Geofencing Controller Segmentation for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current geofencing techniques in electronic devices face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and security, particularly in maintaining a low-power state while effectively implementing geofencing operations without compromising user alerts and location-based services.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a geofencing system that utilizes a separate low-power adjunct controller, which offloads geofencing operations from the main processor, allowing it to remain in a sleep state for longer periods, and includes a geofencing core and abstraction layer to manage location and motion inputs, ensuring secure and efficient geofencing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the main processor continuously monitors location and motion inputs for geofencing operations, then geofencing functionality is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The geofencing system is segmented into two distinct processing units: a low-power adjunct controller that continuously monitors location and motion inputs, and a main processor that handles higher-level operations. This segmentation allows the main processor to enter sleep states while the adjunct controller maintains geofencing functionality, thereby reducing overall power consumption without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjunct controller acts as an intermediary between the sensors (location and motion inputs) and the main processor. It pre-processes geofencing-related data and only wakes the main processor when relevant events occur, such as geofence violations. This intermediary role enables the main processor to remain in low-power states while ensuring timely response to geofencing events.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the main processor enters sleep state to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but geofencing response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjunct controller performs preliminary monitoring of location and motion inputs continuously, even when the main processor is in sleep state. It prepares geofencing data and detects violations in advance, so that when the main processor wakes, the geofencing event is already identified and ready for processing. This preliminary action eliminates response delays while allowing the main processor to sleep.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjunct controller is designed to autonomously handle geofencing monitoring and event detection without requiring continuous main processor intervention. It independently evaluates location and motion inputs against geofence parameters and generates alerts when violations occur, enabling the main processor to remain in low-power states while maintaining timely geofencing responses.
3Power
If geofencing operations are handled by the main processor, then processing capability is sufficient, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture is segmented into specialized components: a low-power adjunct controller dedicated to geofencing operations and the main processor for general-purpose computing. This segmentation distributes processing responsibilities, reducing the burden on the main processor while adding a dedicated low-power component for geofencing, thereby managing complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjunct controller is designed with multi-functionality, handling both location and motion input monitoring, geofence violation detection, and alert generation within a single low-power unit. This consolidates multiple geofencing-related functions into one component, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated hardware for each function while still providing sufficient processing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment a controller comprises logic configured to receive, in the controller, a geofencing definition and input from at least one location information device, update a location of the controller using one or more location parameters from one or more location information devices, and generate a notification signal when the location of the controller indicates that the controller has crossed a threshold. Other embodiments may be described.