Location responsive application development and system

• US 20050234642A1
• Filed: 04/15/2004
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dolph, Blaine H.
• Application Number:
  US10/824,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20050234642A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence

Abstract

A method and implementing system are provided for enabling the use of predetermined geometric models and polygonal representations of geographic areas in developing GPS-related application programs. In an exemplary embodiment, a development process uses GPS streams of data and a set of rules or a syntax for referencing predetermined shapes in defining various geographical areas of interest. Different areas are defined in terms of polygons and named for storage in a database for retrieval in the development of programs related to the areas. GPS data streams are used to locate or define key points in the area polygons and these points are related to GPS signals received by an application device to enable processing and development of various applications which depend upon receiver device location.

Claims

1. A method for developing GPS-related user applications, said method comprising:

acquiring a GPS reading for a location at which a GPS receiver is located;

determining a desired geometric shape to be related to said GPS reading; and

applying said geometric shape to said GPS reading for defining an area having said geometric shape, said area having a selectable relationship to said GPS reading.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said geometric shape is determined by:

acquiring a plurality of said GPS readings;

converting said GPS readings to location points; and

connecting said location points together to provide said geometric shape.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including:

storing in memory a plurality of algorithms for generating said geometric shapes; and

selecting one of said geometric shapes for said applying.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein one of said plurality of geometric shapes is a circle.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said GPS reading is a center point for said circle.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein a diameter related value for said circle is input by a user.

7. The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein a diameter related value for said circle is input by taking GPS readings for two locations, said diameter being defined by a line joining said two locations.

8. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein one of said geometric shapes is a polygon.

9. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein one of said geometric shapes is a triangle.

10. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein one of said geometric shapes is a square.

11. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said method is accomplished by an execution of an application development program, said application development program including code for creating predetermined areas.

12. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said method is accomplished by an execution of an application development program, said application development program including code for defining string and integer variables.

13. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said method is accomplished by an execution of an application development program, said application development program including code for defining verbs useful in writing said user applications, said verbs including keywords used in conditional statements.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said verbs include a keyword for triggering a throwing of an event when a user enters said defined area.

15. The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said verbs include a keyword for triggering a throwing of an event when a user leaves said defined area.

16. The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said verbs include a keyword for triggering a throwing of an event when a user is presently within said defined area.

17. The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said application development program further includes code for defining prepositions which may be attached to said verbs.

18. The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein said prepositions include code for narrowing a referenced condition to be for a specified amount of time.

19. The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein said prepositions include code for narrowing a condition to when a user is entering or leaving said defined area from a certain direction.

20. The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein said prepositions include code for narrowing a referenced condition to apply only to a user in movement.

21. The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein said prepositions include code for expanding a periphery of one of said areas by a selectable amount.

22. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said method is accomplished by an execution of an application development program, said application development program including code for accomplishing a predetermined processing action.

23. The method as set forth in claim 22 wherein said predetermined processing action is a launching of a browser application.

24. The method as set forth in claim 22 wherein said predetermined processing action is a playing of an audio file.

25. The method as set forth in claim 22 wherein said predetermined processing action is a printing of a message.

26. A GPS-related user application device comprising:

a GPS receiver selectively operable for obtaining present location GPS readings for locations at which said device is located;

bus means connected to said GPS receiver; and

processing means connected to said bus means, said application device being selectively operable for determining a relationship between said present location readings and predefined stored areas, and providing an output related to said relationship.

27. The device as set forth in claim 26 wherein said output is a playing of an audio file on said device.

28. The device as set forth in claim 27 wherein said audio file is an informational audio file operable to verbalize information to said user regarding a present location of said user relative to one or more of said areas.

29. The device as set forth in claim 27 wherein said audio file is a music file.

30. The device as set forth in claim 26 and further including a display device coupled to said bus means and said output is an informational display presented on said display device.

31. The device as set forth in claim 26 wherein said output is effective to cause a printing of a file.

32. The device as set forth in claim 26 wherein said output is effective to cause an opening of a browser application on said device.

33. A medium programmed to provide operating signals when said medium is read by a compatible reading device, said operating signals being effective for enabling development of GPS-related user applications, said operating signals being further effective for:

acquiring a GPS reading for a location at which a GPS receiver is located;

determining a desired geometric shape to be related to said GPS reading; and

applying said geometric shape to said GPS reading for defining an area having said geometric shape, said area having a selectable relationship to said GPS reading.

34. A medium programmed to provide operating signals when said medium is read by a compatible reading device in an application device, said operating signals being effective for enabling location responsive programmed output on said application device, said operating signals being further effective for:

determining a present location of said application device;

relating said present location to one or more predefined geometrically shaped areas stored in memory; and

causing an output from said application device depending upon said location of said application device relative to said predefined geometrically shaped areas.