ADDING GEO-FENCES BASED ON TIME

摘要

A user can create geo-fences by providing a first identifier, e.g., a name of a store or a category of merchandise, and a location-based function that is triggered when the user's mobile device crosses a boundary of a geo-fence. An elapsed time that the geo-fences are not triggered can be monitored. If the elapsed time exceeds a threshold, additional geo-fences can be added based on a second identifier that is associated with the additional geo-fences. Whether the elapsed time is going to exceed the threshold can be predicted, and the additional geo-fences added at the time of the prediction, which may be before the elapsed time actually exceeds the threshold. Additionally, the user can be prompted regarding adding additional geo-fences before or after the elapsed time might exceed the threshold.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving, at a first device from a user, a first request to establish one or more first geographical areas for a mobile device for triggering a location-based function, the first request including a first identifier that identifies a first set of one or more locations for establishing the one or more first geographical areas; identifying a start time for establishing the one or more first geographical areas; monitoring a location of the mobile device to identify whether one of the first geographical areas is triggered by the mobile device crossing a boundary of one of the first geographical areas; monitoring an elapsed time relative to the start time where none of the first geographical areas are triggered; when the elapsed time exceeds a threshold, establishing one or more additional geographical areas based on a second identifier that identifies a second set of locations not in the first set of locations; and monitoring the location of the mobile device to identify whether one of the first geographical areas or one of the additional geographical areas is triggered by the mobile device crossing a boundary of one of the first geographical areas or one of the additional geographical areas.