IP Library Granted Patent US 9,578,455
Granted Patent B2
US 9,578,455 · App. 14/627,747 · Granted Feb 21, 2017

Method and apparatus for dynamic position reporting rate determination

Inventors: Joseph Paul Rork (Plymouth, MI); Kevin Michael Bullister (Dexter, MI); Kelly Lee Zechel (Plymouth, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
H04W4/021
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,578,455
App. No.
14/627,747
Granted
Feb 21, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system includes a processor configured to receive a geo-fence definition defining a geographic perimeter or point. The processor is also configured to receive a vehicle location. Further, the processor is configured to determine a distance from the vehicle location to a most proximate geo-fence point and determine a reporting-rate that varies based on proximity to the geo-fence. The processor is also configured to report a vehicle location at intervals defined by the reporting-rate.

Claims (31)

1. A system comprising:

a processor configured to:

receive a geo-fence definition defining a geographic perimeter;

receive a vehicle location;

determine a distance from the vehicle location to the geo-fence;

determine a variable reporting rate that varies inversely with the distance to the geo-fence; and

report a vehicle location at intervals defined by the variable reporting rate.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to receive a plurality of geo-fence definitions for a plurality of geo-fences.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine the variable reporting rate based on a user-defined variable reporting rate corresponding to a present distance from the closest geo-fence point.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein reporting the vehicle location includes reporting a distance to the closest geo-fence point.

5. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a vehicle location and heading;

receiving a geo-fence definition;

determining if the vehicle is traveling towards the geo-fence based on the heading;

determining, via a computer, a variable reporting rate that varies inversely based on vehicle proximity to the geo-fence when the vehicle is traveling towards the geo-fence, and based on a standard reporting rate otherwise; and

reporting a vehicle location at intervals defined by the variable or standard reporting rate based on vehicle heading.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein determining if the vehicle is traveling towards the geo-fence includes determining if a heading defined by an arc in front of the vehicle indicates travel towards any point of the geo-fence.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising receiving a present road indicator, and determining if the vehicle is traveling towards the geo-fence based on the present road indicator and the vehicle heading.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the standard reporting rate is a user-defined rate.

9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the reporting rate based on the vehicle proximity to the geo-fence is user defined and varies at discrete intervals from the geo-fence.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the discrete intervals are based on distance from the geo-fence.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the discrete intervals are based on projected travel time to the geo-fence.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the projected travel time is based on a vehicle speed and a distance to the geo-fence.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the projected travel time is based on a road speed limit and a distance to the geo-fence.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the reporting includes reporting the vehicle proximity to the geo-fence.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:

receiving a geo-fence definition;

receiving a vehicle route;

defining a plurality of reporting-rate changes along the route, at defined points along the route, based on proximity of each defined point to the geo-fence;

varying a variable reporting rate as a vehicle reaches each of the defined points, based on the reporting-rate change defined for each point, the changes representing a reporting rate that varies inversely with vehicle proximity to the geo-fence; and

reporting a vehicle location at intervals based on the variable reporting rate.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2015
From: RORK, JOSEPH PAUL; BULLISTER, KEVIN MICHAEL; ZECHEL, KELLY LEE
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 034997/0849 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160247330A1 · Aug 25, 2016