Geo-fence Notification Delay Mechanism for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
As geo-fencing becomes more prevalent, users are inundated with notifications and application management becomes complex due to overlapping geo-fences, leading to user over-notification and fatigue, with existing systems failing to effectively manage alerts and applications as users enter or exit geo-fenced areas.
Innovation Solution
A delay mechanism and geo-fence-aware application folder are implemented to prevent over-notification by buffering notifications and presenting them only after a configurable timeout period, and dynamically changing the folder contents based on active geo-fences, ensuring relevant and timely information is provided to users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If geo-fence notifications are presented immediately upon entering a geo-fenced area, then users receive timely information, but users experience notification fatigue and over-notification due to overlapping geo-fences
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by buffering notifications upon geo-fence entry and only presenting them after a timeout period expires or the device exits the geo-fence. This preliminary buffering action prevents immediate notification delivery that would cause user fatigue from overlapping geo-fences, while still ensuring timely delivery of relevant notifications.
2Loss of information
If multiple notifications are presented simultaneously for overlapping geo-fences, then users receive comprehensive information, but application management becomes complex and users experience notification overload
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and buffers notifications from overlapping geo-fences separately, then selectively presents them based on timeout expiration or geo-fence exit conditions. This extraction approach maintains information completeness by preserving all notifications while simplifying management by controlling their presentation timing and sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic timeout checks to determine when to present buffered notifications. Instead of presenting all notifications simultaneously, the system periodically evaluates whether the timeout period has expired or the device has exited the geo-fence, thereby periodically delivering notifications in a controlled manner that reduces overload while maintaining completeness.
3Reliability
If notifications are delayed using a timeout mechanism, then relevant information is ensured to be presented, but notification delivery is postponed
Solution Approach 1:
The notification delivery timing is made dynamic rather than static. The system adjusts the actual delivery time based on real-time conditions: if the device exits the geo-fence before timeout expiration, notifications are delivered immediately upon exit; if the timeout expires while still inside, notifications are delivered then. This dynamic approach ensures relevance while minimizing unnecessary delays.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments for geo-fence notification management are generally described herein. A mobile device for geo-fence notification management may include a geo-location module to: determine a geographical location of the mobile device; and determine whether the mobile device is located in a geo-fenced area for longer than a threshold period of time; and a presentation module to present a notification on the mobile device when the mobile device is located in the geo-fenced area for longer than the threshold period of time. A server and mobile device may work cooperatively to obtain a position of a mobile device; determine whether the mobile device is located in a geo-fenced area; determine whether the geo-fenced area has a software application associated with it; and present the software application to the mobile device when the geo-fenced area has a software application associated with it.