Geofence-Based Wireless Signal Scanning for Location Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining a user device's location near a point of interest are energy inefficient due to periodic scanning for wireless signals, which drains battery life, especially when the device is not near the point of interest.
Innovation Solution
A location management system that defines geofence boundaries for points of interest and instructs user devices to scan for wireless signals only when within these boundaries, reducing unnecessary energy consumption by avoiding scans when outside the geofence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the user device periodically scans for wireless signals to determine location, then location data can be obtained for various applications, but battery life is drained significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-defines geofence boundaries around points of interest and pre-identifies characteristic wireless signals at these locations. When the device enters a geofence, location determination is immediately triggered using the pre-identified signals, avoiding continuous scanning and reducing battery consumption while maintaining accurate location detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements location-specific scanning behavior by activating wireless signal scanning only within geofenced areas around points of interest. Outside these boundaries, scanning is suspended, creating localized zones of high energy consumption only where location data is actually needed, thus resolving the contradiction between continuous monitoring and battery conservation.
2Reliability
If the user device continuously scans for wireless signals, then location information is always available, but energy is wasted when the device is not near any point of interest
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from continuous periodic scanning to event-triggered scanning. Scanning occurs periodically only when the device enters or exits a geofenced area, rather than at fixed time intervals regardless of location. This maintains reliable location tracking at points of interest while eliminating energy waste during transit or when away from monitored areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the location determination function from continuous operation and confines it to specific geographic zones (geofences). By taking out the scanning activity from universal continuous operation and restricting it to extracted relevant areas, the system maintains location availability where needed while removing unnecessary energy consumption elsewhere.
3Productivity
If the system instructs the device to scan for wireless signals frequently, then location determination is accurate and timely, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of characteristic wireless signals and their locations during system setup or first-time visits. This pre-processing allows rapid location determination upon re-entry to the same area without requiring full scanning sequences, thus maintaining high productivity for location determination while extending battery life through reduced scanning frequency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A location management system identifies points of interest that may be of interest to one or more users. The location management system defines a geofence boundary encompassing a particular point of interest. When the location management system determines that the user device is inside the geofence boundary - but not, for example, when the location management system determines that the user determines that the user device is outside the geofence boundary - the location management system instructs the user device to determine wireless signals available to the user device. The location management system then receives wireless signal data from the user device for available wireless signals. By matching the received wireless signal data to known wireless signals available at the identified points of interest, the location management system determines that the user device (and hence the user) is at the point of interest.