Self-Optimizing Geofence for Opportunistic Wireless Networks

A method is provided for optimizing a geofence boundary in order to reduce the amount of time between a mobile device entering the geofence and the mobile device connecting to the network. Optimizing a geofence boundary can also reduce battery power used by the mobile device in scanning for network coverage. Once a mobile device is within an area that is covered by a cellular network and has connected to the network, an algorithm is employed that adjusts an edge of a geofence that encompasses some or all of the cellular coverage area. The algorithm moves the edge of the geofence based on the location of the last unsuccessful scan by the mobile device. The algorithm iteratively adjusts the edges of multiple zones of a geofence as the mobile device user moves within the geofence, resulting in a geofence that more closely matches the boundary of actual cellular coverage