Abstract:
The method includes receiving, via the one or more input devices, a request to generate an alert when the device is near a location associated with a first identifier, wherein the first identifier is associated with a class of goods or services that is associated with a first type of location including one or more locations associated with the first identifier and a second type of location including one or more locations that are not associated with the first identifier, wherein the alert is restricted to a route constraint parameter. In response to receiving the request, (i) in accordance with a determination, based on a predicted route of the device, that the device is predicted to arrive at the first type of location within the route constraint parameter, preparing to trigger a first alert when the device is near a location associated with the first identifier, (ii) in accordance with a determination, based on the predicted route of the device, that the device is not predicted to arrive at the first type of location within the route constraint parameter, preparing to trigger a second alert when the device is near a location associated with the class of goods or services without regard to whether or not the location matches the first identifier.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/784,645 filed Mar. 4, 2013, the entire contents of which application is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Geo-fences allow a user to specify a location for receiving an alert on the user&#39;s phone the next time the user is at the location. For example, a user can set an alert, such as“get eggs,” for a grocery store. Then, the next time the user is at the grocery store, the geo-fence would be triggered and the alert sent to the user. However, it is possible that the user does not go to the grocery store for a long time. In such an instance, the geo-fence is not very helpful for obtaining eggs. 
         [0003]    Therefore, it is desirable to provide methods, systems, and apparatuses for addressing situations where an initial set of geo-fences are not triggered. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a diagram  100  showing two geo-fences and a path being traveled by a user, where the user does not trigger the two geo-fences. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a diagram  200  illustrating the addition of a geo-fence according to embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method  300  for managing geographical areas (e.g., geo-fences) associated with a location-based function according to embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a diagram  400  showing the creation of an additional geographic area before the elapsed time reaches the threshold based on a prediction according to embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a diagram  500  showing a device in communication with a database used to select a second identifier for determining one or more additional geographical areas to associate with a location-based function according to embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method  600  for prompting a user regarding adding geographical areas (e.g., geo-fences) associated with a location-based function according to embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7A  is a simplified block diagram of an implementation of a device  700  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7B  is a simplified block diagram of an implementation of map server  750  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    To make location-based alerts (or other location-based functions) more useful, embodiments can add other suitable geographical areas (e.g., geo-fences) to the initial geographical areas being used as a trigger. For example, suppose an initial geo-fence is established at a particular location in response to user input specifying a particular store or chain of stores, e.g., by using the name of the store. But suppose the user does not go near the particular location, and thus the geo-fence is not triggered. 
         [0012]    The amount of time passing without a trigger can be monitored to determine when a threshold amount of time has passed without a trigger. The monitoring can be done, for example, at the user&#39;s phone or at a server in communication with the user&#39;s phone. After the threshold time is reached, geo-fences can be created around additional locations. With more geo-fences, it can be more likely that one of them will be triggered. The additional locations can be identified based on various factors, such as sharing common keywords with the initial locations used to create the initial geo-fences. For instance, the additional locations can include a different chain of stores, but which are associated with a same category as the initial locations. The shared keywords could be identified from a database that stores keywords associated with various locations. 
         [0013]    As an example, a user might create a geo-fence for the user&#39;s mobile device via a voice command by saying “remind me to pick up shampoo at drugstore X”. In response, one or more geo-fences can be created for drugstore X. If the geo-fence(s) are not triggered for three days (or other threshold), then the mobile device or a server can broaden the set of geo-fences to include other drug stores. Thus, other geo-fences may be created for other drug stores. In such a scenario, the end result would be more geo-fences created, and thus a greater likelihood that one of the geo-fences would be triggered. 
       I. Triggering Geo-Fences 
       [0014]    In one embodiment, a geo-fence can be created as a circle of a default radius around a location. This circle perimeter acts as a boundary for determining when the geo-fence is triggered. If a mobile device, for which the geo-fence has been established, is identified as crossing the boundary (e.g., using GPS or other location identification techniques), then the geo-fence is triggered. In response to the trigger, an alert (or other location-based function) can be provided to the user. An example of a geo-fence not getting triggered is now provided. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a diagram  100  showing two geo-fences and a path being traveled by a user, where the user does not trigger the two geo-fences. As shown, a path  105  corresponds to various paths traveled by a user  110  (shown in a car) during a 48 hour period, which is an example of a threshold time. As shown, user  110  has traveled path  105  among home  120 , work  122 , store  124 , and store  126 . 
         [0016]    Two geo-fences  140  are shown around corresponding locations  145 . The locations  145  might correspond to a particular store X or a particular type of store, e.g., a grocery store or a drug store. To establish geo-fences  140 , the user  110  can enter information into a mobile device (e.g., a phone or the car itself) that moves with the user, where the location of the mobile device can be obtained. As an alternative, the user could enter the information identifying locations  145  into a server, which is in communication with the mobile device. 
         [0017]    Path  105  does not cross geo-fences  140 , and thus the geo-fences are not triggered. In such a situation, the user does not receive an alert (or result in other functionality) as is programmed to occur when one of the geo-fences  140  is triggered. As user  110  only travels along path  105  for 48 hours (or other the time period after geo-fences  140  are established), user  110  is deprived of any benefit of the geo-fences for those 48 hours. For example, user  110  may forget that geo-fences were even established (e.g., to pick up something at locations  145 ), thereby depriving user  110  of the object to be picked up. This problem may be compounded by that the fact that the object to be picked up could be available at other stores not initially identified for creating a geo-fence. Embodiments can address such a problem. 
       II. Adding Geo-Fences 
       [0018]    As mentioned above, geo-fences may be created to send a reminder when the user passes near a location. A user may do this because the user may not need to go to the designated location (e.g., a drug store) right away. Thus, the user may only want to go the drug store when the user passes near the drug store. An alert can be provided to the user when the user does get close, as determined by the geo-fence. But, as pointed out above, the user may not pass by any of the designated locations for quite a long time. However, at some point, the user would need to go the store. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a diagram  200  illustrating the addition of a geo-fence according to embodiments of the present invention. Diagram  200  corresponds to diagram  100 , except for the addition of location  255  and geo-fence  250 . If user  210  travels path  205  among home  220 , work  222 , store  224 , and store  226  for the threshold time after establishing the geo-fences  240  around locations  245 , geo-fences  240  will not be triggered. 
         [0020]    When the threshold time (which may be set by a user) is reached without a trigger of geo-fences  240 , one or more additional geo-fences can be added. As shown, geo-fence  250  is added around location  255 . For example, the user&#39;s mobile device or a server in communication with the user&#39;s mobile device can start a timer when the geo-fences  240  are established. In this scenario, the two geo-fences  240  are established at the same time using a single criteria (e.g., a name of a store or a category of a store, such as a grocery store). When the timer expires, the mobile device and/or the server can determine other locations that might satisfy the original criteria entered by the user, or otherwise be useful for the desired functional result of the initial geo-fences  240 . 
         [0021]    Location  255  may be identified based on similarities with locations  245 . For example, location  255  may correspond to drug store Y, where locations  245  correspond to drug store X. Or, location  255  may correspond to a gas station that has a food mart, and locations  245  may correspond to the category of grocery store, where the user may have entered an initial criteria of “grocery store” as an identifier of the locations for the initial geo-fences. In one embodiment, the term “grocery store” may have a list of synonyms or dependent keywords that can be used for identifying the gas station with the food mart as a possible alternative. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the geographical coordinates of location  255  are not known before location  255  is identified for adding to the set of geo-fences used for the reminder. As shown, geo-fence  250  happens to encompass path  205  when user  210  travels to work  222 . However, in other instances, the added location may not necessarily be triggered soon, or be on a path recently traveled by user  210 . In another embodiment, the geographical coordinates of location  255  are known before location  255  is added to the set of geo-fences used for the reminder. For example, locations having corresponding geo-fence that encompass a path recently traveled by user  210  within the threshold time period may be identified, and those locations added. In one implementation, only those geo-fences that encompass the path recently traveled are added for the reminder (or other location-based function). 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method  300  for managing geographical areas (e.g., geo-fences) associated with a location-based function according to embodiments of the present invention. Method  300  may be performed entirely or partially by a computer, such as a phone or tablet computer, as can other methods described herein. The location-based function can be associated with one or more locations, each with a geographical area (e.g., a geo-fence) around it. 
         [0024]    At block  310 , a first device receives, from a user, a first request to establish one or more first geographical areas for a mobile device for triggering a location-based function. In various embodiments, the first device can be the mobile device itself or a server computer in communication with the mobile device. The request may be provided in any suitable manner, e.g., via a voice comment or by entering text. The request can act as a query to a database for identifying locations that match the request. The location-based function (e.g., an alert) can be triggered by the mobile device crossing a boundary of the first geographical areas. Thus, the first geographical areas can be stored associated with a particular location-based function, and vice versa. 
         [0025]    The first request includes a first identifier that identifies a first set of one or more locations for establishing the one or more first geographical areas. For example, the first identifier could be the name of a particular store, which might correspond to one or more branches of the store. As another example, the first identifier could correspond to a category that corresponds to various stores. In one embodiment, a server stores a plurality of locations within a database, where each location includes a plurality of keywords (e.g., corresponding to categories or an associated name) for matching to the request from the user. 
         [0026]    The first request can include the function to be performed, e.g., whether the function is an alert or other function. For an alert, the user can specify a particular message to be sent, or other ways to perform the alert (e.g., rings or vibrations). A user interface can be provided for selecting the type of function (e.g., alert, an organization function of media, playing of media, etc.) and the specific action to be performed. 
         [0027]    At block  320 , a start time is identified for establishing the one or more first geographical areas. The start time may be the instant that the request is received and the first device establishes the first geographical areas. In another implementation, the start time may be specified. For example, a user could specify that the location-based function is not to be triggered until a specified time, which may be a relative time compared to the time of the request or an absolute time (e.g., a time of day and/or date). 
         [0028]    At block  330 , a location of the mobile device is monitored 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. The monitoring can be performed in various ways. For example, the first device can periodically check the location of the mobile device and compare the location to one or more of the first geographical areas. In one embodiment, the comparison can be to just one of the first geographical areas that was previously identified as being close to a last location of the mobile device. 
         [0029]    At block  340 , an elapsed time relative to the start time where none of the first geographical areas are triggered is monitored. The elapsed time can be measured with a timer that is set at the start time (e.g., when the user request was received. The elapsed time can be compared to a threshold time. The threshold time can represent an amount of time that the user is willing to wait until more options for locations are used to create geo-fences. In one embodiment, the user can specify the amount of time by speaking, using a graphical user interface, or entering text. The elapsed time can be in any units. In another embodiment, the threshold time can be determined by a device (e.g., the mobile device or a server), which may have a default value or dynamically determine the threshold from other criteria. 
         [0030]    At block  350 , one or more additional geographical areas are established when the elapsed time exceeds a threshold. The one or more additional geographical areas can be identified based on a second identifier that identifies a second set of locations not in the first set of locations. In one embodiment, the second identifier identifies both the second set of locations and the first set of locations. Thus, the second identifier can correspond to a broader category than the first identifier. In another embodiment, the second identifier does not identify any of the first set of locations, e.g., where the first identifier is the name of store X and the second identifier is the name of store Y. In such an instance, the second identifier can be determined based on one or more similar keywords that are associated with store X and store Y in a database. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the one or more additional geographical areas are established automatically when the elapsed time exceeds a threshold. In another embodiment, the one or more additional geographical areas are not established automatically when the elapsed time exceeds a threshold. For example, the user can be notified that the elapsed time exceeds the threshold, and be prompted as to whether the additional geographical areas are to be established. The prompt could be an audio or visual request for a response as to the adding the geographical areas. The prompt could include indications of which geographical areas are to be added, e.g., as a list or on a map. Various options could be provided for selecting all or some of the geographical areas to be added. The additional geographical areas may be established in response to an affirmative indication from the user. If no response is received, embodiments can default to adding or not adding the additional geographical areas. 
         [0032]    At block  360 , the location of the mobile device is monitored 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. When the geo-fence is triggered, an alert can be provided. Other functionality can be performed in addition or instead of an alert when the geo-fence is triggered. For example, a song or a video could be played in response to the trigger, an event could be added to a calendar, etc. 
       III. Monitoring Elapsed Time 
       [0033]    As mentioned above, the elapsed time can be monitored by starting a timer from the start time. In such an example, the additional geographical areas are only added at a point in time when the timer reaches the threshold. However, this means the user has to endure the full threshold time without the location-based function being triggered. Some embodiments can predict that the elapsed time will reach the threshold without triggering the first geographical areas, and thus be able to add the additional geographic areas before the threshold is reached. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, the elapsed time period can be analyzed by viewing a person&#39;s route. The device can determine that the user is not going to trigger a geo-fence within the specific time period, e.g., based on a current velocity and the planned route. At the time of the prediction, the geo-fences at the other locations can be created. Thus, the elapsed time can correspond to a prediction. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a diagram  400  showing the creation of an additional geographic area before the elapsed time reaches the threshold based on a prediction according to embodiments of the present invention. In this example, the prediction is that the user  410  will not reach first geographical area  440  corresponding to first location  445  before the elapsed time reaches the threshold, which would occur at point  470 . In this example, start time may have occurred at the beginning of the trip (e.g., when user  410  left home  420 ), but may also occur before or after the departure time. For example, the user request to create the initial geographical areas may be received after departure. 
         [0036]    The user&#39;s mobile device or a server can determine that the elapsed time period will be hit at point  470  based on route  405 . Route  405  may be known, e.g., as the user may have entered a destination into the mobile device, and a current location may be known. Thus, a device can compute a prediction that the first geo-fences would not be triggered until after the threshold is reached. Given this knowledge, the device can cause a geo-fence  450  for location  455  to be created before user  410  reaches  470  (or before the threshold is reached, as there can be some deviation) since the geo-fence is not predicted to be triggered before then. 
         [0037]    The determination that the elapsed time will reach the threshold without a trigger can be made at any time after the route is known. Various factors may be used to determine when the prediction is to be made. For example, embodiments can wait until user  410  has traveled a certain amount (e.g., percentage, distance, or time) along route  405  before making the prediction about whether one of the first geographical areas will be triggered before the elapsed time will reach the threshold. 
         [0038]    In response to the prediction that the elapsed time will reach the threshold, location  455  is identified with a geographical area  450  that encompasses route  405 . In one embodiment, only additional locations having a geographical area that encompasses the expected route are added to the location-based function. In another embodiment, additional locations that have a geographical area that is near to route  405 , but not quite encompassing route  405  (e.g., within a specified distance), can be added, in case user  410  deviates from the assigned route. 
         [0039]    Accordingly, in one embodiment, the monitoring of the elapsed time includes receiving a route to be traveled by the mobile device and comparing the route to the one or more first geographical areas. The route can be received from user input to the mobile device, e.g., input of a starting location and a destination. The comparison can determine whether the mobile device will trigger one of the first geographical areas before the elapsed time exceeds the threshold. If it is determined that the mobile device will not trigger one of the first geographical areas before the elapsed time exceeds the threshold, then the first device (e.g., the mobile device or a server) can establish the one or more additional geographical areas. 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, only additional geographical areas that encompass the route or are sufficiently close to the route are added. For example, the route can be compared to the second set of locations to identify locations within a threshold distance of the route. The threshold distance can be such that the geographical areas encompass the route or slightly longer in case the user deviates from the route, which might lead to a trigger of such additional geographical areas depending on the extent of deviation from the route. 
         [0041]    Additionally, embodiments can determine whether any one of the additional geographical areas for the identified locations will be triggered along the route before any one of the first geographical areas. This will be true if the one of the additional geographical areas is predicted to be triggered before the elapsed time reaches the threshold, but can still be true even if the one of the additional geographical areas is not predicted to be triggered before the elapsed time reaches the threshold. In one embodiment, the additional geographical areas for the identified locations that will be triggered along the route before any one of the first geographical areas can be established, and those not meeting this criteria are not established. 
         [0042]    The prediction may be made using other information besides route information. For example, the distance between a current location of the mobile device and any of the first locations may be used. If the distance is very great (e.g., greater than a predetermined amount), then the prediction can be made that the threshold will be exceeded. Accordingly, embodiments can predict whether the elapsed time will reach the threshold before any one of the first geographical areas are triggered. If the prediction indicates that the elapsed time will reach the threshold before any one of the first geographical areas are triggered, embodiments can establish the one or more additional geographic areas before the elapsed reaches the threshold. 
       IV. Determining Additional Geo-Fences 
       [0043]    As provided in block  350  of method  300 , one or more additional geographical areas can be identified based on a second identifier that identifies a second set of locations not in the first set of locations. This second identifier can be selected based on the first identifier. In one embodiment, the locations of the additional geo-fences can be determined based on keywords similar to those associated with the first locations. For example, if the search (i.e., the first identifier) was for a particular drugstore, then the expansion (i.e., the second identifier) can be for other drug stores. If the request added other information, such as a particular drug store with a pharmacy, then additional locations with pharmacies can be identified. 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a diagram  500  showing a device in communication with a database used to select a second identifier for determining one or more additional geographical areas to associate with a location-based function according to embodiments of the present invention. User  510  provides a request  505  to create a location-based function to device  530 . Request  505  includes a first identifier of “prescription from store X”, which is combination of two identifiers: “prescription” and the name of the drug store. 
         [0045]    Device  530  can receive the first identifier and access a database  540 , which stores locations (e.g., as records) associated with keywords (e.g., categories of items). Database  540  may be part of device  530  or be external, but in communication with device  530 . Database  540  can store records with associated keywords, which may correspond to services or goods (e.g., categories of items that can be purchased) available at the locations. Database  540  can store records in various formats for accessing information according to different schema. 
         [0046]    As one example, database  540  can store record  521  with the name “Store X” associated with the keywords grocery, pharmacy, and alcohol, which correspond to categories of items that can be purchased at Store X. Database  540  and/or device  530  can determine such categories through a variety of means, as will be known to one skilled in the art. Record  521  can also have one or more first locations associated with it. These first locations can be used for determining the geographical areas to be used when record  521  matches request  505 . 
         [0047]    In this example, record  521  does match request  505  as record  521  is associated with “store X”. Thus, the term “prescription” may not be needed. However, if only some locations of Store X has pharmacies, device  530  can identify only those locations. In such an instance, records  521  may point to child records, where each location has a list of keywords. Device  530  can use the name “X” to identify the locations for which geographical areas are to be established for request  505 . 
         [0048]    Once the elapsed time reaches the threshold (or other criteria for adding locations is satisfied), other records can be searched for finding additional geographic areas. In one embodiment, the second identifier used in this additional search can be based on keywords common to the records initially identified (e.g., record  521 ). These common keywords can be used to provide an expanded or alternate search criteria. The list of other locations matching the expanded search criteria can be stored or used before, at, or after the time of the elapsed time exceeding the threshold. 
         [0049]    In this example, the second identifier can be determined based on one or more similar keywords that are associated with store X and store Y in database  540 . Record  521  (Store X) can be associated with the keyword “pharmacy” and record  522  (Store Y) can also be associated with the keyword “pharmacy”. Given request  505  uses “prescription,” device  530  can translate the term “prescription” to the keyword “pharmacy,” which is a category of the type of items that can be found at the first locations. Then, the keyword “pharmacy” can be used as the second identifier to search other records to find other matches. Such a search can identify record  522  and its associated locations. 
         [0050]    As another example, the first identifier could just be “store X”. In such an example, once the determination is made to add geo-fences, device  530  could then look for locations that have keywords similar to record  521 . If the keyword corresponding to the exact item is not known (e.g., it is not known whether the user wants the grocery, pharmacy, or alcohol), then some of the suggested locations may not suit the person&#39;s need. However, device  530  could prompt the user for a required item that can be translated to a keyword (e.g., “milk” can be identified as a grocery item) or the keyword itself. The list of suggested locations can be provided to the user, where the user can select the appropriate locations to add, thereby allowing the user determine which location will suit the person&#39;s need. 
       V. Prompting User 
       [0051]    In one embodiment, the user can be prompted to inquire whether the additional geographical areas are to be established. For example, a audio or a visual prompt of “do you want to expand the geo areas to include X stores” can be added. The prompt can be more general, such as “do you want to expand the geo-fences to include all stores with a pharmacy” (or whatever service was specified in the request). The prompt can provide a list of other acceptable location matching the expanded search criteria. In some cases the user may not want to expand the search, e.g., if the prescription is at a particular store or branch of a store. 
         [0052]    In one embodiment, the prompt can be provided at the time of providing the initial request for creating the geo-fences. For example, the prompt can ask “do you want only X drug store, or do you want any pharmacy.” As another example, the prompt could provide a list of alternative identifiers to add to the search for establishing the geographical areas. Thus, an immediate response to the user&#39;s request can be provided to broaden the initial criteria for creating the geographical areas. In other embodiments, the response to broaden comes after the elapsed time, as described above. 
         [0053]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method  600  for prompting a user regarding adding geographical areas (e.g., geo-fences) associated with a location-based function according to embodiments of the present invention. As with method  300 , the location-based function can be associated with one or more locations, each with a geographical area (e.g., a geo-fence) around it. Various embodiments can implement features from method  300  for method  600 . 
         [0054]    At block  610 , a first device receives, 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 includes a first identifier that identifies a first set of one or more locations for establishing the one or more first geographical areas. For example, the first identifier could be the name of a particular store, which might correspond to one or more branches of the store. As another example, the first identifier could correspond to a category that corresponds to different stores. 
         [0055]    At block  620 , the user is prompted regarding adding geographical areas. For example, a question could be provided via audio or visually as to whether the user wants to add more geographical areas. In various embodiments, the question can be whether the user wants to use a broader search term for identifying locations, whether the user wants to add more locations (where the question can include the first set of locations), and can include more specific information, such as a list of possible search terms to use. In one implementation, the prompt can simply inform the user that more geographical areas are being added, and possibly provide a list or criteria used to determine the geographical areas being added. 
         [0056]    The prompt can be sent at various times. For example, the prompt can be sent soon after the request is received. Various criteria can be used to determine whether a prompt is to be sent, e.g., based on a number of locations in the first set. If the criteria are satisfied (or not satisfied depending on how the criteria is defined), the prompt may be sent. The criteria can include an elapsed time reaching a threshold, as in method  300 . 
         [0057]    At block  630 , one or more second identifiers are received, where the second identifiers identify a second set of locations not in the first set of locations. The second identifiers can be received from the user, e.g., when the prompt includes a request for such additional identifiers. In addition or instead of receiving identifiers from the user, the second identifiers can be determined by accessing a database (e.g., database  540 ) to determine other keywords applicable to the request. For example, keywords that are associated with the first set of locations (but which were not in the user&#39;s request) can be used as the one or more second identifiers. 
         [0058]    At block  640 , one or more additional geographical areas are established based on the one or more second identifiers. The second identifier(s) can identify both the second set of locations and the first set of locations, just the second set of locations, or the second set of locations and just a portion of the first set of locations. The one or more additional geographical areas can be established soon after the one or more second identifier are received and the second set of locations are identified. In another embodiment, the one or more additional geographical areas can be established at a predetermined time, e.g., as set by a user or determined by the device. 
         [0059]    At block  650 , the location of the mobile device is monitored 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. When the geo-fence is triggered, an alert can be provided. Other functionality can be performed in addition or instead of an alert when the geo-fence is triggered. For example, a song or a video could be played in response to the trigger, an event could be added to a calendar, etc. 
       VI. Mobile Device and Server 
       [0060]      FIG. 7A  is a simplified block diagram of an implementation of a mobile device  700  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Device  700  can be a handheld device, a notebook computer or any suitable electronic device with a screen for displaying images and that is capable of communicating with a server  750  as described herein. Device  700  includes a processing subsystem  702 , a storage subsystem  704 , a user input device  706 , a user output device  708 , a network interface  710 , and a location/motion detector  712 . 
         [0061]    Processing subsystem  702 , which can be implemented as one or more integrated circuits (e.g., e.g., one or more single-core or multi-core microprocessors or microcontrollers), can control the operation of device  700 . In various embodiments, processing subsystem  702  can execute a variety of programs in response to program code and can maintain multiple concurrently executing programs or processes. At any given time, some or all of the program code to be executed can be resident in processing subsystem  702  and/or in storage subsystem  704 . 
         [0062]    Through suitable programming, processing subsystem  702  can provide various functionality for device  700 . For example, processing subsystem  702  can execute an alert application program (or “app”)  716 , or other location-based function app. Alert app  716  can perform all or parts of methods described herein, such as determining the perimeter of geo-fences (e.g., which can be stored in  719  or  768  of server  750 ), which ones are active, and when a geo-fence is crossed. Alert app  716  can use location information from location/motion detector  712 , e.g., as described herein. 
         [0063]    Storage subsystem  704  can be implemented, e.g., using disk, flash memory, or any other storage media in any combination, and can include volatile and/or non-volatile storage as desired. In some embodiments, storage subsystem  704  can store one or more application programs to be executed by processing subsystem  702  (e.g., alert app  716 ). In some embodiments, storage subsystem  704  can store other data (e.g., used by and/or defined by alert app  716 ). For example, database  717  can store records with associated keywords and locations. Programs and/or data can be stored in non-volatile storage and copied in whole or in part to volatile working memory during program execution. 
         [0064]    A user interface can be provided by one or more user input devices  706  and one or more user output devices  708 . User input devices  706  can include a touch pad, touch screen, scroll wheel, click wheel, dial, button, switch, keypad, microphone, or the like. User output devices  708  can include a video screen, indicator lights, speakers, headphone jacks, or the like, together with supporting electronics (e.g., digital-to-analog or analog-to-digital converters, signal processors, or the like). A customer can operate input devices  706  to invoke the functionality of device  700  and can view and/or hear output from device  700  via output devices  708 . 
         [0065]    Network interface  710  can provide voice and/or data communication capability for device  700 . For example, network interface  710  can provide device  700  with the capability of communicating with server  750 . In some embodiments network interface  710  can include radio frequency (RF) transceiver components for accessing wireless voice and/or data networks (e.g., using cellular telephone technology, advanced data network technology such as 3G, 4G or EDGE, WiFi (IEEE 802.11 family standards, or other mobile communication technologies, or any combination thereof), and/or other components. In some embodiments network interface  710  can provide wired network connectivity (e.g., Ethernet) in addition to or instead of a wireless interface. Network interface  710  can be implemented using a combination of hardware (e.g., antennas, modulators/demodulators, encoders/decoders, and other analog and/or digital signal processing circuits) and software components. 
         [0066]    Location/motion detector  712  can detect a past, current or future location of device  700  and/or a past, current or future motion of device  700 . For example, location/motion detector  712  can detect a velocity or acceleration of mobile electronic device  700 . Location/motion detector  712  can comprise a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver and/or an accelerometer. In some instances, processing subsystem  702  determines a motion characteristic of device  700  (e.g., velocity) based on data collected by location/motion detector  712 . For example, a velocity can be estimated by determining a distance between two detected locations and dividing the distance by a time difference between the detections. 
         [0067]      FIG. 7B  is a simplified block diagram of an implementation of a server  750  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Server  750  may simply receive and forward a conditional communication, determine which device to forward a conditional communication, and/or analyze the conditional communication to determine how and when it is satisfied. Server  750  includes a processing subsystem  752 , storage subsystem  754 , a user input device  756 , a user output device  758 , and a network interface  760 . Network interface  760  can have similar or identical features as network interface  710  of device  700  described above. 
         [0068]    Processing subsystem  752 , which can be implemented as one or more integrated circuits (e.g., a conventional microprocessor or microcontroller), can control the operation of server  750 . In various embodiments, processing subsystem  752  can execute a variety of programs in response to program code and can maintain multiple concurrently executing programs or processes. At any given time, some or all of the program code to be executed can be resident in processing subsystem  752  and/or in storage subsystem  754 . 
         [0069]    Through suitable programming, processing subsystem  752  can provide various functionality for server  750 . Thus, server  750  can interact with alert app  716  (e.g., via alert routine  766 ) being executed on device  700  in order to provide information from database  767 , indications of an elapsed time reaching a threshold, a message indicating a geo-fence has been crossed, an alert, and other information mentioned herein. Server  750  can also perform same or similar functionality as device  700 . 
         [0070]    Storage subsystem  754  can be implemented, e.g., using disk, flash memory, or any other storage media in any combination, and can include volatile and/or non-volatile storage as desired. In some embodiments, storage subsystem  754  can store one or more application programs (e.g., alert routine  766 ) to be executed by processing subsystem  752 . In some embodiments, storage subsystem  754  can store other data, such as geo-fences  768  and location records in database  767 . Programs and/or data can be stored in non-volatile storage and copied in whole or in part to volatile working memory during program execution. 
         [0071]    A user interface can be provided by one or more user input devices  756  and one or more user output devices  758 . User input and output devices  756  and  758  can be similar or identical to user input and output devices  706  and  708  of device  700  described above. In some instances, user input and output devices  756  and  758  are configured to allow a programmer to interact with server  750 . In some instances, server  750  can be implemented at a server farm, and the user interface need not be local to the servers. 
         [0072]    It will be appreciated that device  700  and server  750  described herein are illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible. A device can be implemented as a mobile electronic device and can have other capabilities not specifically described herein (e.g., telephonic capabilities, power management, accessory connectivity, etc.). In a system with multiple devices  700  and/or multiple servers  750 , different devices  700  and/or servers  750  can have different sets of capabilities; the various devices  700  and/or servers  750  can be but need not be similar or identical to each other. 
         [0073]    Further, while device  700  and server  750  are described with reference to particular blocks, it is to be understood that these blocks are defined for convenience of description and are not intended to imply a particular physical arrangement of component parts. Further, the blocks need not correspond to physically distinct components. Blocks can be configured to perform various operations, e.g., by programming a processor or providing appropriate control circuitry, and various blocks might or might not be reconfigurable depending on how the initial configuration is obtained. Embodiments of the present invention can be realized in a variety of apparatus including electronic devices implemented using any combination of circuitry and software. 
         [0074]    Additionally, while device  700  and server  750  are described as singular entities, it is to be understood that each can include multiple coupled entities. For example, server  750  can include, a server, a set of coupled servers, a computer and/or a set of coupled computers. 
         [0075]    It should be understood that any of the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in the form of control logic using hardware (e.g. an application specific integrated circuit or field programmable gate array) and/or using computer software with a generally programmable processor in a modular or integrated manner. As user herein, a processor includes a multi-core processor on a same integrated chip, or multiple processing units on a single circuit board or networked. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement embodiments of the present invention using hardware and a combination of hardware and software. 
         [0076]    Any of the software components or functions described in this application may be implemented as software code to be executed by a processor using any suitable computer language such as, for example, Java, C++ or Perl using, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions or commands on a computer readable medium for storage and/or transmission, suitable media include random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a compact disk (CD) or DVD (digital versatile disk), flash memory, and the like. The computer readable medium may be any combination of such storage or transmission devices. 
         [0077]    Such programs may also be encoded and transmitted using carrier signals adapted for transmission via wired, optical, and/or wireless networks conforming to a variety of protocols, including the Internet. As such, a computer readable medium according to an embodiment of the present invention may be created using a data signal encoded with such programs. Computer readable media encoded with the program code may be packaged with a compatible device or provided separately from other devices (e.g., via Internet download). Any such computer readable medium may reside on or within a single computer product (e.g. a hard drive, a CD, or an entire computer system), and may be present on or within different computer products within a system or network. A computer system may include a monitor, printer, or other suitable display for providing any of the results mentioned herein to a user. 
         [0078]    Any of the methods described herein may be totally or partially performed with a computer system including one or more processors, which can be configured to perform the steps. Thus, embodiments can be directed to computer systems configured to perform the steps of any of the methods described herein, potentially with different components performing a respective steps or a respective group of steps. Although presented as numbered steps, steps of methods herein can be performed at a same time or in a different order. Additionally, portions of these steps may be used with portions of other steps from other methods. Also, all or portions of a step may be optional. Additionally, any of the steps of any of the methods can be performed with modules, circuits, or other means for performing these steps. 
         [0079]    The specific details of particular embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner without departing from the spirit and scope of embodiments of the invention. However, other embodiments of the invention may be directed to specific embodiments relating to each individual aspect, or specific combinations of these individual aspects 
         [0080]    The above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
         [0081]    A recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more” unless specifically indicated to the contrary.