Method and apparatus for proactive notifications based on the location of a user

Abstract

The location of a user is obtained and, based on the location of the user and services available to, or requested by the user, a notification handler sends appropriate notifications to the user.

1 . A computer implemented method, comprising:
 obtaining a travel plan associated with an individual, wherein the travel plan associated with the individual comprises a time-based event;   detecting the individual's state of motion with a device associated with the individual and without any interaction between the individual and the device at a time of performing said detecting, wherein the individual's state of motion comprises a location of the individual and a speed of motion of the individual; and   based on the travel plan associated with the individual and the individual's state of motion, automatically generating a gradated notification relating to the travel plan associated with the individual, the gradated notification comprising one of a high priority notification, a medium priority notification, and a low priority notification.   
     
     
         2 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining the speed of motion of the individual from the individual's state of motion; and   using the speed of motion of the individual to determine a level of the gradated notification to generate.   
     
     
         3 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining the speed of motion of the individual from the individual's state of motion; and   using the speed of motion of the individual to determine whether to automatically generate the gradated notification.   
     
     
         4 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , said automatically generating the high priority notification comprising causing the device associated with the individual to emit sound or flash a light associated with the device. 
     
     
         5 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , the time-based event comprising at least one of a departure time associated with a mode of transport, or a check-in time associated with a destination residence. 
     
     
         6 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 receiving from a user a user preference regarding the gradated notification; and   configuring the gradated notification based on the user preference.   
     
     
         7 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining that a current location of the individual is along a route that is currently subject a traffic block; and   sending a notification to the individual warning of the traffic block and, optionally, advising the individual with regard to an alternate route.   
     
     
         8 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 sending the high priority notification to the individual when a location of a financial transaction related to the individual is performed at an unknown location that does not coincide with a current location of the individual.   
     
     
         9 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 capturing a biometric data from the individual; and   combining information concerning the individual's current location with the biometric data to authenticate a transaction.   
     
     
         10 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining when the individual's location, based upon the device location, is coincident with a detected transaction location; and   triggering the gradated notification for further authentication of the individual.   
     
     
         11 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining when the individual's location, based upon the device location, is coincident with a detected transaction location; and   triggering the high priority notification when a plurality of transactions are clustered in a clustering location if a density of the transactions exceeds a predetermined threshold for the individual's determined location.   
     
     
         12 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 notifying the individual and requesting approval for an increase in the individual's credit limit when the individual's credit limit is exceeded at a transaction location, and the location of the device is coincident with the transaction location.   
     
     
         13 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adjusting any of the individual's credit and mobile settings as required by local law or practice upon detecting travel by the individual to a different region or country.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a processor;   a storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform a computer-implemented operation, the instructions comprising:
 instructions for obtaining a travel plan associated with an individual, wherein the travel plan associated with the individual comprises a time-based event; 
 instructions for detecting the individual's state of motion with a device associated with the individual and without any interaction between the individual and the device at a time of performing said detecting, wherein the individual's state of motion comprises a location of the individual and a speed of motion of the individual; and 
 instructions for automatically generating a gradated notification relating to the travel plan associated with the individual, based on the travel plan associated with the individual and the individual's state of motion, the gradated notification comprising one of a high priority notification, a medium priority notification, and a low priority notification. 
   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , comprising instructions for determining a level of the gradated notification to generate based on the speed of motion. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , comprising instructions for determining whether to automatically generate the gradated notification based on the speed of motion. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , the instructions for automatically generating the high priority notification comprising the instructions for causing the device associated with the individual to emit sound or flash a light associated with the device. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , the time-based event comprising at least one of a departure time associated with a mode of transport, or a check-in time associated with a destination residence. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , the instructions further comprising:
 the instructions for sending the high priority notification to the individual when a location of a financial transaction related to the individual is performed at an unknown location that does not coincide with a current location of the individual.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , the instructions further comprising:
 the instructions for capturing a biometric data from the individual; and   the instructions for combining information concerning the individual's current location with the biometric data to authenticate a transaction.