Geo-fence Positioning System Using CPS and WPS

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices that provide geo-fence services consume significant power due to the reliance on GPS for position determination, which is inefficient in terms of battery life.

Innovation Solution

The use of a Cellular Positioning System (CPS) and Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS) is adopted to determine the position of an electronic device, selectively switching between these systems based on proximity to a geo-fence area, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining accurate location tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS is used for position determination in geo-fence service, then location accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic selection of positioning methods based on device location. When the device is outside the geo-fence area, CPS (cellular positioning) is used for lower power consumption. When approaching or inside the geo-fence area, WPS (Wi-Fi positioning) or GPS is used for higher accuracy. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting the positioning method according to operational context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the positioning parameter (method selection) based on the device's geographic context. By monitoring whether the device is within or outside the geo-fence boundary, the system switches between different positioning technologies with different power consumption characteristics, thus optimizing the balance between accuracy and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If CPS is used for position determination outside geo-fence area, then power consumption is reduced, but location accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidlocation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the operational area into two zones: outside the geo-fence area and inside/approaching the geo-fence area. In the outer zone, CPS is used for power-efficient monitoring. When the device enters the inner zone (approaching or inside geo-fence), the system switches to WPS or GPS for accurate determination. This segmentation allows each positioning method to be used in its optimal context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The geo-fence boundary acts as an intermediary trigger that mediates the switch between positioning methods. When the device crosses or approaches this boundary, it triggers a transition from low-power CPS to high-accuracy WPS/GPS, ensuring that accuracy is maintained precisely when needed for geo-fence detection while minimizing power consumption during routine monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If WPS or GPS is used when closer to geo-fence area, then location accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases compared to CPS

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic monitoring using low-power CPS to detect when the device approaches the geo-fence area. Only when the device enters the proximity zone does the system activate the higher-power WPS or GPS for accurate position determination. This periodic checking approach ensures high accuracy is achieved only when necessary, minimizing overall power consumption while maintaining geo-fence detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2790385B1Electronic device and method for receiving geo-fence service with low power consumption
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2790385B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2790385B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2790385B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method used by an electronic device 101 receiving a geo-fence service, determines whether a current position of the electronic device, determined using a cellular positioning system (CPS), is located within a first distance 103 from a central point of a geo-fence service area 102. In response to determining that the current position is located within the first distance 103, the current position is determined using a Wi-Fi positioning system (WPS) and it is further determined whether the WPS determined current position is located within a second distance 104 from the central point of the geo-fence service area. In response to the determination the current position is located within the second distance 104, it is determined whether the current position calculated using a global positioning system (GPS), is located within a boundary of a geo-fence service area 102.