Automated Geofence Creation Using Vehicle Movement Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual creation of geofences is labor-intensive and prone to errors, especially when multiple geofences need to be created, as it requires manual identification and definition of geographic boundaries on maps, which can vary based on the map used.

Innovation Solution

A method that automatically generates geofences using movement data from moving objects, such as vehicles equipped with GPS, to define accurate and precise geofence boundaries, allowing for high tolerance of imprecise starting positions and enabling efficient creation of multiple geofences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If geofences are created manually by drawing boundaries on maps, then the geofence boundaries can be precisely defined, but the process becomes very time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeofence boundary precisionVSAvoidgeofence creation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of drawing geofence boundaries on maps with an automated computer-based system. The system uses probe data from moving objects to automatically calculate and define geofence boundaries, eliminating the need for manual map drawing while maintaining precision through algorithmic boundary determination based on actual movement patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual geofence creation is used, then each geofence can be carefully defined, but the workload increases significantly when many geofences need to be created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeofence definition accuracyVSAvoidtime for creating multiple geofences
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service geofence creation by automatically processing probe data from moving objects to generate geofence definitions without human intervention. The computer system autonomously identifies boundaries, calculates areas, and creates geofence records based on aggregated movement data, allowing rapid creation of multiple geofences while maintaining consistent accuracy standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If geofences are created based on map visual identification, then boundaries can be defined, but errors occur when starting positions are incomplete or incorrect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeofence creation simplicityVSAvoidgeofence position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by continuously collecting probe data from moving objects and using this information to verify and adjust geofence boundaries. The aggregated movement data provides feedback on actual usage patterns, allowing the system to identify and correct positioning errors automatically, ensuring high accuracy even when initial starting positions are imprecise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If different maps are used for geofence creation, then various perspectives can be considered, but the resulting geofences vary and lack consistency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemap selection flexibilityVSAvoidgeofence consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter for geofence definition from map-based visual boundaries to probe data-based movement patterns. By using actual positional data from moving objects as the defining parameter, the system ensures consistent geofence boundaries regardless of which map is used, as the boundaries are derived from objective movement data rather than subjective map interpretations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2690404B1Creation of a geofence
Publication Date: 2019.01.09 DEUT POST AG
  • EP2690404B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2690404B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2690404B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves detecting (S100) an output position. The home position is transmitted (S300) on a digital map. A surface object is automatically created (S400) on the digital map. The canvas object is provided with the starting position. The motion data of moving object is detected (S500) in the field of surface object, and automatic reduction of the object to the geofence area is enabled based on the motion data. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a digital storage medium storing program for automatically creating a geofence; and (2) a computer program product for automatically creating a geofence.