Network-Based Geofencing With Uncertainty-Weighted Location Estimates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing geofencing technologies face challenges in accurately locating user devices across diverse geographic scenarios, particularly indoors, due to high costs, resource consumption, and battery depletion, while requiring additional hardware and software installations.
Innovation Solution
A location tracking system that utilizes network-based location technologies like CID, eCID, OTDOA, and multi-cell angle measurements to optimize geofencing by determining uncertainty thresholds, requesting multiple location estimates, and calculating weighted averages to improve accuracy with minimal resource consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional location technologies (GPS, Wi-Fi, beaconing) are used for geofencing, then location accuracy is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/location-based technologies (GPS receivers, Wi-Fi hardware, beaconing infrastructure) with a network-based location estimation system. The network uses existing cellular infrastructure (base stations, signal towers) to estimate device locations through signal analysis, eliminating the need for dedicated location hardware in devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining acceptable accuracy for geofencing applications.
2Reliability
If multiple location technologies are deployed for diverse geographic scenarios, then location reliability is improved, but cost and deployment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal network-based location estimation system that serves multiple geographic scenarios (indoor, outdoor, urban, rural) through a single unified approach. The network uses diverse existing infrastructure (cellular base stations, signal towers, wireless networks) that already cover various environments, eliminating the need for separate location systems for different scenarios and simplifying deployment while maintaining reliability across diverse settings.
3Measurement precision
If location technologies are continuously activated for geofencing, then geofencing accuracy is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service location estimation system where the network performs location calculations autonomously without requiring continuous activation of device-based location technologies. The network uses existing signal infrastructure and passive signal analysis to estimate locations, eliminating the need for devices to continuously power GPS receivers or other location hardware, thereby maintaining geofencing accuracy while dramatically reducing battery consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may receive multiple location estimates, with uncertainties, for the user device based on determining that the uncertainty is greater than or equal to the uncertainty threshold, and may store the location estimate, the multiple location estimates, and the uncertainties in a data structure. The device may identify a greatest uncertainty of the uncertainties, and may remove, from the data structure, location estimates and uncertainties associated with the greatest uncertainty to generate a set of location estimates and a set of uncertainties. The device may calculate a set of weights based on the set of uncertainties, and may calculate a set of weighted location estimates based on the set of weights and the set of location estimates. The device may calculate a weighted average location of the user device based on the set of weighted location estimates, and may provide the weighted average location to the user device.