Managing group of location based triggers

Abstract

A location-based triggering system and method allow location-based triggers to be created and associated with POI, landmark, and/or location-based information categories comprised of a plurality of POIs, landmarks, and/or location-based information, POI, landmark, and/or location-based information sub-categories, as well as POI, landmark, and location-based information searches. A trigger is created, where the trigger comprises trigger criteria. At least one POI, landmark, and/or location-based information database containing a plurality of POIs, landmarks, and/or location-based information data is monitored for a match between the trigger criteria and at least one POI, landmark, and/or location-based information category. If a match exists, the trigger is activated, thereby executing a related action or event. Furthermore, additional search criteria can be combined with the trigger criteria to enhance the LBT process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 creating, by a mobile device, a location-based trigger specifying one or more trigger criteria including at least one criterion based, at least in part, on a location of the device and one or more location-based information categories associated with a plurality of points of interest;   comparing, by the device, the one or more trigger criteria with a plurality of potential trigger criteria-fulfilling data; and   activating the trigger at the device when at least one of the plurality of potential trigger criteria-fulfilling data matches the one or more trigger criteria.   
     
     
         2 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the location-based information categories include one or more objects of interest available or applicable at one or more of the points of interest, and wherein the one or more objects of interest are compared to the one or more trigger criteria to activate the trigger at the device. 
     
     
         3 . A method of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more objects of interest includes one or more objects available for sale, for rent, or a combination thereof, at the one or more of the points of interest. 
     
     
         4 . A method of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more objects of interest includes one or more discount cards applicable at the one or more of the points of interest. 
     
     
         5 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more location-based information categories are associated with one or more contacts of a user of the device, and the one or more contacts are associated with one or more of the points of interest, and
 wherein the one or more contacts are compared to the one or more trigger criteria to activate the trigger at the device.   
     
     
         6 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one criterion is based, at least in part, on one or more operation hours of the plurality of points of interest, and
 wherein the one or more operation hours are compared to the one or more trigger criteria to activate the trigger at the device.   
     
     
         7 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 monitoring one or more updates of the potential trigger criteria-fulfilling data,   wherein the one or more updates are compared to the one or more trigger criteria to activate the trigger at the device.   
     
     
         8 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 monitoring one or more updates of the trigger criteria,   wherein the one or more updates are compared to the potential trigger criteria-fulfilling data to activate the trigger at the device.   
     
     
         9 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger criteria are set by a user to present a notification message to another user of the device upon the match. 
     
     
         10 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the activating of the trigger occurs upon one of entering and leaving a geographical area associated with the one or more of the points of interest. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,   the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,
 create at a mobile device a location-based trigger specifying one or more trigger criteria including at least one criterion based, at least in part, on a location of the device and one or more location-based information categories associated with a plurality of points of interest; 
 compare the one or more trigger criteria with a plurality of potential trigger criteria-fulfilling data; and 
 activate the trigger when at least one of the plurality of potential trigger criteria-fulfilling data matches the one or more trigger criteria. 
   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the location-based information categories include one or more objects of interest available or applicable at one or more of the points of interest, and
 wherein the one or more objects of interest are compared to the one or more trigger criteria to activate the trigger at the device.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more objects of interest includes one or more objects available for sale, for rent, or a combination thereof, at the one or more of the points of interest. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more objects of interest includes one or more discount cards applicable at the one or more of the points of interest. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more location-based information categories are associated with one or more contacts of a user of the device, and the one or more contacts are associated with one or more of the points of interest, and
 wherein the one or more contacts are compared to the one or more trigger criteria to activate the trigger at the device.   
     
     
         16 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one criterion is based, at least in part, on one or more operation hours of the plurality of points of interest, and
 wherein the one or more operation hours are compared to the one or more trigger criteria to activate the trigger at the device.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 monitor one or more updates of the potential trigger criteria-fulfilling data,   wherein the one or more updates are compared to the one or more trigger criteria to activate the trigger at the device.   
     
     
         18 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 monitor one or more updates of the trigger criteria,   wherein the one or more updates are compared to the potential trigger criteria-fulfilling data to activate the trigger at the device.   
     
     
         19 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the trigger criteria are set by a user to present a notification message to another user of the device upon the match. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the activating of the trigger occurs upon one of entering and leaving a geographical area associated with the one or more of the points of interest.