Non-intrusive Region Notification via Preliminary Event Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geofencing techniques often result in intrusive and power-inefficient notifications, as mobile devices activate applications and display information when crossing virtual fences, even if users are not interested, leading to unnecessary battery consumption and potential annoyance.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device can temporarily transition to an active operating mode to register fence-crossing events while in power-saving mode, then return to power-saving mode, launching applications only when the user activates the device, thus minimizing intrusive displays and conserving power by reducing unnecessary activation periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile device launches an application program when crossing a virtual fence, then the user receives location-based notification, but the device consumes more power and displays may be intrusive
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-registers fence-crossing events while in power-saving mode, storing notification data in advance. When the user activates the device, the system checks for pending events and delivers notifications only then, avoiding continuous active mode operation and reducing power consumption while ensuring reliable notification delivery.
2Reliability
If the mobile device displays information when crossing a virtual fence, then the user receives location-based information, but the display becomes intrusive and may annoy users
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-registers fence-crossing events and stores notification data without immediately displaying information. The display is triggered only when the user activates the device, ensuring information is delivered reliably while avoiding intrusive displays during periods when the user is not actively using the device.
3Productivity
If the mobile device remains in active operating mode to register fence-crossing events, then the device can immediately process and display notifications, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the registration action in advance while in power-saving mode, storing fence-crossing event data without requiring the device to remain in active mode. This approach maintains productivity by ensuring events are captured and processed quickly upon activation, while minimizing power consumption by keeping the device in low-power state as long as possible.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the mobile device transitions to active mode temporarily to register events, then power consumption is reduced, but the device may miss events if activation is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary storage mechanism that bridges the gap between power-saving mode and active mode operation. Fence-crossing events are captured and stored in this intermediary state, ensuring no events are lost during mode transitions. The reliable event capture occurs passively through wireless signal detection, while the storage mechanism ensures data integrity regardless of activation timing.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques of non-intrusive region notification are described. A mobile device can be programmed to trigger an application program when the mobile device enters or exits a region. The region can be defined by various virtual fencing technologies. If, at the time of entry or exit of a region, the mobile device is in a power-saving operating mode, the mobile device can transition to an active operating mode temporarily, register a fence-crossing event (entry or exit of the region) with the application program, and then transition back to the power-saving operating mode. The mobile device can launch the registered application program in response to the mobile device receiving a user input to enter the active operating mode. The application program can provide a user interface associated with the region on a display surface of the mobile device in place of a home screen or other user interface.