OBTAINING A GEO-FENCE WITHOUT A NETWORK DOWNLOAD

• US 20140128095A1
• Filed: 11/08/2012
• Published: 05/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Finlow-Bates, Keir, Veikko Taneli Viskari, Joonas
• Granted Patent: US 9,363,635 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• 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 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to providing and obtaining a geo-fence without a network download. An embodiment generates geo-fence parameters and encodes the geo-fence parameters on a portable storage media, wherein the geo-fence parameters are transferred to a location-enabled mobile device when the location-enabled mobile device scans the portable storage media. An embodiment scans, by a location-enabled mobile device, a portable storage media, wherein the portable storage media stores geo-fence parameters, and wherein scanning the portable storage media transfers the geo-fence parameters to the location-enabled mobile device. An embodiment includes a non-transitory portable storage media comprising geo-fence parameters, including a perimeter of a geo-fence and one or more alert conditions associated with the perimeter of the geo-fence, wherein scanning the portable storage media transfers the geo-fence parameters to a location-enabled mobile device.

Claims

1. A method for providing a geo-fence without a network download, comprising:

generating geo-fence parameters; and

encoding the geo-fence parameters on a portable storage media,

wherein the geo-fence parameters are transferred to a location-enabled mobile device when the location-enabled mobile device scans the portable storage media.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable storage media is one of:

a matrix barcode;

a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag;

or

a near field communication (NFC) transmitter.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises reading the matrix barcode.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises scanning the RFID tag.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises scanning the NFC transmitter.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable storage media is a passive device that consumes no power.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the geo-fence parameters comprise a perimeter of the geo-fence.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the geo-fence parameters comprise one or more alert conditions.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more alert conditions comprise one or more of:

entering the perimeter of the geo-fence;

exiting the perimeter of the geo-fence;

remaining within the perimeter of the geo-fence for more than a specified time;

leaving the perimeter of the geo-fence for more than a specified time;

entering the perimeter of the geo-fence during a specified time period;

or

exiting the perimeter of the geo-fence during a specified time period.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the location-enabled mobile device issues an alert if the one or more alert conditions are satisfied.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the location-enabled mobile device issues the alert to a user of the location-enabled mobile device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the location-enabled mobile device issues an alert to a third party monitoring the geo-fence.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable storage media is placed adjacent to an area bounded by the geo-fence.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the location-enabled mobile device is one of a cell phone, a tablet computer, or a personal digital assistant.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein a user of the location-enabled mobile device obtains the location-enabled mobile device from a third party vendor.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the location-enabled mobile device is provided to a user by personnel associated with the geo-fence.

17. A method for obtaining a geo-fence without a network download, comprising:

scanning, by a location-enabled mobile device, a portable storage media,

wherein the portable storage media stores geo-fence parameters, and

wherein scanning the portable storage media transfers the geo-fence parameters to the location-enabled mobile device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the portable storage media is one of:

a matrix barcode;

a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag;

or

a near field communication (NFC) transmitter.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises reading the matrix barcode.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises scanning the RFID tag.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises scanning the NFC transmitter.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the portable storage media is a passive device that consumes no power.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the geo-fence parameters comprise a perimeter of the geo-fence.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the geo-fence parameters comprise one or more alert conditions.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the one or more alert conditions comprise one or more of:

entering the perimeter of the geo-fence;

exiting the perimeter of the geo-fence;

remaining within the perimeter of the geo-fence for more than a specified time;

leaving the perimeter of the geo-fence for more than a specified time;

entering the perimeter of the geo-fence during a specified time period;

or

exiting the perimeter of the geo-fence during a specified time period.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

issuing an alert if the one or more alert conditions are satisfied.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the issuing comprises issuing the alert to a user of the location-enabled mobile device.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the issuing comprises issuing the alert to a third party monitoring the geo-fence.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein the portable storage media is placed adjacent to an area bounded by the geo-fence.

30. The method of claim 17, wherein the location-enabled mobile device is one of a cell phone, a tablet computer, or a personal digital assistant.

31. The method of claim 17, wherein a user of the location-enabled mobile device obtains the location-enabled mobile device from a third party vendor.

32. The method of claim 17, wherein the location-enabled mobile device is provided to a user by personnel associated with the geo-fence.

33. The method of claim 17, wherein the location-enable mobile device is a mobile device capable of obtaining its geographic position.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

determining a geographic position of the location-enabled mobile device using a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

attempting to augment the geographic position if an accuracy of the geographic position is less than a threshold.

36. A non-transitory portable storage media, comprising:

geo-fence parameters, including;

a perimeter of a geo-fence, and

one or more alert conditions associated with the perimeter of the geo-fence,

wherein scanning the portable storage media transfers the geo-fence parameters to a location-enabled mobile device.

37. The portable storage media of claim 36, wherein the portable storage media is one of:

a matrix barcode;

a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag;

or

a near field communication (NFC) transmitter.

38. The portable storage media of claim 37, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises reading the matrix barcode.

39. The portable storage media of claim 37, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises scanning the RFID tag.

40. The portable storage media of claim 37, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises scanning the NFC transmitter.

41. The portable storage media of claim 36, wherein the portable storage media is a passive device that consumes no power.

42. The portable storage media of claim 36, wherein the one or more alert conditions comprise one or more of:

entering the perimeter of the geo-fence;

exiting the perimeter of the geo-fence;

remaining within the perimeter of the geo-fence for more than a specified time;

leaving the perimeter of the geo-fence for more than a specified time;

entering the perimeter of the geo-fence during a specified time period;

or

exiting the perimeter of the geo-fence during a specified time period.

43. An apparatus for providing a geo-fence without a network download, comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform operations comprising;

generating geo-fence parameters; and

encoding the geo-fence parameters on a portable storage media,

wherein the geo-fence parameters are transferred to a location-enabled mobile device when the location-enabled mobile device scans the portable storage media.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the portable storage media is one of:

a matrix barcode;

a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag;

or

a near field communication (NFC) transmitter.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises reading the matrix barcode.

46. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises scanning the RFID tag.

47. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises scanning the NFC transmitter.

48. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the portable storage media is a passive device that consumes no power.

49. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the geo-fence parameters comprise a perimeter of the geo-fence.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the geo-fence parameters comprise one or more alert conditions.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the one or more alert conditions comprise one or more of:

entering the perimeter of the geo-fence;

exiting the perimeter of the geo-fence;

remaining within the perimeter of the geo-fence for more than a specified time;

leaving the perimeter of the geo-fence for more than a specified time;

entering the perimeter of the geo-fence during a specified time period;

or

exiting the perimeter of the geo-fence during a specified time period.

52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the location-enabled mobile device issues an alert if the one or more alert conditions are satisfied.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the location-enabled mobile device issues the alert to a user of the location-enabled mobile device.

54. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the location-enabled mobile device issues an alert to a third party monitoring the geo-fence.

55. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the portable storage media is placed adjacent to an area bounded by the geo-fence.

56. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the location-enabled mobile device is one of a cell phone, a tablet computer, or a personal digital assistant.

57. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein a user of the location-enabled mobile device obtains the location-enabled mobile device from a third party vendor.

58. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the location-enabled mobile device is provided to a user by personnel associated with the geo-fence.

59. An apparatus for obtaining a geo-fence without a network download, comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform operations comprising;

scanning, by a location-enabled mobile device, a portable storage media,

wherein the portable storage media stores geo-fence parameters, and

wherein scanning the portable storage media transfers the geo-fence parameters to the location-enabled mobile device.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the portable storage media is one of:

a matrix barcode;

a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag;

or

a near field communication (NFC) transmitter.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises reading the matrix barcode.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises scanning the RFID tag.

63. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein scanning the portable storage media comprises scanning the NFC transmitter.

64. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the portable storage media is a passive device that consumes no power.

65. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the geo-fence parameters comprise a perimeter of the geo-fence.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the geo-fence parameters comprise one or more alert conditions.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the one or more alert conditions comprise one or more of:

entering the perimeter of the geo-fence;

exiting the perimeter of the geo-fence;

remaining within the perimeter of the geo-fence for more than a specified time;

leaving the perimeter of the geo-fence for more than a specified time;

entering the perimeter of the geo-fence during a specified time period;

or

exiting the perimeter of the geo-fence during a specified time period.

68. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the operations further comprise:

issuing an alert if the one or more alert conditions are satisfied.

69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the issuing comprises issuing the alert to a user of the location-enabled mobile device.

70. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the issuing comprises issuing the alert to a third party monitoring the geo-fence.

71. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the portable storage media is placed adjacent to an area bounded by the geo-fence.

72. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the location-enabled mobile device is one of a cell phone, a tablet computer, or a personal digital assistant.

73. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein a user of the location-enabled mobile device obtains the location-enabled mobile device from a third party vendor.

74. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the location-enabled mobile device is provided to a user by personnel associated with the geo-fence.

75. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the location-enable mobile device is a mobile device capable of obtaining its geographic position.

76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the operations further comprise:

determining a geographic position of the location-enabled mobile device using a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the operations further comprise:

attempting to augment the geographic position if an accuracy of the geographic position is less than a threshold.

78. An apparatus for providing a geo-fence without a network download, comprising:

logic configured to generate geo-fence parameters; and

logic configured to encode the geo-fence parameters on a portable storage media,

wherein the geo-fence parameters are transferred to a location-enabled mobile device when the location-enabled mobile device scans the portable storage media.

79. An apparatus for obtaining a geo-fence without a network download, comprising:

logic configured to scan, by a location-enabled mobile device, a portable storage media,

wherein the portable storage media stores geo-fence parameters, and

wherein scanning the portable storage media transfers the geo-fence parameters to the location-enabled mobile device.

80. An apparatus for providing a geo-fence without a network download, comprising:

means for generating geo-fence parameters; and

means for encoding the geo-fence parameters on a portable storage media,

wherein the geo-fence parameters are transferred to a location-enabled mobile device when the location-enabled mobile device scans the portable storage media.

81. An apparatus for obtaining a geo-fence without a network download, comprising:

means for scanning, by a location-enabled mobile device, a portable storage media,

wherein the portable storage media stores geo-fence parameters, and

wherein scanning the portable storage media transfers the geo-fence parameters to the location-enabled mobile device.

82. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for providing a geo-fence without a network download, comprising:

at least one instruction to generate geo-fence parameters; and

at least one instruction to encode the geo-fence parameters on a portable storage media,

wherein the geo-fence parameters are transferred to a location-enabled mobile device when the location-enabled mobile device scans the portable storage media.

83. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for obtaining a geo-fence without a network download, comprising:

at least one instruction to scan, by a location-enabled mobile device, a portable storage media,

wherein the portable storage media stores geo-fence parameters, and

wherein scanning the portable storage media transfers the geo-fence parameters to the location-enabled mobile device.