WO2014060978A2

WO2014060978A2 - Proximity alerting

Info

Publication number: WO2014060978A2
Application number: PCT/IB2013/059412
Authority: WO
Inventors: Werner VAN DER WESTHUIZEN
Original assignee: Van Der Westhuizen Werner
Priority date: 2012-10-18
Filing date: 2013-10-17
Publication date: 2014-04-24
Also published as: WO2014060978A3

Abstract

A method of providing a location-based proximity alert, the method including defining a detection regime to at least one first location based tracking device, the detection regime being operable to generate an alert when at least two sets of location-based services data conforms to certain predefined criteria, receiving location-based services data of a first mobile tracking device, receiving location based services data of at least one additional mobile tracking device, applying the detection regime to the location-based services of the first tracking device and the at least one additional tracking device to predict intersection of the first and the at least one additional set of location data and generating an alert signal when the predefined criteria of the detection regime is met.

Description

Proximity Alerting

This invention relates to proximity alerting. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of providing a location-based proximity alert, to a method of providing a mobile tracking device location-based proximity alert, to a location-based proximity alert software receiver application, and to a location-based proximity alert software transmitter application method. The invention also relates to a location-based proximity alert system.

The invention is expected to be particularly advantageously applicable to vehicle proximity alerting and notification of their locations. Accordingly, such applications should particularly, but not exclusively, be borne in mind when considering this specification.

Background of the Invention Generally, the term geo-location refers to the real-world geographic location of objects, for example the locating of the geographic location of a mobile phone. More specifically, it refers to the practice of assessing the location of an object or the actually determined geographic position of an object.

The closely related concept of geographic positioning suggests determining and attaching a meaningful location of an object rather than simply the geographic coordinates obtained by geo-location. Such meaning may, for example, include the position of a mobile device on a map at a particular time.

Location-based services refer to a class of computer- implemented services, which includes controls for the location and time data as features of a software application. Location-based services may access geographic positioning information of a mobile device via a mobile network and make use of locating methods such as control plane locating, GSM localisation and local range technologies to obtain location-based information from an object such as a mobile phone. In this specification, the term "locating" is used to refer to a purpose of such services, whilst the term "positioning" is used to refer to the process or method of obtaining location-based information of the object. Location-based services include, amongst others, turn-by-turn navigation, locating people on a map, and location-based mobile advertising.

The inventor is aware that location-based services of the kind extend to vehicle tracking and the receiving of alerts, particularly receiving traffic congestion warnings from stationary traffic broadcasting stations.

With increasing congestion on public roads, more and more commuters resort to alternative travel means such as motorcycles and bicycles that are able to negotiate congested traffic areas. As a result, motorcycles and bicycles become entangled with motor vehicles in the congested areas, thereby putting biker commuters at risk of collision with the motor vehicles due to bikers and motorists' unawareness of approaching or oncoming traffic. In attempts to reduce the risk of accidents of the kind, several vehicle warning devices and systems have been developed with indeterminate and speculative success. For example, some systems describe the installation of a transmitter device in one vehicle and a receiver device in another. As the transmitter-equipped vehicle approaches, communication between the transmitter and receiver is established and the vehicles are warned of each other's presence. These systems are impractical for several reasons - their proper working relies on all motorists' adoption of a dedicated physical transmitter/receiver device. Also, as vehicles move out of range, communication between devices is interrupted and must be re-established as vehicles move within range. As a result, the systems lack reliability and are best-effort systems. The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing a location-based proximity alert, the method including:

defining a detection regime to at least one first location based tracking device, the detection regime being operable to generate an alert when at least two sets of location-based services data conforms to certain predefined criteria;

receiving location-based services data of a first mobile tracking device;

receiving location based services data of at least one additional mobile tracking device;

applying the detection regime to the location-based services of the first tracking device and the at least one additional tracking device to predict intersection of the first and the at least one additional set of location data; and

generating an alert signal when the predefined criteria of the detection regime is met.

Any one or both of the first mobile tracking device and the at least one additional mobile tracking device may be associated with any one or both of the location of an individual and a vehicle. The detection regime criteria may include an algorithm operable to determine that two sets of location-based data will define an intersection with each other. The detection regime criteria may include an algorithm determining that two sets of location-based data will come within a predefined distance form each other. Furthermore, the detection regime may be operable to define a proximity between the at least two sets of location based data.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing a mobile tracking device location-based proximity alert, the method including:

defining a danger zone about a first tracking device;

receiving location-based services data of the first tracking device; receiving location-based services data of an at least one additional, approaching tracking device;

comparing the location-based services data of the first tracking device with the location-based services data of the at least one additional tracking device to determine whether the at least one additional, approaching tracking device has entered the danger zone defined about the first tracking device; and

sending a proximity warning signal to the first tracking device to alert the first tracking device of the approaching at least one additional tracking device.

The tracking device may be associated with any one or both of an individual and a vehicle.

The method may include defining the danger zone about the first tracking device as a radial range about the first tracking device.

The receiving of the location-based service data of the first and the at least one additional tracking device may include receiving any one or both of the geographical position and time of the tracking devices at their respective geographical positions. The method may include providing the first- and at least one additional tracking device with a software application operable to access location-based services data of the first- and at least one additional tracking device prior to receiving the location-based services data of the first- and at least one additional tracking device.

Any one or both of the first- and the at least one additional tracking device may be in the form of a mobile communication device operable to communicate on a mobile telephone network. For example the tracking devices may be in the form of a smartphone, a global positioning receiver and a factory fitted motor vehicle navigation system.

The method may include receiving the location-based services data of the first and at least one additional tracking device at a remote server. The method may further include receiving the location- based services data of the first and at least one additional tracking device via a network. More particularly, the network may be any one or both of a mobile telephone network and the Internet. The location-based services data of the first- and at least one additional tracking device may include comparing the geographical positions of the first- and at least one additional tracking device.

The location-based services data of the first- and at least one additional tracking device may be compared at the remote server.

The method may include calculating whether the at least one additional approaching tracking device, has entered the range defined about the first tracking device based on the comparison between the geographical positions of the first- and at least one additional tracking device. The method may then include calculating the speed of the at least one additional approaching tracking device, based on location- based services data received from the at least one additional approaching tracking device, at successive geographical positions of the at least one additional approaching tracking device.

The proximity alert to the first tracking device may include sending the speed of the at least one additional approaching tracking device to the first tracking device.

The receiving of the location-based services data from the first- and at least one additional tracking device may include receiving the data periodically at intervals. The proximity alert may be sent periodically to the first tracking device.

The periodic intervals at which the data is received may be automatically adjusted according to the calculated speed of the at least one additional approaching tracking device. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a location-based proximity alert software receiver application for installation on a smart mobile phone, which includes

detection defining means operable to define a detection regime on a first location based tracking device, the detection regime being operable to generate an alert when at least two sets of location-based services data conforms to certain predefined criteria;

alert detection means for applying the detection regime to the location-based services of the first tracking device and at least one additional tracking device to predict intersection of the first and the at least one additional set of location data; and

alert generation means for generating an alert signal when the predefined criteria of the detection regime is met. The location-based proximity alert software application may be operable to receive a proximity alert signal from a remote server.

The receiver application may be operable to communicate the proximity alert signal by way of any one or both of a visual- and audio warning message.

The receiver application may be defined by an application programming interface (API), which may for example be implemented on a smart mobile telephone.

The application may be operable to display the geographical position of the first tracking on a mapping application provided by the API. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a location-based proximity alert software transmitter application for installation on a mobile communication device, which includes

a geolocation application programming interface (API); and transmission means for transmitting a geolocation to a remote server.

The proximity alert software transmitter application may include a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI of the transmitter application may be operable to provide a user of the application with an option of selecting a mode of transport from any one of a pedestrian mode, a bicycle mode, a motorcycle mode and a motor vehicle mode. The transmitter application may be operable to display the geolocation of the mobile communication device on a mapping application provided by the API. The transmitter application may be operable automatically to detect if the mobile communication device comes to a standstill.

The transmitter application may be operable to display a prompt requesting an input about whether to pause a journey, to end a current journey or start a new journey.

The transmitter application may be operable to display information in one or both of a minimized- and a full screen mode.

The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

Drawings

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows, diagrammatically, a location-based proximity alert system which implements a location-based proximity alert method in accordance with one aspect of the invention.

Figure 2 shows an exemplary screenshot of one embodiment of a location-based proximity software application in accordance with another aspect of the invention.

Figure 3 shows an exemplary screenshot of another embodiment of a location-based proximity software application in accordance with another aspect of the invention.

Figure 4 shows an exemplary screenshot of yet another embodiment of a location-based proximity software application in accordance with yet another aspect of the invention

In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like parts of the invention unless otherwise indicated. Detailed Description of the Invention

With reference to figure 1 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 denotes, generally, a location-based proximity alert method being implemented by a location-based proximity alert system according to one embodiment of the invention.

The method includes defining of a danger zone 12 about a first motor vehicle, in this case a motorcar 14. At step 1 , the danger zone 12 is defined as a radial range about the first motorcar 14. The motorcar 14 is occupied by a commuter of the motorcar 14 (being the driver or passenger of the motorcar 14) who possesses and is in control of a smart mobile phone capable of running a variety of software applications designed for the operating system of the smart mobile phone. The smart mobile phone (now associated with the motorcar 14) is provided with preloaded location-based services software that is operable to send and receive location-based services data about the geographical position C at a time 16 of the motorcar 14 at the geographical position C.

At step 2, the geographical position C at time 16 of the motorcar 14 is received at a server 18 provided remote from the motorcar 14. The geographical position C at time 16 of the motorcar 14 is received at the server 18 via a mobile telephone network 20. A second, approaching vehicle in the form of motorcar 22 is now introduced into the proximity alert system. Like the first motorcar 14, the approaching motorcar 22 (i.e. a driver or passenger of the motorcar 22) is equipped with a smart mobile telephone also capable of running software applications and particularly pre-loaded location-based services software operable to send and receive location-based services data about the geographical position A at a time 24 of the motorcar 22. At step 3, the geographical position A of the motorcar 22 is received at the server 18 at the time 24 via the mobile telephone network 20. As time progresses, the motorcar 22 proceeds from geographical position A to geographical position B, and as a result enters the radial range 12 defined about the motorcar 14. The location-based services data, for example its position A at time 24 and position B at time 26 of the motorcar 22 is continually and periodically received at the server 18. Thus, subsequent to step 3, the geographical location B of motorcar 22 at time 26 is received at the server 18 at step 4.

In this particular embodiment of the invention, the server 18 calculates the speed of the second, approaching motorcar 22 based on geographical positions A and B at respective times 24 and 26 in order to determine at what speed the approaching motorcar 22 is entering the danger zone 12 and thus approaching the first motorcar 14.

At step 6 of the method, the geographical position C of the first motorcar 14 is compared or evaluated against motorcar 22's change in geographical position from A to B to determine if, and at what speed, approaching motorcar 22 has entered the danger zone 12 about motorcar 14 and upon detecting that motorcar 22 has indeed entered the danger zone 12, the server 18 sends a proximity warning signal to the first motorcar 14 at step 7 to warn the motorcar 14 of motorcar 22's approach. Sending of the proximity warning signal at step 7, in this embodiment, includes sending the speed of the second, approaching motorcar 22 to the first motorcar 14.

It should be appreciated that the location based services data of motorcars 14 and 22 may be periodically received at the server 18 at pre-determined intervals, or at varying intervals depending on the speed of the second, approaching motorcar 22. Likewise, depending on the speed of the approaching motorcar 22, the warning signal may be sent at pre-determined intervals or varying intervals depending on the speed of the approaching motorcar 22. Thus, the method thus provides for adjustment of the intervals at which the location-based services data is received and corresponding automatic adjustment of the intervals at which the proximity warning signal is received by first motorcar 14. Keeping with figure 1 of the drawings, a third vehicle in the form of a motorcycle 30 is shown to also be approaching the first motorcar 14. The motorcycle 30 simply illustrates that the embodiment naturally extends to a plurality of vehicles or individuals carrying tracking devices whose positions and times are received at the server 18, compared with the positions and times of other vehicles and to which proximity warning signals are sent from the server 18.

A location-based proximity alert software application is now described in accordance with another aspect of the invention and with reference to the remainder of the drawings. The location-based proximity alert software application executes the method as hereinbefore described and is installable on the mobile smart phones of the commuters of the motorcars 14 and 22, the motorcycle 30 or of individuals carrying smart phones. The software application naturally includes a graphical user interface (GUI) and is operable to send and receive the location-based services data (i.e. the geographical positions and times) of the vehicles 14, 22 and 30 to and from the server 18 via the mobile network 20.

According to this aspect of the invention, the location-based proximity alert software application is provided in two embodiments or versions which will now be explained with reference to figures 2 through 5 of the drawings, which represent selected screenshots of the software application in use.

In one embodiment of the invention, the location-based proximity alert application is described as a "transmitter application" for installation on the smart mobile phone of, for example, the commuter of the bicycle 30 or the first vehicle 14. The "transmitter application's" interfaces with a location-based services application programming interface (API) that is pre-loaded as part of the smart mobile phone's operating system. In use, the commuter is provided with an option of downloading the software application from an online software application vendor (not shown) and the commuter (hereinafter referred to as the user) registers the "transmitter application" with the server 18. As shown in figure 2 of the drawings, numeral 100 shows how the user is presented with an input menu indicating the intended mode of transport to be undertaken. Subsequent to selecting the appropriate mode of transport, the "transmitter application's" GUI may further show the user's current position on a map on the phone, as illustrated by reference numeral 102 of figure 3 of the drawings. The user will now have the option to hide the application and should the user hide the application, the application will run in passive, hidden mode. In passive mode, the application continuously transmits to the server 18 and the user is naturally able to make use of the phone's remaining functions. Should the user wish to stop transmitting his/her location-based services data, the user will be offered a selection of whether to stop their present journey, resume their journey and/or start a new journey. Further, the "transmitter application" will provide a functionality to automatically switch off when a user leaves the road for a predetermined period. As already mentioned, the location- based proximity alert method provides for the calculating of the speed of the users travelling in their respective vehicles, i.e. in vehicles 14, 22 and 30. The speeds calculated at the server 18 of figure 1 may be broken into several categories, for example: a first category indicating that a user, and hence an associated vehicle, is stationary, upon which the transmission interval of the application is reduced to 10s intervals; a second category indicating that the vehicle is travelling at a below average speed (between 0 and 40kmph for motorcars and between 0 and 10kmph for bicycles) whereupon the transmission intervals are reduced to 5s intervals; a third category indicating that the vehicle is travelling at an average speed (between 40 and 90kmph for motorcycles and between 10 and 30kmph for bicycles) at which the transmission time is reduced to 3s intervals and; a fourth category indicating that the vehicle is travelling at an above average speed (for motorcycles in excess of 90kmph and for bicycles in excess of 60kmph). A vehicle travelling within the fourth category will be considered a high-risk travelling vehicle and the transmission speed will be increased to 1 s intervals.

In another embodiment of the invention, the location-based proximity alert application is described as a "receiver application" for installation on the smart mobile phone of, for example, the commuter or user of an approaching motorcar 22. The "receiver application" again interfaces with a location-based services application programming interface (API) that is pre-loaded as part of the smart mobile phone's operating system. The "receiver application" is downloaded by a user of the smart mobile phone of the driver of the vehicle 22 and the application registered by the user. The user of the motorcar 22 is now ready to start receiving location-based services data about the vehicles 14 and 30 from the server 18 of figure 1 and by selecting a "submit" button the "receiver application" will transmit and receive the location-based services data. As with the "transmitter application", the user is provided with an option to display his/her position on the map of the smart mobile phone.

Whilst the "receiver application" is running, the application and hence the vehicle 22 may receive a proximity alert signal from the server 18 as the motorcar 22 enters a danger zone 12 defined about the motorcar 14. In the event, the mobile smart phone will warn the user by way of an audio voice prompt, for example: "Warning! Bicycle approaching from left..." or "Warning! Motor vehicle approaching from behind", or a visual prompt as shown by reference numeral 104 showing a screenshot of the "receiver application" in figure 4. It may also indicate positions of other types of vehicles or pedestrians carrying a smart phone running the "transmitter application". Advantageously, the "receiver application" automatically switches off when a user leaves the road for longer than a pre-determined period. Furthermore, the inventor believes that a location-based proximity alert method, accompanying location-based proximity alert software application and system as hereinbefore described provides a safer road environment for motorcycles, joggers, bicycles and the like by alerting road users of and emergency vehicles by alerting other road-users. It is therefore to be appreciated that the invention covers any tracking device that may be associated with individuals and vehicles.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A method of providing a location-based proximity alert, the method including:

receiving location-based services data of a first mobile tracking device;

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , in which any one or both of the first mobile tracking device and the at least one additional mobile tracking device is associated with any one or both of the location of an individual and a vehicle.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the detection regime criteria includes an algorithm operable to determine that two sets of location-based data will define an intersection with each other.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the detection regime criteria includes an algorithm determining that two sets of location- based data will come within a predefined distance form each other.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, in which the detection regime is operable to define a proximity between the at least two sets of location based data.

6. A method of providing a mobile tracking device location- based proximity alert, the method including:

defining a danger zone about a first tracking device;

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, in which the tracking device is associated with any one or both of an individual and a vehicle.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6, which includes defining the danger zone about the first tracking device as a radial range about the first tracking device.

9. A method as claimed in claim 6, in which the receiving of the location-based service data of the first and the at least one additional tracking device includes receiving any one or both of the geographical position and time of the tracking devices at their respective geographical positions.

10. A method as claimed in claim 6, which includes providing the first- and at least one additional tracking device with a software application operable to access location-based services data of the first- and at least one additional tracking device prior to receiving the location-based services data of the first- and at least one additional tracking device.

1 1 . A method as claimed in claim 10, in which any one or both of the first- and the at least one additional tracking device is in the form of a mobile communication device operable to communicate on a mobile telephone network.

12. A method as claimed in claim 6, which includes receiving the location-based services data of the first and at least one additional tracking device at a remote server.

13. A method as claimed in claim 6, which includes receiving the location-based services data of the first and at least one additional tracking device via a network.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, in which the network is any one or both of a mobile telephone network and the Internet.

15. A method as claimed in claim 6, in which the location-based services data of the first- and at least one additional tracking device includes comparing the geographical positions of the first- and at least one additional tracking device.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, in which the location- based services data of the first- and at least one additional tracking device is compared at the remote server.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15, which includes calculating whether the at least one additional approaching tracking device, has entered the range defined about the first tracking device based on the comparison between the geographical positions of the first- and at least one additional tracking device.

18. A method as claimed in claim 15, which includes calculating the speed of the at least one additional approaching tracking device, based on location-based services data received from the at least one additional approaching tracking device, at successive geographical positions of the at least one additional approaching tracking device.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, in which the proximity alert to the first tracking device includes sending the speed of the at least one additional approaching tracking device to the first tracking device.

20. A method as claimed in claim 6, in which the receiving of the location-based services data from the first- and at least one additional tracking device includes receiving the data periodically at intervals.

21 . A method as claimed in claim 6, in which the proximity alert is sent periodically to the first tracking device.

22. A method as claimed in claim 6, in which the periodic intervals at which the data is received is automatically adjusted according to the calculated speed of the at least one additional approaching tracking device.

23. A location-based proximity alert software receiver application for installation on a smart mobile phone, which includes

detection defining means operable to define a detection regime on a first location based tracking device, the detection regime being operable to generate an alert when at least two sets of location-based services data conforms to certain predefined criteria; alert detection means for applying the detection regime to the location-based services of the first tracking device and at least one additional tracking device to predict intersection of the first and the at least one additional set of location data; and

alert generation means for generating an alert signal when the predefined criteria of the detection regime is met.

24. A location-based proximity alert software application as claimed in claim 23, in which the location-based proximity alert software application is operable to receive a proximity alert signal from a remote server.

25. A location-based proximity alert software application as claimed in claim 24, in which the receiver application is operable to communicate the proximity alert signal by way of any one or both of a visual- and audio warning message.

26. A location-based proximity alert software application as claimed in claim 26, in which the receiver application is defined by an application programming interface (API).

27. A location-based proximity alert software application as claimed in claim 26, in which the application is operable to display the geographical position of the first tracking on a mapping application provided by the API.

28. A location-based proximity alert software transmitter application for installation on a mobile communication device, which includes

29. A location-based proximity alert software application as claimed in claim 28, in which the proximity alert software transmitter application includes a graphical user interface (GUI).

30. A location-based proximity alert software application as claimed in claim 29, in which the GUI of the transmitter application is operable to provide a user of the application with an option of selecting a mode of transport from any one of a pedestrian mode, a bicycle mode, a motorcycle mode and a motor vehicle mode.

31 . A location-based proximity alert software application as claimed in claim 30, in which the transmitter application is operable to display the geolocation of the mobile communication device on a mapping application provided by the API.

32. A location-based proximity alert software application as claimed in claim 31 , in which the transmitter application is operable automatically to detect if the mobile communication device comes to a standstill.

33. A location-based proximity alert software application as claimed in claim 32, in which the transmitter application is operable to display a prompt requesting an input about whether to pause a journey, to end a current journey or start a new journey.

34. A location-based proximity alert software application as claimed in claim 33, in which the transmitter application is operable to display information in one or both of a minimized- and a full screen mode.

35. A method of providing a location-based proximity alert a claimed in claim 1 , substantially as herein described and illustrated.

36. A method of providing a mobile tracking device location- based proximity alert as claimed in claim 6, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

37. A location-based proximity alert software receiver application as claimed in claim 23, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

38. A location-based proximity alert software transmitter application as claimed in claim 28, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

39. A new method of providing a location-based proximity alert, substantially as herein described.

40. A new method of providing a mobile tracking device location- based proximity alert substantially as herein described.

41 . A new location-based proximity alert software receiver application, substantially as herein described.

42. A new location-based proximity alert software transmitter application, substantially as herein described.