System and method for indicating reminders via a portable computing device

• US 8,065,079 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Rogers, Sean Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen; Chuong P
• Application Number:
  US11/096,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20060224319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,427 Days
• Field of Search: 701/213, 701/207, 701/214, 455/456.1, 455/456.3, 455/456.6, 455/457, 455/436, 455/439, 455/440, 340/988, 340/995.27, 340/539.11, 34053913-53923
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• 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

A method of processing location data at a portable computing device is provided and includes receiving information associated with a user defined location at the portable computing device. The information includes a central point and an entry indication perimeter. An entry alert associated with the user defined location is received at the portable computing device. The location of the portable computing device is monitored to determine when the portable computing device crosses the entry indication perimeter associated with the central point of the user defined location indicating that the portable computing device is proximate to the user defined location. The method further includes switching the portable computing device from a roaming state to an entry state indicating that the portable computing device is about to enter the user defined location. An indication can be provided to the user that the portable computing device has switched to the entry state.

Claims

1. A method of processing location data at a portable computing device, the method comprising:

receiving information associated with a user defined location at the portable computing device, the information including a central point and an entry indication perimeter;

receiving at least one entry alert associated with the user defined location at the portable computing device;

creating a subpoint via user selection based upon a location of the portable computing device when the portable computing device has not reached the entry indication perimeter associated with the central point of the user defined location, wherein the location associated with the subpoint is different than the location associated with the central point;

modifying the entry indication perimeter by the subpoint to generate a modified entry indication perimeter defined by a combination of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and a subpoint entry indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint;

monitoring a location of the portable computing device;

determining when the portable computing device crosses the modified entry indication perimeter indicating that the portable computing device is proximate to the user defined location; and

triggering the at least one entry alert when the portable computing device is determined to be proximate to the user defined location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the entry indication perimeter is a distance from the central point.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one entry alert is a one time only entry alert.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising switching the portable computing device from a roaming state to an entry state indicating that the portable computing device is about to enter the user defined location.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising indicating that the portable computing device has switched to the entry state.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising presenting the at least one entry alert on the portable computing device.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving an indication to switch the portable computing device to the roaming state.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified entry indication perimeter comprises the combination of the area of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and the area of the subpoint entry indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising switching the portable computing device from the entry state to a home state.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising waiting a predetermined time period before switching to the home state.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining whether the portable computing device is moving toward the central point.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising presenting a reminder to the user.

13. A method of processing location data at a portable computing device, the method comprising:

associating an entry indication perimeter with a central point of a selected location;

monitoring a location of the portable computing device;

indicating that the portable computing device is proximate to the selected location when the portable computing device crosses the entry indication perimeter associated with the central point of the selected location;

creating a subpoint via user selection based upon the location of the portable computing device when the entry indication perimeter has not been reached, wherein the location associated with the subpoint is different than the location associated with the central point; and

modifying the entry indication perimeter by the subpoint to generate a modified entry indication perimeter defined by a combination of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and a subpoint indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the modified entry indication perimeter comprises the combination of the area of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and the area of the subpoint entry indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising modifying the modified entry indication perimeter by a user-defined distance.

16. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations, the instructions comprising:

at least one instruction for associating an entry indication perimeter with a central point of a selected location;

at least one instruction for monitoring a location of a portable computing device;

at least one instruction for indicating that the portable computing device is proximate to the selected location when the portable computing device crosses the entry indication perimeter associated with the central point of the selected location;

at least one instruction for creating a subpoint via user selection based upon the location of the portable device when the entry indication perimeter has not been reached, wherein the location associated with the subpoint is different than the location associated with the central point; and

at least one instruction for modifying the entry indication perimeter by the subpoint to generate a modified entry indication perimeter defined by a combination of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and a subpoint indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the modified entry indication perimeter comprises the area of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and the area of the subpoint entry indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, further comprising at least one instruction for modifying the modified entry indication perimeter by a user-defined distance.

19. A portable computing device capable of handling instructions, the portable computing device comprising:

means for associating an entry indication perimeter with a central point of a selected location;

means for monitoring a location of a portable computing device;

means for indicating that the portable computing device is proximate to the selected location when the portable computing device crosses the entry indication perimeter associated with the central point of the selected location;

means for creating a subpoint via user selection based upon the location of the portable computing device when the entry indication perimeter has not been reached, wherein the location associated with the subpoint is different than the location associated with the central point; and

means for modifying the entry indication perimeter by the subpoint to generate a modified entry indication perimeter defined by a combination of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and a subpoint indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint.

20. The portable computing device of claim 19, wherein the modified entry indication perimeter comprises the area of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and the subpoint entry indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint.

21. The portable computing device of claim 19, further comprising means for modifying the entry indication perimeter by a user-defined distance.

22. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations, the instructions comprising:

at least one instruction for receiving information associated with a user defined location at a portable computing device, the information including a central point and an entry indication perimeter;

at least one instruction for creating a subpoint via user selection based upon a location of the portable computing device when the portable computing device crosses the entry indication perimeter, wherein the location associated with the subpoint is different than the location associated with the central point;

at least one instruction for modifying the entry indication perimeter by the subpoint to generate a modified entry indication perimeter defined by a combination of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and a subpoint entry indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint;

at least one instruction for receiving at least one entry alert associated with the user defined location at the portable computing device;

at least one instruction for monitoring a location of the portable computing device;

at least one instruction for determining when the portable computing device crosses modified the entry indication perimeter indicating that the portable computing device is proximate to the user defined location; and

at least one instruction for triggering the at least one entry alert when the portable computing device is determined to be proximate to the user defined location.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the entry indication perimeter is a distance from the central point.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the at least one entry alert is a one time only entry alert.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising at least one instruction for switching the portable computing device from a roaming state to an entry state indicating that the portable computing device is about to enter the user defined location.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 25, further comprising at least one instruction for indicating that the portable computing device has switched to the entry state.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, further comprising at least one instruction for presenting at least one entry alert on the portable computing device.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, further comprising at least one instruction for receiving an indication to switch the portable computing device to the roaming state.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the modified entry indication perimeter comprises the combination of the area of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and the subpoint entry indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, further comprising at least one instruction for switching the portable computing device from the entry state to a home state.

31. The computer-readable medium of claim 30, further comprising at least one instruction for waiting a predetermined time period before switching to the home state.

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, further comprising at least one instruction for determining whether the portable computing device is moving toward the central point.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 32, further comprising at least one instruction for presenting a reminder to the user.

34. A portable computing device capable of handling instruction, the portable computing device comprising:

means for receiving information associated with a user defined location at the portable computing device, the information including a central point and an entry indication perimeter;

means for creating a subpoint via user selection based upon a location of the portable computing device when the portable computing device crosses the entry indication perimeter associated with the central point of the user defined location, wherein the location associated with the subpoint is different than the location associated with the central point;

means for modifying the entry indication perimeter by the subpoint to generate a modified entry indication perimeter defined by a combination of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and a subpoint entry indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint;

means for receiving at least one entry alert associated with the user defined location at the portable computing device;

means for monitoring a location of the portable computing device;

means for determining when the portable computing device crosses the modified entry indication perimeter indicating that the portable computing device is proximate to the user defined location; and

means for triggering the at least one entry alert when the portable computing device is determined to be proximate to the user defined location.

35. The portable computing device of claim 34, wherein the entry indication perimeter is a distance from the central point.

36. The portable computing device of claim 34, wherein the at least one entry alert is a one time only entry alert.

37. The portable computing device of claim 34, further comprising means for switching the portable computing device from a roaming state to an entry state indicating that the portable computing device is about to enter the user defined location.

38. The portable computing device of claim 37, further comprising means for indicating that the portable computing device has switched to the entry state.

39. The portable computing device of claim 38, further comprising means for presenting the at least one entry alert on the portable computing device.

40. The portable computing device of claim 39, further comprising means for receiving an indication to switch the portable computing device to the roaming state.

41. The portable computing device of claim 34, wherein the modified entry indication perimeter comprises the combination of the area of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and the subpoint entry indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint.

42. The portable computing device of claim 39, further comprising means for switching the portable computing device from the entry state to a home state.

43. The portable computing device of claim 42, further comprising means for waiting a predetermined time period before switching to the home state.

44. The portable computing device of claim 43, further comprising means for determining whether the portable computing device is moving toward the central point.

45. The portable computing device of claim 44, further comprising means for presenting a reminder to the user.

46. A portable computing device capable of handling instructions, the portable computing device comprising:

logic for receiving information associated with a user defined location at the portable computing device, the information including a central point and an entry indication perimeter;

logic for creating a subpoint via user selection based upon a location of the portable computing device when the portable computing device crosses the entry indication perimeter associated with the central point of the user defined location, wherein the location associated with the subpoint is different than the location associated with the central point;

logic for modifying the entry indication perimeter by the subpoint to generate a modified entry indication perimeter defined by a combination of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and a subpoint entry indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint;

logic for receiving at least one entry alert associated with the user defined location at the portable computing device;

logic for monitoring a location of the portable computing device;

logic for determining when the portable computing device crosses the entry indication perimeter indicating that the portable computing device is proximate to the user defined location; and

logic for triggering the at least one entry alert when the portable computing device is determined to be proximate to the user defined location.

47. A portable computing device capable of handling instructions, the portable computing device comprising:

logic for associating an entry indication perimeter with a central point of a selected location;

logic for monitoring a location of the portable computing device;

logic for indicating that the portable computing device is proximate to the selected location when the portable computing device crosses the entry indication perimeter associated with the central point of the selected location;

logic for creating a subpoint via user selection based upon the location of the portable device when the entry indication perimeter has not been reached, wherein the location associated with the subpoint is different than the location associated with the central point; and

logic for modifying the entry indication perimeter by the subpoint to generate a modified entry indication perimeter defined by a combination of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and a subpoint indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint.

48. A method of processing location data at a portable computing device, the method comprising:

receiving central point information associated with a user defined location at the portable computing device, the central point information including a central point and an entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point;

receiving subpoint information associated with a user defined location at the portable computing device, the subpoint information including a user selected subpoint and a subpoint entry indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint, wherein the location associated with the subpoint is different than the location associated with the central point;

modifying the entry indication perimeter based on the subpoint information to generate a modified entry indication perimeter defined by a combination of the entry indication perimeter surrounding the central point and the subpoint entry indication perimeter surrounding the subpoint;

receiving at least one entry alert for the user defined location at the portable computing device;

monitoring a location of the portable computing device;

determining when the portable computing device crosses the modified entry indication perimeter indicating that the portable computing device is proximate to the user defined location; and

triggering the at least one entry alert when the portable computing device is determined to be proximate to the user defined location.