Asymmetric dynamic geo-fencing

• US 8,471,701 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2011
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Yariv, Eran, Beckman, Brian C., Kuper, Vadim
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bendidi, Rachid
• Application Number:
  US13/118,495
• Publication Number:
  US 20120310527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/201, 701/426, 701/425, 701/438, 455/456.3, 455/457, 340/539.13, 340/540
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3679 Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences

Abstract

Architecture that enables location based notifications (e.g., geo-fences) using standard polygons the capture of complex regions. As applied to geo-fencing, it extends geo-fencing beyond the mere representation of the virtual perimeter (fenced) area. More specifically, the architecture takes into consideration geographical and demographical features, such as the layout of the roads and streets, the types of available of transportation (e.g., car, bus, walk, biking, etc.), the traffic conditions, and the dynamic properties of a point of interest (POI) such as opening hours, total wait time, etc. More specifically, the architecture enables the dynamic modification of polygon geo-fence based on POI properties, dynamic modification of polygon geo-fence based on road/street layout, dynamic modification of polygon geo-fence based on means of transportation, dynamic modification of polygon geo-fence based on traffic conditions, dynamic modification of polygon geo-fence based on user'"'"'s state, and dynamic recalculation of regions and directions tailored to user interests.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented notification system, comprising:

a location-based notification component that generates a polygon-based virtual perimeter in association with a geographical point of interest and enables communication of notifications to a user device based on parameters related to user interaction with the point of interest;

a change component that dynamically initiates modification of the virtual perimeter by the location-based notification component in response to changes to the parameters; and

a processor that executes computer-executable instructions associated with at least one of the location-based notification component or the change component.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual perimeter is modified based on changes to parameters related to at least one of a user of the user device, the point of interest, or geographical environment.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual perimeter is modified based on changes to properties of the point of interest.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual perimeter is modified based on parameters related to a route to the point of interest.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual perimeter is modified based on parameters related to mode of transportation to the point of interest.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual perimeter is modified based on parameters related to traffic conditions to the point of interest.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual perimeter is modified based on parameters related to a state of a user of the user device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual perimeter is modified based on parameters related to geographical regions and directions customized to a user of the user device in consideration of interests of the user.

9. A computer-implemented notification method, comprising acts of:

generating a polygon-based virtual perimeter in association with a geographical point of interest;

dynamically modifying the virtual perimeter in response to changes to parameters related to user interaction with the point of interest;

communicating notifications to a user device based on the modified virtual perimeter; and

utilizing a processor that executes instructions stored in memory to perform at least one of the acts of generating, communicating, or modifying.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising modifying the virtual perimeter to extend range of the virtual perimeter to trigger communication of a notification to the user if the user device is moving toward the point of interest.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising modifying the virtual perimeter to represent a constant time of travel to the point of interest.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising modifying the virtual perimeter based on route and speed of the user device relative to the point of interest and as deduced from a mode of transportation of the user device.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising modifying the virtual perimeter to generate notifications based on time to the point of interest in consideration of current speed of the user device.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising modifying the virtual perimeter based on parameters related to user past activities and existing user state of mind.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising modifying regions and headings of a virtual perimeter polygon that are of interest to a user, based on user preferences.

16. A computer-implemented notification method, comprising acts of:

generating a polygon-based geo-fence in association with geographical points of interest and parameters associated with the points of interest, the parameters considered for user interaction with the points of interest;

detecting a change in a parameter of a point of interest;

dynamically modifying the geo-fence in response to the detected change;

communicating a notification associated with the detected change to a user device; and

utilizing a processor that executes instructions stored in memory to perform at least one of the acts of generating, detecting, communicating, or modifying.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising dynamically expanding or reducing the geo-fence of a point of interest in response to the detected change and based on proximity of the user device to the geo-fence.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising dynamically modifying the geo-fence based on changes in traffic conditions, route conditions, and geographical environment to a point of interest.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising dynamically modifying the geo-fence to create a virtual perimeter associated with a point of interest that results in equivalent travel time to the point of interest over disparate routes.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising dynamically modifying a polygon of the geo-fence based on knowledge of attributes of multiple regions and user preferences as to the attributes, and displaying graphical indicia related to a route to travel to interact with points of interest as determined from the user preferences.