Geofence Prioritization for Power-Constrained Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing geofencing systems face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and resource utilization, particularly when dealing with a large number of geofences, as they require significant CPU and storage capabilities, and continuous connectivity, which can lead to battery drain and increased cloud resource usage.

Innovation Solution

A method that prioritizes geofences based on importance, allowing high-priority geofences to be evaluated by the client device while lower-priority ones are evaluated by a server, reducing the load on the device and optimizing resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all geofences are evaluated by the client device, then immediate geofence triggering and real-time tracking are achieved, but power consumption and device resource requirements (CPU and storage) increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeofence triggering reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the geofence evaluation process by dividing geofences into different priority levels. High-priority geofences are evaluated by the client device to ensure immediate triggering, while low-priority geofences are evaluated by the server. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable geofence triggering for critical events while reducing overall power consumption and device resource usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a large number of geofences are stored and evaluated by the client device, then comprehensive geofence coverage is achieved, but device storage and CPU requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeofence coverageVSAvoiddevice resource requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts low-priority geofence evaluation from the client device and transfers it to the server. The client device stores and evaluates only high-priority geofences locally, while the server handles low-priority geofences. This extraction reduces the storage and CPU requirements on the client device while maintaining comprehensive geofence coverage through server-side evaluation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If continuous connectivity is maintained for server-based geofence evaluation, then cloud resource usage increases, but device battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeofence evaluation accuracyVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic approach where the system adapts its geofence evaluation strategy based on priority levels. High-priority geofences are evaluated dynamically by the client device with immediate local triggering, reducing the need for continuous cloud connectivity. Low-priority geofences are evaluated by the server when connectivity is available. This dynamic distribution optimizes battery life by reducing continuous cloud communication while maintaining evaluation accuracy for critical geofences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3734318A1Geofence prioritization
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 HERE GLOBAL BV
  • EP3734318A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3734318A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3734318A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Inter-alia, a method is disclosed comprising: obtaining a set of geofences, wherein each geofence of the set of geofences defines a respective geofence for an electronic device; determining one or more pieces of priority information for at least a part of the set of geofences, wherein a respective priority information of the one or more pieces of priority information is indicative of a prioritization of a respective geofence of the set of geofences; and providing at least a part of the set of geofences at least partially based on the one or more pieces of priority information to the electronic device, wherein at least the part of the set of geofences that is provided is evaluated by an electronic device, and another part of the set of geofences that is not provided is not evaluated by the electronic device. It is further disclosed an according apparatus, computer program and system.