, user input defining a virtual boundary in a three-dimensional geographical space, the virtual boundary including lateral position parameters and an altitude parameter; further receiving, via the computing device, user input defining a boundary-related event and an action to be triggered based on the position of a trackable with respect to the virtual boundary; estimating a position of the trackable object based on lateral position values and an altitude value associated with the trackable object for determining a floor of the multistory building on which the trackable object is currently located; and performing the action or causing the action to be performed, via the computing device, if determined that the position of the trackable object triggers the boundary-related event by causing an environmental aspect of an user residence to be modified based, at least in part, on a floor of the multistory building on which the trackable object is currently located wherein the computing system is operated by a user residing in the multi-story building. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A three-dimensional geofencing system, comprising:
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a trackable object; and a computing device, comprising; a processor; and a memory containing software instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the comping device to; receive, at the computing device, user input defining a virtual boundary in a three-dimensional geographical space; further receive, at the computing device, user input defining a boundary-related event and an action to be triggered based on the position of the trackable object with respect to the virtual boundary; estimate the position of the trackable object based on lateral position values and an altitude value associated with the trackable object to determine a floor of a multistory building on which the trackable object is currently located; and when defining the virtual boundary in the three-dimensional geographical space, (i) determine a present location of the trackable object, and (ii) utilize the present location of the trackable object to define a parameter of the virtual boundary wherein the software instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the computing device to estimate the altitude value utilizing data received from the trackable object and indicative of at least one of a radio frequency identification signal and a received signal strength indicator value. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification