Contextual Geofence Radius Adjustment for Navigation Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing geofence systems rely on fixed size perimeters, which are suboptimal as they fail to accurately trigger location-based functions due to varying sizes of Points of Interest (POIs) and do not account for contextual factors like mode of travel and direction, leading to premature or delayed triggers.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining a route point radius by extending the distance from a POI to a navigational path based on contextual factors such as mode of travel and direction, allowing for a dynamic geofence perimeter that adapts to the user's environment, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of geofence triggers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed size geofence perimeter is used, then the system is simple to implement, but the geofence triggers are inaccurate due to varying POI sizes and contextual factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic geofence perimeters by calculating route point radii based on contextual factors including mode of travel (walking, driving, biking), direction of travel, and POI characteristics. The radius is adjusted dynamically: larger radii for driving mode, smaller radii for walking mode, and directional adjustments based on approach angle. This resolves the contradiction by making the geofence system adaptive to varying conditions rather than using fixed sizes, thereby improving trigger accuracy without requiring overly complex manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters (geofence radius and perimeter shape) based on contextual inputs. Specifically, the route point radius is calculated by extending the distance from POI coordinates to the navigational path by an extension amount that varies with mode of travel and direction. The geofence perimeter is then defined using this dynamically calculated radius, allowing the system to adapt trigger accuracy to different scenarios while maintaining automated operation.
2Productivity
If the geofence radius is increased to account for navigational path width, then more users are captured, but the trigger may occur too early or too late
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by defining different geofence radii for different directional approaches to the POI. The route point radius calculation incorporates the direction of travel, creating sector-specific or direction-specific perimeter adjustments. This allows the geofence to be more inclusive for certain approaches while maintaining precise trigger timing for each specific approach direction, thereby capturing more users without sacrificing trigger accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the route point radius by extending the distance from POI coordinates to the navigational path before defining the final geofence perimeter. This pre-calculation incorporates the extension amount based on mode of travel and path width, ensuring that the geofence is positioned optimally in advance to capture users at the appropriate moment, neither too early nor too late.
3Reliability
If a contextual-aware dynamic geofence is implemented, then trigger accuracy improves, but the computational requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the geofence definition process into distinct computational steps: (1) obtaining POI coordinates, (2) calculating distance to navigational path, (3) extending by mode-specific amounts, (4) determining direction-based adjustments, and (5) defining the final perimeter. This segmentation allows the system to implement complex contextual awareness through a series of manageable, modular calculations, improving reliability while keeping implementation complexity organized and maintainable.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples generate a route point radius for a geofence. A point of interest (POI) is identified. The coordinates for a route point on a navigational path associated with the POI is obtained. A distance from the coordinates of the route point to the POI is determined to generate a radius. An extension amount to encompass at least a portion of the navigational path is added to the radius to generate a route point radius. A contextual environment of a user traveling on the navigational path is utilized to adjust the route point radius. The contextual environment includes the mode of travel and/or the direction of travel of the user. A geofence is generated based on at least one route point radius associated with the POI. An alert is triggered when a user crosses a perimeter of the geofence encompassing the portion of the navigational path.