Smart location-based reminders

• US 10,475,327 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2019
• Issued: 11/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Adler, Scott, Miladinov, Viktor
• Primary Examiner(s): Foxx, Chico A
• Application Number:
  US16/295,480
• Publication Number:
  US 20190206225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 250 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• 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 and device for providing a reminder to a user of a mobile device are provided. A location of the mobile device is monitored to identify whether the first geographical area is triggered by the mobile device crossing a first boundary of the first geographical area. After the mobile device crosses the first boundary the first location-based reminder is identified and a state of the mobile device is determined. The first location-based reminder can be provided to the user when an opportune event occurs.

Claims

1. A method for providing a reminder to a user of a mobile device, the method comprising, at the mobile device:

monitoring, using location circuitry, a location of the mobile device to identify whether the mobile device crosses a first geographical boundary of a first geographical area;

after identifying that the mobile device crosses the first geographical boundary of the first geographical area;

identifying a first location-based reminder;

determining whether an opportune event occurs, wherein the opportune event is determined to occur based on motion sensor information indicating a change of the mobile device from a first motion state to a second motion state, wherein the second motion state is a state that the mobile device is in a position that a user is able to review the first location-based reminder; and

providing the first location-based reminder to the user in response to determining that the opportune event occurred.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device crosses the first geographical boundary of the first geographical area in response to the mobile device crossing a geo-fence.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the geo-fence is set in accordance with global positioning system (GPS) information.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the motion sensor information is monitored by a state engine that detects the change in a motion state of the mobile device from the first motion state to the second motion state.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second motion state is determined based on vibration motion information.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second motion state comprises movement above a movement threshold.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the movement threshold is determined by a threshold generator.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the threshold generator is configured to determine the movement threshold based on readings from one or motion sensors.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first location-based reminder is input by a voice command.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first location-based reminder is displayed on a lock screen of the mobile device until the first location-based reminder is addressed by the user.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

in response to receiving a snooze input;

providing an option to trigger the first location-based reminder at a later time; and

in response to receiving an input to trigger the first location-based reminder at the later time, providing a plurality of options for triggering the first location-based reminder at the later time.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second motion state comprises a state in which the mobile device is picked up by a user.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second motion state comprises a state in which the mobile device receives a selection of one or more inputs on the mobile device.

14. A computer product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a plurality of instructions that when executed control a computer system to provide a reminder to a user of a mobile device, the instructions comprising:

monitoring, using location circuitry, a location of the mobile device to identify whether the mobile device crosses a first geographical boundary of a first geographical area;

after identifying that the mobile device crosses the first geographical boundary of the first geographical area;

identifying a first location-based reminder;

determining whether an opportune event occurs, wherein the opportune event is determined to occur based on motion sensor information indicating a change of the mobile device from a first motion state to a second motion state, wherein the second motion state is a state that the mobile device is in a position that a user is able to review the first location-based reminder; and

providing the first location-based reminder to the user in response to determining that the opportune event occurred.

15. The computer product according to claim 14, wherein the mobile device crosses the first geographical boundary of the first geographical area in response to the mobile device crossing a geo-fence.

16. The computer product according to claim 14, wherein the motion sensor information is monitored by a state engine that detects the change in a motion state of the mobile device from the first motion state to the second motion state.

17. The computer product according to claim 14, wherein the second motion state comprises movement above a movement threshold.

18. The computer product according to claim 17, wherein the movement threshold is determined by a threshold generator.

19. The computer product according to claim 18, wherein the threshold generator is configured to determine the movement threshold based on readings from one or motion sensors.

20. A mobile device comprising:

one or more sensors;

one or more processors configured to;

monitor, using location circuitry, a location of the mobile device to identify whether the mobile device crosses a first geographical boundary of a first geographical area;

after identifying that the mobile device crosses the first geographical boundary of the first geographical area;

identify a first location-based reminder;

determine whether an opportune event occurs, wherein the opportune event is determined to occur based on motion sensor information indicating a change of the mobile device from a first motion state to a second motion state, wherein the second motion state is a state that the mobile device is in a position that a user is able to review the first location-based reminder; and

providing the first location-based reminder to the user in response to determining that the opportune event occurred.