USOO7164986B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Humphries et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,164,986 B2
`Jan. 16, 2007
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRACKED
`DEVICE LOCATION AND ROUTE
`ADHERENCE VIA GEOFENCNG
`
`(75) Inventors: Laymon Scott Humphries, Clinton,
`MS (US); Huey-Jiun Ngo, Flowood
`s
`s
`s
`MS (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: MCI, LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ (US)
`
`9/2001 Lang et al. ................... TO1/33
`6,295.492 B1
`8/2003 Lowrey et al. ............... 7O1/29
`6,611,740 B1
`10/2003 Lightner et al. .............. TO1/33
`6,636,790 B1
`5/2004 Lightner et al. .............. TO1/33
`6,732,031 B1
`6,754,583 E. 6, 2004 Verbil . . .
`. . . . . . . .
`... 701 (213
`6,983.202 B1
`1, 2006 Sanqunetti
`... TO1/2O7
`2002/0164993 A1* 11/2002 Elliot ......................... 455,456
`2003, OO30561 A1* 2, 2003 Yafu.So et al. ............ 340,5734
`2004/0203867 A1* 10, 2004 Schmidt ...
`... 455,456.1
`2004/0219932 A1* 11/2004 Verteuil ................... 455,456.2
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 282 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/758,213
`(22) Filed:
`Jan. 16, 2004
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`f
`bsolut
`Note—Geof
`Setup'
`"Applicati
`Oe
`OCC
`pplication
`eup, WWW.aSOU. COZ
`technotes/world, geofences.doc, last modified Feb. 3, 2000.
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Gertrude A. Jeanglaude
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Jul. 21, 2005
`
`A device tracking location adherence and route adherence
`US 2005/O159883 A1
`technology, is disclosed that at least provides a tracked
`(51) Int. Cl
`device receiving, a set of coordinates associated with a
`(2006.01)
`coic 21A6
`boundary area, and obtaining a position of the tracked
`n.
`(52) U.S. Cl. "340f''g''.s s gig. device. Based upon the received coordinates and the
`---
`• 1- us
`detected position of the tracked device, a determination is
`(58) Field of Classification Search ......N. 701/1,
`made as to whether the tracked device is located inside the
`701/2, 200-202, 207-214; 340/425,426.1,
`boundary area or outside the boundary area. An alert signal
`340/426.11, 426.12, 426.16, 426.18, 426.19,
`is then generated and transmitted if the result of the deter
`340/426.22, 438,573.1, 5734. 825.36,357.07,
`mining is different from an immediately previous obtained
`340/995.21: 342/35 7.06, 357.07
`result. The system allows, for example, drastic reduction in
`See application file for complete search history.
`the amount of data traffic required within a system since the
`References Cited
`tracked device performs much of the necessary processing.
`This is especially advantageous where a fleet of tracked
`devices are employed within a network.
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,532,690 A * 7/1996 Hertel ........................ 340,989
`5,870,029 A * 2/1999 Otto et al. ............. 340,825.36
`
`20 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`-
`
`18O
`
`Nirmit
`BROWSER
`
`APPLICAT,
`
`CENT
`
`t
`
`160
`
`WEBSERVER
`APPLICATS,
`
`ENCRYPTION
`ALCATION
`144
`an ESSASNG AND
`ROUTING
`150
`ApplicATONS
`146
`DATA CNTR -
`
`140
`
`100
`
`120
`RACKEWICE
`
`
`
`
`
`120
`
`TRACK
`
`EwiCE
`
`t
`
`190
`
`TRACKEddiewic
`LOCATION
`APPLICATION
`122
`
`ALER
`GENERATION
`AcATION
`128
`
`TRACKWIC
`
`1.
`
`120
`
`LOCATION
`AOHERENCE
`ALCATION
`124
`
`ROUTE
`ADHERENCE
`ALCATION
`26
`
`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 1
`
`

`

`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2007
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 7,164,986 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F Ll
`
`in
`
`L
`
`n
`
`- -
`
`in
`
`RTL
`
`Y
`
`??
`
`OZZ OVZ
`
`
`
`
`
`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2007
`
`Sheet 3 of 12
`
`US 7,164,986 B2
`
`005
`
`
`
`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2007
`
`Sheet 4 of 12
`
`US 7,164,986 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`START
`
`
`
`
`
`OBTAIN
`LOCATION OF
`TRACKED
`DEVICE
`410
`
`SGEOFENCE
`OBJECT GROUPING
`ENABLED2
`415
`
`YES
`
`
`
`FIG. 4
`
`NO
`
`SLOCATION
`OUTSDE THE
`GEOFENCE GROUP
`(SEE FIG. 5)
`
`LOCATIONS
`INSIDE THE
`GEOFENCE
`GROUP465
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SLOCATION
`OUTSE THE
`GEOFENCE OBJECT?
`(SEE FIG. 6)
`
`LOCATIONS
`INSIDE THE
`GEOFENCE
`OBJECT 435
`
`WAS LAST
`LOCATION INSIDE
`THE GEOFENCE
`GROUP?
`
`455
`
`LOCATION
`OUSIDE THE
`GEOFENCE
`GROUP
`
`WAS LAST
`LOCATION
`NSIDETHE
`GEOFENCE
`OBJECT?
`
`WAS LAST
`LOCATION
`OUSDE THE
`GEOFENCE
`OBJECT?
`440
`
`GENERATE AND
`RANSMT
`ALERT
`460
`
`GENERATE AND
`TRANSMT
`ALERT
`
`GENERATE AND
`TRANSMIT
`AERT
`
`GENERATE AND
`TRANSMT
`ALERT
`
`NO
`
`
`
`
`
`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2007
`
`Sheet S of 12
`
`US 7,164,986 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 5
`
`BEGIN WITH
`FIRST OBJECT
`515
`
`IS LOCATION
`WITHN OBJECT?
`(SEE FIG. 6)
`
`YES
`
`SET STATUS TO
`INSDE GROUP
`530
`
`GOTO
`STEP 465
`
`S THIS THE LAS
`OBJECT
`
`YES
`
`535
`
`SET STATUSTO
`OUTSIDE GROUP
`540
`
`
`
`GOTO
`STEP 455
`
`GO TONEXT
`OBJECT
`545
`
`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2007
`
`Sheet 6 of 12
`
`US 7,164,986 B2
`
`FIG. 6
`
`POLYGON
`
`
`
`SLOCATION OF
`DEVICENSOE
`POLYGON?
`
`NO
`
`ISOBJECA
`CIRCLE OF
`POLYGON?
`615
`
`CIRCLE
`
`
`
`
`
`CALCULATE
`DISTANCE FROM
`CURRENT
`LOCATION TO
`CENTER OF
`CIRCLE
`
`CALCULATE
`DISTANCE OF
`THE TRACKED
`DEVICE FROM
`THE POLYGON
`655
`
`S DISTANCE
`GREATER THANTHE
`THE HYSTERESS -
`VALUE
`660
`
`SET STATUS TO
`OUTSOE
`POLYGON
`665
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SoSTANCE
`GREATER THANTHE
`RADIUS OF THE
`CIRCLE -
`HYSTERESS
`
`SET STATUS TO
`INSIDE
`POLYGON
`650
`
`
`
`NO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`S DISTANCE LESS
`THAN THE RADIUS
`OF THE CIRCLE
`
`YES
`
`SET STATUS TO
`INSIDE CIRCLE
`
`630
`
`SET STATUS TO
`OUTSIDE CIRCLE
`
`640
`
`
`
`
`
`675
`
`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2007
`
`Sheet 7 of 12
`
`US 7,164,986 B2
`
`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 8
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2007
`
`Sheet 8 of 12
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`US 7,164,986 B2
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`
`
`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2007
`
`Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 7,164,986 B2
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`
`
`
`:---?i ž-->··•••
`************************** • *******************-***=æ***
`
`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2007
`
`Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 7,164,986 B2
`
`FIG. 8
`
`OBTAN
`ORDERED LIST
`OFN GEOFENCE
`OBJECTS
`n=1...N 820
`
`
`
`
`
`OBTAIN
`LOCATION OF
`TRACKED
`DEVICE 830
`
`
`
`
`
`IS THE TRACKED DEVICE
`LOCATED IN THE FIRST
`GEOFENCE OBJECT?
`
`HAS THE TRACKED
`DEVICE EXITED GEOFENCE
`OBJECT n2
`860
`
`GENERATE
`ALERT
`850
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OBTAIN
`LOCATION OF
`TRACKED
`DEVICE 865
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OBTAIN
`LOCATION OF
`TRACKED
`DEVICE 885
`
`
`
`HAS THE TRACKED
`DEVICE ENTERED
`GEOFENCE OBJECT n+12
`
`NO
`
`GENERATE
`ALERT
`872
`
`YES
`
`
`
`ROUTE FINISHED
`885
`
`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 16, 2007
`
`Sheet 11 of 12
`
`US 7,164,986 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`02) 301ABQ QBXOVAL
`
`906906
`
`
`
`= T?(ICJOW (JEWAOd
`
`
`
`ETT OOW NOLLISOd
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`*JOSSE OORHdA&HOWEW WILVÝCl
`
`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 12
`
`

`

`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 13
`
`

`

`US 7,164,986 B2
`
`1.
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRACKED
`DEVICE LOCATION AND ROUTE
`ADHERENCE VIA GEOFENCING
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`10
`
`30
`
`35
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention generally relates to device tracking,
`and more particularly to methods and associated systems for
`ensuring location adherence for a tracked device as well as
`ensuring route adherence by employing geofencing tech
`niques.
`2. Background
`The efficient tracking of objects (including people,
`vehicles, fleets of cargo, etc.) has been a long term goal of
`many different areas of society. With the increased process
`ing capabilities of today's computer processors as well as
`the continued advancement within the communications
`industry, one would assume that device tracking would have
`become quite pedestrian in nature. To the contrary, accom
`panying the swift advancement of the above-described tech
`nologies is the reality that Some basic goals of object
`tracking have yet to be achieved.
`For example, one area within device tracking that con
`25
`tinues to need refinement is the manner in which information
`relating to tracked devices is optimally obtained and man
`aged. More specifically, fleet management businesses are
`currently hindered by the amount of network resources and
`associated hardware that are required to Support a fleet of
`tracked devices that have constant data requirements. Also,
`these fleets of tracked devices are also required to provide
`information back to a data center on a nearly continuous
`basis. Normally, systems employ a network data center that
`continuously receives data from tracked devices and
`employs various location determination schemes to track an
`objects location. While this may not seem like much of a
`burden, if the number of tracked devices is large (e.g., one
`hundred or more), each tracked device providing continuous
`updates would require a very large network. The associated
`costs to build and maintain Such a network would become
`prohibitive.
`Additionally, the algorithms that Support device tracking
`have not developed to the point at which they can be used
`efficiently. For example, while geofencing has been utilized
`within the device location industry in an effort to efficiently
`depict areas in which tracked objects are to be confined, the
`development of this technology has been slow, and the
`systems have been comparatively primitive with regard to
`the various abilities of the individual applications.
`Furthermore, networks Supporting this type of operation
`are further burdened by inherent variations in location
`detection (e.g., Global Positioning Systems (GPS), triangu
`lation systems, etc.). These inherent variations, caused by
`anything from rounding errors in the calculation of position
`to changes in whether, cause slight variations in the deter
`mined position of a tracked device. For example, if a
`stationary object’s position is determined by a GPS system
`three separate times, there would likely be three slightly
`different results. If used within a position or route adherence
`system, these inherent variations can cause numerous prob
`lems.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`SUMMARY
`
`Therefore, there is a need for methods and systems that
`optimally monitor the location of devices and that address
`
`65
`
`2
`the above-noted problems by providing a system that is
`simple to use, and that does not require large and expensive
`networks.
`Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are
`directed to a method and an apparatus for performing
`location analysis within a tracked device. At the tracked
`device, a set of coordinates is received and associated with
`a boundary area. A position of the tracked device is obtained
`at the tracked device. Based upon the received coordinates
`and the detected position of the tracked device, it is deter
`mined whether the tracked device is located inside the
`boundary area or outside the boundary area. Next, an alert
`signal is generated and transmitted if the result of the
`determining step is different from an immediately previous
`result obtained.
`Other exemplary embodiments of the present invention
`are directed to a method and an apparatus for performing
`route progress analysis within a tracked device. At the
`tracked device a plurality of sets of coordinates associated
`with a plurality of boundary areas are received, wherein the
`plurality of sets of coordinates have a predetermined order.
`At the tracked device, a position of the tracked device is
`obtained. Based upon the predetermined order of the sets of
`coordinates and the detected position of the tracked device,
`it is determined whether the tracked device is progressing
`through the plurality of boundary areas in accordance with
`the predetermined order. Next, an alert signal is generated
`and transmitted if the tracked device is not progressing
`though the in accordance with the predetermined order.
`Additional exemplary embodiments of the present inven
`tion are directed to a method and an apparatus for remotely
`tracking a tracked device. Boundary information is received
`and the boundary information is sent to the tracked device.
`An alert is received from the tracked device regarding the
`location of the tracked device, wherein the boundary infor
`mation includes coordinates that define geo-fence bound
`aries comprising a combination of circles and polygons.
`Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present
`invention are readily apparent from the following detailed
`description, simply by illustrating a number of particular
`embodiments and implementations, including the best mode
`contemplated for carrying out the present invention. The
`present invention is also capable of other and different
`embodiments, and its several details can be modified in
`various respects, all without departing from the spirit and
`Scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings
`and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature,
`and not as restrictive.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated
`by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the
`figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like
`reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
`FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram providing an exem
`plary device tracking system in accordance with the inven
`tion;
`FIG. 2 is an exemplary user interface display provided
`when accessing the mapping application of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 3 provides exemplary geofence objects in accor
`dance with exemplary embodiments of the invention;
`FIGS. 4-6 is are flowcharts illustrating the location adher
`ence application in accordance with exemplary embodi
`ments of the present invention;
`
`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 14
`
`

`

`3
`FIG. 7A-7C show exemplary geofence objects and the
`determination of the distance from the objects to a point
`outside the objects boundary with regard to hysteresis, in
`accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing a route adherence appli
`cation in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 9 is a hardware illustration of the tracked device in
`accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
`invention; and
`FIG. 10 is a computer system upon which variously
`described elements of the present invention can be imple
`mented.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to
`object location adherence, route adherence and alert gen
`eration based upon the location or route of the tracked
`object. Although specific embodiments will be illustrated
`and described herein, it should be appreciated by those of
`ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is
`calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted
`for the specific embodiment shown herein. This application
`is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the
`present invention that generally relate to systems, methods
`and an apparatuses regarding object location adherence and
`route adherence determination and reporting.
`The device tracking location adherence and route adher
`ence technology, according to an exemplary embodiment of
`this invention, at least provides a tracked device receiving,
`a set of coordinates associated with a boundary area, and
`obtaining a position of the tracked device. Based upon the
`received coordinates and the detected position of the tracked
`device a determination is made as to whether the tracked
`device is located inside the boundary area or outside the
`boundary area. An alert signal is then generated and trans
`mitted if the result of the determining is different from an
`immediately previous obtained result. The system allows,
`for example, drastic reduction in the amount of data traffic
`required within a system since the tracked device performs
`much of the necessary processing. This is especially advan
`tageous where a fleet of tracked devices are employed within
`a network.
`In the following detailed description of the exemplary
`embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying draw
`ings that form part hereof, and in which is shown by way of
`illustration, specific exemplary embodiments in which the
`invention may be practiced. These embodiments are
`described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art
`to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other
`embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical
`and/or electrical changes may be made without departing
`from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The
`following detail description is therefore not to be taken in a
`limiting sense.
`FIG. 1 depicts a device tracking system 100 and related
`components in accordance with the present invention. In
`particular, the device tracking system 100 comprises tracked
`devices 120, a data center 140, and a client 160. The tracked
`devices 120 are connected to the data center 140, via links
`190. The client 160 is also connected to the data center 140
`via link 180.
`It should be appreciated that the links 180, connecting the
`data center 140 to the client 160, can be wired or wireless
`links or any combination thereof, or any other known or later
`
`4
`developed element(s) that is capable of Supplying and/or
`communicating data to and from the connected elements.
`It should also be appreciated that, in accordance with the
`present invention link 190 Supporting communication
`between tracked devices 120 and the data center 140 is
`wireless. The link 190 can support protocols (e.g., RF
`communications, the ReFLEXTM paging protocol, etc.) and
`systems associated with a wireless local area network (LAN)
`as well as a wireless data network, wireless packet Switch
`ing, wireless local loop or any other known or later devel
`oped wireless element(s) that is capable of Supplying and/or
`communicating data to and from the connected elements.
`Additionally, it should be appreciated that while various
`functional components are illustrated in FIG. 1 and that
`various other components, such as Switches, routers, long
`distance carriers, firewalls, security components and/or soft
`ware, or the like, can also be included without affecting the
`operation of the system.
`The client 160 comprises a user located at a workstation
`operating a computer (discussed with regard to FIG. 9) that
`includes an internet browser application 162 providing a
`user with the ability to remotely access, data and applica
`tions located at the data center 140. For example, the internet
`browser application 162 (e.g., HTTP-based, HTTPS-based,
`etc.) transfers files and data via the web server application
`142 in the data center 140. The user, once the mapping
`application is accessed can remotely create geofence
`object(s) that can be associated with the one or more tracked
`devices 120 (e.g., associated with a vehicle Such as an
`automobile, truck or the like) as boundaries for tracking the
`movements of the tracked device 120. It should also be
`understood that the client 160 can include multiple indi
`vidual users located on individual workstations. Addition
`ally, is should be understood that additional clients could
`also be set up to access the applications provided by the data
`center 140.
`The data center 140 can include various functional appli
`cations including, for example, a web server application
`142, a data encryption application 144, messaging and
`routing applications 146 and a mapping application 150.
`While the exemplary embodiments illustrated herein
`show the various components of the data center module 140
`co-located, it is to be appreciated that any of the various
`applications or components described above can be located
`on one or servers or processors within a distributed network,
`Such as a local area network, a wide area network, a
`telecommunications network, a dedicated network, an intra
`net and/or the internet, or within a dedicated secure or
`unsecured system. It should also be appreciated, that the
`various components can be combined into one or more
`devices or co-located on a particular node of a distributed
`network, such as a telecommunications network.
`The web server application 142 can include any suitable
`web server programming that enables access and data
`exchange with client 160. For example, the web server
`application 142 can Supply the mapping application 150 in
`the form of an applet, plug-in, or the like for viewing and/or
`interaction by a user at client 160. Additionally, while
`exemplary embodiments of the present invention describe
`the client device as including an internet browser application
`and the data center including a web server application, one
`of ordinary skill would understand that any type of mono
`lithic application could be employed, using Suitable proto
`cols, at both the data center and the client, that would enable
`a client/user to obtain information from data center 140.
`The encryption application 144 provides encryption ser
`vices for the system. For example, an “end-to-end’ encryp
`
`US 7,164,986 B2
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`10
`
`15
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`25
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`30
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`60
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`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 15
`
`

`

`5
`tion scheme can provide continuous protection of data that
`flows between the data center 140 and the tracked device
`120, by encrypting any data when it leaves the data center
`140, leaving it encrypted while it passes through any inter
`mediate devices (such as any intermediary routers), and
`decrypting only when the data arrives at the tracked device
`120.
`The messaging and routing applications 146 enable the
`sending and receiving of messages, storing of messages and
`routing of messages to their destination. For example, when
`routing a message from the tracked device 120 to the data
`center 140, the messaging applications enable reconfigura
`tion of the message from a wireless protocol to a protocol
`associated with wired transmission. Furthermore, the rout
`ing applications enable determination of the destination
`address for the message from the tracked device 120 and
`forward the reconfigured message to the destination.
`The mapping application 150 (discussed in more detail
`with regard to FIG. 2) in accordance with the present
`invention, can be employed by a user, at client 160, once
`logged into the data center via the web server 142. Specifi
`cally, the user can create geofence objects by using the
`mapping application 150. A geofence object, discussed in
`more detail below, is one or more sets of geographic
`boundaries used to monitor tracked device 120. The map
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`ping application 150 provides geographical maps of loca
`tions with which the tracked device 120 may be tracked. The
`user can then create and edit the specific geofence in
`accordance with the user's desires.
`Once the geofence objects are created, the mapping
`application 150 resolves the boundaries into a set of coor
`dinates (e.g., longitude and latitude). The coordinates are
`next associated with a specific tracked device 120, or set of
`tracked devices. The set of coordinates can then be
`encrypted through the use of the encryption application 144
`and to ensure secure transmission and forwarded through the
`use of the messaging and routing applications 146 to the
`associated tracked device 120 for storage and use.
`The tracked device module 120 includes a tracked device
`location application 122, a location adherence application
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`124, a route adherence application 126, and an alert gen
`eration application 128. The tracked device 120, in accor
`dance with an exemplary embodiment of the present inven
`tion, is associated with an object that is being tracked. The
`object being tracked as described in the present invention is
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`a vehicle (e.g., cars, boats, trucks, trains). However, one of
`ordinary skill in the art would understand that the tracked
`device of the present invention could be placed on many
`other objects to be tracked (e.g., shipping containers, people,
`etc.) without departing from the spirit of the invention.
`The tracked device location application 122 can be
`employed in combination with associated tracking hardware
`(discussed with respect to FIG. 9, to provide an instanta
`neous position of the tracked device 120. For example, a
`Global Positioning System (GPS), a triangulation device, or
`the like could be employed to determine the tracked devices
`120 position in coordinates of longitude and latitude. The
`tracked device location application utilizes the data provided
`by the hardware system to provide coordinates for use by the
`tracked device 120.
`The location adherence application 124 (discussed in
`more detail with respect to FIGS. 4-6) is able to utilize the
`current position of the tracked device 120 obtained by the
`tracked device location module 122 and the previous status
`of the tracked device (e.g., located inside or outside a
`geofence object) to determine whether the tracked device
`has generated a change in status by moving into a geofence
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`object or out of a geofence object boundary since the last
`location determination. In accordance with the present
`invention, if the object has moved into or out of a geofence
`object, the alert generation application is able to send an
`alert message to the data center 140.
`The route adherence application 126 (discussed in more
`with regard to FIG. 8) is able to utilize the current position
`of the tracked device 120 and the previous status of the
`tracked device (e.g., inside or outside a geofence object) to
`determine if the tracked device is progressing along a
`predetermined route of geofence objects. In accordance with
`the present invention, if the object is determined to not be
`moving in accordance with the predetermined route of
`geofence objects, the alert generation application is able to
`send an alert message to the data center 140.
`The alert generation application 128 acts in concert with
`transmission hardware (discussed in more detail in FIG.9)
`to generate and transmit an alert to data center 140 when
`either the location adherence application 124 or the route
`adherence application 126 determines that an alert should be
`Sent.
`The unique function of the location adherence application
`124 and the route adherence application 126 as well as the
`fact that these applications are located in the tracked device
`120 provides a distinct advantage over other tracking sys
`tems. Specifically, the processing being performed at the
`tracked device 120 and alert messages being sent back to the
`data center 140 only when an alert message is generated,
`provides a drastic reduction in the transmission of data
`between the data center 140 and tracked device 120, thereby
`resulting in Smaller network requirements to host the system
`and reducing costs dramatically.
`FIG. 2 depicts a geofence creation screen 200 presented
`to the client once the mapping application 150 has been
`accessed and executed. It should be understood that various
`securities for authentication and authorization can be
`employed to ensure that only authorized users are accessing
`the system. For example, the user interface associated with
`mapping application 150 can begin with a login screen (not
`shown) where the user enters a username and a password to
`gain access. The username and password are used to authen
`ticate the user. Also, one would understand that additional
`authorization schemes could be set up, for example, so that
`a specific process or person may only access or modify data
`that he/she has been authorized to process.
`The login screen leads to the geofence creation screen
`200. The geofence creation screen 200 has four functional
`sections: a mapping section 210, a reports section, a setup
`and maintenance section and a help section. The mapping
`section 210 includes a geographical map window 215 that
`includes a geofence map Superimposed on a geographical
`map, a fleet/vehicle window 230, a fence/vehicle window
`240, a drawing window 250 and a detail window 260.
`The fleet/vehicle window 230 is a display screen showing
`all vehicles or fleets of vehicles available to be tracked.
`When one of the vehicles is highlighted (by a check mark
`located in a box associated with each set of vehicles), more
`details about the vehicle are shown in detail in detail window
`260 located below the geographical map window 215. The
`detail window 260 shows more specific details regarding the
`vehicle. For example, the vehicle name, vehicle ID, longi
`tude, latitude, direction, speed, time of last position deter
`mination, event type, and message type can be provided.
`The fence/vehicle window 230 is a screen showing all
`vehicles or fleets of vehicles that have been associated with
`various geofence objects. When one of the vehicles is
`highlighted, more details about the vehicles and the
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`Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Exh. 1004, p. 16
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`geofence objects are shown in the detail window 260. The
`mapping window 215 shows the current geofence objects
`220 that are associated with the highlighted vehicle.
`A user, located at client 160, is able to utilize the tools
`located in the drawing window 250 to create geofence
`objects in the mapping section 210. As discussed in more
`detail below, the geofence objects can either be circular or
`polygons and can be grouped in accordance with the user's
`wishes. As discussed above, once the geofence objects are
`created, they can be associated with an automobile or a fleet
`of automobiles listed, for example in the fleet/vehicle sec
`tion 230 and saved to a database in the data center 140.
`While the geofence objects described in accordance with the
`present invention are circles or polygons, one would also
`understand that other shapes such as ellipses could also be
`employed to define a geofence object.
`While, as described above, the maps, geofence objects
`and coordinates have been described with respect to two
`dimensions, it would not be beyond the scope of the present
`invention to tailor the invention to be used with three
`dimensional coordinates. As a result, this would allow for
`the present invention to be employed with airborne vehicles
`or even Submerged vehicles. In this case, the geofence
`objects would comprise spheres and polyhedrons. Addition
`ally, other objects such as cones, cylinders and ellipsoids
`could also be employed.
`FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary geofence map 300. The
`geofence map 300 includes one or more geofence objects
`310-350 that provide geographical boundaries from which
`movements of the tracked device 120 can be monitored. In
`accordance with the present invention, geofence objects can
`include circles (e.g., objects 310 and 340) as well as poly
`gons (e.g., objects 320, 330 and 350) that can be created in
`a separate, stand-alone, manner or can be grouped together
`in various combinations of objects.
`When geofence objects are deployed in a separate or stand
`alone fashion and employed to track devices, a status
`change, in accordance with the present invention, is deemed
`to occur when a tracked device moves from being inside a
`geofence object to being outside a geofence object or from
`being outside a geofence object to being inside a geofence
`object. For example, if a tracked device were to move from
`geofence object 350 to geofence object 340, a status change
`would occur when the tracked device, that had previously
`been inside geofence object 350 exits the object’s bound
`aries. Also, upon entering geofence object 340, a status
`change would occur when the tracked device, that had
`previously been outside geofence object 340 enters the
`boundaries of the geofence object 340. In yet another
`example, if a tracked device were to move from geofence
`object 320 to geofence object 330 directly, then a status
`change would occur when entering geofence object 330 then
`a status change would occur when the tracked device exits
`geofence object 320.
`In accordance with another embodiment of the present
`invention, the user can decide to group two or more
`geofence objects together in any manner deemed appropriate
`by the user. When object grouping is employed, the two or
`more geofence objects are interpreted to be a single (larger)
`geofence object. As a result, different status changes can
`occur than those possible when the same geofence objects
`are treated separately. For