Predictive Geofence Radius for Mobile Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices face challenges in efficiently provisioning geofences while in motion, leading to premature exit from the geofence perimeter and excessive battery power drain due to frequent provisioning of multiple geofences.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines a predictive geofence radius based on the predicted speed of the mobile device, using a combination of average speed limits of roads within a predetermined number of turns, to provision a geofence with a radius that minimizes the number of provisioning operations and reduces power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile device provisions multiple geofences sequentially based on predicted duration, then the device can maintain location tracking coverage, but the power consumption increases due to frequent provisioning operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation tracking coverageVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by provisioning a first geofence before the device actually needs to exit the previous geofence area. By predicting the device's future location based on current speed and direction, the system proactively creates the next geofence in advance, ensuring continuous coverage without waiting for the device to approach the boundary of the current geofence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts geofence provisioning based on real-time device speed measurements. When the device moves faster, the system provisions geofences more frequently with larger time intervals, while slower movement results in less frequent provisioning. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the balance between maintaining continuous coverage and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the geofence radius is set small to reduce power consumption, then fewer provisioning operations are needed, but the device may exit the geofence perimeter prematurely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidgeofence coverage accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines a predictive geofence radius that is larger than the actual device displacement during the predicted duration. This preliminary overestimation ensures that the geofence boundary extends far enough ahead of the device's predicted path, preventing premature exit while still limiting the number of provisioning operations to maintain power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the geofence radius parameter dynamically based on the device's current speed and the predicted duration. By adjusting this parameter to match the device's movement characteristics, the system optimizes the balance between geofence size and provisioning frequency, ensuring reliable coverage without excessive power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the system provisions geofences frequently to ensure continuous coverage, then location tracking reliability is maintained, but the number of provisioning operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous coverageVSAvoidnumber of provisioning operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provisions the next geofence in advance based on predicted device movement, rather than waiting for the current geofence to expire or for the device to approach its boundary. This preliminary provisioning ensures continuous coverage while reducing the total number of operations by overlapping geofence creation with the device's movement timeline.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous location tracking coverage by ensuring that geofences are provisioned in an overlapping sequence. The predictive approach ensures that when one geofence is active, the next geofence is already being provisioned, creating a seamless transition that maintains continuous coverage without requiring frequent stop-start provisioning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11622326B2Reducing mobile device power consumption through predictive speed-based geofence location tracking

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 INTUIT INC

AI summary

A method including receiving, at a mobile device, a request to provision a first geofence. The first geofence has a first predicted duration that expires before a second predicted geofence is provisioned by the mobile device. Provisioning the first geofence and the second predicted geofence together consume a first amount of power. The method also includes determining a predictive geofence radius based on a predicted speed of the mobile device. The method also includes provisioning a first predictive geofence having the predictive geofence radius and further having a second predicted duration that is different than the first predicted duration and that expires before a second predictive geofence is provisioned by the mobile device. Provisioning the first predictive geofence and the second predictive geofence together consume a second amount of power, the second amount of power less than the first amount of power.