METHODS AND SYSTEMS RELATED TO TIME TRIGGERED GEOFENCING

• US 20160284219A1
• Filed: 06/07/2016
• Published: 09/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gordon Howard Associates Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gordon Howard Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Morgan, Gerald A., Schwarz, Stanley G., Macheca, Christopher M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,691,284 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/01 Satellite radio beacon positioning systems transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/207 with respect to certain areas, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas with possible alerting when inside or outside boundaries
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences

Abstract

Time Triggered Geo-fencing. At least some of the example embodiments are systems including: a processor; a wireless interface coupled to the processor; and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores a program that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive a set of variables related to a geo-fence to be established at a predetermined time for a preset duration; establish the geo-fence at the predetermined time, the geo-fence established for the preset duration; monitor a location of a vehicle using signals received by the processor; and send an alert related to the location of the vehicle if said monitoring indicates the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence within the preset duration.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a processor;

a wireless interface coupled to the processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a program that,

when executed by the processor, causes the processor to;

receive a set of variables related to a geo-fence to be established at a predetermined time for a preset duration;

establish the geo-fence at the predetermined time, the geo-fence established for the preset duration;

monitor a location of a vehicle using signals received by the processor; and

send an alert related to the location of the vehicle if said monitoring indicates the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence within the present duration.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein when the program establishes, the program further causes the processor to establish the geo-fence around the location of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein when the program monitors the location of the vehicle, the program further causes the processor to determine the vehicle has crossed out of the area bounded by the geo-fence.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein when the program monitors the location of the vehicle, the program further causes the processor to determine the vehicle has crossed into the area bounded by the geo-fence.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the program further causes the processor to:

determine the vehicle was located within the area bounded by the geo-fence at the time the geo-fence was established; and

then

wherein when the program monitors the location of the vehicle, the program further causes the processor to determine the vehicle has crossed out of the area bounded by the geo-fence.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the program further causes the processor to:

determine the vehicle was located outside of the area bounded by the geo-fence at the time the geo-fence was established; and

then

wherein when the program monitors the location of the vehicle, the program further causes the processor to determine the vehicle has crossed into the area bounded by the geo-fence.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein when the processor establishes, the program further causes the processor to establish the geo-fence for at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a restricted area; and

an allowed area.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the preset duration is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a window of time;

work hours;

school hours; and

restricted hours.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein when the processor sends an alert, the program further causes the processor to send an alert to at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a parent;

a law enforcement officer;

a vehicle owner; and

an employer.

10. A system comprising:

an onboard device, the onboard device comprising;

a processor;

a Global Positioning System receiver coupled to the processor;

a wireless interface coupled to the processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a program that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to;

receive a set of variables related to a geo-fence to be established at a predetermined time for a preset duration;

establish the geo-fence at the predetermined time, the geo-fence established for the preset duration;

monitor a location of a vehicle using signals received by the processor; and

send an alert related to the location of the vehicle if said monitoring indicates the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence within the preset duration.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein when the program establishes, the program further causes the processor to establish the geo-fence around the location of the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein when the program monitors the location of the vehicle, the program further causes the processor to determine the vehicle has crossed out of the area bounded by the geo-fence.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein when the program monitors the location of the vehicle, the program further causes the processor to determine the vehicle has crossed into the area bounded by the geo-fence.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein the program further causes the processor to:

determine the vehicle was located within the area bounded by the geo-fence at the time the geo-fence was established; and

then

wherein when the program monitors the location of the vehicle, the program further causes the processor to determine the vehicle has crossed out of the area bounded by the geo-fence.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein the program further causes the processor to:

determine the vehicle was located outside of the area bounded by the geo-fence at the time the geo-fence was established; and

then

wherein when the program monitors the location of the vehicle, the program further causes the processor to determine the vehicle has crossed into the area bounded by the geo-fence.

16. The system of claim 10 wherein when the processor establishes, the program further causes the processor to establish the geo-fence for at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a restricted area; and

an allowed area.

17. The system of claim 10 wherein the preset duration is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a window of time;

work hours;

school hours; and

restricted hours.

18. The system of claim 10 wherein when the processor sends an alert, the program further causes the processor to send an alert to at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a parent;

a law enforcement officer;

a vehicle owner; and

an employer.