Methods and Systems for Retrieving and Caching Geofence Data

• US 20130326137A1
• Filed: 05/31/2012
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Bilange, Eric P., Heidt, Ian R., Ruotsi, Wendell, Perry-Pelletier, Adam W., Damm, Gary G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,116,818 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/113
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3407 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0866 for peripheral storage systems, e.g. disk cache
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/289 Intermediate processing functionally located close to the data consumer application, e.g. in same machine, in same home or in same sub-network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/5682 Policies or rules for updating, deleting or replacing the stored data
• 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: H04W 4/026 using orientation information, e.g. compass
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals

Abstract

Mobile device systems and methods for monitoring geofences cache a subset of geofences within a likely travel perimeter determined based on speed and direction of travel, available roads, current traffic, etc. A server may download to mobile devices subsets of geofences within a likely travel perimeter determined based on a threshold travel time possible from a current location given current travel speed, direction and roads. Mobile device may receive a list of local geofences from a server, which may maintain or have access to a database containing all geofences. The mobile device may use the cashed geofences in the normal manner, by comparing its location to the cached list of local geofences to detect matches. In an embodiment, the mobile device may calculate or receive from the server an update perimeter, which when crossed may prompt the mobile device to request an update to the geofences stored in cache.

Claims

1. A method for enabling a mobile computing device to monitor geofences, comprising:

determining a current location of the mobile computing device;

receiving a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device;

caching the subset of geofences in memory of the mobile computing device;

and

comparing the current location to the geofences cached on the mobile computing device to determine if a geofence criterion is satisfied.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the global database of geofences is located on a server, the method further comprising:

receiving the current location of the mobile computing device in the server;

selecting the subset of geofences from the global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device;

transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device; and

receiving the transmitted subset of geofences in the mobile computing device,

wherein caching the subset of geofences in memory of the mobile computing device comprises storing the received transmitted subset of geofences in cache memory of the mobile computing device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device, wherein selecting a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device comprises selecting the subset of geofences based on the current location, and the determined speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising calculating a likely travel perimeter from the current location and direction and speed of travel, wherein selecting the subset of geofences based on the determined speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device comprises selecting a subset of geofences that are at least partially encompassed within the calculated likely travel perimeter.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein calculating the likely travel perimeter comprises calculating a distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time based on the direction and speed of travel.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises evaluating constraints on directions of travel and travel conditions in the vicinity of the current location in calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within the predefined period of time.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time that is predefined for each geofence.

8. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

transmitting a sequence of location information from the mobile computing device to the central server over a period of time,

wherein determining a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device comprises determining the speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device in the server based on the received sequence of location information.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

calculating an update perimeter beyond which an update of the cached subset of local geofences may be updated;

comparing the current location to the update perimeter; and

transmitting a request for an updated subset of geofences from the mobile computing device to the server when the current location is near or beyond the update perimeter,

wherein transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device is accomplished by the server in response to receiving the request for an updated subset of geofences from the mobile computing device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device comprises selecting the subset of geofences based in part on a number or density of geofences in the vicinity of the current location of the mobile computing device.

11. A system, comprising:

a server; and

a mobile computing device,

wherein the server is configured with server-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving a current location of the mobile computing device;

selecting a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device; and

transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device, and

wherein the mobile computing device comprises;

a memory;

a transceiver configured to communicate with a network coupled to the server; and

a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, and configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving the transmitted subset of geofences from the server;

caching the subset of geofences in the memory; and

comparing the current location of the mobile computing device to the geofences cached in memory to determine if a geofence criterion is satisfied.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the server is configured with server-executable instructions to perform operations such that selecting a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device comprises selecting the subset of geofences based on the current location and a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the server is configured with server-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising calculating a likely travel perimeter from the current location and direction and speed of travel,

wherein the server is configured with server-executable instructions to perform operations such that selecting the subset of geofences based on the determined speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device comprises selecting a subset of geofences that are at least partially encompassed within the calculated likely travel perimeter.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the server is configured with server-executable instructions to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter comprises calculating a distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time based on the direction and speed of travel.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the server is configured with server-executable instructions to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises evaluating constraints on directions of travel and travel conditions in the vicinity of the current location in calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within the predefined period of time.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the server is configured with server-executable instructions to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time that is predefined for each geofence.

17. The system of claim 12,

wherein the mobile device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining its location periodically; and

transmitting a sequence of location reports to the server over a period of time,

wherein the server is configured with server-executable instructions to perform operations such that determining a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device comprises determining the speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device in the server based on the received sequence of location reports.

18. The system of claim 11,

wherein the mobile device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

calculating an update perimeter beyond which an update of the cached subset of local geofences may be updated;

comparing the current location to the update perimeter; and

transmitting a request for an updated subset of geofences to the server when the current location is near or beyond the update perimeter, and

wherein the server is configured with server-executable instructions to perform operations such that transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device is accomplished in response to receiving the request for an updated subset of geofences from the mobile computing device.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the server is configured with server-executable instructions to perform operations such that selecting a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device comprises selecting the subset of geofences based in part on a number or density of geofences in the vicinity of the current location of the mobile computing device.

20. A system of a server and a mobile computing device, comprising:

means for receiving a current location of the mobile computing device in the server;

means for selecting a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device;

means for transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device, and

means for receiving the transmitted subset of geofences in the mobile computing device;

means for caching the subset of geofences in memory of the mobile computing device; and

means for comparing the current location of the mobile computing device to the geofences cached in memory to determine if a geofence criterion is satisfied.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein means for selecting a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device comprises means for selecting the subset of geofences based on the current location and a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device.

22. The system of claim 21, further comprising means for calculating a likely travel perimeter from the current location and direction and speed of travel,

wherein means for selecting the subset of geofences based on the determined speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device comprises means for selecting a subset of geofences that are at least partially encompassed within the calculated likely travel perimeter.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein means for calculating the likely travel perimeter comprises means for calculating a distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time based on the direction and speed of travel.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein means for calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises means for evaluating constraints on directions of travel and travel conditions in the vicinity of the current location in calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within the predefined period of time.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein means for calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises means for calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time that is predefined for each geofence.

26. The system of claim 21, further comprising:

means for periodically determining the location of the mobile computing device; and

means for transmitting a sequence of mobile computing device location reports to the server over a period of time,

wherein means for determining a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device comprises means for determining the speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device in the server based on the received sequence of location reports.

27. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

means for calculating an update perimeter beyond which an update of the cached subset of local geofences may be updated;

means for comparing the current location to the update perimeter; and

means for transmitting a request for an updated subset of geofences to the server when the current location is near or beyond the update perimeter, and

wherein means for transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device comprises means for transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device in response to receiving the request for an updated subset of geofences from the mobile computing device.

28. The system of claim 20, wherein means for selecting a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device comprises means for selecting the subset of geofences based in part on a number or density of geofences in the vicinity of the current location of the mobile computing device.

29. A mobile computing device, comprising:

a memory;

a transceiver; and

a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, and configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

determining a current location of the mobile computing device;

receiving a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device;

caching the subset of geofences in the memory; and

comparing the current location to the geofences cached on the mobile computing device to determine if a geofence criterion is satisfied.

30. The mobile computing device of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device;

and

transmitting the speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device to a server.

31. The mobile computing device of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device;

calculating a likely travel perimeter from the current location and direction and speed of travel of the mobile computing device; and

transmitting the likely travel perimeter to a server.

32. The mobile computing device of claim 31, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter comprises calculating a distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time based on the direction and speed of travel.

33. The mobile computing device of claim 32, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises evaluating constraints on directions of travel and travel conditions in the vicinity of the current location in calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within the predefined period of time.

34. The mobile computing device of claim 32, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time that is predefined for each geofence.

35. The mobile computing device of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

calculating an update perimeter beyond which an update of the cached subset of local geofences may be updated;

comparing the current location to the update perimeter; and

transmitting a request for an updated subset of geofences from the mobile computing device to a server when the current location is near or beyond the update perimeter.

36. A mobile computing device, comprising:

means for determining a current location of the mobile computing device;

means for receiving a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device;

means for caching the subset of geofences on the mobile device; and

means for comparing the current location to the geofences cached on the mobile computing device to determine if a geofence criterion is satisfied.

37. The mobile computing device of claim 36, further comprising:

means for determining a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device; and

means for transmitting the speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device to a server.

38. The mobile computing device of claim 36, further comprising:

means for determining a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device;

means for calculating a likely travel perimeter from the current location and direction and speed of travel of the mobile computing device; and

means for transmitting the likely travel perimeter to a server.

39. The mobile computing device of claim 38, wherein means for calculating the likely travel perimeter comprises means for calculating a distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time based on the direction and speed of travel.

40. The mobile computing device of claim 39, wherein means for calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises means for evaluating constraints on directions of travel and travel conditions in the vicinity of the current location in calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within the predefined period of time.

41. The mobile computing device of claim 39, wherein means for calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises means for calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time that is predefined for each geofence.

42. The mobile computing device of claim 36, further comprising:

means for calculating an update perimeter beyond which an update of the cached subset of local geofences may be updated;

means for comparing the current location to the update perimeter; and

means for transmitting a request for an updated subset of geofences from the mobile computing device to a server when the current location is near or beyond the update perimeter.

43. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a mobile computing device processor to perform operations comprising:

determining a current location of the mobile computing device;

receiving a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device;

caching the subset of geofences on the mobile computing device; and

comparing the current location to the geofences cached on the mobile computing device to determine if a geofence criterion is satisfied.

44. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 43, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a mobile computing device processor to perform operations further comprising:

determining a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device;

and

transmitting the speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device to a server.

45. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 43, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a mobile computing device processor to perform operations further comprising:

determining a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device;

calculating a likely travel perimeter from the current location and direction and speed of travel of the mobile computing device; and

transmitting the likely travel perimeter to a server.

46. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 45, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a mobile computing device processor to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter comprises calculating a distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time based on the direction and speed of travel.

47. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 46, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a mobile computing device processor to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises evaluating constraints on directions of travel and travel conditions in the vicinity of the current location in calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within the predefined period of time.

48. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 46, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a mobile computing device processor to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time that is predefined for each geofence.

49. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 43, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a mobile computing device processor to perform operations further comprising:

calculating an update perimeter beyond which an update of the cached subset of local geofences may be updated;

comparing the current location to the update perimeter; and

transmitting a request for an updated subset of geofences from the mobile computing device to a server when the current location is near or beyond the update perimeter.

50. A server, comprising:

a server processor configured with server-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving a current location of a mobile computing device;

selecting the subset of geofences from the global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device; and

transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device.

51. The server of claim 50, wherein the server processor is configured with server executable instructions to perform operations such that transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device comprises transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device in response to receiving a request for an updated subset of geofences from the mobile computing device.

52. The server of claim 50, wherein the server processor is configured with server executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a sequence of mobile computing device location reports; and

determining a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device based on the received series of mobile computing device location reports,

wherein the server processor is configured with server executable instructions to perform operations such that selecting a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device comprises selecting the subset of geofences based on the current location, and the determined speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device.

53. The server of claim 50, wherein the server processor is configured with server executable instructions to perform operations further comprising calculating a likely travel perimeter from the current location and direction and speed of travel,

wherein the server processor is configured with server executable instructions to perform operations such that selecting the subset of geofences based on the determined speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device comprises selecting a subset of geofences that are at least partially encompassed within the calculated likely travel perimeter.

54. The server of claim 53, wherein the server processor is configured with server executable instructions to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter comprises calculating a distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time based on the direction and speed of travel.

55. The server of claim 54, wherein the server processor is configured with server executable instructions to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises evaluating constraints on directions of travel and travel conditions in the vicinity of the current location in calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within the predefined period of time.

56. The server of claim 54, wherein the server processor is configured with server executable instructions to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time that is predefined for each geofence.

57. A server, comprising:

means for receiving a current location of a mobile computing device;

means for selecting the subset of geofences from the global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device; and

means for transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device.

58. The server of claim 57, wherein means for transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device comprises means for transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device in response to receiving a request for an updated subset of geofences from the mobile computing device.

59. The server of claim 57, wherein the server processor is configured with server executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

means for receiving a sequence of mobile computing device location reports; and

means for determining a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device based on the received series of mobile computing device location reports,

wherein means for selecting a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device comprises means for selecting the subset of geofences based on the current location, and the determined speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device.

60. The server of claim 57, further comprising means for calculating a likely travel perimeter from the current location and direction and speed of travel,

wherein means for selecting the subset of geofences based on the determined speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device comprises means for selecting a subset of geofences that are at least partially encompassed within the calculated likely travel perimeter.

61. The server of claim 60, wherein means for calculating the likely travel perimeter comprises means for calculating a distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time based on the direction and speed of travel.

62. The server of claim 61, wherein means for calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises means for evaluating constraints on directions of travel and travel conditions in the vicinity of the current location in calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within the predefined period of time.

63. The server of claim 61, wherein means for calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises means for calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time that is predefined for each geofence.

64. A non-transitory server-readable storage medium having stored thereon server-executable instructions configured to cause a server to perform operations comprising:

receiving a current location of a mobile computing device;

selecting the subset of geofences from the global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device; and

transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device.

65. The non-transitory server-readable storage medium of claim 64, wherein the stored server-executable instructions are configured to cause a server to perform operations such that transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device comprises transmitting the selected subset of geofences to the mobile computing device in response to receiving a request for an updated subset of geofences from the mobile computing device.

66. The non-transitory server-readable storage medium of claim 64, wherein the stored server-executable instructions are configured to cause a server to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a sequence of mobile computing device location reports; and

determining a speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device based on the received series of mobile computing device location reports,

wherein the stored server-executable instructions are configured to cause a server to perform operations such that selecting a subset of geofences from a global database of geofences based upon the current location of the mobile computing device comprises selecting the subset of geofences based on the current location, and the determined speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device.

67. The non-transitory server-readable storage medium of claim 64, wherein the stored server-executable instructions are configured to cause a server to perform operations further comprising calculating a likely travel perimeter from the current location and direction and speed of travel,

wherein the stored server-executable instructions are configured to cause a server to perform operations such that selecting the subset of geofences based on the determined speed and direction of travel of the mobile computing device comprises selecting a subset of geofences that are at least partially encompassed within the calculated likely travel perimeter.

68. The non-transitory server-readable storage medium of claim 67, wherein the stored server-executable instructions are configured to cause a server to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter comprises calculating a distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time based on the direction and speed of travel.

69. The non-transitory server-readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the stored server-executable instructions are configured to cause a server to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises evaluating constraints on directions of travel and travel conditions in the vicinity of the current location in calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within the predefined period of time.

70. The non-transitory server-readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the stored server-executable instructions are configured to cause a server to perform operations such that calculating the likely travel perimeter further comprises calculating the distance in each direction that the mobile device is likely to travel within a predefined period of time that is predefined for each geofence.