SECURE LOCATION-BASED EVENTS AND NOTIFICATIONS

• US 20160316322A1
• Filed: 11/16/2015
• Published: 10/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gillen, Robert J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,182,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided. In one embodiment, the location of entities (e.g., computing entities and establishments) can be monitored or identified to determine whether they are within a configurable/determinable distance/proximity from each other. Such determinations can be used to automatically provide notifications and/or allow or disallow events.

Claims

1. A method for providing notifications for events of interest, the method comprising:

identifying, via one or more processors, the location of a first entity, the location of a second entity, and the location of a third entity;

determining, via the one or more processors, whether the first entity, the second entity, and the third entity are within a configurable distance from each other; and

responsive to determining that the first entity, the second entity, and the third entity are within the configurable distance from each other, automatically providing a notification to an electronic destination address.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a request to allow or disallow an event, wherein the notification comprises an indication allowing or disallowing the event.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising determining the type of event associated with the request.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising monitoring the first entity, the second entity, and the third entity.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the monitoring is performed on a periodic basis, a regular basis, or a continuous basis.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the monitoring is performed in response to one or more triggers.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first entity, the second entity, and the third entity are selected from the group consisting of a computing entity and an establishment.

8. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including program code, the at least one memory and the program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:

identify the location of a first entity, the location of a second entity, and the location of a third entity;

determine whether the first entity, the second entity, and the third entity are within a configurable distance from each other; and

responsive to determining that the first entity, the second entity, and the third entity are within the configurable distance from each other, automatically provide a notification to an electronic destination address.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the memory and program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to receive a request to allow or disallow an event, wherein the notification comprises an indication allowing or disallowing the event.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the memory and program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to determine the type of event associated with the request.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the memory and program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to monitor the first entity, the second entity, and the third entity.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the monitoring is performed on a periodic basis, a regular basis, or a continuous basis.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the monitoring is performed in response to one or more triggers.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first entity, the second entity, and the third entity are selected from the group consisting of a computing entity and an establishment.

15. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

an executable portion configured to identify the location of a first entity, the location of a second entity, and the location of a third entity;

an executable portion configured to determine whether the first entity, the second entity, and the third entity are within a configurable distance from each other; and

an executable portion configured to, responsive to determining that the first entity, the second entity, and the third entity are within the configurable distance from each other, automatically provide a notification to an electronic destination address.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the memory and program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to receive a request to allow or disallow an event, wherein the notification comprises an indication allowing or disallowing the event.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the memory and program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to determine the type of event associated with the request.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the memory and program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to monitor the first entity, the second entity, and the third entity.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the monitoring is performed on a periodic basis, a regular basis, or a continuous basis.

20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the monitoring is performed in response to one or more triggers.

21. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the first entity, the second entity, and the third entity are selected from the group consisting of a computing entity and an establishment.