System and method with automatic radius crossing notification for global positioning system (GPS) tracker

• US 9,432,807 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2013
• Issued: 08/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Kern, James W. Jr., Ferro, Phil, Nisita, Frank Joseph, Laube, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, MONG-THUY THI
• Application Number:
  US13/900,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20140349672A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 4554561-4563, 455/457, 455/404.2, 455/421
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1012 Zone surveillance means, e.g. parking lots, truck depots
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences

Abstract

Systems and methods with automatic radius cross notification for a GPS tracker are provided. Some methods can include receiving user input requesting a dynamic creation of a geo-fence, and, responsive thereto, creating the geo-fence. Some methods can include determining when a GPS tracker device has been stationary for a predetermined period of time, and responsive thereto, dynamically creating a geo-fence.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

a tracker device receiving first user input requesting a dynamic creation of a first geo-fence;

the tracker device receiving second user input identifying a distance of a radius of the first geo-fence after receiving the first user input requesting the dynamic creation of the geo-fence;

responsive to the received first and second user inputs, the tracker device creating the first geo-fence having the radius around an object associated with the tracker device;

the object crossing the created first geo-fence;

the tracker device automatically creating a second geo-fence around the object at another location without any additional steps by a user; and

the tracker device tracking the object around a location that is not necessarily predetermined or frequently visited,

wherein the automatic creating of the second geo-fence around the object at the another location and the tracking of the object around the location that is not necessarily predetermined or frequently visited are selectable features activated by a physical button associated with the tracker device, and

wherein a notification is sent to the user each time the object crosses the created first or second geo-fence.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the first user input requesting the dynamic creation of the first geo-fence includes receiving the first user input via an application user interface or receiving the first user input via a user input device.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying a current location of the tracker device.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein creating the second geo-fence includes identifying a boundary defined by a predetermined radius from the current location of the tracker device.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining when the tracker device crosses the first or second geo-fence.

6. A method comprising:

determining when a GPS tracker device has been stationary for a predetermined period of time;

the GPS tracker device receiving user input identifying a distance of a radius of a first geo-fence after determining that the GPS tracker device has been stationary for the predetermined period of time;

responsive to determining when the GPS tracker device has been stationary for the predetermined period of time, dynamically creating the first geo-fence having the radius at a first location around an object associated with the GPS tracker device;

the object crossing the created first geo-fence;

the GPS tracker device automatically creating a second geo-fence at a second location without any additional input from a user; and

the GPS tracker device tracking the object around a location that is not necessarily predetermined or frequently visited,

wherein creating the second geo-fence around the object at the second location and tracking the object around the location that is not necessarily predetermined or frequently visited are selectable features activated by a physical button associated with the GPS tracker device, and

wherein a notification is sent to the user each time the object crosses the created first or second geo-fence.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising enabling a capability to determine when the GPS tracker device has been stationary for the predetermined period of time and responsive thereto, to dynamically create the first geo-fence.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising identifying a current location of the GPS tracker device.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising determining when the GPS tracker device crosses the geo-fence.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising transmitting the notification when the GPS tracker device crosses the first or second geo-fence.

11. A system comprising:

a GPS tracker device; and

a remote server in wireless communication with the GPS tracker device,

wherein, responsive to a predetermined condition, at least one of the GPS tracker device and the remote server dynamically creates a first geo-fence around an object associated with the GPS tracker device, determines that the first geo-fence has been crossed, and automatically creates a second geo-fence at another location without any additional steps by a user,

wherein the GPS tracker device tracks the object around a location that is not necessarily predeteimined or frequently visited,

wherein the creating of the second geo-fence around the object at the another location and the tracking of the object around the location that is not necessarily predetermined or frequently visited are selectable features activated by a physical button associated with the GPS tracker device,

wherein a notification is sent to the user each time the object crosses the created first or second geo-fence,

wherein the predetermined condition includes at least one of the GPS tracker device or the remote server receiving first user input requesting dynamic creation of the first geo-fence around the GPS tracker device, and

wherein the first user input requesting dynamic creation of the first geo-fence further includes second user input identifying a distance of a radius of the first geo-fence.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the remote server receiving the first user input requesting dynamic creation of the first geo-fence around the GPS tracker device includes the remote server receiving the first user input via an application user interface.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the predetermined condition includes a predetermined period of time elapsing during which the GPS tracker device is stationary.

14. The system of claim 11 further comprising at least one of the GPS tracker device and the remote server transmitting the notification when the GPS tracker device crosses the first or second geo-fence.