Dynamic Geo-fence Tracking for Mobile Apps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile operating systems, such as iOS, restrict general-purpose applications from running in the background, limiting their ability to continuously track a child's location due to restrictions on system-level functionality, which hinders effective parental control and location monitoring.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses geo-fences to dynamically track a mobile device's location by setting predefined geo-fences on the mobile operating system, allowing notifications even when the app is suspended or not running, and adjusting geo-fence sizes based on velocity, time, and location, enabling continuous location updates and alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the parental control app is restricted to run only in the foreground by the mobile operating system, then battery life is extended and user experience is improved, but continuous location tracking capability is lost when the app is suspended or terminated
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures geo-fences around approved locations (home, school, friend's houses) before the child travels. These geo-fences are set up in advance so that when the child's device enters or exits these predefined areas, the mobile operating system automatically triggers notifications to the parental control app, enabling location tracking without requiring the app to run continuously in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile operating system acts as an intermediary between the child's device and the parental control app. Instead of the app directly and continuously monitoring location (which would require background execution), the operating system mediates by monitoring device location and only notifying the app when significant events occur (geo-fence crossings), thus reducing the app's energy consumption while maintaining tracking reliability.
2Loss of energy
If the parental control app is suspended or terminated by the mobile operating system, then system resources are freed and battery life is extended, but the app cannot receive continuous location updates or track the child's location
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the system uses periodic action triggered by geo-fence events. The parental control app receives location information periodically when the child's device crosses predefined geo-fence boundaries, rather than requiring continuous background operation. This periodic event-driven approach reduces battery consumption while ensuring location information is obtained at meaningful intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile operating system's geo-fencing service automatically monitors the device's location and triggers notifications without requiring the parental control app to actively query or maintain background processes. The system serves itself by automatically detecting location changes and initiating app notifications only when necessary, eliminating the need for continuous app execution.
3Measurement precision
If geo-fence size is reduced to increase tracking precision, then location accuracy is improved, but the frequency of notifications increases and battery consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different geo-fence sizes based on local characteristics and requirements. High-precision small geo-fences are deployed in areas where accurate location monitoring is critical (such as near school or home boundaries), while larger geo-fences are used in less sensitive areas. This localized differentiation maintains necessary tracking precision while reducing overall notification frequency and battery consumption compared to uniformly small geo-fences throughout all areas.
Data Source
AI summary
Dynamic location tracking may be performed by a mobile app executing on a mobile computing device. A first geo-fence of a predefined size is set on a mobile operating system of a mobile computing device to notify a mobile app when the first geo-fence is crossed by the mobile computing device. The notification occurs even when the mobile app is suspended or not running. Notification is received from the mobile operating system that the mobile computing device has crossed the first geo-fence. A location of the mobile computing device is received. A second geo-fence is set on a mobile operating system of the mobile computing device based on the location of the mobile computing device.