Location-triggered Notification System for Mobile Apps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location-based notification systems are limited by users' reluctance to grant location permissions, resulting in stale notifications when the application is not actively in use, as companies cannot send timely updates without knowing when customers will visit a store.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows location-based notifications by registering entity locations while the application is in a launched state and sending silent push notifications when in the background, using beacons and geolocation to trigger updates even when the app is not actively running, enabling up-to-date notifications without requiring continuous location sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the application requests continuous location tracking permission, then location-based notifications can be sent at any time, but users are reluctant to grant such permission resulting in low adoption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by registering entity locations and setting up notification triggers while the application is in the foreground and has location access. This allows the notification infrastructure to be prepared in advance, so that when the user returns to the app, the notifications are already configured and can be delivered immediately without requiring continuous permission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary approach by leveraging the operating system's background location services and push notification infrastructure. Instead of requiring the application to continuously access location data, the system registers entity locations and uses system-level mechanisms to deliver notifications, acting as a mediator between the app and the location tracking functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the application only tracks location when in use, then user privacy is respected and permission requirements are reduced, but notifications become stale because the system does not know when customers will visit stores
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration of entity locations and notification triggers while the application is active. By pre-configuring the notification infrastructure with entity locations and geofence parameters, the system ensures that when the user returns to the app, the notifications are ready to be delivered immediately, eliminating the staleness problem without requiring continuous tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the application to autonomously register entity locations and set up notification triggers during its active period. The notification system then automatically monitors for conditions (such as user proximity to registered entities) and delivers notifications without requiring continuous user interaction or permission renewals.
3Reliability
If the system registers entity locations and notifications while the application is in the background, then timely notifications can be sent without continuous location sharing, but the system needs a mechanism to maintain notification relevance
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the operating system's push notification service as an intermediary to maintain and deliver notifications while the application is in the background. The application registers entity locations and notification parameters before going background, and the system-level notification service continues to monitor and deliver notifications based on these pre-configured parameters, eliminating the need for the application to remain active.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by using the operating system's background location updates and push notification delivery mechanisms. Instead of continuous monitoring, the system relies on periodic system-level checks and event-driven notifications that trigger when specific conditions are met (such as user proximity to registered entities), reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for facilitating location-based notification display by an application at a mobile device includes, while the application is in a launched state, receiving from the mobile device a location of the mobile device, determining one or more entity locations based on the location of the mobile device, and causing the mobile device to register the one or more entity locations. The method also includes, while the application is in a background state, causing the mobile device to register one or more location-triggered notifications, wherein each location-triggered notification of the one or more location-triggered notifications is associated with a corresponding entity location of the one or more entity locations.