Methods and systems for performing geofencing with reduced power consumption
First Claim
1. A method of implementing geofencing using a mobile device having a GPS capability, the mobile device configured to be operably coupled to a building controller, the method comprising:
- setting a geofence defining a region about a building;
turning on the GPS capability of the mobile device, ascertaining an updated current location of the mobile device, and then turning off the GPS capability;
determining a position of the mobile device relative to the geofence based on the updated current location;
calculating a TIME TO FENCE value, wherein the TIME TO FENCE value is an estimate of a minimum length of time that it would take for an individual carrying the mobile device to cross the geofence;
calculating a DELAY TIME value, where the DELAY TIME value is based at least in part on the calculated TIME TO FENCE value and is less than the TIME TO FENCE value;
with the GPS capability turned off, waiting THE DELAY TIME value and then;
turning on the GPS capability of the mobile device;
ascertaining an updated current location of the mobile device;
turning off the GPS capability;
repeating the determining the position, calculating the TIME TO FENCE value, calculating the DELAY TIME value, waiting the DELAY TIME value, turning on the GPS capability, ascertaining an updated current location, and turning off the GPS capability steps; and
communicating an indication of the position of the mobile device relative to the geofence to a building controller so that the building controller can regulate operation of a building system in accordance with the indication of the position of the mobile device relative to the geofence.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A GPS capability of a mobile device may be turned on in order to ascertain an updated current location and then be turned off. Position relative to the geofence may be determined based on the updated current location and a time to fence value that provides an estimate of how soon an individual carrying the mobile device could cross the geofence may be calculated. The GPS capability may be kept turned off for a delay time period that is based at least in part on the calculated time to fence value. After the delay time period, the GPS capability of the mobile device may be turned back on and the cycle of turning on the GPS, ascertaining an updated current location and turning off the GPS may continue. An indication of the position of the mobile device relative to the geofence may be transmitted.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of implementing geofencing using a mobile device having a GPS capability, the mobile device configured to be operably coupled to a building controller, the method comprising:
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setting a geofence defining a region about a building; turning on the GPS capability of the mobile device, ascertaining an updated current location of the mobile device, and then turning off the GPS capability; determining a position of the mobile device relative to the geofence based on the updated current location; calculating a TIME TO FENCE value, wherein the TIME TO FENCE value is an estimate of a minimum length of time that it would take for an individual carrying the mobile device to cross the geofence; calculating a DELAY TIME value, where the DELAY TIME value is based at least in part on the calculated TIME TO FENCE value and is less than the TIME TO FENCE value; with the GPS capability turned off, waiting THE DELAY TIME value and then; turning on the GPS capability of the mobile device; ascertaining an updated current location of the mobile device; turning off the GPS capability; repeating the determining the position, calculating the TIME TO FENCE value, calculating the DELAY TIME value, waiting the DELAY TIME value, turning on the GPS capability, ascertaining an updated current location, and turning off the GPS capability steps; and communicating an indication of the position of the mobile device relative to the geofence to a building controller so that the building controller can regulate operation of a building system in accordance with the indication of the position of the mobile device relative to the geofence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A mobile device having GPS, the mobile device comprising:
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a user interface; a memory for storing an executable program, the memory also storing information pertaining to a geofence assigned to a building; a controller operably coupled to the user interface and to the memory, the controller configured to temporarily turn on the GPS in order to determine an updated current location of the mobile device, and then turn the GPS off; the controller configured to compare the updated current location of the mobile device to the geofence and calculate a TIME TO FENCE value that indicates a minimum amount of time before the mobile device could cross the geofence; the controller configured to calculate a DELAY TIME value that is based at least in part upon the calculated TIME TO FENCE value; the controller configured to wait the DELAY TIME value before temporarily turning the GPS on again to determine an updated current location of the mobile device, and then turn the GPS off; and the controller configured to cause the mobile device to communicate an indication of the updated current location of the mobile device relative to the geofence to a building controller so that the building controller can regulate operation of a building system in accordance with the indication of the position of the mobile device relative to the geofence. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A mobile device comprising:
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a user interface; a memory for storing an executable program, the memory also storing information pertaining to a geofence assigned to a building; location services including a cellular triangulation capability and a GPS capability; a controller operably coupled to the user interface and to the memory, the controller configured to turn on at least some of the location services in order to determine an updated current location of the mobile device and then turn off the location services that had been turned on; the controller further configured to compare the updated current location to the geofence and calculate a TIME TO FENCE value, wherein the TIME TO FENCE value is an estimate of a minimum time in which the mobile device could cross the geofence; the controller further configured to calculate a DELAY TIME value that is based at least in part on the calculated TIME TO FENCE value and is less than the TIME TO FENCE value; the controller further configured to wait the DELAY TIME value before turning on the location services on again, and then turn off the location services; and the controller further configured to cause the mobile device to communicate an indication of the updated current location of the mobile device relative to the geofence to a building controller so that the building controller can regulate operation of a building system in accordance with the indication of the updated current location of the mobile device relative to the geofence. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification