Composite Geofence Using Segmented Shapes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital map systems face inefficiencies in determining whether a geographic location is within a virtual perimeter of a place with complex geometry, as traditional circular geofences are inaccurate and computationally expensive for complex shapes.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic geofencing system breaks down the geometry of a place into multiple simple component shapes, creating a composite geofence that can be efficiently checked by user devices or network servers, allowing for accurate determination of location within or near a place using GPS data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional circular geofences are used to represent places with complex geometry, then the system is simple to implement, but the accuracy of location determination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides complex place geometries into multiple simple component shapes (circles, rectangles, polygons) that can be individually evaluated. Each component shape is defined by simple geometric parameters (center point and radius for circles, vertices for polygons), allowing the system to maintain simplicity while accurately representing complex boundaries through composition of multiple basic shapes.
2Measurement precision
If complex geometric shapes are used to accurately represent place boundaries, then location determination accuracy improves, but computational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting complex geometries into simple component shapes, the patent enables efficient point-in-shape evaluation using straightforward distance calculations for circles and basic geometric tests for polygons. This segmentation allows user devices to perform location determination with minimal computational overhead while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses computationally inexpensive component shapes that can be quickly evaluated and discarded after a single point-in-shape test. Each component shape requires only simple mathematical operations to determine whether a GPS point lies within it, making the computation lightweight and energy-efficient for mobile devices.
3Productivity
If traditional circular geofences are used, then computational operations are simple, but accuracy for complex place geometries deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments complex place boundaries into multiple simple geometric components, each requiring only basic computational operations to evaluate. The composition of these segments accurately represents the complex geometry while maintaining computational efficiency, as each component can be independently and quickly evaluated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite geofences by combining multiple simple geometric shapes (circles, rectangles, polygons) into a unified boundary representation. This composite structure maintains the computational simplicity of individual shapes while achieving the boundary accuracy of complex geometries through the collective arrangement of components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computing device includes one or more processors, a user interface, and a non- transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for determining whether a certain geographic location is within a virtual perimeter of a geographic place. The instructions, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the computing device to determine multiple component shapes that approximately make up a geometry of the geographic place, determine whether the certain geographic location is within at least one of the component shapes, generate an indication that the geographic location is within the virtual perimeter if the geographic location is within at least one of the component shapes, and provide the indication via the user interface.