Patent Description:
Various location-based services may be provided using an electronic device capable of recognizing a location, such as a mobile device. For example, when a mobile device is located adjacent to a store, the mobile device may run a service associated with the store, output an advertisement associated with the store, or send a message requesting the service or the advertisement to a server that provides the associated service or advertisement.

It is necessary to define a geographic boundary for a point-of-interest (Pol), such as a store location. so that a mobile device can perform a location-based service. For example, when a mobile device enters an area within a predetermined boundary and outputs a notification message related to a PoI, user experience with the mobile device may be improved. The geographic boundary for providing location-based services may be set as a virtual area associated with an actual place, in an operation referred to as a geofencing method. The geofence may be a virtual parameter for a real-world geographical area dynamically generated for a geographic location.

In addition, the mobile device needs to measure its' location for determining whether the mobile device has entered the geofence to perform the location-based service. Accurate positioning of the mobile device is required so that mobile device may provide a suitable location-based service. A representative method for measuring a position of a mobile device is a global positioning system (GPS) that uses signals received from satellites.

However, the GPS consumes a substantial amount of power and has difficulty in performing the positioning indoors.

A wireless network signal received by the mobile device may vary according to an environment in which the mobile device is located. For example, the presence or absence of a signal from an access point of a wireless network or the strength of the signal may vary due to structures such as walls and buildings. When it is desired to provide a location-based service based on wireless network information, it is difficult to identify a range in which a mobile device provides a location-based service without directly visiting a PoI and directly measuring a service area.

It is also difficult to satisfy a need to provide a service within different ranges for service providers, such as advertisers, that provide location-based services.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus capable of providing a location-based service based on information on a wireless network scanned by a mobile device.

<CIT> discloses systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for invitational content geofencing. A system first sends, to a server location data associated with the system, the location data being calculated at the system. The system then receives a listing of places of interest within a geofence including a geographical perimeter for identifying places of interest in the listing, the geofence being based on the location data associated with the system. Next, the system selects a place of interest from the listing based on a location of the system. The system then presents a content item associated with the place of interest.

<CIT> discloses a navigation system comprising of a control circuit configured to determine a targeted exchange for identifying a product or a service associated with the initiating request, determine a geofence goal associated with the targeted exchange for representing a condition regarding the product or the service, and generate a dynamic tailored-geofence including a shape for satisfying the geofence goal associated with the targeted exchange; and a storage circuit, coupled to the control circuit, configured to store the dynamic tailored-geofence.

The GPS consumes a substantial amount of power and has difficulty in performing the positioning indoors.

Aspects of the disclosure address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide a geofencing method and an electronic device capable of setting a serviceable radius in which a location-based service is provided as intended.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a geofencing server includes the features specified in the appended independent apparatus claim.

Preferred embodiments of the geofencing server in accordance with the present disclosure are subject of the appended dependent apparatus claims.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of setting a geofencing area in a geofencing server includes the steps specified in the appended independent method claim.

Preferred embodiments of the method of setting a geofencing area in a geofencing server are subject of the appended dependent method claims.

According to embodiments herein, provided are a geofencing method and an electronic device capable of determining a threshold value for forming an appropriate service radius based on wireless network information, and a location-based service based on the threshold value to set a serviceable radius in which a location-based service is provided as intended.

Accordingly, a geofencing method and an electronic device capable of forming various serviceable radii for location-based services according to a service provider's needs are provided.

In addition, various effects may be provided that are directly or indirectly understood through the disclosure.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

In the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar components.

Embodiments will be described with reference to accompanying drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the technologies described in the disclosure to specific embodiments, and it should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of the embodiments. Descriptions of well-known functions and/or configurations will be omitted for the sake of clarity and conciseness.

The electronic device according to embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices, such as a portable communication device or smartphone, a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. However, the electronic devices are not limited to these device types.

It should be appreciated that embodiments and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. In the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements.

As used herein, such terms as "1st" and "2nd," or "first" and "second" may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and do not limit the components in importance or order. It is to be understood that if an element, such as a first element, is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with," "coupled to," "connected with," or "connected to" another element, such as a second element, this indicates that the first element may be coupled with the second element wiredly, wirelessly, or via a third element.

<FIG> illustrates an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> according to an embodiment. The electronic device <NUM> may communicate with the electronic device <NUM> via the server <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, a sound output device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module (SIM) <NUM>, or an antenna module <NUM>. For example, the sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, or an illuminance sensor) may be implemented as embedded in the display device <NUM>(e.g., a display).

The processor <NUM> may include a main processor <NUM> (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), and an auxiliary processor <NUM>(e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor <NUM>.

The receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

A connecting terminal <NUM> may include a connector via which the electronic device <NUM> may be physically connected with the external electronic device(e.g., the electronic device <NUM>). The connecting terminal <NUM> may include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

The camera module <NUM> may include one or more lenses, image sensors, ISPs, or flashes.

The communication module <NUM> may include one or more CPs that are operable independently from the processor <NUM> (e.g., the AP) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. The communication module <NUM> may include a wireless communication module <NUM> (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module <NUM> (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device via the first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)).

The antenna module <NUM> may include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., printed circuit board (PCB)). The antenna module <NUM> may include a plurality of antennas. Another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module <NUM>.

In various embodiments described below, operations of the electronic device <NUM> may be performed by the processor <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may control operations of the electronic device <NUM> based on instructions stored in the memory <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a positioning environment <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, such as a mobile device such as a smartphone, a laptop personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a personal data assistant (PDA), or a multimedia player, or a computing device such as a desktop PC, according to an embodiment.

The electronic device <NUM> may perform positioning using a signal received from a satellite <NUM>, or by using a GPS. However, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the electronic device <NUM> is located indoors, GPS-based positioning may not be performed or positioning performance may be severely compromised.

In <FIG>, PoI information associated with a wireless fingerprint may be used to measure a location of the electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may obtain wireless network information and/or PoI information for more accurate geofencing based on wireless network information. For example, the wireless network information may include at least one of location information obtained from a cellular network, WiFi scanning information, Bluetooth-based positioning information, and/or ultra-wideband (UWB)-based positioning information. The PoI information may include at least one of information for identifying a PoI and a threshold value for geofencing related to the PoI. For example, the PoI information may include a wireless fingerprint including wireless network information associated with the PoI, or the electronic device <NUM> may further obtain information related to electronic payment performed using the electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may obtain location information of the electronic device <NUM> from at least one base station of a cellular network. In examples, the location information of the electronic device <NUM> may include geographic information such as latitude and longitude. The electronic device <NUM> may receive information about the location of the electronic device <NUM> from one base station. The electronic device <NUM> may obtain information about the location of the electronic device <NUM> based on signals received from a plurality of base stations. The electronic device <NUM> may obtain or estimate information about the location of the electronic device <NUM> based on the locations of the plurality of base stations and/or the strength of a reference signal received power (RSRP), or a received signal strength indicator (RSSI). The electronic device <NUM> may obtain geographic information from a service provider of a cellular network.

The electronic device <NUM> may perform positioning based on short-range communication, such as Bluetooth or UWB. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may obtain the location information of the electronic device <NUM> by performing positioning using at least one algorithm of time difference of arrival (TDoA), time of flight (ToF), angle of departure (AoD), angle of arrival (AoA), and/or time stamping.

The electronic device <NUM> may use location information obtained from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). For example, the GNSS may include at least one of a GPS, a Galileo system, a Glonass system, or a Beidou system. Hereinafter, embodiments based on GPS will be described for convenience of description. GPS may refer to any of the above or other means for obtaining location information.

The electronic device <NUM> may obtain WiFi network information through communication with an external electronic device <NUM>, such as an access point or beacon of a WiFi network. The electronic device <NUM> may obtain WiFi network information based on a signal received from the external electronic device <NUM>, such as by performing WiFi scanning. IN examples, the electronic device <NUM> may perform WiFi scanning by receiving a broadcasting signal including information related to an access point from a WiFi access point. The electronic device <NUM> may perform WiFi scanning by transmitting a probe request through WiFi channels individually and receiving a response from a WiFi access point. The electronic device <NUM> may perform WiFi scanning on all channels, but may selectively perform WiFi scanning on some channels. It should be noted that the disclosure is not limited to this example, and the electronic device <NUM> may receive wireless network information from an access point for performing wireless communication of other methods.

The wireless network information may include identification information, such as service set identification (SSID) and/or basic service set identification (BSSID) of the external electronic device <NUM>, such as a media access control (MAC) address, an RSSI, and/or a channel index.

The electronic device <NUM> may provide a payment service to a point of sales (POS) terminal <NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit an electromagnetic signal including information for payment to the POS terminal <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may transmit a signal of a magnetic secure transmission (MST) or near field communication (NFC) scheme. The electronic device <NUM> may receive information necessary to perform payment from a payment server. The information associated with payment may include information related to the name of a payment store, a payment amount, and/or a payment method, such as one or more card numbers.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of the electronic device <NUM> in various positioning environments <NUM>, according to an embodiment.

The electronic device <NUM> may include at least one of the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, a communication circuit <NUM>, a short-range communication circuit <NUM>, a GPS sensor <NUM> and a display <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may be operatively connected to the memory <NUM>, the communication circuit <NUM>, the short-range communication circuit <NUM>, the GPS sensor <NUM>, and/or the display <NUM> and may control the electronic device <NUM> and the operations of components of the electronic device <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may be operatively connected to the processor <NUM> and may store instructions for controlling the processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may store instructions that cause the processor <NUM> to perform operations of the processor <NUM> or the electronic device <NUM>, which will be described later herein.

The communication circuit <NUM> may provide communication with a first external electronic device, such as a geofencing server <NUM>, a second external electronic device, such as an access point <NUM>, and a third external electronic device, such as a payment server <NUM>, through networks. The communication circuit <NUM> may communicate with the first external electronic device <NUM> and/or the third external electronic device <NUM> through any network having an Internet connection, such as a WiFi network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or a cellular network. The communication circuit <NUM> may communicate with the second external electronic device <NUM> based on a WiFi protocol.

The short-range communication circuit <NUM> may be configured to perform a transaction with the POS terminal <NUM>. The short-range communication circuit <NUM> may generate an electromagnetic signal for transmission of payment information to the POS terminal <NUM>. The short-range communication circuit <NUM> may be configured to transmit payment information to the POS terminal <NUM> using a signal based on at least one of MST or NFC. For example, the processor <NUM> may transmit payment information to the POS terminal <NUM> by using MST and NFC simultaneously to increase a recognition rate. The processor <NUM> may be configured to transmit a signal for NFC-based payment when MST-based payment fails.

The GPS sensor <NUM> may be configured to obtain a location of the electronic device <NUM> based on a satellite signal, such as based on GNSS.

At least one of the communication circuit <NUM>, the short-range communication circuit <NUM>, and the GPS sensor <NUM> may be implemented with one or a plurality of circuits, such as chips. In examples, the communication circuit <NUM> and the short-range communication circuit <NUM> may be referred to as at least one communication circuit. The communication circuit <NUM>, the short-range communication circuit <NUM>, and the GPS sensor <NUM> may be referred to as at least one communication circuit. The communication circuit <NUM> and the GPS sensor <NUM> may be referred to as at least one communication circuit.

The processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may be configured to receive information associated with payment from the third external electronic device <NUM>, generate payment information at least including a store name associated with payment, such as POS information, from the information related to the payment, obtain wireless network information for at least one wireless network using at least one communication circuit <NUM>, and transmit wireless network information for at least one wireless network and payment information to the first external electronic device <NUM>. For example, the information associated with payment may include payment approval information, such as a push message or a short message service (SMS) message. The payment approval information may include at least one of information associated with user identification, such as a user name and/or card number, information associated with the POS terminal <NUM>, such as a store name, card company information, a payment amount, a payment date, a payment time, or a payment item. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may be configured to transmit wireless network information on at least one wireless network to the first external electronic device <NUM> or a third-party electronic device according to a specified rule regardless of payment information.

For example, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may execute instructions to cause the processor <NUM> to collect wireless network information and transmit the wireless network information to the first external electronic device <NUM> or the third-party electronic device every specified repetition period. It should be noted that the configuration of generating payment information and transmitting wireless network information to the first external electronic device <NUM> is for describing an embodiment, and the electronic device <NUM> may collect wireless network information irrespective of payment information and transmit the wireless network information to the first external electronic device <NUM>. That is, the electronic device <NUM> may not include a module related to the electronic payment.

The processor <NUM> may be configured to obtain wireless network information for at least one wireless network when information associated with payment is received. The processor <NUM> may also be configured to obtain wireless network information for at least one wireless network when payment based on NFC or MST is performed. Herein, the wireless network information obtained in connection with payment information may be referred to as wireless network information at the time of payment.

The processor <NUM> may be configured to obtain wireless network information for at least one wireless network according to a rule specified for the operation of the communication circuit <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may obtain wireless network information at a predetermined period, such as <NUM> hours, or when the amount of change in a coordinate value measured through the GPS sensor <NUM> exceeds a predetermined value. Herein, the wireless network information obtained according to the specified rule may be referred to as surrounding wireless network information.

The processor <NUM> may transmit the obtained wireless network information to the first external electronic device <NUM> or the third-party electronic device through the communication circuit <NUM>. When the wireless network information is transmitted to the third-party electronic device, the first external electronic device <NUM> may copy the wireless network information collected by the third-party electronic device and use the copied wireless network information.

The processor <NUM> may be configured to generate the payment information by excluding information capable of identifying a user of the electronic device <NUM> or a payment method associated with the payment from the information related to the payment. For example, the information capable of identifying the user may include at least one of the user's name, information about a payment method associated with the user, such as a credit card owned by the user, or a phone number of the user's electronic device <NUM>. For example, the credit card may include at least one of a card number, a card company name, a card validation code (CVC), and a validity period.

The processor <NUM> may be configured to receive information related to the payment from the third-party electronic device <NUM> using at least one of a push notification, a push message, a short message service (SMS), and a multimedia message service (MMS).

The processor <NUM> may be configured to obtain the at least one wireless network information by performing wireless scanning using the communication circuit <NUM>. For example, the at least one wireless network information may include at least one of a network identifier, a received signal strength, channel information, and location information received from a network.

The processor <NUM> may be configured to receive PoI information from the first external electronic device <NUM> using at least one communication circuit <NUM>, and run at least one application based on the location associated with the PoI information by comparing the PoI information with the wireless network information. For example, the processor <NUM> may be configured to execute a specific application corresponding to a store associated with the PoI information. The specific application provides location-based content and may include a store membership application or an advertisement providing application.

The PoI information may include an identifier based on a store name and at least one wireless fingerprint associated with the identifier.

The at least one wireless fingerprint may include a network identifier, average received signal strength information, and/or dispersion information of a received signal strength.

A data transmission method of the electronic device <NUM> may include receiving information associated with payment from the third external electronic device <NUM>, generating payment information at least including a store name associated with the payment based on the information related to the payment, obtaining wireless network information for at least one wireless network associated with the electronic device, and transmitting the obtained wireless network information for at least one wireless network and the payment information to the first external electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may obtain the wireless network information for at least one wireless network in response to reception of the information related to the payment.

The data transmission method may further include performing the payment using NFC or MST, and the wireless network information for at least one wireless network may be obtained in response to the payment using the NFC or MST.

Generating the payment information may include excluding information capable of identifying a user of the electronic device <NUM> or a payment method associated with the payment from the information related to the payment.

The information related to the payment may be received from the third-party electronic device <NUM> using at least one of a push notification, a push message, an SMS, or an MMS.

The wireless network information on at least one wireless network may include at least one of a network identifier, a received signal strength, channel information, and location information received from a network.

The wireless network information on the at least one wireless network may be obtained by performing wireless scanning.

The data transmission method may further include receiving PoI information from the first external electronic device <NUM>, and executing at least one application based on the location associated with the PoI information by comparing the PoI information with the wireless network information.

The memory <NUM> may store instructions that cause the processor <NUM> to perform a transaction with a POS device <NUM> using the short-range communication circuit <NUM>, receive a message related to the transaction from an external server, such as the third external electronic device <NUM>, determine whether the transaction is an offline transaction or an online transaction, when the transaction is an offline transaction, extract POS information from the message, determine at least a location by using at least one of at least one wireless communication circuit <NUM> and the GPS sensor <NUM>, and transmit the POS information and the location to an external server, such as the first external electronic device <NUM>. For example, the message related to the transaction may include the information related to the payment described above, such as at least one of a push message or an SMS message.

The memory <NUM> may further include at least one instruction, which when executed, causes the processor <NUM> to determine the transaction as the offline transaction when the transaction is performed based on NFC or MST.

The memory <NUM> may further include at least one instruction that, when executed, causes the processor <NUM> to determine the location by performing scanning on at least one wireless network using the at least one wireless communication circuit <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may further include at least one instruction that, when executed, causes the processor <NUM> to transmit at least one of a network identifier associated with the scanned wireless network, a received signal strength, or channel information to the first external electronic device <NUM>.

The POS information may include store name information related to the transaction.

<FIG> is a block diagram <NUM> illustrating configurations of the electronic device <NUM> and the geofencing server <NUM> according to an embodiment.

The components of the electronic device <NUM> and the geofencing server <NUM> shown in <FIG> are examples and may be implemented with hardware and/or software modules. The electronic device <NUM> and/or the geofencing server <NUM> may further include components not shown in <FIG> or may not include at least some of the components shown in <FIG>. Operations by components of the electronic device <NUM> and the geofencing server <NUM> to be described below may be performed by the processor <NUM>.

The geofencing server <NUM> may include at least one of a PoI management module <NUM>, a threshold determination module <NUM>, a distance (dPOI) calculation module <NUM>, a location estimation module <NUM>, a PoI database <NUM> and a wireless network positioning system (WPS) database <NUM>.

The geofencing server <NUM> may include the PoI database <NUM> including a wireless fingerprint generated based on wireless network information and location information obtained in such a manner that various electronic devices perform Wi-Fi scanning at the time of payment. For example, the geofencing server <NUM> may obtain information, such as a store name, on a place, such as a store, related to payment from payment information and generate a wireless fingerprint for a PoI using wireless scanning information.

The geofencing server <NUM> may collect wireless network information from various electronic devices. The wireless network information received by the geofencing server <NUM> may include at least one of wireless network information at the time of payment <NUM> and surrounding wireless network information <NUM>.

The distance calculation module <NUM> may calculate a distance value based on the collected wireless network information and the wireless fingerprint stored in the PoI database <NUM>. The distance calculation module <NUM> may operate to calculate a distance value having a smaller value as a wireless network having a larger report count value included in the wireless fingerprint is included in the wireless network information. The report count value is obtained by counting the number of times information on the network is included in the wireless network information upon which generation of the wireless fingerprint is based. The distance calculation module <NUM> may calculate a distance value having a smaller value as an RSSI of the wireless network included in the wireless fingerprint is similar to the received signal strength value of the wireless network included in the wireless network information. For example, the distance calculation module <NUM> may calculate a distance value between <NUM> and <NUM> for each wireless network information based on Equation (<NUM>) below.

In Equation (<NUM>), "r" indicates a report count value of the wireless network included in the fingerprint information, "t" indicates a received signal strength value for a wireless network included in the wireless network information, and "s" indicates a received signal strength value for a wireless network included in the wireless fingerprint.

The location estimation module <NUM> may estimate from which location the collected wireless network information is collected. The location estimation module <NUM> may estimate a location where wireless network information is collected using location information included in the wireless network positioning system database <NUM>. The wireless network positioning system database <NUM> may include the latitude and longitude information of access points of a wireless network for a wireless network positioning system, such as a WiFi positioning system (WPS). For example, when a WiFi list included in the wireless network information includes "A", "B", and "C", the coordinates of "A" are (<NUM>, <NUM>), the coordinates of "B" are (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the coordinates of "C" are (<NUM>, <NUM>), which are stored in the WPS database <NUM>, the location estimation module <NUM> may determine that the latitude and longitude of the location where the wireless network information is collected are the average values (<NUM>, <NUM>).

The geofencing server <NUM> may select only a part of the surrounding wireless network information <NUM> as a target for distance value calculation and location estimation, to prevent unnecessary computation. The geofencing server <NUM> may select, as a target for distance value calculation and location estimation, only the surrounding wireless network information <NUM> including at least some of wireless networks having a high report count value among wireless networks included in the wireless fingerprint of the PoI database <NUM>. The information on wireless networks having a high report count value among wireless networks may be referred to as main wireless network information.

The threshold determination module <NUM> may determine a threshold value (dTH) based on the calculated distance value and the estimated location for the wireless network information. The threshold determination module <NUM> may determine whether a point where wireless network information is collected is a serviceable point for providing a location-based service, based on a candidate threshold value. Accordingly, the threshold determination module <NUM> may select at least one serviceable point from a plurality of points where wireless network information is collected. For example, when a candidate threshold value is <NUM> and a distance value calculated for wireless network information collected at an point is <NUM>, the threshold determination module <NUM> may determine that the point is a serviceable point.

The threshold determination module <NUM> may obtain location information of points selected as a serviceable point based on the location estimated by the location estimation module <NUM>. The threshold determination module <NUM> may determine a serviceable radius based on the distribution of the serviceable points, such as the average and variance values of location coordinates representing the locations of the serviceable points. The serviceable radius may indicate a distance at which service provision is started as a PoI is approached.

The threshold determination module <NUM> may determine whether the determined serviceable radius satisfies a specified service provision range, which is an area centering on a PoI in which a service provider who wishes to provide a service wants to provide a service. When a serviceable radius does not satisfy a specified service provision range, the threshold determination module <NUM> may adjust a candidate threshold value. For example, the threshold determination module <NUM> may increase the candidate threshold value when the serviceable radius is smaller than the specified service provision range. The threshold determination module <NUM> may re-determine the serviceable radius based on the adjusted candidate threshold value. When the serviceable radius satisfies the specified service provision range, the threshold determination module <NUM> may determine a final candidate threshold value which has been adjusted as a threshold value.

The PoI management module <NUM> may store PoI information in which the determined threshold value is combined with the wireless fingerprint, in the PoI database <NUM>. The PoI information may include a wireless fingerprint and a threshold value for a PoI, and other information such as a store name related to the PoI. Examples of the wireless fingerprint and the PoI information are provided below in <FIG>.

The PoI management module <NUM> may transmit the PoI information included in the PoI database <NUM> to the electronic device <NUM> in response to a request for the PoI information received from a geofencing module <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>.

The PoI information transmitted to the electronic device <NUM> may include a threshold value determined for the PoI. The PoI management module <NUM> may quantize a threshold value and store the quantized threshold value in the PoI database <NUM>. For example, the quantized threshold value may include either a representative value or an index value. Alternatively, the threshold value may include either the threshold value itself or range information on a range of a distance value of a terminal in which service provision is performed according to the threshold value. For example, when the threshold value is <NUM>, the range information may represent a range of greater than or equal to <NUM> and less than <NUM>. The representative value may represent a predetermined value determined according to a range to which the determined threshold value belongs. For example, when the threshold value is greater than or equal to <NUM> and less than <NUM>, the representative value may be <NUM>, when the threshold value is greater than or equal to <NUM> and less than <NUM>, the representative value may be <NUM>, and when the threshold value is greater than or equal to <NUM> and less than <NUM>, the representative value may be <NUM>.

The index value may indicate a predetermined index value for a range to which the threshold value belongs. For example, when the threshold value is greater than or equal to <NUM> and less than <NUM>, the index value may be <NUM>, when the threshold value is greater than or equal to <NUM> and less than <NUM>, the index value may be <NUM>, and when the threshold value is greater than or equal to <NUM> and less than <NUM>, the index value may be <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may include at least one of a display device <NUM>, a messaging module <NUM>, the geofencing module <NUM>, a scanning module <NUM>, and a low accuracy positioning module <NUM>.

The low accuracy positioning module <NUM> may measure a position of the electronic device <NUM> according to a process that has low accuracy, such as the error range of <NUM> meters (m) or <NUM> kilometer (km) and/or consumes low power(e.g. less power than average). The geofencing module <NUM> may transmit a scanning request for requesting the scanning module <NUM> to scan wireless networks when a location measured by the low accuracy positioning module <NUM> is within a specified distance, such as <NUM> from a location included in the PoI information. In response to the scanning request, the scanning module <NUM> may return wireless network scan information on the scanned wireless network to the geofencing module <NUM>.

The geofencing module <NUM> may calculate a distance value (dPoI) representing a distance from a PoI based on the wireless network scan information on the scanned wireless network and the PoI information received from the geofencing server <NUM>. For example, the geofencing module <NUM> may calculate a distance value by inputting the wireless network scan information and values included in the wireless fingerprint included in the PoI information into Equation (<NUM>).

The geofencing module <NUM> may compare the calculated distance value with a threshold value included in the PoI information, and may cause a location-based service to be performed when the calculated distance value satisfies a condition determined by the threshold value. For example, when the threshold value is <NUM> and the calculated distance value is <NUM>, the geofencing module <NUM> may determine that the electronic device <NUM> has entered the serviceable radius and request a module that performs location-based service to perform a location-based service. A concept for a method for determining whether the electronic device <NUM> has entered a serviceable radius according to embodiments will be been described in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the messaging module <NUM> is an example of a module that performs a location-based service. In response to a request to perform a location-based service, the messaging module <NUM> may request a message, such as a push message, an instant message, an SMS message or an MMS message, from the messaging server <NUM>. The messaging module <NUM> may output a message received from the messaging server <NUM> through the display device <NUM>. It should be noted that the display device <NUM> is an example of an output device for outputting a message, and another type of device may be further used or the device for outputting the message may be replaced with another type of device.

<FIG> illustrates structures <NUM> and <NUM> of a geofencing module according to an embodiment.

The electronic device may include the communication circuit <NUM> that performs functions related to wireless and/or wired communication. For example, the communication circuit <NUM> may include at least one CP. The CP may perform functions related to cellular communication, and the WiFi communication presented as an example of short-range communication may be performed by a separate WiFi module. The electronic device <NUM> may include the processor <NUM> or an AP that performs various functions such as an operating system and applications.

According to the first structure <NUM> of the geofencing module of <FIG>, an AP may control a WiFi module <NUM> and a CP may control a cellular module <NUM>. For example, the AP may have higher power consumption than the CP.

The electronic device may perform coarse-grained geofencing by performing low accuracy positioning using a geofencing CP module <NUM> configured in the CP, and only when precise geofencing is required, perform geofencing by using a geofencing AP module <NUM> configured in the AP. In examples, the geofencing CP module <NUM> may perform geofencing, such as determining proximity to a position of interest, based on cellular network information from the cellular module <NUM>. In another examples, the geofencing AP module <NUM> may perform geofencing based on WiFi network information(and/or cellular network information received from the cellular module <NUM>) received from the Wi-Fi module <NUM>. For example, The electronic device may reduce power consumption by performing geofencing based on the AP and/or the CP according to required precision.

According to the second structure <NUM> of the geofencing module of <FIG>, the CP of the electronic device may obtain information of the Wi-Fi module <NUM> through a sensor hub <NUM>. By providing information on the Wi-Fi module <NUM> to the CP, the CP may perform geofencing based on WiFi network information and/or cellular network information. For example, the geofencing CP module <NUM> may call the geofencing AP module <NUM> only when an event occurs, such as when the electronic device is located adjacent to a specified PoI. In this case, most of operations of the geofencing module <NUM> of <FIG> other than the execution of the application may be performed by the geofencing CP module <NUM>, thus reducing power consumption.

<FIG> illustrates examples of a wireless fingerprint <NUM> and PoI information <NUM> according to an embodiment.

In <FIG>, the wireless fingerprint <NUM> may include location coordinates and wireless network information collected at the location coordinates. The wireless network information included in the wireless fingerprint <NUM> may include at least one of a MAC address of an access point which identifies a wireless network, an average value of received signal strengths for wireless networks, and a report count value for each wireless network. It should be noted that the wireless fingerprint <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is an example and may not include some of pieces of information illustrated in <FIG> or may further include additional information.

The geofencing server <NUM> may store statistical information based on wireless fingerprints collected from various external electronic devices. For example, the statistical information may include at least one of the number of times the wireless network has been scanned and an average value of received signal strengths of the scanned wireless networks. The PoI information <NUM> may include a store name (e.g., "Bob's coffee shop", a wireless fingerprint, and a threshold value dTH which are associated with a PoI. It should be noted that the PoI information <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is an example and may not include some of pieces of information illustrated in <FIG> or may further include additional information.

<FIG> illustrates a location-based service method according to an embodiment.

In <FIG>, the geofencing server <NUM> may include the PoI database <NUM> storing PoI information <NUM> including a store name and location information of a store <NUM> that is a PoI, a threshold value and a wireless fingerprint <NUM>.

In <FIG>, an electronic device may receive the PoI information <NUM> including the wireless fingerprint <NUM> and a threshold value <NUM> from the geofencing server <NUM>. The mobile terminal <NUM> may obtain wireless network scan information <NUM> by scanning wireless networks around the mobile terminal.

An electronic device <NUM> may calculate a distance value based on a result of comparison of the wireless fingerprint <NUM> received from the geofencing server <NUM> and the wireless network scan information <NUM>. The mobile terminal <NUM> may perform a location-based service when the calculated distance value is less than or equal to a threshold value.

<FIG> illustrates graphs <NUM> and <NUM> by visualizing, with a boxplot, distance values of wireless network information at the time of payment and surrounding wireless network information, collected by the geofencing server <NUM> for a specified PoI to describe a method of selecting a threshold value according to an embodiment. The vertical axes of the graphs <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> represent distance values. In particular, the first graph <NUM> illustrates when a candidate threshold value dTH1 is <NUM>, and the second graph <NUM> illustrates when the candidate threshold value dTH1 is <NUM>.

The wireless network information at the time of payment collected during offline payment at the PoI may be considered as being collected at the PoI. Accordingly, the wireless network information at the time of payment may be determined as data collected when a mobile terminal is located at the PoI, such as when a person holding the mobile terminal is located in a store.

The electronic device <NUM> may consider each wireless network information as information about wireless networks collected at a location estimated by the location estimation module <NUM>. Accordingly, the electronic device may calculate a distance value based on the similarity between a wireless fingerprint and wireless network information at the PoI. Graphs <NUM> and <NUM> illustrate an arrangement in ascending order of the calculated distance values. When the distance values are sorted in ascending order, the lower lines of the boxes <NUM> and <NUM> included in the graphs <NUM> and <NUM> may represent a point at which the distance value is at the lower <NUM>th percentile (<NUM>%), and the upper lines may represent a point at which the distance value is at the upper <NUM>th percentile (<NUM>%). The horizontal lines <NUM> and <NUM> inside the boxes <NUM> and <NUM> may represent intermediate values of the distance values, respectively.

Referring to <FIG>, the intermediate values of the distance values corresponding to wireless network information at the time of payment may be about <NUM>, the lower <NUM>% value may be about <NUM>, and the lower <NUM>% value may be about <NUM>. That is, it can be seen that the pieces of network information collected at the time of payment at the PoI indicate that distance values belonging to <NUM>% between the lower <NUM>% and the lower <NUM>% values are distributed between <NUM> and <NUM>.

When comparing the first graph <NUM> and the second graph <NUM>, it can be seen that a region <NUM> to which values corresponding to a service provision point belong when the threshold value is <NUM> is widened compared to the region <NUM> to which values corresponding to the service provision point belong when the threshold value is <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a relationship between a threshold value and a serviceable radius according to an embodiment. In particular, <FIG> shows a result <NUM> of determining random points based on a low threshold value and a result <NUM> of determining random points based on a relatively high threshold value.

In <FIG>, a location of a PoI may be location information of a PoI included in a wireless fingerprint.

An "In" determination information-estimated location may be estimated by the geofencing server <NUM> based on wireless network information indicating that an electronic device is determined to be located at the PoI, such as a distance value for a wireless fingerprint determined based on the wireless network information being less than or equal to the threshold value dTH2, such as <NUM> in <FIG>.

A "Near" determination information-estimated location may be estimated by the geofencing server <NUM> based on wireless network information indicating that an electronic device is determined to be located around the PoI, such as a serviceable point indicating that a distance value for a wireless fingerprint determined based on the wireless network information is greater than the threshold value dTH, such as <NUM> in <FIG> or less than or equal to the threshold value dTH2, such as <NUM> in <FIG>.

A "Far" determination information-estimated location may be location information estimated by the geofencing server <NUM> for wireless network information not determined to be "In" or "Near".

When the threshold value dTH1 is adjusted to a higher value, the location <NUM> for the wireless network information that has been determined to be "Far" may be changed to the location <NUM> for the wireless network information that has been determined to be "Near". Therefore, the location for the wireless network information that has been determined to be "Near" is distributed over a wider range, thus leading to an increase in the serviceable radius.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> of a process by which a geofencing server provides a threshold value to an electronic device according to an embodiment.

In step <NUM>, the geofencing server <NUM> may obtain wireless network information for a plurality of points from one or more mobile terminals. In step <NUM>, the geofencing server may determine a serviceable radius based on the received wireless network information and a candidate threshold value.

The geofencing server may determine whether the determined serviceable radius satisfies a service provision range. When the serviceable radius does not satisfy the service provision range, in step <NUM>, the geofencing server may adjust the candidate threshold value according to the serviceable radius. The geofencing server may return to step <NUM> based on the adjusted candidate threshold value. The geofencing server may repeatedly perform steps <NUM> and <NUM> to identify the serviceable radius while increasing or decreasing the candidate threshold value until the candidate threshold value forming the serviceable radius that satisfies the service provision range is determined.

The service provision range may be a value set in connection with the provision of a location-based service. For example, the geofencing server may receive a service provision range through a portal web page provided through a geofencing server or a separate portal server. An example of the portal web page is shown in <FIG>.

When a candidate threshold value forming a serviceable radius satisfying a service provision range is determined, the geofencing server may determine the candidate threshold value as a threshold value for the PoI. The geofencing server may store the determined threshold value, and in step <NUM>, may transmit the stored threshold value to the electronic device at a request of the electronic device.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> of a process by which the geofencing server <NUM> determines a threshold value according to an embodiment.

In step <NUM>, the geofencing server may collect wireless network information at the time of payment and surrounding wireless network information.

In step <NUM>, the geofencing server may estimate a location of at least one terminal that provides information about each of the collected wireless network information at the time of payment and surrounding wireless network information. The geofencing server may use information stored in a WPS database to estimate the location of the at least one terminal.

In step <NUM>, while estimating the location in step <NUM>, the geofencing server may calculate at least one distance value representing a distance from a PoI to a location of the at least one terminal that provides the information. The geofencing server may use a wireless fingerprint and wireless network information for a PoI to calculate the at least one distance value.

In step <NUM>, the geofencing server may determine a threshold value based on at least one location estimated in step <NUM> and at least one distance value calculated in step <NUM>. The determined threshold value may be such that a serviceable radius determined by being applied to at least one position estimated in step <NUM> and at least one distance value calculated in step <NUM> satisfies a service provision range.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a portal web page <NUM> for receiving a service provision range according to an embodiment.

In <FIG>, the portal web page <NUM> for receiving information on a desired service from a service provider who wants to register a location-based service may be provided to the service provider's device by a separate portal server or a geofencing server. The portal web page <NUM> may be displayed on a display device of the service provider's device.

The geofencing server may obtain information on a service provision range corresponding to an input <NUM> for selecting an item for selecting a service provision range, which is included in the portal web page <NUM>. For example, when the service provider's device receives an input for selecting an item for selecting a service provision range through an input device of the device, the service provider's device may transmit information on the service provision range to the geofencing server. The geofencing server may determine a threshold value based on the information on the service provision range. For example, when the serviceable radius formed based on a threshold value set as a default value is smaller than a radius of the service provision range, the geofencing server may increase the threshold value. The geofencing server may transmit PoI information including the determined threshold value to an electronic device.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> of a process by which an electronic device performs a location-based service of outputting a message according to an embodiment.

In step <NUM>, the electronic device may obtain PoI information from a geofencing server. The PoI information may include a second threshold value for determining whether the electronic device is located within a service radius from the PoI.

In step <NUM>, the electronic device may measure a location of the electronic device. In step <NUM>, the electronic device may measure a location of the electronic device based on an operation capable of being performed with low power. The operation capable of being performed with low power means that the electronic device performs the operation thereof by consuming less power than average. For example, the electronic device may measure a location of the electronic device using a cellular module in step <NUM>. In step <NUM>, the electronic device may compare a distance from a location of the electronic device measured with low power to a PoI with a first threshold value set in the electronic device in advance. Alternatively, the first threshold value may be included in the PoI information received in step <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, when the distance from the location of the electronic device measured with low power to the PoI is less than the first threshold value, the electronic device may proceed to step <NUM> and generate wireless network scan information by scanning wireless networks around the electronic device. When the distance from the location of the electronic device measured with low power to the PoI determined in step <NUM> is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the electronic device may repeat step <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the electronic device may determine a distance value based on the wireless network scan information and a wireless fingerprint for the PoI. As a wireless network having a larger report count value for the wireless network of the wireless fingerprint is included in the wireless network information, the electronic device may determine a smaller distance value. As a RSSI(received signal strength value) of the wireless network included in the wireless fingerprint becomes similar to a RSSI value of the wireless network included in the wireless network information, the electronic device may determine a smaller distance value. A smaller distance value may mean that the electronic device is located closer to the PoI.

In step <NUM>, the electronic device may compare the determined distance value received in step <NUM> with a second threshold value. When the determined distance value is less than the second threshold value, the electronic device may output a message related to the PoI in step <NUM>. When the determined distance value is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, step <NUM> is repeated.

A module may be a single integral component, or a minimum unit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions, and may be implemented in a form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium that is readable by a machine. For example, a processor of the machine may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with or without using one or more other components under the control of the processor. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction. Wherein, the term "non-transitory" indicates that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal, but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently or temporarily stored in the storage medium.

According to an embodiment, a method may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium, such as compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be downloaded or uploaded online via an application store, such as PlayStore, or between two user devices directly.

Claim 1:
A geofencing server (<NUM>) comprising:
a memory configured to store a database (<NUM>) including wireless fingerprint information for a point-of-interest (<NUM>), wherein wireless fingerprint information for a location point is based on location coordinates of that point and wireless network information collected at that point, wherein wireless network information collected at a location point includes, for at least one access point which identified a respective wireless network sensed at that location point, a MAC address of the respective access point, an average value of received signal strengths for the respective wireless network and a report count value for the respective wireless network;
a communication module configured to perform communication with an electronic device (<NUM>); and
a processor connected to the memory and the communication module,
wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
obtain (<NUM>) wireless network information collected by electronic devices at a plurality of arbitrary points through the communication module,
estimate a location of the plurality of arbitrary points;
calculate, for each arbitrary point, a distance value as a function of the wireless fingerprint information and the obtained wireless network information for said arbitrary point;
determine a threshold value such that a serviceable radius, which is determined based on a distribution of the location of a subset of the arbitrary points having a distance value below said threshold value, satisfies a specified service provision range configured in connection with the provision of a location-based service at the point-of-interest, and
transmit (<NUM>), to the electronic device (<NUM>) through the communication module, said threshold value to enable the electronic device (<NUM>) to execute a geofencing application using the threshold value.