doomboy00/cordova-background-geolocation-lt

Sophisticated, battery-conscious, cross-platform background-geolocation with motion-detection

Premium Version (iOS)

This repo hosts the iOS platform available in the Premium Version. Android functionality is available only in the Premium Version.

Background Geolocation

Cross-platform background geolocation module for Cordova with battery-saving "circular stationary-region monitoring" and "stop detection".

Follows the Cordova Plugin spec, so that it works with Plugman.

This plugin leverages Cordova/PhoneGap's require/define functionality used for plugins.

Installing the plugin

cordova plugin add https://github.com/transistorsoft/cordova-background-geolocation-lt.git

Using the plugin

The plugin creates the object window.BackgroundGeolocation

Advanced Sample Application

A fully-featured SampleApp is available in its own public repo. After first cloning that repo, follow the installation instructions in the README there. This SampleApp includes a settings-screen allowing you to quickly experiment with all the different settings available for each platform.

If you're using XCode, boot the SampleApp in the iOS Simulator and enable Debug->Location->Freeway Drive.

Simple Testing Server

A simple Node-based web-application with SQLite database is available for field-testing and performance analysis. If you're familiar with Node, you can have this server up-and-running in about one minute.

Common Options

Option	Type	Opt/Required	Default	Note
desiredAccuracy	Integer	Required	0	Specify the desired-accuracy of the geolocation system with 1 of 4 values, 0, 10, 100, 1000 where 0 means HIGHEST POWER, HIGHEST ACCURACY and 1000 means LOWEST POWER, LOWEST ACCURACY
distanceFilter	Integer	Required	30	The minimum distance (measured in meters) a device must move horizontally before an update event is generated. @see Apple docs. However, #distanceFilter is elastically auto-calculated by the plugin: When speed increases, #distanceFilter increases; when speed decreases, so does distanceFilter (disabled with disableElasticity: true)
stopOnTerminate	Boolean	Optional	true	Enable this in order to force a stop() when the application terminated (e.g. on iOS, double-tap home button, swipe away the app). On Android, stopOnTerminate: false will cause the plugin to operate as a headless background-service (in this case, you should configure an #url in order for the background-service to send the location to your server)
stopAfterElapsedMinutes	Integer	Optional	0	The plugin can optionally auto-stop monitoring location when some number of minutes elapse after being the #start method was called.
debug	Boolean	Optional	false	When enabled, the plugin will emit sounds for life-cycle events of background-geolocation! NOTE iOS: In addition, you must manually enable the Audio and Airplay background mode in Background Capabilities to hear these debugging sounds.
url	String	Optional	-	Your server url where you wish to HTTP POST recorded locations to
params	Object	Optional	{}	Optional HTTP params sent along in HTTP request to above #url
headers	Object	Optional	{}	Optional HTTP headers sent along in HTTP request to above #url
autoSync	Boolean	Optional	true	If you've enabeld HTTP feature by configuring an #url, the plugin will attempt to HTTP POST each location to your server as it is recorded. If you set autoSync: false, it's up to you to manually execute the #sync method to initate the HTTP POST (NOTE The plugin will continue to persist every recorded location in the SQLite database until you execute #sync).
batchSync	Boolean	Optional	false	Default is false. If you've enabled HTTP feature by configuring an #url, batchSync: true will POST all the locations currently stored in native SQLite datbase to your server in a single HTTP POST request. With batchSync: false, an HTTP POST request will be initiated for each location in database.
maxDaysToPersist	Integer	Optional	1	Maximum number of days to store a geolocation in plugin's SQLite database when your server fails to respond with HTTP 200 OK. The plugin will continue attempting to sync with your server until maxDaysToPersist when it will give up and remove the location from the database.

iOS Options

Option	Type	Opt/Required	Default	Note
stationaryRadius	Integer	Required	20	When stopped, the minimum distance the device must move beyond the stationary location for aggressive background-tracking to engage. Note, since the plugin uses iOS significant-changes API, the plugin cannot detect the exact moment the device moves out of the stationary-radius. In normal conditions, it can take as much as 3 city-blocks to 1/2 km before staionary-region exit is detected.
disableElasticity	bool	Optional	false	Set true to disable automatic speed-based #distanceFilter elasticity. eg: When device is moving at highway speeds, locations are returned at ~ 1 / km.
activityType	String	Required	Other	Presumably, this affects ios GPS algorithm. See Apple docs for more information

Events

Event Name	Returns	Notes
onMotionChange	{location}, taskId`	Fired when the device changes stationary / moving state.
onGeofence	{geofence}, taskId	Fired when a geofence crossing event occurs

Methods

Method Name	Arguments	Notes
configure	{config}	Configures the plugin's parameters (@see following Config section for accepted config params. The locationCallback will be executed each time a new Geolocation is recorded and provided with the following parameters
setConfig	{config}	Re-configure the plugin with new values
start	callbackFn	Enable location tracking. Supplied callbackFn will be executed when tracking is successfully engaged
stop	callbackFn	Disable location tracking. Supplied callbackFn will be executed when tracking is successfully engaged
getCurrentPosition	callbackFn	Retrieves the current position. This method instructs the native code to fetch exactly one location using maximum power & accuracy.
changePace	isMoving	Initiate or cancel immediate background tracking. When set to true, the plugin will begin aggressively tracking the devices Geolocation, bypassing stationary monitoring. If you were making a "Jogging" application, this would be your [Start Workout] button to immediately begin GPS tracking. Send false to disable aggressive GPS monitoring and return to stationary-monitoring mode.
getLocations	callbackFn	Fetch all the locations currently stored in native plugin's SQLite database. Your callbackFn`` will receive an Array of locations in the 1st parameter
sync	-	If the plugin is configured for HTTP with an #url and #autoSync: false, this method will initiate POSTing the locations currently stored in the native SQLite database to your configured #url
getOdometer	callbackFn	The plugin constantly tracks distance travelled. The supplied callback will be executed and provided with a distance as the 1st parameter.
resetOdometer	callbackFn	Reset the odometer to 0. The plugin never automatically resets the odometer -- this is up to you
playSound	soundId	Here's a fun one. The plugin can play a number of OS system sounds for each platform. For IOS and Android. I offer this API as-is, it's up to you to figure out how this works.
addGeofence	{config}	Adds a geofence to be monitored by the native plugin. Monitoring of a geofence is halted after a crossing occurs.
removeGeofence	identifier	Removes a geofence identified by the provided identifier
getGeofences	callbackFn	Fetch the list of monitored geofences. Your callbackFn will be provided with an Array of geofences. If there are no geofences being monitored, you'll receive an empty Array [].

Help

See the Wiki

Example

////
// As with all Cordova plugins, you must configure within an #deviceready callback.
//
function onDeviceReady() {
    // Get a reference to the plugin.
    var bgGeo = window.BackgroundGeolocation;
    
    /**
    * This callback will be executed every time a geolocation is recorded in the background.
    */
    var callbackFn = function(location, taskId) {
        var coords = location.coords;
        var lat    = coords.latitude;
        var lng    = coords.longitude;
        
        console.log('[js] BackgroundGeoLocation callback:  ' + JSON.stringify(location));

        /**
        * This would be your own callback for Ajax-requests after POSTing background geolocation to your server.
        * eg:  
        *     $.post({url: url, success: yourAjaxCallback});
        */
        var yourAjaxCallback = function(response) {
            ////
            // IMPORTANT:  You must execute the #finish, providing the taskId provided to callbackFn above in order to inform the native plugin that you're finished,
            //  and the background-task may be completed.  You must do this regardless if your HTTP request is successful or not.
            // IF YOU DON'T, ios will CRASH YOUR APP for spending too much time in the background.
            //
            //
            bgGeo.finish(taskId);
        };

        yourAjaxCallback.call(this);
    };

    var failureFn = function(error) {
        console.log('BackgroundGeoLocation error');
    }

    // BackgroundGeoLocation is highly configurable.
    bgGeo.configure(callbackFn, failureFn, {
        // Geolocation config
        desiredAccuracy: 0,
        stationaryRadius: 50,
        distanceFilter: 50,
        disableElasticity: false, // <-- [iOS] Default is 'false'.  Set true to disable speed-based distanceFilter elasticity
        locationUpdateInterval: 5000,
        minimumActivityRecognitionConfidence: 80,   // 0-100%.  Minimum activity-confidence for a state-change 
        fastestLocationUpdateInterval: 5000,
        activityRecognitionInterval: 10000,
        stopTimeout: 0,
        activityType: 'AutomotiveNavigation',

        // Application config
        debug: true, // <-- enable this hear sounds for background-geolocation life-cycle.
        forceReloadOnLocationChange: false,  // <-- [Android] If the user closes the app **while location-tracking is started** , reboot app when a new location is recorded (WARNING: possibly distruptive to user) 
        forceReloadOnMotionChange: false,    // <-- [Android] If the user closes the app **while location-tracking is started** , reboot app when device changes stationary-state (stationary->moving or vice-versa) --WARNING: possibly distruptive to user) 
        forceReloadOnGeofence: false,        // <-- [Android] If the user closes the app **while location-tracking is started** , reboot app when a geofence crossing occurs --WARNING: possibly distruptive to user) 
        stopOnTerminate: false,              // <-- [Android] Allow the background-service to run headless when user closes the app.
        startOnBoot: true,                   // <-- [Android] Auto start background-service in headless mode when device is powered-up.
        
        // HTTP / SQLite config
        url: 'http://posttestserver.com/post.php?dir=cordova-background-geolocation',
        method: 'POST',
        batchSync: true,       // <-- [Default: false] Set true to sync locations to server in a single HTTP request.
        autoSync: true,         // <-- [Default: true] Set true to sync each location to server as it arrives.
        maxDaysToPersist: 1,    // <-- Maximum days to persist a location in plugin's SQLite database when HTTP fails
        headers: {
            "X-FOO": "bar"
        },
        params: {
            "auth_token": "maybe_your_server_authenticates_via_token_YES?"
        }
    });

    // Turn ON the background-geolocation system.  The user will be tracked whenever they suspend the app.
    bgGeo.start();

    // If you wish to turn OFF background-tracking, call the #stop method.
    // bgGeo.stop()
}

Help! It doesn't work!

Yes it does. See the Wiki

• on iOS, background tracking won't be engaged until you travel about 2-3 city blocks, so go for a walk or car-ride (or use the Simulator with Debug->Location->City Drive)
• Android is much quicker detecting movements; typically several meters of walking will do it.
• When in doubt, nuke everything: First delete the app from your device (or simulator)

$ cordova plugin remove com.transistorsoft.cordova.background-geolocation
$ cordova plugin add [email protected]:transistorsoft/cordova-background-geolocation.git

$ cordova platform remove ios
$ cordova platform add ios
$ cordova build ios

Behaviour

The plugin has features allowing you to control the behaviour of background-tracking, striking a balance between accuracy and battery-usage. In stationary-mode, the plugin attempts to descrease its power usage and accuracy by setting up a circular stationary-region of configurable #stationaryRadius.

iOS has a nice system Significant Changes API, which allows the os to suspend your app until a cell-tower change is detected (typically 2-3 city-block change)

Android automatically detects when the device is moving so has no need for a stationary-geofence.

The plugin will execute your configured callback provided to the #configure(callback, config) method. Both iOS & Android use a SQLite database to persist every recorded geolocation so you don't have to worry about persistence when no network is detected. The plugin provides a Javascript API to fetch and destroy the records in the database. In addition, the plugin has an optional HTTP layer allowing allowing you to automatically HTTP POST recorded geolocations to your server.

The function changePace(isMoving, success, failure) is provided to force the plugin to enter "moving" or "stationary" state.

iOS

The plugin uses iOS Significant Changes API, and starts triggering your configured callback only when a cell-tower switch is detected (i.e. the device exits stationary radius).

When the plugin detects the device has moved beyond its configured #stationaryRadius, it engages the native platform's geolocation system for aggressive monitoring according to the configured #desiredAccuracy, #distanceFilter. The plugin attempts to intelligently scale #distanceFilter based upon the current reported speed. Each time #distanceFilter is determined to have changed by 5m/s, it recalculates it by squaring the speed rounded-to-nearest-five and adding #distanceFilter (I arbitrarily came up with that formula. Better ideas?).

(round(speed, 5))^2 + distanceFilter

Android

Using the ActivityRecognition API, when the plugin sees a DetectedActivity of STILL, location-updates will be halted -- when it sees IN_VEHICLE, ON_BICYCLE, ON_FOOT, RUNNING, WALKING, location-updates will be initiated.

Methods

####configure(locationCallback, failureCallback, config)

Configures the plugin's parameters (@see following Config section for accepted config params. The locationCallback will be executed each time a new Geolocation is recorded and provided with the following parameters:

######@param {Object} location The Location data ######@param {Integer} taskId The taskId used to send to bgGeo.finish(taskId) in order to signal completion of your callbackFn

bgGeo.configure(function(location, taskId) {
    try {
        var coords      = location.coords,
            timestamp   = location.timestamp
            latitude    = coords.latitude,
            longitude   = coords.longitude,
            speed       = coords.speed;

        console.log("A location has arrived:", timestamp, latitude, longitude, speed);
    } catch(e) {
        console.error("An error occurred in my application code", e);
    }
    // The plugin runs your callback in a background-thread:  
    // you MUST signal to the native plugin when your callback is finished so it can halt the thread.
    // IF YOU DON'T, iOS WILL KILL YOUR APP
    bgGeo.finish(taskId);
}, failureFn, {
    distanceFilter: 50,
    desiredAccuracy: 0,
    stationaryRadius: 25
});

####setConfig(successFn, failureFn, config) Reconfigure plugin's configuration (@see followign ##Config## section for accepted config params. NOTE The plugin will continue to send recorded Geolocation to the locationCallback you provided to configure method -- use this method only to change configuration params (eg: distanceFilter, stationaryRadius, etc).

bgGeo.setConfig(function(){}, function(){}, {
    desiredAccuracy: 10,
    distanceFilter: 100
});

####start(successFn, failureFn)

Enable background geolocation tracking.

bgGeo.start()

####stop(successFn, failureFn)

Disable background geolocation tracking.

bgGeo.stop();

####getCurrentPosition(successFn, failureFn) Retrieves the current position. This method instructs the native code to fetch exactly one location using maximum power & accuracy. NOTE: The plugin MUST be enabled via #start to use this method (otherwise the plugin will call your failureFn with a status-code 401 (UNAUTHORIZED). The native code will persist the fetched location to its SQLite database just as any other location in addition to POSTing to your configured #url (if you've enabled the HTTP features). In addition to your supplied callbackFn, the plugin will also execute the callback provided to #configure. Your provided successFn will be executed with the same signature as that provided to #configure:

######@param {Object} location The Location data ######@param {Integer} taskId The taskId used to send to bgGeo.finish(taskId) in order to signal completion of your callbackFn

bgGeo.getCurrentPosition(function(location, taskId) {
    // This location is already persisted to plugin’s SQLite db.  
    // If you’ve configured #autoSync: true, the HTTP POST has already started.

    console.log(“- Current position received: “, location);
    bgGeo.finish(taskId);
});

####changePace(enabled, successFn, failureFn) Initiate or cancel immediate background tracking. When set to true, the plugin will begin aggressively tracking the devices Geolocation, bypassing stationary monitoring. If you were making a "Jogging" application, this would be your [Start Workout] button to immediately begin GPS tracking. Send false to disable aggressive GPS monitoring and return to stationary-monitoring mode.

bgGeo.changePace(true);  // <-- Aggressive GPS monitoring immediately engaged.
bgGeo.changePace(false); // <-- Disable aggressive GPS monitoring.  Engages stationary-mode.

####onMotionChange(callbackFn, failureFn) Your callbackFn will be executed each time the device has changed-state between MOVING or STATIONARY. The callbackFn will be provided with a Location object as the 1st param, with the usual params (latitude, longitude, accuracy, speed, bearing, altitude), in addition to a taskId used to signal that your callback is finished.

######@param {Boolean} isMoving false if entered STATIONARY mode; true if entered MOVING mode. ######@param {Object} location The location at the state-change. ######@param {Integer} taskId The taskId used to send to bgGeo.finish(taskId) in order to signal completion of your callbackFn

bgGeo.onMotionChange(function(isMoving, location, taskId) {
    if (isMoving) {
        console.log('Device has just started MOVING', location);
    } else {
        console.log('Device has just STOPPED', location);
    }
    bgGeo.finish(taskId);
})

####onStationary(callbackFn, failureFn)

DEPRECATED — Use onMotionChange instead.

Your callbackFn will be executed each time the device has entered stationary-monitoring mode. The callbackFn will be provided with a Location object as the 1st param, with the usual params (latitude, longitude, accuracy, speed, bearing, altitude), in addition to a taskId used to signal that your callback is finished.

######@param {Object} location The Location data ######@param {Integer} taskId The taskId used to send to bgGeo.finish(taskId) in order to signal completion of your callbackFn

bgGeo.onStationary(function(location, taskId) {
    try {
        console.log('- Device is stopped: ', location.latitude, location.longitude);
    } catch(e) {
        console.error('An error occurred in my application code', e);
    }
    // The plugin runs your callback in a background-thread:  
    // you MUST signal to the native plugin when your callback is finished so it can halt the thread.
    // IF YOU DON'T, iOS WILL KILL YOUR APP
    bgGeo.finish(taskId);
});

####addGeofence(config, callbackFn, failureFn) Adds a geofence to be monitored by the native plugin. Monitoring of a geofence is halted after a crossing occurs. The config object accepts the following params.

######@config {String} identifier The name of your geofence, eg: "Home", "Office" ######@config {Float} radius The radius (meters) of the geofence. In practice, you should make this >= 100 meters. ######@config {Float} latitude Latitude of the center-point of the circular geofence. ######@config {Float} longitude Longitude of the center-point of the circular geofence. ######@config {Boolean} notifyOnExit Whether to listen to EXIT events ######@config {Boolean} notifyOnEntry Whether to listen to ENTER events

bgGeo.addGeofence({
    identifier: "Home",
    radius: 150,
    latitude: 45.51921926,
    longitude: -73.61678581,
    notifyOnEntry: true,
    notifyOnExit: false
}, function() {
    console.log("Successfully added geofence");
}, function(error) {
    console.warn("Failed to add geofence", error);
});

####removeGeofence(identifier, callbackFn, failureFn) Removes a geofence having the given {String} identifier.

######@config {String} identifier The name of your geofence, eg: "Home", "Office" ######@config {Function} callbackFn successfully removed geofence. ######@config {Function} failureFn failed to remove geofence

bgGeo.removeGeofence("Home", function() {
    console.log("Successfully removed geofence");
}, function(error) {
    console.warn("Failed to remove geofence", error);
});

####getGeofences(callbackFn, failureFn)

Fetch the list of monitored geofences. Your callbackFn will be provided with an Array of geofences. If there are no geofences being monitored, you'll receive an empty Array [].

bgGeo.getGeofences(function(geofences) {
    for (var n=0,len=geofences.length;n<len;n++) {
        console.log("Geofence: ", geofence.identifier, geofence.radius, geofence.latitude, geofence.longitude);
    }
}, function(error) {
    console.warn("Failed to fetch geofences from server");
});

####onGeofence(callbackFn) Adds a geofence event-listener. Your supplied callback will be called when any monitored geofence crossing occurs. The callbackFn will be provided the following parameters:

######@param {Object} params. This object contains 2 keys: @param {String} identifier and @param {String} action [ENTER|EXIT]. ######@param {Integer} taskId The background taskId which you must send back to the native plugin via bgGeo.finish(taskId) in order to signal that your callback is complete.

bgGeo.onGeofence(function(params, taskId) {
    try {
        console.log('A geofence has been crossed: ', params.identifier);
        console.log('ENTER or EXIT?: ', params.action);
    } catch(e) {
        console.error('An error occurred in my application code', e);
    }
    // The plugin runs your callback in a background-thread:  
    // you MUST signal to the native plugin when your callback is finished so it can halt the thread.
    // IF YOU DON'T, iOS WILL KILL YOUR APP
    bgGeo.finish(taskId);
});

####getLocations(callbackFn, failureFn) Fetch all the locations currently stored in native plugin's SQLite database. Your callbackFn`` will receive an Array``` of locations in the 1st parameter. Eg:

The callbackFn will be executed with following params:

######@param {Array} locations. The list of locations stored in SQLite database. ######@param {Integer} taskId The background taskId which you must send back to the native plugin via bgGeo.finish(taskId) in order to signal the end of your background thread.

    bgGeo.getLocations(function(locations, taskId) {
        try {
            console.log("locations: ", locations);
        } catch(e) {
            console.error("An error occurred in my application code");
        }
        bgGeo.finish(taskId);
    });

####sync(callbackFn, failureFn)

If the plugin is configured for HTTP with an #url and #autoSync: false, this method will initiate POSTing the locations currently stored in the native SQLite database to your configured #url. All records in the database will be DELETED. If you configured batchSync: true, all the locations will be sent to your server in a single HTTP POST request, otherwise the plugin will create execute an HTTP post for each location in the database (REST-style). Your callbackFn will be executed and provided with an Array of all the locations from the SQLite database. If you configured the plugin for HTTP (by configuring an #url, your callbackFn will be executed after the HTTP request(s) have completed. If the plugin failed to sync to your server (possibly because of no network connection), the failureFn will be called with an errorMessage. If you are not using the HTTP features, sync is the only way to clear the native SQLite datbase. Eg:

Your callback will be provided with the following params

######@param {Array} locations. The list of locations stored in SQLite database. ######@param {Integer} taskId The background taskId which you must send back to the native plugin via bgGeo.finish(taskId) in order to signal the end of your background thread.

    bgGeo.sync(function(locations, taskId) {
        try {
        	// Here are all the locations from the database.  The database is now EMPTY.
        	console.log('synced locations: ', locations);
        } catch(e) {
            console.error('An error occurred in my application code', e);
        }

        // Be sure to call finish(taskId) in order to signal the end of the background-thread.
        bgGeo.finish(taskId);
    }, function(errorMessage) {
        console.warn('Sync FAILURE: ', errorMessage);
    });

####getOdometer(callbackFn, failureFn)

The plugin constantly tracks distance travelled. To fetch the current odometer reading:

    bgGeo.getOdometer(function(distance) {
        console.log("Distance travelled: ", distance);
    });

####resetOdometer(callbackFn, failureFn)

Reset the odometer to zero. The plugin never automatically resets the odometer so it's up to you to reset it as desired.

####playSound(soundId)

Here's a fun one. The plugin can play a number of OS system sounds for each platform. For IOS and Android. I offer this API as-is, it's up to you to figure out how this works.

    // A soundId iOS recognizes
    bgGeo.playSound(1303);
    
    // An Android soundId
    bgGeo.playSound(90);

Config

Use the following config-parameters with the #configure method:

####@param {Boolean} debug

When enabled, the plugin will emit sounds for life-cycle events of background-geolocation! NOTE iOS: In addition, you must manually enable the Audio and Airplay background mode in Background Capabilities to hear these debugging sounds.

Event	iOS	Android
Exit stationary-region	Calendar event sound	n/a
Location recorded	SMS-sent sound	"blip"
Aggressive geolocation engaged	SIRI listening sound	"doodly-doo"
Acquiring stationary location	"tick, tick, tick"	n/a
Stationary state	"bloom"	long "beeeeeeep"
Geofence crossing	trumpets/fanfare	boop-boop-boop

NOTE: In order for debug sounds to operate when the app is in background, you must enable the Audio and Airplay Background Mode.

####@param {Integer} desiredAccuracy [0, 10, 100, 1000] in meters

Specify the desired-accuracy of the geolocation system with 1 of 4 values, 0, 10, 100, 1000 where 0 means HIGHEST POWER, HIGHEST ACCURACY and 1000 means LOWEST POWER, LOWEST ACCURACY

• Android
• iOS

####@param {Integer} stationaryRadius (meters)

When stopped, the minimum distance the device must move beyond the stationary location for aggressive background-tracking to engage. Note, since the plugin uses iOS significant-changes API, the plugin cannot detect the exact moment the device moves out of the stationary-radius. In normal conditions, it can take as much as 3 city-blocks to 1/2 km before staionary-region exit is detected.

####@param {Integer} distanceFilter

The minimum distance (measured in meters) a device must move horizontally before an update event is generated. @see Apple docs. However, #distanceFilter is elastically auto-calculated by the plugin: When speed increases, #distanceFilter increases; when speed decreases, so does distanceFilter.

distanceFilter is calculated as the square of speed-rounded-to-nearest-5 and adding configured #distanceFilter.

(round(speed, 5))^2 + distanceFilter

For example, at biking speed of 7.7 m/s with a configured distanceFilter of 30m:

=> round(7.7, 5)^2 + 30 => (10)^2 + 30 => 100 + 30 => 130

A gps location will be recorded each time the device moves 130m.

At highway speed of 30 m/s with distanceFilter: 30,

=> round(30, 5)^2 + 30 => (30)^2 + 30 => 900 + 30 => 930

A gps location will be recorded every 930m

Note the following real example of background-geolocation on highway 101 towards San Francisco as the driver slows down as he runs into slower traffic (geolocations become compressed as distanceFilter decreases)

Compare now background-geolocation in the scope of a city. In this image, the left-hand track is from a cab-ride, while the right-hand track is walking speed.

####@param {Boolean} stopOnTerminate Enable this in order to force a stop() when the application terminated (e.g. on iOS, double-tap home button, swipe away the app). On Android, stopOnTerminate: false will cause the plugin to operate as a headless background-service (in this case, you should configure an #url in order for the background-service to send the location to your server)

####@param {Boolean} stopAfterElapsedMinutes

The plugin can optionally auto-stop monitoring location when some number of minutes elapse after being the #start method was called.

In-Plugin SQLite Storage

The plugin will cache every recorded geolocation to its internal SQLite database -- when you sync the locations and your server responds with HTTP 200, 201 or 204, the plugin will DELETE the stored location from cache. The plugin has a cache-pruning feature with @config {Integer} maxDaysToPersist -- If the plugin hasn't successfully synced these these records in the database before maxDaysToPersist expires, the plugin will give up and those geolocation records will be pruned from the database.

If you don't configure the optional HTTP feature, the only way to delete the SQLite database is by executing the #sync method.

    bgGeo.sync(function(locations) {
    	// The SQLite database is now EMPTY.  
        console.log('locations: ', locations);
    });

HTTP Features

####@param {String} url

Your server url where you wish to HTTP POST location data to.

####@param {String} method [POST]

The HTTP method to use when creating an HTTP request to your configured #url. Defaults to POST. Valid values are POST, PUT and OPTIONS.

####@param {String} batchSync [false]

Default is false. If you've enabled HTTP feature by configuring an #url, batchSync: true will POST all the locations currently stored in native SQLite datbase to your server in a single HTTP POST request. With batchSync: false, an HTTP POST request will be initiated for each location in database.

####@param {String} autoSync [true]

Default is true. If you've enabeld HTTP feature by configuring an #url, the plugin will attempt to HTTP POST each location to your server as it is recorded. If you set autoSync: false, it's up to you to manually execute the #sync method to initate the HTTP POST (NOTE The plugin will continue to persist every recorded location in the SQLite database until you execute #sync).

####@param {Object} params

Optional HTTP params sent along in HTTP request to above #url.

####@param {Object} headers

Optional HTTP params sent along in HTTP request to above #url.

####@param {Integer} maxDaysToPersist

Maximum number of days to store a geolocation in plugin's SQLite database when your server fails to respond with HTTP 200 OK. The plugin will continue attempting to sync with your server until maxDaysToPersist when it will give up and remove the location from the database.

Both iOS and Android can send the Geolocation to your server simply by configuring an #url in addition to optional #headers and #params. This is the preferred way to send the Geolocation to your server, rather than doing it yourself with Ajax in your javascript.

Sample HTTP Request arriving at your server

bgGeo.configure(callbackFn, failureFn, {
    .
    .
    .
    url: 'http://posttestserver.com/post.php?dir=cordova-background-geolocation',
    autoSync: true,
    batchSync: false,
    maxDaysToPersist: 1,
    headers: {
        "X-FOO": "bar"
    },
    params: {
        "auth_token": "maybe_your_server_authenticates_via_token_YES?"
    }
});

...

Headers (Some may be inserted by server)

REQUEST_URI = /post.php?dir=cordova-background-geolocation
QUERY_STRING = dir=cordova-background-geolocation
REQUEST_METHOD = POST
GATEWAY_INTERFACE = CGI/1.1
REMOTE_PORT = 38380
REMOTE_ADDR = 198.84.250.106
HTTP_USER_AGENT = Apache-HttpClient/UNAVAILABLE (java 1.4)
HTTP_CONNECTION = close
HTTP_HOST = posttestserver.com
CONTENT_LENGTH = 243
CONTENT_TYPE = application/json
HTTP_ACCEPT = application/json
UNIQUE_ID = VS-YI9Bx6hIAABctKDoAAAAB
REQUEST_TIME_FLOAT = 1429198883.9584
REQUEST_TIME = 1429198883

No Post Params.

== Begin post body ==
{
  "location":{
    "timestamp":"2015-05-05T04:31:54Z",  // <-- ISO-8601, UTC
    "coords":{
      "latitude":45.519282,
      "longitude":-73.6169562,
      "accuracy":12.850000381469727,
      "speed":0,
      "heading":0,
      "altitude":0
    },
    "activity":{  // <-- Android-only currently
      "type":"still",
      "confidence":48
    },
    "battery": {  // <-- Battery charge-state
      "level": 0.87,
      "is_charging": false
    }
  },
  "android_id":"39dbac67e2c9d80"
}
== End post body ==

Android Config

####@param {Integer millis} locationUpdateInterval

Set the desired interval for active location updates, in milliseconds.

The location client will actively try to obtain location updates for your application at this interval, so it has a direct influence on the amount of power used by your application. Choose your interval wisely.

This interval is inexact. You may not receive updates at all (if no location sources are available), or you may receive them slower than requested. You may also receive them faster than requested (if other applications are requesting location at a faster interval).

Applications with only the coarse location permission may have their interval silently throttled.

####@param {Integer millis} fastestLocationUpdateInterval

Explicitly set the fastest interval for location updates, in milliseconds.

This controls the fastest rate at which your application will receive location updates, which might be faster than #locationUpdateInterval in some situations (for example, if other applications are triggering location updates).

This allows your application to passively acquire locations at a rate faster than it actively acquires locations, saving power.

Unlike #locationUpdateInterval, this parameter is exact. Your application will never receive updates faster than this value.

If you don't call this method, a fastest interval will be set to 30000 (30s).

An interval of 0 is allowed, but not recommended, since location updates may be extremely fast on future implementations.

If #fastestLocationUpdateInterval is set slower than #locationUpdateInterval, then your effective fastest interval is #locationUpdateInterval.

======== An interval of 0 is allowed, but not recommended, since location updates may be extremely fast on future implementations.

####@param {Integer millis} activityRecognitionInterval

the desired time between activity detections. Larger values will result in fewer activity detections while improving battery life. A value of 0 will result in activity detections at the fastest possible rate.

####@param {Integer millis} minimumActivityRecognitionConfidence

Each activity-recognition-result returned by the API is tagged with a "confidence" level expressed as a %. You can set your desired confidence to trigger a state-change. Defaults to 80.

####@param {String} triggerActivities

These are the comma-delimited list of activity-names returned by the ActivityRecognition API which will trigger a state-change from stationary to moving. By default, this list is set to all five moving-states: "in_vehicle, on_bicycle, on_foot, running, walking". If you wish, you could configure the plugin to only engage moving-mode for vehicles by providing only "in_vehicle".

####@param {Integer minutes} stopTimeout

The number of miutes to wait before turning off the GPS after the ActivityRecognition System (ARS) detects the device is STILL (defaults to 0, no timeout). If you don't set a value, the plugin is eager to turn off the GPS ASAP. An example use-case for this configuration is to delay GPS OFF while in a car waiting at a traffic light.

####@param {Boolean} forceReloadOnMotionChange

If the user closes the application while the background-tracking has been started, location-tracking will continue on if stopOnTerminate: false. You may choose to force the foreground application to reload (since this is where your Javascript runs). forceReloadOnMotionChange: true will reload the app only when a state-change occurs from stationary -> moving or vice-versa. (WARNING possibly disruptive to user).

####@param {Boolean} forceReloadOnLocationChange

If the user closes the application while the background-tracking has been started, location-tracking will continue on if stopOnTerminate: false. You may choose to force the foreground application to reload (since this is where your Javascript runs). forceReloadOnLocationChange: true will reload the app when a new location is recorded.

####@param {Boolean} forceReloadOnGeofence

If the user closes the application while the background-tracking has been started, location-tracking will continue on if stopOnTerminate: false. You may choose to force the foreground application to reload (since this is where your Javascript runs). forceReloadOnGeolocation: true will reload the app only when a geofence crossing event has occurred.

####@param {Boolean} startOnBoot

Set to true to start the background-service whenever the device boots. Unless you configure the plugin to forceReload (ie: boot your app), you should configure the plugin's HTTP features so it can POST to your server in "headless" mode.

iOS Config

####@param {Boolean} disableElasticity [false]

Defaults to false. Set true to disable automatic speed-based #distanceFilter elasticity. eg: When device is moving at highway speeds, locations are returned at ~ 1 / km.

####@param {String} activityType [AutomotiveNavigation, OtherNavigation, Fitness, Other]

Presumably, this affects ios GPS algorithm. See Apple docs for more information

WP8 Config

####{Integer [0, 10, 100, 1000]} desiredAccuracy

Windows Phone

The underlying GeoLocator you can choose to use 'DesiredAccuracy' or 'DesiredAccuracyInMeters'. Since this plugins default configuration accepts meters, the default desiredAccuracy is mapped to the Windows Phone DesiredAccuracyInMeters leaving the DesiredAccuracy enum empty. For more info see the MS docs for more information.

Geofence Features

The plugin includes native geofencing features. You may add, remove and query the list of monitored geofences from the native plugin. The native plugin will persist monitored geofences and re-initiate them when the app boots or the device is restarted.

A monitored geofence will remain active until you explicity remove it via bgGeo.removeGeofence(identifier).

Geofence Model

#####@param {String} identifier

A unique String to identify your Geofence, eg: "Home", "Office".

#####@param {Integer} radius

The radius of the circular geofence. A radius of >100 meters works best.

#####@param {Boolean} notifyOnEntry

Transitioning into the geofence will generate an event.

#####@param {Boolean} notifyOnExit

Transitioning out of the geofence will generate an event.

Listening to Geofence Events

Listen to geofence transition events using the method #onGeofence. You may set up any number of #onGeofence event-listeners throughout your code -- they will all be executed.

    bgGeo.addGeofence({
        identifier: "Home",
        radius: 200,
        latitude: 47.2342323,
        longitude: -57.342342,
        notifyOnEntry: true
    });
    
    bgGeo.onGeofence(function(geofence, taskId) {
        try {
            console.log("- A Geofence transition occurred");
            console.log("  identifier: ", geofence.identifier);
            console.log("  action: ", geofence.action);
        } catch(e) {
            console.error("An error occurred in my code!", e);
        }
        // Be sure to call #finish!!
        bgGeo.finish(taskId);
    });

Removing Geofences

The native plugin will continue to monitor geofences and fire transition-events until you explicity tell the plugin to remove a geofence via #removeGeofence(identifier).

    bgGeo.removeGeofence("Home");

Querying Geofences

The native plugin persists monitored geofences between application boots and device restarts. When your app boots, you can fetch the currently monitored geofences from the native plugin and, for example, re-draw markers on your map.

    bgGeo.getGeofences(function(geofences) {
        for (var n=0,len=geofences.length;n<len;n++) {
            var geofence = geofences[n];
            var marker = new google.maps.Circle({
                radius: parseInt(geofence.radius, 10),
                center: new google.maps.LatLng(geofence.latitude, geofence.longitude),
                map: myMapInstance
            });
        }
    });

Licence

cordova-background-geolocation
Copyright (c) 2015, Transistor Software (9224-2932 Quebec Inc)
All rights reserved.
[email protected]
http://transistorsoft.com

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