Automated geo-fence boundary configuration and activation

• US 8,018,329 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2008
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gordon Howard Associates Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gordon Howard Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Morgan, Gerald A., Schwarz, Stanley G.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US12/333,904
• Publication Number:
  US 20100148947A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.19, 340/426.22, 340/426.18, 340/426.2, 340/426.1, 340/426.36, 340/539.13, 340/5.72, 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340/5.61, 701/207, 701/213, 701/201, 701/202
• US Class Current: 340/426.19
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/10 actuating a signalling device
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental
• 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 4/022 with dynamic range variability

Abstract

A geo-fence is defined and established automatically based on a current location of an asset along with some range or distance, avoiding the need for a user to manually specify a location by drawing a perimeter, specifying a point location, or by any other means. Once established, the geo-fence can be activated so as to notify the owner of the asset and/or some other entity of movement of the asset beyond the boundary specified by the geo-fence. In one embodiment, the geo-fence can be automatically activated upon certain conditions, or can be manually activated, or any combination thereof.

Claims

1. A method for configuring and activating a geo-fence boundary surrounding an asset, comprising:

receiving a signal to activate a geo-fence boundary for an asset;

responsive to the signal, automatically;

determining a current location of the asset;

defining a geo-fence boundary surrounding the asset based on the current location of the asset; and

activating the defined geo-fence boundary; and

subsequent to activating the defined geo-fence boundary, monitoring asset location with respect to the geo-fence boundary.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, responsive to detecting movement of the asset beyond the defined geo-fence boundary, issuing an alert.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein issuing an alert comprises notifying at least one selected from the group consisting of:

an owner of the asset;

a user of the asset;

an external agent; and

an administrator.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein issuing an alert comprises:

retrieving an alert profile; and

performing at least one action according to the retrieved alert profile.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, responsive to the detecting movement of the asset beyond the defined geo-fence boundary, performing a pre-specified action.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein performing a pre-specified action comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:

issuing an alert;

causing an auditory alarm to sound at the asset location; and

disabling the asset to prevent movement.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the asset comprises a vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

determining the current location of the asset comprises determining the current location by communication with at least one GPS satellite; and

monitoring asset location with respect to the geo-fence boundary comprises monitoring asset location by communication with at least one GPS satellite.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a signal to activate a geo-fence boundary for an asset comprises receiving, at a central location, a signal from an onboard device located at the asset.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving a signal from an onboard device located at the asset comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:

receiving a signal over a wireless communications network; and

receiving a signal over a cellular telephone network.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a signal to deactivate the geo-fence boundary; and

responsive to the received signal, deactivating the geo-fence boundary.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the signals comprises a message transmitted from an individual to a central location.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the message comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a telephone call;

an email message

an SMS message

an instant message;

an HTTP request;

a communication effected over the Internet; and

a request submitted at a website.

14. A method for configuring and activating a geo-fence boundary surrounding an asset, comprising:

detecting, at an onboard device located at the asset, a wireless signal indicating proximity of a portable device carried by an operator of the asset; and

then

receiving, at a central location, a signal from the onboard device to activate a geo-fence boundary for the asset, wherein receiving the signal comprises

detecting, at the onboard device, loss of the wireless signal indicating proximity of the portable device; and

receiving a signal from the onboard device indicating detection of loss of the wireless signal;

responsive to the signal, automatically;

determining a current location of the asset;

defining a geo-fence boundary surrounding the asset based on the current location of the asset; and

activating the defined geo-fence boundary; and

subsequent to activating the defined geo-fence boundary, monitoring asset location with respect to the geo-fence boundary.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the portable device comprises a key fob.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving a signal to deactivate the geo-fence boundary; and

responsive to the received signal, deactivating the geo-fence boundary.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving a signal to deactivate the geo-fence boundary comprises:

receiving a signal from the onboard device indicating re-establishment of the wireless signal responsive to proximity of the portable device.

18. A method for configuring and activating a qeo-fence boundary surrounding an asset, comprising:

detecting, at an onboard device located at the asset, a wireless signal from a portable device carried by an operator of the asset, the wireless signal indicating the geo-fence boundary should be activated;

transmitting a signal from the onboard device to a central location to activate the geo-fence boundary;

receiving, at the central location, the signal from the onboard device to activate a geo-fence boundary for the asset;

responsive to the signal, automatically;

determining a current location of the asset;

defining a geo-fence boundary surrounding the asset based on the current location of the asset; and

activating the defined geo-fence boundary; and

subsequent to activating the defined geo-fence boundary, monitoring asset location with respect to the geo-fence boundary.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the portable device comprises a key fob.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the wireless signal from the portable device comprises a signal to lock the asset.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

receiving a signal to deactivate the geo-fence boundary; and

responsive to the received signal, deactivating the geo-fence boundary.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving a signal to deactivate the geo-fence boundary comprises:

detecting, at the onboard device, a wireless signal from a portable device carried by an operator of the asset, the wireless signal indicating the geo-fence boundary should be deactivated; and

transmitting a signal from the onboard device to the central location to deactivate the geo-fence boundary.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the wireless signal from the portable device comprises a signal to unlock the asset.

24. A method for configuring and activating a geo-fence boundary surrounding an asset, comprising:

receiving a signal to activate a geo-fence boundary for an asset;

responsive to the signal, automatically;

determining a current location of the asset;

defining a geo-fence boundary surrounding the asset based on the current location of the asset, the defining by

determining at least one predetermined characteristic for the geo-fence boundary; and

defining the geo-fence boundary based on the at least one predetermined characteristic and on the current location of the asset; and

activating the defined geo-fence boundary; and

subsequent to activating the defined geo-fence boundary, monitoring asset location with respect to the geo-fence boundary.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the predetermined characteristic is a radius, and wherein:

defining a geo-fence boundary comprises defining a geo-fence boundary substantially centered around the current location of the asset and having a radius specified by the predetermined characteristic.

26. A system for configuring and activating a geo-fence boundary surrounding an asset, comprising:

a wireless network interface, for receiving a signal to activate a geo-fence boundary for an asset;

a processor, coupled to the wireless network interface, for, responsive to the signal, automatically;

determining a current location of the asset;

defining a geo-fence boundary surrounding the asset based on the current location of the asset; and

activating the defined geo-fence boundary; and

a positioning monitoring device, coupled to the processor, for, subsequent to activating the defined geo-fence boundary, monitoring asset location with respect to the geo-fence boundary.

27. The system of claim 26, further comprising, a message transmitter, coupled to the positioning monitoring device, for, responsive to detecting movement of the asset beyond the defined geo-fence boundary, issuing an alert.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the asset comprises a vehicle.

29. A system for configuring and activating a geo-fence boundary surrounding an asset, comprising:

a wireless network interface, for receiving a signal to activate a geo-fence boundary for an asset;

a processor, coupled to the wireless network interface, for, responsive to the signal, automatically;

determining a current location of the asset;

defining a geo-fence boundary surrounding the asset based on the current location of the asset; and

activating the defined geo-fence boundary; and

a positioning monitoring device, coupled to the processor, for, subsequent to activating the defined geo-fence boundary, monitoring asset location with respect to the geo-fence boundary;

an onboard device, located at the asset, for;

detecting a wireless signal indicating proximity of a portable device carried by an operator of the asset;

detecting loss of the wireless signal indicating proximity of the portable device; and

responsive to detecting loss of the wireless signal indicating proximity of the portable device, transmitting to the wireless network interface a signal to activate the geo-fence boundary.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the portable device comprises a key fob.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein, responsive to the onboard device detecting re-establishment of the wireless signal indicating proximity of the portable device, the onboard device transmits to the wireless network interface a signal to deactivate the geo-fence boundary.

32. A system for configuring and activating a geo-fence boundary surrounding an asset, comprising:

a wireless network interface, for receiving a signal to activate a geo-fence boundary for an asset;

a processor, coupled to the wireless network interface, for, responsive to the signal, automatically;

determining a current location of the asset;

defining a geo-fence boundary surrounding the asset based on the current location of the asset; and

activating the defined geo-fence boundary; and

a positioning monitoring device, coupled to the processor, for, subsequent to activating the defined geo-fence boundary, monitoring asset location with respect to the geo-fence boundary;

an onboard device, located at the asset, for;

detecting a wireless signal from a portable device carried by an operator of the asset, the wireless signal indicating the geo-fence boundary should be activated;

responsive to detecting the wireless signal from the portable device, transmitting to the wireless network interface a signal to activate the geo-fence boundary.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the portable device comprises a key fob.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein, responsive to the onboard device detecting a signal to deactivate the geo-fence boundary, the onboard device transmits to the wireless network interface a signal to deactivate the geo-fence boundary.

35. The system of system claim 34, wherein, responsive to the wireless network interface receiving a signal to deactivate the geo-fence boundary, the processor deactivates the geo-fence boundary.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the signal comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a telephone call;

an email message

an SMS message

an instant message;

an HTTP request;

a communication effected over the Internet; and

a request submitted at a website.

37. A method comprising:

receiving a signal that indicates activation of a geo-fence boundary associated with a parked vehicle;

responsive to the signal that indicates activation

determining a current location of the parked vehicle;

defining a geo-fence boundary surrounding the parked based on the current location of the parked vehicle; and

activating the defined geo-fence boundary; and

then

monitoring asset location with respect to the geo-fence boundary.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein defining the geo-fence boundary further comprises defining a predetermined shape around the current location of the parked vehicle.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein defining the geo-fence boundary further comprises defining a geo-fence with a predetermined radius around the current location of the parked vehicle.

40. The method of claim 37 wherein receiving a signal that indicates activation further comprises detecting, at an onboard device located at the parked vehicle, loss of a wireless signal from a portable device carried by an operator of the vehicle.

41. The method of claim 37 wherein receiving a signal that indicates activation further comprises detecting, at an onboard device located at the parked vehicle, a wireless signal from a portable device carried by an operator of the vehicle, the wireless signal from the portable device indicates activation of the geo-fence.