Method and apparatus for providing target location reminders for a mobile device

• US 9,877,154 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2016
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2016
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Shaik, Moulaali
• Primary Examiner(s): Cumming, William D
• Application Number:
  US15/016,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20170230792A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 4554563, 4554562, 340540, 3406861
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing target location reminders for a mobile device may take into account the estimated time that it will take the mobile device to reach a target location based on a current location of the mobile device, based on a current mode of transportation of the mobile device and also based on current traffic conditions to reach a target location (808). In another example, a method and apparatus for providing target location reminders for a mobile device may dynamically change a geo-fence perimeter to include an area larger than a previously set geo-fence in response to a determined frequency of location visits of the mobile device (810). In another example, an apparatus and method may operate in a mode that automatically provide target location reminders taking into consideration common mobile device locations also referred to as an extension mode from favorite locations (812).

Claims

1. A method comprising:

outputting, by a mobile device, for display, a user interface component indicating a plurality of selectable dynamic geo-fence modes, the plurality of selectable dynamic geo-fence modes including a transport time mode and at least one of a frequency of visits mode and a common location mode;

receiving, by a geo-fence reminder controller, while the transport time mode is a selected dynamic geo-fence mode, a target location within a first geo-fence, the first geo-fence being associated with a corresponding nominal travel time to reach the received target location from a perimeter of the first geo-fence using a first transportation mode;

determining, by the geo-fence reminder controller, an estimated travel time for the mobile device to reach the received target location, the estimated travel time being based on a current location of the mobile device, a current mode of transportation of the mobile device, and current traffic conditions;

in response to determining that the estimated travel time for the mobile device to reach the received target location is within a desired temporal range of the nominal travel time, dynamically changing, by the geo-fence reminder controller, the first geo-fence to a second geo-fence, the second geo-fence defining a different area than the first geo-fence; and

in response to the mobile device entering the second geo-fence, outputting, by the geo-fence reminder controller, to the user interface and for display, a reminder notification.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

outputting, for display, a user interface component that presents a plurality of transportation modes for selection by a user, wherein a user-selected transportation mode is the first transportation mode.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining the nominal travel time to reach the received target location from a perimeter of the first geo-fence based on the first transportation mode and average traffic conditions of the first transportation mode.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein dynamically changing the first geo-fence to a second geo-fence defining a different area comprises:

in response to the estimated travel time being less than or equal to the nominal travel time and the current location of the mobile device being outside the first geo-fence, increasing an area defined by the first geo-fence to the different area defined by the second geo-fence.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining that the estimated travel time for the mobile device to the received target location is within the desired temporal range of the nominal travel time using a second transportation mode different from first transportation mode.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

outputting, for display, a user interface component with selectable static geo-fence mode data and selectable dynamic geo-fence mode data.

7. A method comprising:

obtaining, by a geo-fence reminder controller of a mobile device, an indication of a first geo-fence, the first geo-fence surrounding at least a target location;

in response to determining that a frequency of the mobile device previously visiting locations within the first geo-fence is below a threshold, modifying, by the geo-fence reminder controller, the first geo-fence to establish a second geo-fence, the second geo-fence surrounding at least the target location and defining an area larger than the first geo-fence; and

receiving, by the geo-fence reminder controller, the target location within the second geo-fence, the second geo-fence being associated with a corresponding nominal travel time to reach the received target location from a perimeter of the second geo-fence using a first transportation mode;

determining, by the geo-fence reminder controller, an estimated travel time for the mobile device to reach the received target location, the estimated travel time being based on a current location of the mobile device, a current mode of transportation of the mobile device, and current traffic conditions;

in response to determining that the estimated travel time for the mobile device to reach the received target location is within a desired temporal range of the nominal travel time, dynamically changing, by the geo-fence reminder controller, the second geo-fence to a third geo-fence, the third geo-fence defining a different area than the second geo-fence;

in response to the mobile device entering the third geo-fence, outputting, by the geo-fence reminder controller, to a user interface component and for display a reminder notification.

8. A method comprising:

obtaining, by a geo-fence reminder controller of a mobile device, a current location of the mobile device;

accessing stored mobile device common location data;

determining a common mobile device location from the stored mobile device common location data, the determined common mobile device location being a location frequently visited by the mobile device;

automatically setting a first geo-fence area surrounding at least a target location based on a distance between the current location and the determined common mobile device location;

receiving, by the geo-fence reminder controller, the target location within the first geo-fence area, the first geo-fence area being associated with a corresponding nominal travel time to reach the received target location from a perimeter of the first geo-fence area using a first transportation mode;

determining, by the geo-fence reminder controller, an estimated travel time for the mobile device to reach the received target location, the estimated travel time being based on a current location of the mobile device, a current mode of transportation of the mobile device, and current traffic conditions;

in response to determining that the estimated travel time for the mobile device to reach the received target location is within a desired temporal range of the nominal travel time, dynamically changing, by the geo-fence reminder controller, the first geo-fence area to a second geo-fence area, the second geo-fence area defining a different area than the first geo-fence area; and

in response to the mobile device entering the second geo-fence area, outputting, by the geo-fence reminder controller, to a user interface component and for display, a reminder notification.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the automatically setting a geo-fence area comprises:

in response to a current mobile device location being a common mobile device location, expanding the first geo-fence area to define a larger area surrounding at least the target location.

10. A mobile device comprising:

a user interface output component; and

logic circuitry operatively coupled to the user interface output component and configured to;

output, to the user interface output component, a user interface component indicating a plurality of selectable dynamic geo-fence modes, the plurality of selectable dynamic geo-fence modes including a transport time mode and at least one of a frequency of visits mode and a common location mode;

receive, while the transport time mode is a selected dynamic geo-fence mode, a target location within a first geo-fence, the first geo-fence being associated with a corresponding nominal travel time to reach the received target location from a perimeter of the first geo-fence using a first transportation mode;

determine an estimated travel time for the mobile device to reach the received target location, the estimated travel time based on a current location of the mobile device, a current mode of transportation of the mobile device, and current traffic conditions;

in response to determining that the estimated travel time for the mobile device to reach the received target location is within a desired temporal range of the nominal travel time, dynamically change the first geo-fence to a second geo-fence, the second geo-fence defining a different area than the first geo-fence; and

in response to the mobile device entering the second geo-fence, output, for display and to the user interface output component, a reminder notification.

11. The mobile device of claim 10 further comprising:

a user interface input component coupled to the logic circuitry,

wherein the logic circuitry is further configured to;

output, to the user interface output component, selectable mode of transportation data;

receive an indication of a selection of a transportation mode using the user interface input component; and

use the selected transportation mode to determine the estimated travel time to reach the received target location by the mobile device for the second geo-fence.

12. The mobile device of claim 10 further comprising:

a location unit operatively coupled to the logic circuitry,

wherein the logic circuitry is further configured to increase, in response to the estimated travel time being less than or equal to the nominal travel time and the current location of the mobile device being outside the first geo-fence, an area defined by the first geo-fence to the different area defined by the second geo-fence.

13. The mobile device of claim 12 further comprising:

a transceiver coupled to a traffic condition database,

wherein the logic circuitry is further configured to shape the second geo-fence in response to traffic conditions between the current location and the received target location.

14. The mobile device of claim 12 wherein the logic circuitry is further configured to output, for display and to the user interface output component, a user interface with selectable static geo-fence mode data and selectable dynamic geo-fence mode data.

15. A mobile device comprising:

a location unit,

a user interface output component; and

logic circuitry, operatively coupled to the location unit and the user interface output component, and configured to;

obtain an indication of a first geo-fence, the first geo-fence surrounding at least a target location;

in response to determining that a frequency of the mobile device previously visiting locations within the first geo-fence is below a threshold, modify the first geo-fence to establish a second geo-fence, the second geo-fence surrounding at least the target location and defining an area larger than the first geo-fence; and

receive the target location within the second geo-fence, the second geo-fence being associated with a corresponding nominal travel time to reach the received target location from a perimeter of the second geo-fence using a first transportation mode;

determine an estimated travel time for the mobile device to reach the received target location, the estimated travel time being based on a current location of the mobile device, a current mode of transportation of the mobile device, and current traffic conditions;

in response to determining that the estimated travel time for the mobile device to reach the received target location is within a desired temporal range of the nominal travel time, dynamically change the second geo-fence to a third geo-fence, the third geo-fence defining a different area than the second geo-fence;

in response to the mobile device entering the third geo-fence, output, to the user interface output component, a reminder notification.

16. A mobile device comprising:

a location unit,

a memory;

a user interface output component; and

logic circuitry, coupled to the location unit, and configured to;

obtain a current location of the mobile device from the location unit;

access stored mobile device common location data from the memory;

determine a common mobile device location from the stored mobile device common location data, the determined common mobile device location being a location frequently visited by the mobile device;

automatically set a first geo-fence area surrounding at least a target location based on a distance between the current location and the determined common mobile device location;

receive the target location within the first geo-fence area, the first geo-fence area being associated with a corresponding nominal travel time to reach the received target location from a perimeter of the first geo-fence area using a first transportation mode;

determine an estimated travel time for the mobile device to reach the received target location, the estimated travel time being based on a current location of the mobile device, a current mode of transportation of the mobile device, and current traffic conditions;

in response to determining that the estimated travel time for the mobile device to reach the received target location is within a desired temporal range of the nominal travel time, dynamically change the first geo-fence area to a second geo-fence area, the second geo-fence area defining a different area than the first geo-fence; and

in response to the mobile device entering the second geo-fence area, output, to the user interface output component, a reminder notification.

17. The mobile device of claim 16 wherein the logic circuitry is operative to automatically set the geo-fence area by expanding, in response to a current mobile device location being a common mobile device location, a first geo-fence area to define a larger third geo-fence area surrounding at least the target location.