Method and apparatus for an automated location-based, dynamic notification system ( ALDNS)

• US 20040113772A1
• Filed: 12/11/2002
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Geospatial Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Geospatial Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Hong Chou, Y.
• Granted Patent: US 7,202,801 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching

Abstract

An automated, location-based, dynamic notification system comprises a mobile unit hardware device and a control center computer facility with communication capabilities. The mobile unit comprises a position module, a location processor, an action processor, a data module, and an I/O module. The control center comprises a system processor, a communication module, and a master database. The system provides notifications of arriving, approaching, leaving, entering, and any other types of location-related notifications, which are issued in an automatic, unattended manner. The illustrated embodiments of the invention are based on location and thus are used in a dynamic routing situation where both route patterns and stop locations change frequently while the object is moving. The system requires no interaction from the driver or the dispatcher, requires no on-board checking or manipulation of a schedule, and applies in many situations including special-education transportation, prisoner transportation, airport shuttle service.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing automated, location-based, dynamic notification, which apparatus communicates to a plurality of recipients in combination with an external positioning system for use with a mobile object, comprising:

a mobile unit collocated with the object; and

a control center computer subsystem,

where the mobile unit comprises;

a position module;

a location processor communicated to the position module;

an action processor communicated to the location processor;

a data module communicated to the action processor; and

an I/O module communicated to the action processor,

where the control center computer subsystem comprises;

a system processor;

a communication module communicated to the systems processor; and

a master database communicated to the systems processor, and

where the I/O module of the mobile unit and the communication module of the control center computer subsystem are intercommunicated with each other.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 where the position module comprises means for automatically generating location data corresponding to the position of the mobile unit as determined by communication with the external positioning system.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 where the action processor generates location-based data and the location processor comprises means for automatically processing the location data generated by the position module and the location-based data generated by the action processor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 where the location processor automatically validates the location data received from the position module.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 where the location processor automatically filters the location data received from the position module for redundancy.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 where the location processor automatically associates a relationship between the location data and a locational feature stored in the data module with a need for notification action by the action processor.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 where the location processor automatically determines significance of the association based on locational information stored in the data module.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 where the location processor automatically determines the significance of the association based on locational information, which characterizes a point feature and a buffer zone associated with the point feature.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 where the location processor automatically determines the significance of the association based on locational information, which characterizes a line feature and a buffer zone associated with the line feature.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 where the location processor automatically determines the significance of the association based on locational information, which characterizes a polygonal feature and a buffer zone associated with the polygonal feature.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 where the location processor automatically and contemporaneously determines the significance of the association based on locational information, which characterizes a plurality of features and a buffer zone associated with each of the plurality of features.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 where the location processor selectively and automatically serves as a host for the action processor when the action processor is systematically updated.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 where the action processor selectively serves as a host for the location processor when the location processor is systematically updated.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 where the action processor and location processor selectively and automatically serve as a host for each other when either one is systematically updated.

15. The apparatus of claim 6 where the location processor automatically generates a plurality of action demands and where the processor receives the plurality of action demands and prioritizes the plurality of action demands.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 where the action processor automatically associates recipient identities stored in the data module with the prioritized plurality of action demands.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 where the action processor automatically controls the I/O module to perform the prioritized plurality of action demands.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 where the action processor automatically generates at least one notification message sent to at least one of the plurality of recipients in response to one of the prioritized action demands.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 where the notification message automatically generated by the action processor comprises an identity of the recipient content of an informational message, and means of communication to the identified recipient.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 where the action processor automatically generates an event recording in response to one of the prioritized action demands.

21. The apparatus of claim 17 where the action processor automatically generates a data array update of information stored in the data module in response to one of the prioritized action demands.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 where the automatically generated data array update by the action processor updates locational information stored in the data module according to the location data generated by the position module.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 where the automatically generated data array update by the action processor updates recipient information stored in the data module according to the location data generated by the position module.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 where pursuant to selective control by the action processor the I/O module provides communication to the recipient by wired or wireless means according to the event and recipient in question.

25. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of mobile units and where the system processor automatically controls communication to and from the plurality of mobile units and to the master database through the communication module.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 where pursuant to selective control by the system processor the communication module provides communication to the recipient by wired or wireless means according to the event and recipient in question.

27. The apparatus of claim 1 where the master data base stores:

(a) records of all meaningful locations subject to possible action and information about recipients to whom notifications may be issued;

(b) a geographic information system with a database of streets and map features; and

/or (c) a database of detailed vehicle history and actions taken at each meaningful location.

28. The apparatus of claim 1 where the communication module receives location data from the position module corresponding to the location of the object, communicates updates to the data module, provides bidirectional communication with the recipients, receives updates to the master database, and receives event information for recordal from the mobile unit.

29. The apparatus of claim 3 where the location processor automatically associates a relationship only between the location data and a locational feature stored in the data module with a need for notification action by the action processor.

30. The apparatus of claim 3 where the location processor automatically associates a relationship between the location data and a plurality of locational features stored in the data module with a need for notification action by the action processor.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 where the plurality of locational features include a point feature, a line feature, a polygonal feature, or a combination thereof.

32. The apparatus of claim 3 where the location processor automatically associates a relationship between the location data and a locational feature stored in the data module with a need for a plurality of notification actions by the action processor.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 where the I/O module or communication module communicate the notification action, include at least one of the notifications comprised of notifications relating to arriving, approaching, leaving, entering, crossing, passing, or any other movement of the object.

34. The apparatus of claim 6 where the I/O module or communication module contemporaneously communicates the notification action to multiple recipients through different communication channels.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 where the different communication channels comprise at least two of the following:

a land-based telephone network connected to a first recipient, a cellular phone network communicated to a second recipient, a text message to a PDA of a third recipient, or a computer network communicated to a fourth recipient.

36. The apparatus of claim 1 where at any given time the data module stores a subset of locational information stored in the master data base.

37. The apparatus of claim 1 where at any given time the data module stores a subset of recipient information stored in the master data base.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the subset of locational information stored in the data module is automatically updated by the control center computer subsystem depending on location of the mobile unit.

39. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the subset of recipient information stored in the data module is automatically updated by the control center computer subsystem depending on location of the mobile unit.

40. The apparatus of claim 1 where the action processor controls the I/O module to selectively communicate directly with the recipient or control center computer subsystem.

41. The apparatus of claim 1 where the action processor receives a point location from the location processor based on a position fix determined by the position module and retrieves a plurality of locational features stored in the data module corresponding to the point location.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 where the action processor retrieves all recipients stored in the data module which correspond to any one of the retrieved locational features and compiles a list of recipients for which a notification message is to be generated, the action processor generates the notification message and selectively communicates the notification message to all corresponding recipients through the I/O module, each notification message being communicated according to a selected means chosen from a plurality of different means of communication available with the recipients.

83. The apparatus of claim 6 where the mobile unit or communication module contemporaneously communicates the notification action to multiple recipients through different communication channels.

84. The apparatus of claim 83 where the different communication channels comprise at least two of the following:

a land-based telephone network connected to a first recipient, a cellular phone network communicated to a second recipient, a text message to a PDA of a third recipient, or a computer network communicated to a fourth recipient.

85. The apparatus of claim 83 where at any given time the mobile unit stores a subset of locational information stored in the master data base.

87. The apparatus of claim 85 wherein the subset of locational information stored in the mobile unit is automatically updated from the master database by the system processor depending on location of the mobile unit.

43. A method for automated location-based action based on the location of a mobile object comprising:

automatically determining a location of the mobile object;

automatically comparing the determined position with a stored list of meaningful locational features; and

automatically generating an action based on the comparison of the stored list of meaningful locational features and the location of the mobile object.

44. The method of claim 43 where automatically determining the location of the mobile object is performed by a position module collocated with the mobile object.

45. The method of claim 44 where automatically comparing the determined position with a stored list of meaningful locational features comprises:

determining the validity of the location of the mobile object provided by the position module in a location processor;

retrieving a plurality of locational features stored in a data module by means of an action processor; and

comparing the location of the mobile object with the plurality of locational features to automatically generate an action.

46. The method of claim 45 where comparing the location of the mobile object with the plurality of locational features generates a plurality of actions.

47. The method of claim 45 further comprising updating the plurality of locational features stored in the data module based on the location of the mobile object.

48. The method of claim 45 where determining the validity of the location of the mobile object provided by the position module in the location processor and retrieving a plurality of locational features stored in the data module by means of the action processor are performed in separate coprocessors, one acting as the location processor and the other acting as the action processor.

49. The method of claim 45 where determining the validity of the location of the mobile object provided by the position module in the location processor and retrieving a plurality of locational features stored in the data module by means of the action processor are performed in a single processor, acting as the location processor during a first time period and acting as the action processor during a second time period.

50. The method of claim 45 where comparing the location of the mobile object with the plurality of locational features to generate an action is performed in the location processor.

51. The method of claim 45 where comparing the location of the mobile object with the plurality of locational features to automatically generate an action automatically generates a notification action to a recipient.

52. The method of claim 45 where comparing the location of the mobile object with the plurality of locational features to automatically generate an action automatically generates a plurality of notification actions to a plurality of recipients whose identity is stored in the data module.

53. The method of claim 45 where comparing the location of the mobile object with the plurality of locational features to automatically generate an action compares the location of the mobile object with a point feature, a line feature, a polygonal feature or a combination thereof.

54. The method of claim 45 where comparing the location of the mobile object with the plurality of locational features to automatically generate an action whenever the location of the mobile object lies within a buffer zone of the locational feature.

55. The method of claim 52 further comprising updating the identity of the plurality of recipients stored in the data module based on the location of the mobile object.

56. The method of claim 47 where only local locational features are stored in the data module and where updating the plurality of locational features stored in the data module is performed by means of communication with a remote control center computer system.

57. The method of claim 55 where only local recipients are stored in the data module and where updating the identity of the plurality of recipients stored in the data module is performed by means of communication with a remote control center computer system.

58. The method of claim 51 further comprising selectively communicating the notification action to the recipient by a selected one of a plurality of communication means.

59. The method of claim 45 where comparing the location of the mobile object with the plurality of locational features to automatically generate an action automatically generates an event recordation action corresponding to an event involving the mobile object, which event recordation action is communicated to and stored in a control center computer system.

60. The method of claim 58 where selectively communicating the notification action to the recipient by a selected one of a plurality of communication means comprises direct communication from the action processor to the recipient.

61. The method of claim 58 where selectively communicating the notification action to the recipient by a selected one of a plurality of communication means comprises communication from the action processor to the control center computer system and then communication from the control center computer system to the recipient.

62. The method of claim 47 further comprising:

receiving a request in a control center computer system from the action processor to update the plurality of locational features stored in the data module based on the location of the mobile object;

processing the request to update the plurality of locational features stored in the data module from a master data base in the control center computer system;

communicating an updated plurality of locational features to the action processor for storage in the data module; and

storing the updated plurality of locational features in the data module.

63. The method of claim 55 further comprising:

receiving a request in a control center computer system from the action processor to update the identity of the plurality of recipients stored in the data module based on the location of the mobile object;

processing the request to update the identity of the plurality of recipients stored in the data module from a master data base in the control center computer system;

communicating an updated plurality of the identity of the plurality of recipients to the action processor for storage in the data module; and

storing the updated identity of the plurality of recipients in the data module.

64. The method of claim 51 further comprising:

receiving a request in a control center computer system from the action processor to send the notification action to a recipient;

processing the request to send the notification action to the recipient whose identity is retrieved from a master data base in the control center computer system; and

communicating the notification action to the recipient through a communications module in the control center computer system.

65. An apparatus for providing automated, location-based, dynamic notification in combination with a control center computer, which apparatus communicates to a plurality of recipients in combination with an external positioning system for use and collocated with a mobile object comprising:

a position module;

a location processor communicated to the position module;

an action processor communicated to the location processor;

a data module communicated to the action processor; and

an I/O module communicated to the action processor, the recipients and the control center computer.

66. The apparatus of claim 65 where the control center computer comprises:

a system processor;

a communication module communicated to the systems processor, the recipients and the I/O module; and

a master database communicated to the systems processor.

67. The apparatus of claim 65 where the position module comprises means for automatically generating location data corresponding to the position of the mobile object as determined by communication with the external positioning system.

68. The apparatus of claim 65 where the action processor generates location-based data and the location processor comprises means for automatically processing the location data generated by the position module and the location-based data generated by the action processor.

69. The apparatus of claim 68 where the location processor automatically validates the location data received from the position module.

70. The apparatus of claim 68 where the location processor automatically filters the location data received from the position module for redundancy.

71. The apparatus of claim 65 where the location processor automatically associates a relationship between the location data and a locational feature stored in the data module with a need for notification action by the action processor.

72. The apparatus of claim 71 where the location processor automatically and contemporaneously determines the significance of the association based on locational information, which characterizes a plurality of features and a buffer zone associated with each of the plurality of features.

73. The apparatus of claim 65 where the location processor selectively and automatically serves as a host for the action processor when the action processor is systematically updated.

74. The apparatus of claim 65 where the action processor selectively serves as a host for the location processor when the location processor is systematically updated.

75. The apparatus of claim 65 where the location processor automatically generates a plurality of action demands and where the location processor receives the plurality of action demands and prioritizes the plurality of action demands.

76. The apparatus of claim 75 where the action processor automatically associates recipient identities stored in the data module with the prioritized plurality of action demands.

77. The apparatus of claim 76 where the action processor automatically generates a data array update of information stored in the data module in response to one of the prioritized action demands.

78. The apparatus of claim 65 where the action processor retrieves all recipients stored in the data module which correspond to any one of the retrieved locational features and compiles a list of recipients for which a notification message is to be generated, the action processor generates the notification message and selectively communicates the notification message to all corresponding recipients through the I/O module, each notification message being communicated according to a selected means chosen from a plurality of different means of communication available with the recipients.

79. An apparatus for providing automated, location-based, dynamic notification in combination with a plurality of mobile units in combination with an external positioning system for use and collocated with a mobile object, which apparatus communicates to a plurality of recipients comprising:

a system processor;

a communication module communicated to the systems processor, the recipients and the mobile units; and

a master database communicated to the systems processor.

80. The apparatus of claim 79 where pursuant to selective control by the system processor the communication module provides communication to the recipient by wired or wireless means according to the event and recipient in question.

81. The apparatus of claim 79 where the master data base stores:

(a) records of all meaningful locations subject to possible action and information about recipients to whom notifications may be issued;

(b) a geographic information system with a database of streets and map features; and

/or (c) a database of detailed vehicle history and actions taken at each meaningful location.

82. The apparatus of claim 79 where the communication module receives location data from the mobile unit corresponding to the location of the object, communicates updates to the mobile unit, provides bidirectional communication with the recipients, receives updates to the master database, and receives event information for recordal from the mobile unit.

86. The apparatus of claim 79 where at any given time the mobile unit stores a subset of recipient information stored in the master data base.

88. The apparatus of claim 86 wherein the subset of recipient information stored in the mobile unit is automatically updated from the master database by the system processor depending on location of the mobile unit.