Geofencing application for driver convenience

A vehicle computer system, comprising a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with a mobile device. The vehicle computer system further comprises a processor configured to output an alert to a driver of a vehicle indicating a location of a hazardous area when the vehicle is in a pre-defined distance from a boundary of a geo-fence of the driver defining the hazardous area, and activate a vehicle function addressing the hazardous area based upon the vehicle entering a boundary of the geo-fence.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The illustrative embodiments generally relate to utilizing features of a vehicle computer system for geofencing.

BACKGROUND

The addition of vehicle information and infotainment systems to vehicles provides a wealth of entertainment and information delivery options for vehicle occupants. Through on-board resources and remote connections, occupants can stream music and movies, receive news updates, access remote databases, obtain navigation information and perform numerous other tasks that used to require a secondary computing system, such as a smart phone or PC with a wireless network card.

Using the onboard system, drivers can communicate with off board, cloud-based resources and access any information useful for driving or travel. Certain software add-ons allow users to be smart-routed to recommended stopping points, obtain coupons or deals tailored to users, and even alert emergency providers and/or user doctor's in the event of a medical emergency. Geofencing may also be utilized for vehicles to define a virtual boundary of a vehicle. Geofencing may be accomplished by utilizing GPS coordinates of a navigation system in a vehicle.

SUMMARY

A first illustrative embodiment discloses a vehicle computer system comprising a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with a mobile device. The vehicle computer system further comprises a processor configured to output an alert to a driver of a vehicle indicating a location of a hazardous area when the vehicle is in a pre-defined distance from a boundary of a geo-fence of the driver defining the hazardous area, and activate a vehicle function addressing the hazardous area based upon the vehicle entering a boundary of the geo-fence.

A second illustrative embodiment discloses a method comprising determining a driver of the vehicle utilizing one or more vehicle controllers and responsively receiving one or more geo-fences associated with the driver and a high-crime area along a route defined by route data. The method further comprises outputting an alert to the driver indicating a location of the high-crime area when the vehicle is within a pre-defined distance of the geo-fence, and activating a vehicle function addressing the high-crime area and in response to a request from a remote server based upon the vehicle entering a boundary of the geo-fence.

A third illustrative embodiment discloses a vehicle computer system comprising a processor configured to, in response to identifying a driver of the vehicle and a vehicle route, establish a geo-fence corresponding to the driver and a high-crime rate area along the route, and executing commands to request a vehicle controller to activate a mechanical vehicle function addressing the area based upon entering a boundary of the geo-fence, and output an alert to the driver indicating activation of the function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention, may however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to elements throughout. As used herein the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

A geo-fence refers to a radius or other virtual perimeter defined over a geographic area. Geo-fences may be defined to indicate areas in which specific types of attributes affecting drivers have been reported. For instance, geo-fences may indicate areas of elevated crime, severe weather, proximity to a destination, or other aspects relevant to the driver.

Geo-fences may be defined based on data received from various data sources. In an example, geo-fences indicating elevated crime areas may be identified based on data received from government crime statistics servers. In another, example, geo-fences indicating weather conditions areas may be identified based on data received from weather services. In yet a further example, driver-specific geo-fences may be defined by the driver.

The types of geo-fence may be further associated with one or more predefined actions. These actions may include actions to be automatically performed by the vehicle when the vehicle crosses the geo-fence, or actions to be performed when the vehicle reaches a predefined distance of the geo-fence. The actions may include for example, providing an alert, rolling up vehicle windows, activating one or more vehicle safety features, turning on headlights, or recommending an alternate vehicle route.

As the geo-fences may be dynamically updated from the data sources, the predefined actions may be automatically performed for new and updated geo-fences, without requiring the driver to have prior knowledge of the types or boundaries of the geo-fenced areas.

FIG. 1illustrates an example block topology for a vehicle-based computing system100(VCS) for a vehicle131. An example of such a VCS100is the FORD SYNC system manufactured by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. A vehicle131enabled with the VCS100may contain a visual front-end interface104located in the vehicle. The user may also be able to interact with the interface if it is provided, for example, with a touch sensitive screen. In another illustrative embodiment, the interaction occurs through, button presses, spoken dialog system with automatic speech recognition and speech synthesis.

In the illustrative embodiment shown inFIG. 1, a processor103controls at least some portion of the operation of the VCS100. Provided within the vehicle, the processor allows onboard processing of commands and routines. Further, the processor is connected to both non-persistent105and persistent storage107. In this illustrative embodiment, the non-persistent storage is random access memory (RAM) and the persistent storage is a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory.

The processor is also provided with a number of different inputs allowing the user to interface with the processor. In this illustrative embodiment, a microphone129, an auxiliary input125(for input133), a USB input123, a GPS input124and a BLUETOOTH input115are all provided. An input selector151is also provided, to allow a user to select between various inputs. Input to both the microphone and the auxiliary connector is converted from analog to digital by a converter127before being passed to the processor. Although not shown, these and other components may be in communication with the VCS100over a vehicle multiplex network (such as, but not limited to, a CAN bus) to pass data to and from the VCS100(or components thereof).

Outputs to the system can include, but are not limited to, a visual display104and a speaker113or stereo system output. The speaker is connected to an amplifier111and receives its signal from the processor103through a digital-to-analog converter109. Output can also be made to a remote BLUETOOTH device such as PND154or a USB device such as vehicle navigation device160along the bi-directional data streams shown at119and121respectively.

In one illustrative embodiment, the VCS100uses the BLUETOOTH transceiver115to communicate117with a user's nomadic device153(e.g., wearable device, cell phone, smart phone, PDA, tablet, a device having wireless remote network connectivity, etc.). The nomadic device (ND) can then be used to communicate159with a network161outside the vehicle131through, for example, communication155with a cellular tower157. In some embodiments, tower157may be a WiFi access point.

Pairing a nomadic device153and the BLUETOOTH transceiver115can be instructed through a button152or similar input. Accordingly, the CPU is instructed that the onboard BLUETOOTH transceiver will be paired with a BLUETOOTH transceiver in a nomadic device. Additionally, the vehicle can pair or connect to a Wi-Fi access point utilizing similar input.

Data may be communicated between processor103and network161utilizing, for example, a data-plan, data over voice, or DTMF tones associated with nomadic device153. Alternatively, it may be desirable to include an onboard modem163having antenna118in order to communicate16data between CPU103and network161over the voice band. The nomadic device153can then be used to communicate with a network161outside the vehicle131through, for example, communication155with a cellular tower157. In some embodiments, the modem163may establish communication120with the tower157for communicating with network161. As a non-limiting example, modem163may be a USB cellular modem and communication120may be cellular communication.

In another embodiment, nomadic device153includes a modem for voice band or broadband data communication. In the data-over-voice embodiment, a technique known as frequency division multiplexing may be implemented when the owner of the nomadic device can talk over the device while data is being transferred. At other times, when the owner is not using the device, the data transfer can use the whole bandwidth (300 Hz to 103.4 kHz in one example). While frequency division multiplexing may be common for analog cellular communication between the vehicle and the internet, and is still used, it has been largely replaced by hybrids of Code Domain Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Domain Multiple Access (TDMA), Space-Domain Multiple Access (SDMA) for digital cellular communication. These are all ITU IMT-2000 (3G) compliant standards and offer data rates up to 2 megabytes for stationary or walking users and 385 kbs for users in a moving vehicle. 3G standards are now being replaced by IMT-Advanced (4G) which offers 100 mbs for users in a vehicle and 100 gbs for stationary users. If the user has a data-plan associated with the nomadic device, it is possible that the data-plan allows for broad-band transmission and the system could use a much wider bandwidth (speeding up data transfer). In still another embodiment, nomadic device153is replaced with a cellular communication device (not shown) that is installed to vehicle131. In yet another embodiment, the nomadic device (ND)153may be a wireless local area network (LAN) device capable of communication over, for example (and without limitation), an 802.11g network (i.e., WiFi, or other standards such as 802.11a, b, n, ac, p or other future standards) or a WiMax network. The vehicle may also include its own WiFi router to connect to a wireless access point.

In one embodiment, incoming data can be passed through the nomadic device via a data-over-voice or data-plan, through the onboard BLUETOOTH transceiver and into the vehicle's internal processor103. In the case of certain temporary data, for example, the data can be stored on the HDD or other storage media107until such time as the data is no longer needed.

Additional sources that may interface with the vehicle include a personal navigation device154, having, for example, a USB connection156and/or an antenna158, a vehicle navigation device160having a USB62or other connection, an onboard GPS device124, or remote navigation system (not shown) having connectivity to network161. USB is one of a class of serial networking protocols. IEEE 1394 (FireWire™ (Apple), i.LINK™ (Sony), and Lynx™ (Texas Instruments)), EIA (Electronics Industry Association) serial protocols, IEEE 1284 (Centronics Port), S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format) and USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum) form the backbone of the device-device serial standards. Most of the protocols can be implemented for either electrical or optical communication.

Further, the processor103could be in communication with a variety of other auxiliary devices165. These devices can be connected through a wireless167or wired169connection. Auxiliary device165may include, but are not limited to, personal media players, wireless health devices, portable computers, nomadic devices, key fobs and the like.

Also, or alternatively, the CPU could be connected to a vehicle-based wireless router173, using for example a WiFi (IEEE 803.111)171transceiver. This could allow the CPU to connect to remote networks in range of the local router173.

In addition to having exemplary processes executed by a VCS100located in a vehicle131, in certain embodiments, the exemplary processes may be executed by a computing system in communication with the VCS100. Such a system may include, but is not limited to, a wireless device (e.g., and without limitation, a mobile phone) or a remote computing system (e.g., and without limitation, a server) connected through the wireless device. Collectively, such systems may be referred to as vehicle associated computing systems (VACS). In certain embodiments particular components of the VACS may perform particular portions of a process depending on the particular implementation of the system. By way of example and not limitation, if a process has a step of sending or receiving information with a paired wireless device, then it is likely that the wireless device is not performing the process, since the wireless device would not “send and receive” information with itself. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand when it is inappropriate to apply particular VACS to a given solution. In all solutions, it is contemplated that at least the VCS100located within the vehicle131itself is capable of performing the exemplary processes.

FIG. 2illustrates an example block topology of a VCS100that may be utilized in accordance with geofencing alerts. The VCS100may communicate with other vehicle controllers290to identify geofenced areas292, determine a current state of the vehicle131, and invoke predefined actions294to assist in preparation for entering the identified geofenced areas292.

The vehicle controllers290may include one or more vehicle components that may be used to receive vehicle131state information and/or commanded to perform various vehicle131operations. As some examples, the VCS100may communicate with the GPS device124to determine a current location of the vehicle131, with a tire pressure monitor (TPM) to determine tire pressure, with a fuel sensor to detect fuel levels, with oil level, battery level and battery temperature sensors to detect oil and battery state, with seatbelt monitor and occupancy sensors to determine vehicle131occupancy. As some further examples, the VCS100may communicate with the controllers290to operate mechanical functions of the vehicle131, such as communicating with a door locking module to lock or unlock vehicle131doors, with a window module to roll down or up vehicle131windows, with a moon-roof/sun-roof module to roll down or up a roof window, and with light modules to activate or deactivate vehicle131lights, or with a wiper controller to activate or deactivate windshield wipers. Other functions may include activating a headlight or fog lamps of a vehicle, turning on or off a window shade, or activating a tinted window function. The VCS may communicate with other modules to activate vehicle features, such as the anti-brake system (ABS), activating stability control, stiffening the suspension, or a fuel-economy feature for when the vehicle enters a high-speed geo-fenced zone.

The vehicle131may utilize a nomadic device153to communicate with the cellular tower157. In another embodiment, the vehicle131may include its own embedded telematics modem163to communicate with the cellular tower157. The nomadic device153or the embedded vehicle modem163may communicate with tower157by sending signals207from the vehicle131. The vehicle131may send vehicle131data or commands to remote users or locations utilizing the cellular tower157. Furthermore, the vehicle131may retrieve requests or other data packets that may be utilized in the vehicle131.

The cellular tower157may allow the vehicle131to communicate with a cloud server209. The cloud server209may be an off-board server that includes database or access to other databases to retrieve dynamic content. The cloud server209may be utilized to communicate off-board information that the vehicle131may not otherwise be capable of accessing. For instance, the cloud server209may allow the vehicle131to retrieve weather data, criminal statistics, or other information using signals211transmitted between the vehicle131and the cellular tower157. The cloud server209may also allow the vehicle131to communicate with infrastructure213remote from the vehicle131, such as a user's home or office. For instance, the vehicle131may utilize the tower157communication signal215to communicate with home or office infrastructure213. The signals communicated from the vehicle131to the infrastructure213may be utilized to activate various systems in the infrastructure213or at another location remote from the vehicle131, as described further below.

The geo-fenced areas292may include virtual perimeters defining boundaries surrounding geographic areas, as well as type information indicative of attributes of the bounded area. The VCS100may maintain information indicative of the geo-fenced areas292, e.g., in the persistent storage107shown inFIG. 1, or at the off-board cloud server209. As discussed herein, the geo-fenced area292may be of one of three predefined types, where each type may coexist or operate as a stand-alone feature. However, it should be noted that other embodiments may include more or fewer than three types of geo-fenced area292.

Continuing with the example, a first type of geo-fenced area292may be defined as including high crime or include static data that does not change daily. The VCS100may utilize the navigation database with map data identifying such a high-crime area. Or, the VCS100may be in communication with the cloud server209to receive data defining high-crime areas, e.g., in conjunction with a navigation system. A second type of geo-fenced area292may be defined based on severe weather or other dynamic data that changes more frequently (e.g. hourly, daily, weekly, etc.). The VCS100may receive weather reports from national, local, and/or websites to determine weather conditions surrounding the vehicle131. A third type of geo-fenced area292may be used-defined based on a customer or driver's definition for particular criteria.

The predefined actions294may include one or more functions to be triggered by the VCS100according to the vehicle131location in relation to the geo-fenced areas292. The VCS100may maintain information indicative of the predefined actions294, e.g., in the persistent storage107shown inFIG. 1. Predefined actions294may be triggered, for example, responsive to the vehicle131entering a geo-fenced area292and/or responsive to the vehicle131reaching a predefined distance or proximity of the geo-fenced area292.

One or more of the predefined actions294may be defined according to a type of the geo-fenced area292. For example, a first set of actions may be defined to be automatically triggered by the VCS100responsive to vehicle131entry or proximity to a first type of geo-fenced area292, a second set of actions may be defined to be automatically triggered by the VCS100responsive to vehicle131entry or proximity to a second type of geo-fenced area292, and a third set of actions may be defined to be automatically triggered by the VCS100responsive to vehicle131entry or proximity to a third type of geo-fenced area292.

The predefined actions294may include, as some examples, providing an alert to the driver, providing an alert to a designated person outside the vehicle, rolling up windows, activating one or more safety features, turning on headlights, or requesting an action to be performed by home or office infrastructure213. Further aspects of the predefined actions294are discussed in detail below.

FIG. 3illustrates an example flow chart300of a process of the vehicle131for performed predefined actions294based on vehicle131location relative to geo-fenced areas292. In an example, the process may be performed by a geo-fencing application installed to the VCS100.

The vehicle131may identify the locations of the vehicle131and other devices at301. The VCS100may utilize the GPS device124in communication with the VCS100to identify a current location of the vehicle131. As another possibility, the VCS100may be in communication with a nomadic device153that includes a GPS receiver integrated with the nomadic device153, where the VCS100may be configured to communicate with the nomadic device153to receive GPS data. Additionally or alternately, the nomadic device153may be utilized for cell-phone triangulation or RFID to obtain or refine the location of the vehicle131.

At303, the VCS100may characterize the location to determine if the vehicle131is in a geo-fenced area292and if so, what type. In an example, the VCS100may utilize the location determined at301and the stored geo-fenced area292data to identify a type of geo-fenced area292, if any, in which the vehicle131is located.

The VCS100may determine if the vehicle131is entering a geo-fenced area292at305. The geo-fenced area292may include a type one, two, or three geo-fenced area292. The VCS100may compare the location data defined by GPS coordinates of the vehicle131or nomadic device153with the data defining the geo-fenced area. If the vehicle131has not entered a designated area, the vehicle131may continue to characterize the current location to identify if it is in a designated geo-fenced area292at303. If the vehicle131has entered a designated geo-fenced area292, the VCS100may trigger one or more predefined actions294associated with the geo-fenced area292.

Upon entering a designated geo-fenced area292, the VCS100may identify the predefined actions294associated with the geo-fenced area292. Based on the identified predefined actions294, the VCS100may trigger an alert to a driver, another vehicle131, or another system via a vehicle131communication network or wireless communication at307. The alert may be created in accordance with the predefined actions294associated with the type of the geo-fenced area292the vehicle131has entered into. In one example, the vehicle131may enter a type one geo-fenced area292with high crime. Upon entering a geo-fenced area292designated with high crime, based on the predefined actions294an alert may be sent to the driver, the driver's parents, spouse, or other acquaintance defined by contact information. The VCS100may include an address book that includes names and contact information defined by a user, or be in communication with a remote server or device (e.g. mobile phone) that includes contact information of a driver or user. The VCS100may allow a user to define which contacts may be notified upon the vehicle131entering each different type of geo-fenced area. The VCS100may send out an alert or notification to a driver's designees or contact from the address book either before entering a zone (e.g. by a pre-defined distance or pre-defined estimated time of arrival to entering the zone) or after entering a zone. The VCS100may also send out an alert or notification before exiting a zone (e.g. by a pre-defined distance or pre-defined estimated time of arrival before exiting the zone) or after exiting a zone292. Furthermore, the VCS100may allow a user to define a first, second, or sequential contact to alert upon entering each type of geo-fenced area292in case a higher-priority contact is not available. The high-crime geo-fenced area292may be defined by a specific threshold as related to crime statistics. The alerts for a high-crime geo-fenced area292may include various information, including safety check lists, information for emergency numbers (e.g., roadside service numbers, police phone numbers, etc.) and other emergency information, such as where to find an emergency kit in the vehicle131or operation of how to use the emergency kit. The alert may be output to the display, the speaker113, and/or the nomadic device153. Additionally, the VCS100may output the alert to another vehicle131or device (e.g. nomadic device153) utilizing the cloud server209.

In another scenario, upon entering a geo-fenced area292designated with a specific type of weather (e.g., type two geo-fenced area292), an alert may be tailored using the predefined actions294corresponding to the type two geo-fenced area292based upon the vehicle131entering that geo-fenced area292. In one example, the vehicle131may enter a type two geo-fenced area292with severe weather or some specific weather. Upon entering a geo-fenced area292designated with a type of weather alert, an alert may be sent to the driver, the driver's parents, spouse, or other acquaintance defined by contact information. The weather may be defined by a weather broadcast or a severe weather report threshold. The alerts for weather may include various information, including driving tips related to that type of weather, information for emergency numbers (e.g., AAA numbers, police phone numbers, etc.), alternative routes to avoid the weather, or suggestions to delay the trip.

In another scenario, upon entering a geo-fenced area292designated with a user-defined criteria (e.g., type three geo-fenced area292), a customized alert may be created using the predefined actions294corresponding to the type three geo-fenced area292based upon the vehicle131entering that user-defined geo-fenced area292. Some instances of user-defined geo-fenced areas292may include a geo-fenced area292that are in pre-defined distance from a user's home, close to work, or close to a friend's house. The type three geo-fenced area292may be defined by a user at the vehicle131, home computer, or mobile phone. Upon entering a type three geo-fenced area292, an alert may be sent to the driver, the driver's parents, spouse, or other acquaintance defined by contact information. The alert may notify the contact person of that location and the characterization of that location (e.g., work). The alerts may include making a phone call upon entering the geo-fenced area292(e.g., calling home), sending a text message to a contact person (e.g., sending a text message to a spouse), or other contact. Furthermore, the alerts may output reminders or suggestions, such as a suggestion to use a local gas station upon the route going to a destination.

The VCS100may also take an action based upon the specific type of geo-fenced area292the vehicle131has entered at309. For example, in the scenario when the type one geo-fenced area292(e.g., high crime) has been entered by a vehicle131, the VCS100may send a message to the vehicle controller290to roll up the windows or to activate certain safety features (e.g., 911-assist). The commands for vehicle131operation may be defined at the VCS100or may be received by a remote server for processing at the VCS100. In another scenario, a vehicle131entering a type two geo-fenced area292(e.g., severe weather) may send a request or command to the vehicle controller290to turn on the fog lamps and specific weather protective features (e.g., traction control for snow, windshield wipers turned on, stability control, etc.). In yet another scenario, a vehicle131entering a type three geo-fenced area292(e.g., user-defined) may have a tailored command defined by the user or by the vehicle131. One example includes the VCS100sending a command to turn off or on a home or office's heating or air conditioner, lights, alarms, etc. A vehicle131setting may allow a user to associate each geo-fence area292with the various vehicle131functions or other actions.

The vehicle131may also provide recommendations based upon the environment of the vehicle131as associated with the geo-fenced area292. For example, the VCS100may consider if a driver cannot reach a destination without stopping for fuel, and there may be a hazardous condition associated with a geo-fenced area292along the route. The VCS100may recommend refueling prior to entering the geo-fenced area292. Thus, the VCS100may recommend refueling prior to entering the geo-fenced area292by calculating the estimated vehicle131fuel range, the estimated distance to various boundaries of the geo-fenced area292, and the estimated distance to various destinations. If the VCS100calculates that refueling will likely be required due to a low fuel state within the geo-fenced area292, the VCS100may recommend that the user refuel before entering the geo-fenced area292. Other recommendations may be utilized based on vehicle131sensors and predictability of the environment of the vehicle131as associated with the geo-fenced area292. For example, recommendations based upon the vehicle131entering a specific geo-fenced area292may include determining the tire pressure of the vehicle131and recommend adding air to the tires, recommendations related to the windshield wipers being activated or the windshield wiper settings, determining a mobile phone's battery level and recommending charging the phone, etc.

The vehicle131may also provide various recommendations based on the criteria of the geo-fenced area292. For example, the VCS100may always route around high weather conditions, such as severe weather, or high-crime conditions. In another instance, the VCS100may sometimes route around certain other conditions, such as mild weather or slightly higher than normal crime conditions. Thus, in one example, the VCS100may always avoid high-crime geo-fenced areas292at all times, but only avoid certain other geo-fenced areas292if a current fuel state makes it possible to stop in one of those geo-fenced areas292. A pre-defined driver profile may be used to define such geo-fenced areas292. The driver profile may be stored, as some examples, to the VCS100or to the user's nomadic device153.

The VCS100may also consider the destination of the user for determining the geo-fence. The VCS100may select a destination and import parameters (e.g., fence, weather, etc.) associated with a vehicle131or driver and develop geo-fenced areas292between the location and destination. Using the geo-fenced areas292, the VCS100may determine a route, if possible, that avoids all geo-fenced areas292or minimizes contacts with the geo-fenced areas292. There may be alternative waypoints that may be routed around multiple geo-fenced areas292at the beginning of guidance. The VCS100may provide a route specifying travel through a geo-fenced area292, but with minimum contacts as possible to avoid those geo-fenced areas292. Thus, rather than completely avoiding the geo-fenced areas292, the VCS100may simply minimize those contacts. The VCS100may maintain a map database (e.g., in storage107, to a remote server such as cloud server209) to calculate various routes to proceed to a destination. The VCS100may compare the driving time within a boundary of the geo-fenced areas292. The VCS100may compare the various routes to determine a minimum driving time.

Upon taking the actions based on the geo-fenced area292, the VCS100may also allow the primary driver/customers to turn off the alert at311. If the option to set the alert off is activated, the VCS100may ignore the alert if the appropriate driver or user has access to do so. Prior to sending an alert or taking action, the VCS100may also notify a user that he or she has an option to cancel the action or alert. Only specific users may be allowed to turn off the alert at313. For example, the VCS100may recognize the driver based on wireless signals indicating presence of the nomadic device153or key fob. If the user cannot be authenticated as being the driver based on the nomadic device153or key fob, the user cannot cancel the notifications. Thus, a teenage driver utilizing a parent's car (or another car) may not have access to turn off the alerts. The VCS100may determine that the driver has the approval to turn off or on the alerts for each geo-fenced area type. Furthermore, the geo-fenced area may be defined by the driver. For example, a novice driver may be requested to avoid a high-crime area, but an experienced driver may not receive such requests.

FIG. 4is an illustrative flow chart400of a process for updating geo-fenced area292data by the VCS100. The VCS100may be in communication with a remote server, such as the cloud server209, for updating data flowing to the VCS100. Data packets may be sent to the VCS100and upon being received at the vehicle131, the packets may be de-packetized to obtain relevant data and information. The VCS100may first determine if an update cycle is appropriate at401. The VCS100may utilize push notifications from a remote server or a user's nomadic device153to determine if the update is appropriate.

Upon establishing that an update cycle is appropriate, the VCS100may receive a request from a user for either a manual or automatic update at403. A request for either a manual or automatic update may be presented to the user by a vehicle display104, vehicle speaker113, or other type of user interface. The nomadic device153may also allow such a request. Thus, the user may require map data to be updated, weather information, crime information, or other information related to the geo-fence to be updated. The VCS100may receive data indicating which updates are available at405. Such information may include using updated government crime-rate database or updated weather report data. The data may be retrieved by the VCS100utilizing either the nomadic device153or by directly communicating with the cloud server209remotely from the nomadic device153.

The VCS100may determine the appropriate data pipe input for the data at407. The VCS100may receive information related to the update size to define the appropriate circumstances for updating the data. In one example, the data may be large in size (e.g., greater than a predefined threshold number of bytes), thus the VCS100may wait to receive an update by utilizing a wireless connection. In another embodiment, the user may utilize nomadic devices153in the vehicle131to retrieve the data. The data may also be received via a connection of the modem163to a telecommunications network. The data may be accompanied in various formats, and may be obtained in data packets that may be later de-packetized.

The VCS100may receive updated statistics information at409related to the crime rate or weather data. The information may be sent from a remote server upon determining the appropriate pipe to transmit the data through. The information may be limited to a specific region or relate to the whole map database. In one instance, the updated information may apply to the entire map database, while another update may apply to a specific region, state, city, etc. The VCS100may also store the updated information either on-board at the vehicle131or off-board at a remote server at411. The VCS100may determine to store the information at either site based on various factors, including where the vehicle131is located or storage capacity of the VCS100.

Upon receiving notification of an update, the VCS100may then determine if the updates are similar to the previous update at413. If the updates are the same or contain overlapping updates that do not require an updated based on the vehicles setting, the VCS100will ignore the updates. If the updates are not the same, the VCS100may update the data onto the mapping system of the VCS100or off-board server at415. Such updates may take place during guidance or after route guidance has been completed.

FIG. 5is an illustrative embodiment of a geo-fencing application output on the vehicle display104. The vehicle display104may work in coordination with a navigation application of the VCS100, or a remote server, to include a geo-fencing application. The display104may output a current vehicle position (CVP)501of the vehicle131on a map. The CVP501may be determined utilizing GPS coordinates and other vehicle131sensors (e.g. accelerometer, gyroscope, etc.) to show where a vehicle131is located. As the vehicle131travels, the CVP501will change and be updated on the display104.

The vehicle131may utilize a navigation application, or another application on the vehicle131, nomadic device153, or server, to navigate to a destination502. The navigation application may determine a route503to direct a user to the destination502. The route503may break a geo-fenced boundary505while navigating to the destination502. As explained above, the geo-fenced boundary505may be calculated based on a specific driver or a location of the vehicle131within a hazardous area, among other things. In certain embodiments, the geo-fenced boundary505will establish a geo-fenced area507around a hazardous area that may include high-crime rates, severe weather conditions, or user-defined boundaries. The navigation application may determine an alternative route for the driver to be able to enter the destination502without breaking the geo-fenced boundary505and avoiding a geo-fenced area507. While alternative routes may exist that completely avoid the geo-fenced area507, such as an alternative route509, the navigation application may output an alternative route that simply minimizes the travel time within geo-fenced area507.