Methods and systems related to time triggered geofencing

• US 9,384,665 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2015
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gordon Howard Associates Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gordon Howard Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Morgan, Gerald A., Schwarz, Stanley G., Macheca, Christopher M.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US14/639,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20150179077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 340/990, 340/988, 340/426.1, 340/426.18, 340/426.2, 340/426.22, 340/426.36, 340/5.72, 340/539.13, 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340/5.61, 340/541, 701/201, 701/202, 701/207, 701/213
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/01 Satellite radio beacon positioning systems transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/207 with respect to certain areas, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas with possible alerting when inside or outside boundaries
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences

Abstract

Time Triggered Geo-fencing. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: receiving a set of variables related to a geo-fence to be established at a predetermined time for a preset duration; establishing the geo-fence at the predetermined time, the geo-fence established for the preset duration; monitoring the location of the vehicle using signals received by an onboard device coupled to the vehicle; and sending an alert related to the location of the vehicle if said monitoring indicates the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence within the preset duration.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a set of variables related to a geo-fence to be established at a predetermined time for a preset duration;

establishing the geo-fence at the predetermined time, the geo-fence established for the preset duration;

monitoring a location of the vehicle using signals received by an onboard device coupled to the vehicle; and

sending an alert related to the location of the vehicle if said monitoring indicates the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence within the preset duration.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein establishing further comprises establishing the geo-fence for at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a restricted area; and

an allowed area.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein monitoring the location of the vehicle further comprises monitoring by way of a computer system located at a remote operations center.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein monitoring the location of the vehicle further comprises monitoring by way of the onboard device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the preset duration is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a window of time;

work hours;

school hours; and

restricted hours.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein sending the alert further comprises sending the alert to at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a parent;

a law enforcement officer;

a vehicle owner; and

an employer.

7. A method comprising:

monitoring a location of a vehicle using signals received by an onboard device coupled to the vehicle; and

then

establishing a geo-fence around the location of the vehicle at a predetermined time, the geo-fence established for a duration of a preset duration;

determining that the vehicle has crossed the geo-fence within the preset duration; and

then

sending an alert related to the location of the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the preset duration is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a window of time;

restricted hours;

curfew hours;

school hours; and

work hours.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein sending the alert further comprises sending the alert to at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a parent;

a law enforcement officer;

a vehicle owner; and

an employer.

10. A method comprising:

establishing a geo-fence at a predetermined time, the geo-fence established for a duration of a preset duration;

monitoring a location of the vehicle using signals received by an onboard device coupled to the vehicle; and

determining that the vehicle is not within an area bounded by the geo-fence within the preset duration; and

sending a first alert indicative of the vehicle located outside of the geo-fence.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

determining the vehicle has crossed into the area bounded by the geo-fence within the preset duration; and

sending a second alert related to the location of the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the preset duration is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a window of time;

school hours; and

work hours.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

sending a second alert related to the location of the vehicle;

wherein sending the first alert or the second alert is sent to at least one selected from the group consisting of;

a parent;

a law enforcement officer;

a vehicle owner; and

an employer.

14. A method comprising:

establishing a geo-fence at a predetermined time, the geo-fence established for a duration of a preset duration;

monitoring a location of the vehicle using signals received by an onboard device coupled to the vehicle; and

determining that the vehicle has crossed out of an area bounded by the geo-fence during the preset duration; and

sending a first alert indicative of the vehicle crossing out of the geo-fence.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

determining the vehicle has crossed into the area bounded by the geo-fence after the geo-fence is established; and

sending a second alert indicative of the vehicle crossing into the area bounded by the geo-fence after the geo-fence is established.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the preset duration is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a window of time;

school hours; and

work hours.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein sending the alert further comprises sending the alert to at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a parent;

a law enforcement officer;

a vehicle owner;

an employer.