Super geo-fences and virtual fences to improve efficiency of geo-fences
A system and method for using super geo-fences to improve efficiency of geo-fences is disclosed. A server system determines a geo-fence density based on a number of geo-fences in an area around a client system. In response to determining the geo-fence density is greater than a predetermined density value, the server system selects a number of geo-fences that is greater than a fixed number of geo-fences that the client system is capable of handling. The server system groups the selected geo-fences into a first and second group of geo-fences and generates a super geo-fence that encompasses the first group. The server system transmits the first and second group of geo-fences and the super geo-fence to an application stored at the client device. The application adds geo-fence data corresponding to the second group to the client system in response to detecting the client system crossing a boundary of the super geo-fence.
1. A method comprising:
determining a geo-fence density based on a number of geo-fences in an area around a client system;
in response to determining that the geo-fence density is greater than a predetermined density value, selecting a number of geo-fences that is greater than a fixed number of geo-fences that the client system is capable of handling;
grouping the selected geo-fences into a first and second group of geo-fences;
generating a super geo-fence based on the first group of geo-fences, the super geo-fence comprising a boundary that encompasses the first group of geo-fences;
transmitting the first group of geo-fences, the second group of geo-fences, and the super geo-fence to an application stored at the client system, the application to add geo-fence data corresponding to the second group of geo-fences to the client system in response to detecting the client system crossing a boundary of the super geo-fence;
receiving an input from the client system, the input indicating a speed of travel;
determining an estimated travel time to the boundary of the super geo-fence based on the speed of travel;
selecting a reduction factor based on the estimated travel time; and
reducing the boundary of the super geo-fence based on the reduction factor.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, at a server system, a request, from the client system, for updated geo-fence data;
wherein the transmitting of the first group of geo-fences, the second group of geo-fences, and the super geo-fence to the application stored at the client system is in response to the request received from the client system.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein:
the super geo-fence is a first super geo-fence;
the request is triggered based on the client system determining that it has crossed a boundary of a second super geo-fence.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the client system natively stores geo-fence data for the fixed number of geo-fences at a given time.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining of the estimated travel time of the client system includes determining one or more of: a mode of travel based on user profile information, the speed of travel of the client system, a location of the client system, a time, and a date.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting of the number of geo-fences includes:
determining a location associated with the client system; and
determining one or more geo-fences based on the location associated with the client system.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting of the number of geo-fences includes:
determining, for one or more potential geo-fences, a time-to-reach value; and
selecting one or more geo-fences based on the time-to-reach value for each of the potential geo-fences.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting of the number of geo-fences includes:
determining one of more user preferences for a user of the client system; and
selecting one or more geo-fences based on the user preferences.
9. A server system comprising:
one or more processors; and
a machine-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the server system to perform operations comprising:
determining a geo-fence density based on a number of geo-fences in an area around a client system;
in response to determining that the geo-fence density is greater than a predetermined density value, selecting a number of geo-fences that is greater than a fixed number of geo-fences that the client system is capable of handling;
grouping the selected geo-fences into a first and second group of geo-fences;
generating a super geo-fence based on the first group of geo-fences, the super geo-fence comprising a boundary that encompasses the first group of geo-fences;
transmitting the first group of geo-fences, the second group of geo-fences, and the super geo-fence to an application stored at the client system, the application to add geo-fence data corresponding to the second group of geo-fences to the client system in response to detecting the client system crossing a boundary of the super geo-fence;
receiving an input from the client system, the input indicating a speed of travel:
determining an estimated travel time to the boundary of the super geo-fence based on the speed of travel;
selecting a reduction factor based on the estimated travel time; and
reducing the boundary of the super geo-fence based on the reduction factor.
10. The server system of claim 9 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving, at a server system, a request, from the client system, for updated geo-fence data;
wherein the transmitting of the first group of geo-fences, the second group of geo-fences, and the super geo-fence to the application stored at the client system is in response to the request received from the client system.
11. The server system of claim 10 , wherein:
the super geo-fence is a first super geo-fence;
the request is triggered based on the client system determining that it has crossed a boundary of a second super geo-fence.
12. The server system of claim 9 , wherein the determining of the estimated travel time of the client system includes determining a mode of travel of the client system based on user profile information.
13. The server system of claim 9 , wherein the selecting of the number of geo-fences includes:
selecting one or more geo-fences based on one or more of: a location associated with the client system, a time-to-reach value, and user preferences for a user of the client system.
14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:
determining a geo-fence density based on a number of geo-fences in an area around a client system;
in response to determining that the geo-fence density is greater than a predetermined density value, selecting a number of geo-fences that is greater than a fixed number of geo-fences that the client system is capable of handling;
grouping the selected geo-fences into a first and second group of geo-fences;
generating a super geo-fence based on the first group of geo-fences the super geo-fence comprising a boundary that encompasses the first group of geo-fences;
transmitting the first group of geo-fences, the second group of geo-fences, and the super geo-fence to an application stored at the client system, the application to add geo-fence data corresponding to the second group of geo-fences to the client system in response to detecting the client system crossing a boundary of the super geo-fence;
receiving an input from the client system, the input indicating a speed of travel;
determining an estimated travel time to the boundary of the super geo-fence based on the speed of travel;
selecting a reduction factor based on the estimated travel time; and
reducing the boundary of the super geo-fence based on the reduction factor.