Soft Geofencing via Wireless Network Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Geofencing applications on mobile devices consume significant battery power and require manual entry of geofence boundaries, leading to poor user experience due to their reliance on GPS sensors.
Innovation Solution
Implementing soft geofences defined by wireless network identities and patterns, allowing devices to automatically determine locations and trigger operations based on learned patterns without continuous GPS usage, using cloud servers and device storage to manage and process network data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS sensor is used for geofencing, then location accuracy is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless network identities (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular towers) as intermediary objects to determine location. Instead of directly using GPS sensors, the system uses discovered wireless networks as mediators to infer geographic location, thereby reducing battery consumption while maintaining location-based functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/GPS-based location detection system with a wireless network-based detection system. By substituting GPS sensor operations with wireless network discovery and identification, the system achieves location determination with significantly lower energy consumption
2Manufacturing precision
If manual geofence entry is required, then geofence precision is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically discovering wireless networks and determining device location without requiring manual user input. The apparatus autonomously identifies relevant wireless networks, creates or selects geofences, and triggers operations based on location, eliminating the need for users to manually enter geofence boundaries
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-discovering and storing wireless network identities in the vicinity of the device before geofencing operations are needed. This preliminary network discovery and location determination enables automatic geofence triggering without requiring real-time manual intervention
3Measurement precision
If continuous GPS monitoring is implemented, then location tracking accuracy is improved, but standby time reduces
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous GPS monitoring, the system implements periodic wireless network discovery and location updates. The apparatus periodically scans for wireless networks and updates its location based on discovered network identities, achieving location tracking functionality with significantly reduced energy consumption and extended standby time
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for location-based apparatus management can result in significant battery power savings for the apparatus and robust controls over the apparatus. This may be achieved by using discovered wireless network(s) to learn repeating patterns of the apparatus and, accordingly, set up soft geofences to trigger automatic operations of the apparatus. Information associated with the discovered wireless network(s) is used to determine the location of the apparatus, and the type of location can be identified. Based on the type of location, the apparatus is placed in a mode corresponding to the identified type of location. Alternatively, or additionally, specific features and/or applications on the apparatus may be activated or deactivated.