Method and system for identifying and defining geofences

• US 20060200305A1
• Filed: 03/07/2006
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ALD Social LLC
• Original Assignee: Networks In Motion Incorporated (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Sheha, Michael A., Sheha, Angie
• Granted Patent: US 8,019,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 using computer methods
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/10 Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids optical projection apparatus per se G03B
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• 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 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to an improved mapping and navigational system. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a system for defining and assigning geographical boundaries to points of interests on a graphical map, where the geographical boundaries preferably correlate to spatially defined boundaries of the respective points of interests. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the points of interest, along with the respective defined geographical boundaries, can be transferred from a personal computing device to a telecommunication device, such as a portable communication device, so as to be used for mapping purposes and to set off proximity alerts when the portable communication device, equipped with a GPS unit, enters or exits the geographical boundary of a particular point of interest.

Claims

1. A machine-readable medium containing a set of executable instructions for causing a computer to perform a method for identifying a point of interest on an electronically generated graphical map, said method comprising the steps of:

generating an electronic graphical map;

designating a point of interest on said electronic graphical map;

defining a geofence for said point of interest, said geofence being a boundary surrounding the center of the point of interest; and

displaying said geofence on said electronic graphical map.

2. The machine-readable medium of claim 1, wherein said geofence is defined along a pre-recorded spatially defined boundary of said point of interest.

3. The machine-readable medium of claim 1, wherein said geofence is defined using a plurality of polygons.

4. The machine-readable medium of claim 1, wherein said geofence is polygon in shape.

5. A navigational system, said system comprising:

means for generating a graphical map on an electronic display, said graphical map including a plurality of points of interest;

a display for displaying said graphical map;

means for defining a geofence for one of said points of interest, said geofence being a boundary surrounding the center of the point of interest; and

displaying said geofence on said electronic graphical map.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said geofence is defined along a pre-recorded spatially defined boundary of said point of interest.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein said geofence is defined using a plurality of polygons.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein said geofence is polygon in shape.

9. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a portable navigational device operatively coupled to said navigational system, said portable navigational device having a GPS receiver;

means for generating and displaying on the display a graphical icon representing said portable navigational device;

means for designating said one point of interest having a defined geofence;

means for downloading, from the system to the portable navigational device, data associated with said one point of interest and said defined geofence.

10. A portable navigational device, said portable navigational device capable of being operatively coupled to a personal computer, said device comprising:

a display;

means for generating a graphical map to be displayed on said display, said graphical map including a plurality of points of interest;

means for displaying a geofence for one of said points of interest, said geofence being a boundary surrounding the center of the point of interest; and

displaying said geofence on said electronic graphical map.

11. The portable navigational device of claim 10, wherein said geofence is defined along a pre-recorded spatially defined boundary of said point of interest.

12. The portable navigational device of claim 10, wherein said geofence is defined using a plurality of polygons.

13. The portable navigational device of claim 10, wherein said geofence is polygon in shape.

14. The portable navigational device of claim 10, wherein said geofence data is transferred to the portable navigational device from the operatively coupled personal computer.

15. The portable navigational device of claim 10, further comprising a GPS receiver, said GPS receiver capable of receiving positional data indicating a physical location of said portable navigational device.

16. The portable navigational device of claim 10, further comprising means for generating a user alert when the physical location of said portable navigational device is within the boundaries of said geofence.

17. The portable navigational device of claim 10, wherein said portable navigational device is a mobile phone.