111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US008717166B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Diem
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`*May 6, 2014
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONVEYING
`LOCATION INFORMATION VIA A
`PLURALITY OF INFORMATION-SHARING
`ENVIRONMENTS
`
`(71) Applicant: Geofence Data Access Controls, LLC,
`Huntsville, AL (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Darrell Diem, Madison, AL (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Geofence Data Access Controls LLC,
`Huntsville, AL (US)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ....... H04W 12/06; H04W 4/02; H04W 12/00;
`H04W 12/08; H04W 48/04; H04M 1/67;
`H04M 1/72566; H04M 1/72572; H04M
`1/72577; G07C 9/00111; H04L 63/10
`USPC ................. 340/539.13,539.1,539.11, 573.1,
`340/573.3, 573.4, 8.1, 5.2, 5.74; 701/400,
`701/418, 451, 486, 487
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/948,785
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 23, 2013
`
`(65)
`
`(63)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2013/0310072Al
`Nov. 21, 2013
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation of application No. 13/550,788, filed on
`Jul. 17, 2012, now Pat. No. 8,493,207, which is a
`continuation of application No. 13/437,725, filed on
`Apr. 2, 2012, now Pat. No. 8,223,012, which is a
`continuation of application No. 12/428,008, filed on
`Apr. 22, 2009, now Pat. No. 8,149,113, which is a
`continuation of application No. 11/335,699, filed on
`Jan. 20, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,525,425.
`
`(60)
`
`Provisional application No. 60/752,879, filed on Dec.
`23,2005.
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G08B 1108
`U.S. Cl.
`USPC .............. 340/539.13; 340/539.1; 340/539.11;
`340/573.1; 340/573.3; 340/573.4; 340/8.1;
`340/5.2; 340/5.74; 701/400; 701/418; 701/451;
`701/486; 701/487; 455/404.1; 455/404.2;
`455/414.2; 455/456.1; 455/457
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,263,158 A * 1111993 Janis .
`5,757,916 A
`5/1998 MacDoran eta!.
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`111
`
`W00217656 A2
`
`wo
`Primary Examiner- Daniel Wu
`Assistant Examiner- Son M Tang
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- RobertS. Babayi
`
`212002
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An improved system and method for defining an event based
`upon an object location and a user-defined zone and manag(cid:173)
`ing the conveyance of object location event information
`among computing devices where object location events are
`defined in terms of a condition based upon a relationship
`between user-defined zone information and object location
`information. One or more location information sources are
`associated with an object to provide the object location infor(cid:173)
`mation. One or more user-defined zones are defined on a map
`and one or more object location events are defined. The occur(cid:173)
`rence of an object location event produces object location
`event information that is conveyed to users based on user
`identification codes. Accessibility to object location informa(cid:173)
`tion, zone information, and object location event information
`is based upon an object location information access code, a
`zone information access code, and an object location event
`information access code, respectively.
`
`25 Claims, 21 Drawing Sheets
`
`,;"
`
`TELETRAC Ex. 1001
`
`1
`
`

`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,553,308 B1
`6,618,593 B1
`6,687,504 B1
`6,801,850 B1
`6,806,814 B1
`6,813,501 B2
`6,847,892 B2
`6,850,252 B1
`6,867,733 B2
`6,879,835 B2
`6,888,936 B1
`6,952,181 B2
`7,000,015 B2
`7,027,808 B2 *
`7,116,985 B2
`7,123,926 B2
`7,130,611 B2
`7,181,227 B2
`7,190,960 B2
`7,203,752 B2
`7,236,100 B2
`7,259,668 B2
`7,269,426 B2
`7,275,102 B2
`7,277,018 B2 *
`7,295,119 B2
`7,317,927 B2
`7,327,258 B2 *
`7,336,964 B2
`7,359,716 B2
`
`4/2003 Uhlmann et al.
`9/2003 Drutman et a!.
`2/2004 Raith
`10/2004 Wolfson
`10/2004 Iverson et a!.
`1112004 Kinnunen et a!.
`112005 Zhou eta!.
`2/2005 Hofiberg
`3/2005 Sandhu et al.
`4/2005 Greene eta!.
`5/2005 Groen eta!.
`10/2005 Karr et al.
`2/2006 Moore eta!.
`4/2006 Wesby .......................... 455/419
`10/2006 Wilson et al.
`10/2006 Himmelstein
`10/2006 Kimura eta!.
`2/2007 Wilson et al.
`3/2007 Wilson et al.
`4/2007 Rice et al.
`6/2007 Obradovich eta!.
`8/2007 Casey
`9/2007 Kokkonen et a!.
`9/2007 Yeager eta!.
`10/2007 Reyes et al ................. 340/573.1
`1112007 Rappaport eta!.
`112008 Staton et a!.
`2/2008 Fast et al .................... 340/572.1
`2/2008 Casey
`4/2008 Rowitch et al.
`
`7,379,729 B2
`7,423,535 B2
`7,460,020 B2 *
`7,469,139 B2 *
`7,474,896 B2
`7,489,993 B2
`7,503,074 B2
`7,509,116 B2
`7,518,500 B2
`7,522,634 B2
`7,525,425 B2
`7,525,426 B2
`7,525,484 B2
`7,526,800 B2
`7,598,855 B2
`7,672,677 B2
`7,787,872 B2
`7,791,472 B2
`8,095,115 B2 *
`8,149,113 B2 *
`8,223,012 B1 *
`8,493,207 B2 *
`8,504,057 B2
`8,547,222 B2
`2004/0243308 A1
`2005/0215243 A1
`2007/0060108 A1
`2007/0087828 A1
`2007/0149208 A1
`2008/0065320 A1
`2008/0261624 A1
`2009/0065578 A1 *
`2009/0207015 A1
`* cited by examiner
`
`5/2008
`9/2008
`12/2008
`12/2008
`112009
`212009
`3/2009
`3/2009
`4/2009
`4/2009
`4/2009
`4/2009
`4/2009
`4/2009
`10/2009
`3/2010
`8/2010
`9/2010
`112012
`4/2012
`7/2012
`7/2013
`8/2013
`10/2013
`12/2004
`9/2005
`3/2007
`4/2007
`6/2007
`3/2008
`10/2008
`3/2009
`8/2009
`
`Holland eta!.
`Chung eta!.
`Reyes eta!. ................ 340/573.1
`van de Groenendaal ..... 455/411
`Mohi et al.
`Coffee eta!.
`Dublish et a!.
`Fan eta!.
`Aninye eta!.
`Casey eta!.
`Diem
`Edelstein et a!.
`Dupray eta!.
`Wright eta!.
`Scalisi et a!.
`Howard et al.
`Minborg et a!.
`Agrawal et a!.
`van de Groenendaal ..... 455/411
`Diem ....................... 340/539.13
`Diem ....................... 340/539.13
`Diem ....................... 340/539.13
`Choi eta!.
`Aninye eta!.
`Irish et al.
`Black eta!.
`East eta!.
`Robertson
`Syrbe eta!.
`Irish et al.
`Moton eta!.
`Peterson eta!. .............. 235/382
`Diem
`
`2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`100
`
`,tV
`
`Er'114b
`
`102
`~
`
`114b
`
`~J·~
`
`114a e
`12~j
`_.....114b ~ !t¥126a 114b
`r;;;l ~ 106 i
`~J.26i 11~120b ~~- T 1\_l"'~-"'
`r:;11~b 126h
`-
`~L. 114b~
`126g 124
`. -
`114b~ ~ 1
`EJ·
`114b>-, 2 1~ l ~ SMS
`'~~ 26e
`126f
`)~~114b
`
`106
`
`s7r
`PDAPhone ~ E(
`110 112
`~ 126d
`fil 116a WirelessTelco Jib~
`~/ network
`
`114b
`
`118a
`
`PDAPhone
`
`,.......120a
`
`118b
`
`•
`
`FIG.1
`
`3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 of21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`* Map for: Huntsville, AL save
`
`Driving Directions: To Here- From Here
`
`200
`,tV
`
`~ Printable Version ~ Email Map @l@
`
`· ..
`
`FIG. 2
`
`4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 3 of21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`Associate User Identification Codes with Computing Devices
`
`Associate Location Information Source with an Object
`
`300
`,tV'
`
`!
`!
`!
`
`Define a User-defined Zone
`
`302
`
`304
`
`306
`
`308 ........
`
`310
`
`Define an Object Location Event Relating Object Location
`Information to User-define Zone Information
`
`Determine an Occurrence of the Object Location Event
`
`!
`!
`
`312 ........
`
`Convey Object Location Event Information to Computing
`Devices Based Upon User Identification Codes
`
`FIG. 3
`
`5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 of21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`302
`
`304
`
`402 ........
`
`Associate User Identification Codes with Computing Devices
`
`Associate Location Information Source with an Object
`
`!
`l
`
`400
`~
`
`Associate Object Location Information Access Code with
`Object Location Information Relating to the Object
`
`l
`404 ........ Convey Object Location Information to Computing Devices
`Based Upon Object Location Information Access Code and
`User Identification Codes
`
`306
`
`308 ......
`
`310
`
`Define a User -defined Zone
`
`!
`!
`
`Define an Object Location Event Relating Object Location
`Information to User-defined Zone Information
`
`Determine an Occurrence of the Object Location Event
`
`!
`!
`
`312 ......
`
`Convey Object Location Event Information to Computing
`Devices Based Upon User Identification Codes
`
`FIG. 4
`
`6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 5 of21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`Associate User Identification Codes with Computing Devices
`
`Associate Location Information Source with an Object
`
`500
`,tV
`
`!
`!
`!
`
`Define a User-defined Zone
`
`302
`
`304
`
`306
`
`502 ........
`
`504 .......
`
`Associate a User-defined Zone Information Access Code
`with Corresponding User-defined Zone Information
`
`!
`
`Convey User-defined Zone Information to Computing
`Devices Based Upon a User-defined Zone Information
`Access Code and User Identification Codes
`
`!
`308 ........ Define an Object Location Event Relating Object Location
`Information to User-defined Zone Information
`!
`!
`
`310
`
`Determine an Occurrence of the Object Location Event
`
`312 ........
`
`Convey Object Location Event Information to Computing
`Devices Based Upon User Identification Codes
`
`FIG. 5
`
`7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 6 of21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`302
`
`Associate User Identification Codes with Computing Devices
`
`Associate Location Information Source with an Object
`
`600
`,tV
`
`Define a User-defined Zone
`
`304
`
`306
`
`!
`!
`!
`308 ........ Define an Object Location Event Relating Object Location
`Information to User-defined Zone Information
`!
`602 ........ Associate Object Location Event Information Access Code
`with Object Location Event Information Relating to the
`Object Location Event
`
`310
`
`604 ........
`
`Determine an Occurrence of the Object Location Event
`
`!
`!
`
`Convey Object Location Event Information to Computing
`Devices Based Upon Object Location Event Information
`Access Code and User Identification Codes
`
`FIG. 6
`
`8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 7 of21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`302
`
`304
`
`402 .......
`
`Associate User Identification Codes with Computing Devices
`
`Associate location Information Source with an Object
`
`!
`!
`
`700
`,t/
`
`Associate Object location Information Access Code with
`Object Location Information Relating to the Object
`
`!
`404 ...... Convey Object Location Information to Computing Devices
`Based Upon Object Location Information Access Code and
`User Identification Codes
`
`306
`
`502 ......
`
`504 ......
`
`308 ......
`
`Define a User-defined Zone
`
`!
`!
`
`Associate a User-defined Zone Information Access Code
`with Corresponding User -defined Zone Information
`
`!
`
`Convey User-defined Zone Information to Computing
`Devices Based Upon a User-defined Zone Information
`Access Code and User Identification Codes
`
`l
`
`Define an Object Location Event Relating Object Location
`Information to User-defined Zone Information
`
`l
`602 ....... Associate Object Location Event Information Access Code
`with Object Location Event Information Relating to the
`Object Location Event
`
`!
`!
`
`310
`
`604 ......
`
`Determine an Occurrence of the Object Location Event
`
`Convey Object location Event Information to Computing
`Devices Based Upon Object Location Event Information
`Access Code and User Identification Codes
`
`FIG. 7
`
`9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 8 of21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`Application Launch Screen
`
`800
`,tV
`
`802
`
`900
`,tV
`
`ICQ
`
`6
`01
`
`iPAQ Backup Hemttaill Micmsoft:
`Reader
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Main Screen
`
`Contact: infodllddiem.com
`
`FIG. 9
`
`10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 9 of21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`Configuration Screen
`w +.: _.E 3:03
`
`• Start
`
`1000
`
`,tV
`
`FIG. 10
`
`GPS Screen
`
`Data
`
`FIG. 11
`
`1100
`
`,tV
`
`1102
`
`11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 10 of 21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`Tracking Setup Screen
`
`1200
`,tV
`
`1202
`
`FIG. 12a
`
`Log File Selection Screen
`- - - -
`,' lf PerDiemCo GPS G +.: ~E 9:27
`Open
`
`Folder: I AH Folders
`Type: !Text files (*.log)
`
`... ,,j\:;~:~jJ
`... I
`
`1204
`,tV
`
`FIG. 12b
`
`12
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 11 of 21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`Map Screen
`
`1300
`
`,tV
`
`1304
`
`,tV
`
`1302
`
`FIG. 13a
`
`Data Screen
`•.: .. E 2:43
`
`, TRACKING
`
`FIG. 13b
`
`13
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 12 of 21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`Zone Screen
`
`1306
`
`,t/
`
`1308
`
`,t/
`
`FIG. 13c
`
`Size Screen
`~; -.E 1:13
`
`-' TRACKING
`
`!
`
`0 Xl(l mi.}
`,0 X2(2mi.)
`·o Xl(4mt.>
`0 X4(10mL)
`·o xs(25mL)
`0 X6(100mL)
`0 X7(300mL)
`0MAX
`
`FIG. 13d
`
`14
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 13 of 21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`About Screen
`
`: TRACKING
`
`+.~ ~E 5:17
`
`1310
`
`,tV
`
`FIG. 13e
`
`15
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 14 of 21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`Group Screen
`.
`w Y1 ~E 4:44
`
`, contact
`
`~
`
`1400
`jtV
`
`1500
`jtV
`
`FIG. 14
`
`Contact Screen
`.... Q I .,jJ
`~.I ""''::: 3:57
`....
`
`r::x::;i contact
`
`,-,_,
`
`FIG. 15
`
`16
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 15 of 21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`Camera Screen
`
`1600
`
`,tV
`
`FIG. 16
`
`Big Buttons Screen
`
`= frmButtons
`
`W Y! ~E 4:12
`
`1700
`
`,tV
`
`FIG. 17
`
`17
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 16 of 21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`Map Viewer Web Page
`
`1800
`
`,tV
`
`P·erDiemCo Map Viewer for displaying Maps
`created with PerDiemCo Tracking Software ..
`
`Member links require a user login Code!
`
`Location Map
`Trackhtlap
`PhotoMap
`
`1\mMBER I.ogln
`Member Map
`1\.fe:mber Zone Tool
`Member Photo Map
`Member Photo Edit
`MEMBER LogOut
`
`Location :Map
`Trackhllap
`Photos
`
`~
`Groups
`Zone Tool
`PhotoMaps
`Picture Edit
`LogOut
`
`FIG. 18
`
`18
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 17 of 21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`Contact Viewer Web Page
`------------------------------------------------
`·'11 PerDiemCo Map View- Microsoft Internet Explorer
`File Edit View Favorites Tools Help
`LmJ ~ J{v ;~:> Search ~?' Favorites e ~ •
`1900
`r·::~ ~~ , " ~
`jt1/
`
`. ...
`
`/~
`
`..J?L.
`
`ddi~m.com:
`.
`'·
`.
`
`,, ,'> '~
`
`.-
`
`''>'o ... ,
`
`;~
`
`.
`
`PerOiemCo Contact Viewer for display-ing Contact
`Map created with PerDiemco Tracking Software.
`
`This information requires a user ac.cess Code!
`
`Please enter Contact tO and Access Code
`ContactfD l ________________ -=._J
`r
`Code
`·--~
`1..----·--------·--__j
`( Reset I
`! Send now I
`
`FIG. 19
`
`19
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 18 of 21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`GPS Tracking and Zone Data
`
`2ooo
`,tV'
`
`CodefGroup Name andtOT Phone#:
`I . .
`l . . .
`
`t§9~J#GIIG )size
`
`diem
`alpha
`E:l65,H:2SO,S:32f56
`1256617x52xx
`
`FIG. 20
`
`20
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 19 of 21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`Zone Creation
`
`2100
`j(V'
`
`FIG. 21
`
`21
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 20 of 21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`Zone-based Logging
`
`2200
`,tV
`
`BACK
`
`Code/Group Name aadfor Phone#: .
`L. ........
`.......
`_: L...
`.. ..... il!rJ 1~. _.!size
`
`FIG. 22
`
`22
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 6, 2014
`
`Sheet 21 of 21
`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`Picture Associated with Location ~300
`
`.. • fL\BJ}}~~~
`
`FIG. 23
`
`23
`
`

`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`2
`events with location of objects and conveys information about
`such events to computing devices.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONVEYING
`LOCATION INFORMATION VIA A
`PLURALITY OF INFORMATION-SHARING
`ENVIRONMENTS
`
`CONTINUATION APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica(cid:173)
`tion Ser. No. 13/550,788, which is a continuation of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 13/437,725, which is a continua(cid:173)
`tion of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/428,008, which is
`a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/335,699, which
`claims benefit to U.S. Patent Application No. 60/752,879,
`which are all hereby incorporated by reference in their
`entirety.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`Briefly, the present invention relates to conveying informa(cid:173)
`tion relating to an object to one or more users. The invention
`requires defining a zone by the one or more users. An event is
`also defined in terms of a condition related to a relationship
`10 between an object location and the zone. The condition can
`relates to entry by the object into the zone, exit by the object
`from the zone, or proximity of the object to the zone Upon
`meeting the condition, information regarding the event is
`conveyed to the at least one of the one or more users. The one
`15 or more users can access at least one of the location informa(cid:173)
`tion, information relating to the zone or conveyed information
`regarding the event using one or more access control codes.
`The access control codes can be configured to require mul-
`tiple levels of access control.
`Thus, the present invention relates to a system and method
`for defining events that are correlated with the location of one
`or more objects to one or more zones. Hereinafter, such events
`are referred to as object location events. The object location
`events can be defined at an application level or a user level.
`25 The system and method of the invention also conveys infor(cid:173)
`mation relating to the object location event to one or more
`computing devices, which, in an exemplary embodiment of
`the invention, are associated with corresponding identifica(cid:173)
`tion codes of one or more users. For example, association of
`30 a user identification code with a computing device can be an
`embedded association (e.g., hard-wired) or it can be based on
`a user log-in at the computing device. In one embodiment, the
`object location event relates to information about a location of
`an object and information about a zone that is defined by a
`35 user. The information about the location can be derived from
`a location information source that is associated with the
`object. Under this embodiment, the object location event
`occurs by satisfaction of a defined relationship or condition
`between the object location information and user-defined
`zone information. Once the condition is satisfied, information
`corresponding to the occurrence of the object location event is
`conveyed to a computing device. In one embodiment of the
`invention, the information is conveyed to the computing
`device in accordance with a corresponding user identification
`code.
`In one exemplary embodiment, a user can associate a
`source of location information with an object and define a
`zone. Under this arrangement, any other authorized user that
`has access to information about location of an object and a
`user-defined zone can also define an object location event for
`that zone and receive information about occurrence of the
`event. Under another arrangement, only the user who defines
`a user-defined zone can define an object location event for that
`zone.
`In a further embodiment, an access code is associated with
`information about the location of an object. Under this
`embodiment, the object location information is conveyed to
`the computing device based upon the user identification code
`and an access code associated with the location information.
`Under another arrangement, only the user that associates a
`source of location information with an object can associate
`the access code with the object location information as deter(cid:173)
`mined by the source oflocation information.
`In yet another embodiment, an access code is associated
`with the user-defined zone information. Under this embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the user-defined zone information is conveyed to at
`least one of the computing devices based upon a correspond-
`
`The present invention relates generally to a system and 20
`method for defining an event based on the relationship of an
`object location and a user-defined zone and managing the
`conveyance of information related to such object location
`event among computing devices. More particularly, the
`present invention relates to defining an object location event
`based on the location of an object relative to a user-defined
`zone and managing the conveyance of object location event
`information among computing devices based on user identi(cid:173)
`fication codes associated with the computing devices.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Various sources of information are available for determin(cid:173)
`ing the location of an object. Such location information
`sources include Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers,
`radars, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and vari(cid:173)
`ety of other technologies that can be used to determine loca(cid:173)
`tion information pertaining to an object, which might be
`moving or stationary. Such location information has been
`used to track vehicles, packages, people, etc. and to enable a 40
`variety of location aware applications including location
`aware toll systems, material handling and supply chain man(cid:173)
`agement systems, and the like. Thus far, such location aware
`applications have mostly involved computing devices specifi(cid:173)
`cally programmed to provide location-aware functionality in 45
`a useful but predetermined manner. For example, scanners
`have been used as sources of information to convey the loca(cid:173)
`tions of shipping containers as they progress through various
`stages en route to a destination, where the specific location of
`a given shipping container on a shipping dock or in a cargo 50
`hold can be accessed at any given time via a control system.
`Technological advancements in computing devices and
`information networks, in particular wireless networks, have
`enabled users of a variety of computing devices such as smart
`phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs ), laptop computers, 55
`etc. to access and utilize information in more and more loca(cid:173)
`tions. For example, such advances now allow users to wire(cid:173)
`lessly check their email or to surf the Internet from anywhere
`that is covered by an appropriate data service. Some comput(cid:173)
`ing devices have become equipped with technologies that 60
`integrate various sources that provide information about the
`location of the devices. For example, known mobile devices
`have been equipped with GPS receivers, which enable the
`users to know where they are located at any given time.
`As sources that offer location information become more 65
`useful in computing devices and within information net(cid:173)
`works, there is a need for a system and method that correlates
`
`24
`
`

`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`3
`ing user identification code and an access code for the user(cid:173)
`defined zone information. Under another arrangement, only
`the user that defines a user-defined zone can associate the
`access code with the user-defined zone information.
`In still another embodiment, an access code is associated
`with information about an object location event. Under this
`embodiment, the information about the object location event
`is conveyed to at least one of the computing devices based
`upon a corresponding user identification code and an access
`code for the object location event information. Under another 10
`arrangement, only the user that defines the object location
`event can associate the access code with the object location
`event information.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`4
`FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary Configuration Screen of
`the Location and Tracking software used to manage informa(cid:173)
`tion corresponding to the user of the PDA;
`FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary GPS Screen of the Loca(cid:173)
`tion and Tracking software used to manage a GPS receiver
`that is associated with a user's PDA via a Bluetooth connec(cid:173)
`tion;
`FIG. 12a illustrates an exemplary Tracking Setup Screen of
`the Location and Tracking software used to control the rate at
`which GPS data is polled;
`FIG. 12b illustrates an exemplary Log File Selection
`Screen of the Location and Tracking software used to select a
`log file for storing GPS information;
`FIG. 13a illustrates an exemplary Map Screen of the Loca-
`15 tion and Tracking software used to display a map received
`from a map server;
`FIG. 13b illustrates an exemplary Data Screen of the Loca(cid:173)
`tion and Tracking software used to manage conveyance of
`tracking and zone information to specific users based on
`20 access codes;
`FIG.13c illustrates an exemplary Zone Screen of the Loca(cid:173)
`tion and Tracking software used to define user-defined zones;
`FIG.13d illustrates an exemplary Size Screen of the Loca(cid:173)
`tion and Tracking software used to manage the size and other
`25 characteristics of a displayed map;
`FIG. 13e illustrates an exemplary About Screen of the
`Location and Tracking software used to provide a notice
`concerning Tracking Privacy Issues, software version infor(cid:173)
`mation, and copyright information;
`FIG.14 illustrates anexemplaryGroup Screenofthe Loca(cid:173)
`tion and Tracking software used to manage information cor(cid:173)
`responding to groups of contacts;
`FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary Contact Screen of the
`Location and Tracking software used to manage information
`35 corresponding to contacts;
`FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary Camera Screen of the
`Location and Tracking software used to manage pictures to be
`associated with contact location information;
`FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary Big Buttons Screen of the
`40 Location and Tracking software used to provide easy access
`to key application commands while walking or driving;
`FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary Map Viewer Web Page
`used for displaying maps and other information conveyed by
`the Location and Tracking software;
`FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary Contact Viewer Web Page
`used for displaying contact information conveyed by the
`Location and Tracking software;
`FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary web page-based display of
`a map overlaid with GPS tracking and zone information con-
`50 veyed by the Location and Tracking software;
`FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary web page for creation of a
`zone used by the Location and Tracking software;
`FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary map displayed on a web
`page depicting logging of contact location information while
`55 a contact is within a zone and logging of contact location
`information when a contact enters or leaves a zone; and
`FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary map displayed on a web
`page depicting a picture associated with a location of a con(cid:173)
`tact.
`
`The present invention is described with reference to the
`accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference
`numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
`Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number
`identifies the drawing in which the reference number first
`appears.
`FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary information-sharing envi(cid:173)
`ronment including computing devices having wired or wire(cid:173)
`less connectivity to the Internet and a map server, and various
`objects for which location information sources provide object
`location information;
`FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary map retrieved from the map
`server of FIG. 1 via the Internet that includes an icon indicat- 30
`ing a location of a vehicle relative to three user-defined zones.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a first embodiment of a method of the
`invention where object location event information is con(cid:173)
`veyed to computing devices based upon user identification
`codes;
`FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a method of the
`invention where object location information is conveyed to
`computing devices based upon an object location information
`access code and user identification codes, and object location
`event information is conveyed to computing devices based
`upon user identification codes;
`FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of a method of the
`invention where user-defined zone information is conveyed to
`computing devices based upon a user-defined zone informa- 45
`tion access code and user identification codes, and object
`location event information is conveyed to computing devices
`based upon user identification codes;
`FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a method of the
`invention where object location event information is con(cid:173)
`veyed to computing devices based upon an object location
`event information access code and user identification codes;
`FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a method of the
`invention where object location information are conveyed to
`computing devices based upon an object location information
`access code and user identification codes, user-defined zone
`information is conveyed to computing devices based upon a
`user-defined zone information access code and user identifi-
`cation codes, and object location event information is con(cid:173)
`veyed to computing devices based upon an object location 60
`event information access code and user identification codes;
`FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary PDA Application Lannch
`Screen used to begin execution of a Location and Tracking
`software as implemented according to the present invention;
`FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary Main Screen of the Loca- 65
`tion and Tracking software from which additional screens are
`accessed;
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention will now be described more fully in
`detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
`the preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This
`invention should not, however, be construed as limited to the
`embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that
`
`25
`
`

`
`US 8,717,166 B2
`
`5
`this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully
`convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
`Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
`The present invention provides a system and method for
`defining an event that relates to a location of an object and
`managing the conveyance of related information among com(cid:173)
`puting devices associated with corresponding user identifica(cid:173)
`tion codes. In accordance with the present invention, an infor(cid:173)
`mation-sharing environment consists of a computing network
`including a map server and computing devices. Objects as so- 10
`ciated with sources of location information provide object
`location information comprising one or more coordinates. In
`an exemplary embodiment, the coordinates correspond to one
`or more determined locations of the objects within an estab(cid:173)
`lished coordinate system. In the system and method of the 15
`present invention, an object can comprise any device, thing,
`person or entity that can be located or tracked. A user of a
`computing device can retrieve a map, for example, from a
`map server and define a user-defined zone on the map.
`According to one aspect of the invention, an object location 20
`event is defined based on a relationship between one or more
`object locations and one or more user-defined zones, where
`the occurrence of the object location event is determined
`when a condition associated with the relationship is satisfied.
`Thus, an occurrence of the object location event is determined 25
`based on object location information and user-defined zone
`information. In other words, an object location event is deter(cid:173)
`mined based on the location of an object relative to a user(cid:173)
`defined zone. More generally, an object location event may be
`determined based on the location(s) of one or more objects 30
`relative to one or more user-defined zones. Upon occurrence
`of the object location event, object location event information
`is conveyed to at least one computing device based upon a
`corresponding user identification code(s) associated with the
`computing device(s).
`The present invention can be implemented in a variety of
`information-sharing environments. The sharing of informa(cid:173)
`tion may be managed among a small number of users such as
`a family or group of friends, or among a very large number of
`users such as among employees of very large business, or 40
`among a worldwide user base such as a might be provided via
`an Internet service. Furthermore, information-sharing envi(cid:173)
`ronments may involve information-sharing environments
`within information-sharing environments. That is, one or
`more smaller information-sharing environments may overlap 45
`or coexist independent of each other within one or more larger
`information -sharing environments.
`In one embodiment, one or more administrators may be
`given privileges to configure the information-sharing envi(cid:173)
`ronment. Such configuration could include specifying autho- 50
`rized users of the environment and their access privileges, etc.
`Such configuration can also define groups of users as part of
`an established organizational structure associated with the
`information-sharing environment. Pre-defined zones com(cid:173)
`prising domains can be configured along with events that 55
`define relationships between object locations relative to such
`domains. Moreover, sources of publicly available object loca(cid:173)
`tion information, such as weather tracking systems; can also
`be configured for use with the system and method of the
`present invention. Because smaller information-sharing envi- 60
`ronments can exist