Wireless communication systems with social distancing indicators

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a wireless communication system with social distancing identifiers. The wireless network may include network equipment, such as a base station operating within a cell and communicating with user equipment (UE) devices. The network equipment may collect anonymized data from the UE devices and may generate connection counts based on the anonymized data. The network equipment may estimate the total population of each cell based on the connection counts, may generate the maximum number of individuals allowed in the cell under social distancing guidelines, and may compare the estimated total population of the cell with the maximum number of individuals. Cells with an estimated total population exceeding the maximum number of individuals may be identified as cells with poor social distancing. Information identifying these cells may be provided to the UE devices to allow users to make informed decisions about where to go without exposing private information to the network.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 592,343, filed February 3, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates in general to wireless communication, and more specifically to wireless communication between electronic devices and wireless base stations. Background Technology

[0003] Electronic devices are typically equipped with wireless capabilities for communicating with wireless base stations. The wireless base station acts as the communication interface between the electronic device and other parts of the wireless network. Users of wirelessly capable electronic devices often use them for navigation purposes or to obtain information about different geographical locations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A wireless network may include network equipment. Network equipment may include wireless base stations. Wireless base stations may operate within a given cell. Wireless base stations may communicate with User Equipment (UE) devices. Network equipment may periodically collect anonymized UE data from UE devices to protect the personal information of users of the UE devices. Anonymized UE data may include, for example, timestamps and globally unique cell identifiers. Network equipment may generate connection counts for each wireless base station in the network based on timestamps and globally unique cell identifiers. Network equipment may also collect radio frequency sensor data from UE devices. Radio frequency sensor data may indicate other UE devices not connected to wireless base stations. Network equipment may also receive application programming interfaces from network operators associated with UE devices using other operating systems.

[0005] Network equipment can estimate the total population of each cell based on connection counts, radio frequency sensor data, application programming interfaces, and / or time / date information. Network equipment can identify the area required for individual occupants in each cell based on social distancing guidelines / protocols associated with the cell. Network equipment can generate the maximum number of individuals allowed in a cell under social distancing guidelines based on the cell's area and the area required for individual occupants. Network equipment can compare the estimated total population of each cell with the maximum number of individuals allowed in the cell. Cells with an estimated total population exceeding the maximum number of individuals can be labeled as non-social distancing friendly cells. Cells with an estimated total population less than the maximum number of individuals can be labeled as social distancing friendly cells. Network equipment can provide information identifying non-social distancing friendly and / or social distancing friendly cells to one or more UE devices. The UE device can display this information (e.g., using a map application). This allows users of the UE device to make informed decisions about where to go while remaining safe during a global pandemic without exposing private information associated with the UE device to the network.

[0006] One aspect of this disclosure provides a method for operating a wireless network having a set of base stations. The method may include identifying connection counts indicating the number of user equipment (UE) devices connected to base stations in the set of base stations. The method may include estimating the population density of a cell of the base stations based at least on the connection counts. The method may include providing information indicative of the estimated population density to the UE devices for display.

[0007] One aspect of this disclosure provides a method for operating an electronic device with a display. The method may include receiving information from a wireless base station in a wireless network that identifies a geographic area with an estimated population density exceeding a maximum threshold population density, the maximum threshold population density being determined by the wireless network based on social distancing protocols governing the geographic area and user equipment (UE) connection counts of cells overlapping with the geographic area. The method may also include using an application running on the electronic device to display a map on the display, the map including graphical elements identifying the geographic area as having excessive population density.

[0008] One aspect of this disclosure provides a method for operating one or more processors in a wireless network, the wireless network including at least a first wireless base station in a first cell, a second wireless base station in a second cell, and user equipment (UE) devices in the first cell. The method may include collecting timestamps and globally unique cell identifiers from the UE devices in the second cell. The method may include generating a first connection count for the second wireless base station based on the timestamps and globally unique cell identifiers collected from the UE devices in the second cell. The method may include estimating a total number of people in the second cell based at least on the first connection count. The method may include comparing the estimated total number of people in the second cell with a maximum number of people allowed in the second cell by a first social distancing protocol associated with the second cell. The method may include notifying the UE devices in the first cell using the first wireless base station when the estimated total number of people in the second cell exceeds the maximum number of people allowed in the second cell by the first social distancing protocol. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 It is a functional block diagram of an exemplary communication system, based on some implementation schemes, including user equipment that performs wireless communication with external communication equipment.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a diagram of an exemplary communication system based on some implementation schemes, which has external communication equipment, such as a group of wireless base stations in a corresponding cell.

[0011] Figure 3This is a diagram illustrating how, according to some implementation schemes, an exemplary network device can have a population density estimator for identifying neighborhoods with satisfactory or unsatisfactory social distancing conditions.

[0012] Figure 4 It is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operations that can be performed by network equipment to notify one or more user equipment devices of social distancing conditions in one or more geographic areas, while preserving user privacy, according to some implementation schemes.

[0013] Figure 5 It is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operations that can be performed by user equipment to display information about social distancing conditions in one or more geographic areas, as identified by network equipment, while preserving user privacy, according to some implementation schemes.

[0014] Figure 6 It is an illustrative graphical user interface diagram that can be generated by user equipment according to some implementation schemes to identify social distancing conditions for one or more geographic regions, such as those identified by network equipment, while preserving user privacy.

[0015] Figure 7 It is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation that can be performed by network equipment to notify user equipment of social distancing conditions in geographical areas adjacent to the user equipment, while preserving user privacy, according to some implementation schemes.

[0016] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates how cells adjacent to user equipment can have different social distancing conditions according to some implementation schemes.

[0017] Figure 9 It is a diagram illustrating a graphical user interface that can be generated by the user equipment to identify social distancing conditions of the cell adjacent to the user equipment, according to some implementation schemes. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of an exemplary communication system 10 (sometimes referred to herein as a communication network 10) used for transmitting wireless data between communication terminals. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 10 may include network nodes (e.g., communication terminals), such as user equipment (UE) 12 and external communication equipment 46. User equipment 12 and external communication equipment 46 may communicate with each other using a wireless communication link. If needed, user equipment 12 may wirelessly communicate with external communication equipment 46 without relaying communication through any other intermediary network node in the communication system 10 (e.g., user equipment 12 may wirelessly communicate directly with external communication equipment 46).

[0019] The communication system 10 may form part of a larger communication network, which includes network nodes coupled to external communication equipment 46 via wired and / or wireless links. The larger communication network may include one or more wired communication links (e.g., communication links formed using cables such as Ethernet cables, radio frequency cables such as coaxial cables or other transmission lines, optical fibers or other fiber optic cables), one or more wireless communication links (e.g., short-range wireless communication links operating within a few inches, feet, or tens of feet; medium-range wireless communication links operating within a few hundred feet, thousands of feet, miles, or tens of miles; and / or long-range wireless communication links operating within hundreds or thousands of miles), communication gateways, wireless access points, wireless base stations (e.g., gNBs), switches, routers, servers, modems, repeaters, telephone lines, network interface cards (NICs), line cards, portals, user equipment (e.g., computing devices, mobile devices, etc.), etc.

[0020] Larger communication networks may include communication (network) nodes or terminals coupled together using these components or other components (e.g., some or all of a network of communication nodes in a mesh network, relay network, ring network, local area network, wireless local area network, personal area network, cloud network, star network, tree network, or other network topology), the Internet, combinations thereof, etc. User equipment 12 may transmit data to other nodes or terminals in the larger communication network and / or receive data from other nodes or terminals in the larger communication network via external communication equipment 46 (e.g., external communication equipment 46 may act as an interface between user equipment 12 and the rest of the larger communication network). If necessary, the communication network may be operated by a corresponding network operator or service provider. The portion of communication system 10 other than user equipment 12 may sometimes be referred to herein as network equipment of communication network 10. Network equipment may include external communication equipment 46 (e.g., one or more wireless base stations) and / or one or more nodes, terminals, and / or controllers of communication system 10 (e.g., the portion of communication system 10 excluding user equipment equipment). The network equipment may include one or more processors (e.g., controllers) that perform the operations of the network equipment and / or external communication equipment 46 as described herein.

[0021] User equipment 12 may be a portable electronic device (such as a cellular phone, portable media player, wearable electronic device (e.g., a watch, pendant, glasses or other head-mounted device), laptop computer, tablet computer, game controller, remote control, electronic navigation device), other larger electronic devices (such as a desktop computer, television, set-top box, home entertainment system, server or computer monitor), or may include electronic equipment integrated into a larger system (such as a self-service machine, building or vehicle). Therefore, user equipment 12 may sometimes be referred to herein as user equipment (UE) device 12.

[0022] External communication equipment 46 may also be portable electronic devices (such as cellular phones, portable media players, wearable electronic devices (e.g., watches, pendants, glasses or other head-mounted devices, etc.), laptop computers, tablets, game controllers, remote controls, electronic navigation devices), other larger electronic devices (such as desktop computers, televisions, set-top boxes, home entertainment systems, servers, or computer monitors), and may include electronic equipment integrated into larger systems (such as self-service machines, buildings, satellites, or vehicles), and may be wireless base stations, access points, relay stations, or gateways, including two or more of these. Implementations of external communication equipment 46 as wireless base stations (e.g., for transmitting cellular phone signals in one or more cellular phone bands according to 4G LTE communication protocols, 3GPP 5G communication protocols, etc.) are described herein as examples. Information transmitted between UE device 12 and external communication equipment 46 may include any desired information (e.g., message data, voice data, application data, image data, video data, email data, web page data, authentication data such as two-factor authentication codes, live chat data, cloud service data, sensor data, etc.).

[0023] The UE device 10 may be provided with an electronic device housing, such as housing 14. Housing 14 (sometimes referred to as a shell) may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramic, fiber composite material, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, metal alloys, etc.), other suitable materials, or combinations thereof. In some cases, part or all of housing 14 may be formed of dielectric or other low-conductivity materials (e.g., glass, ceramic, plastic, sapphire, etc.). In other cases, housing 14 or at least some of the structures constituting housing 14 may be formed of metallic elements.

[0024] like Figure 1As shown, the UE device 12 may include control circuitry 16, input / output devices 22, and wireless circuitry 26. The UE device 12 may include a communication bus and / or other data and control paths (not shown) coupling the control circuitry 16 to the input / output devices 22 and the wireless circuitry 26. The control circuitry 16 may include storage devices such as storage circuitry 20. Storage circuitry 20 may include volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic random access memory), non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory or other electrically programmable read-only memory), hard disk drive storage devices, etc. Storage circuitry 20 may also be integrated within the UE device 12 and / or may include removable storage media. The control circuitry 16 may also include processing circuitry 18. Processing circuitry 18 controls the operation of the UE device 12. Processing circuitry 18 may include one or more application-specific integrated circuits, microprocessors, microcontrollers, baseband processor integrated circuits, graphics processing units, central processing units, digital signal processors, etc.

[0025] Control circuitry 16 can be used to run software on UE device 12, such as operating system functions, software applications, satellite navigation applications, internet browsing applications, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone calling applications, email applications, media playback applications, operating system functions, etc. To support interaction with external communication equipment 46, control circuitry 16 can be used to implement communication protocols. Communication protocols that can be implemented using control circuitry 16 include Internet protocols, wireless local area network (WLAN) protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocol—sometimes called Wi-Fi). ® ), such as Bluetooth ® Protocols used for other short-range wireless communication links, such as protocols or other Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) protocols, IEEE 802.11ad protocols (e.g., Ultra Wideband protocols), cellular phone protocols (e.g., 3G protocols, 4G (LTE) protocols, 3GPP 5th Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) protocols, etc.), antenna diversity protocols, satellite navigation system protocols (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) protocols, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) protocols, etc.), antenna-based spatial ranging protocols, or any other desired communication protocol. Each communication protocol may be associated with a corresponding Radio Access Technology (RAT), which specifies the physical connection method used to implement the protocol.

[0026] Input / output device 22 is used to provide input to UE device 12 and output from user equipment (e.g., to the end user of UE device 12 and / or to the end user of UE device 12). For example, input / output device 22 may include one or more displays, such as display 24. Display 24 may be a touch-sensitive display, a force-sensitive display, a display that is both touch-sensitive and force-sensitive, or a display without touch or force sensor capabilities. Display 24 may be a liquid crystal display, a light-emitting diode display, an organic light-emitting diode display, etc. Input / output device 22 may include other components such as sensors (e.g., light sensors, proximity sensors, range sensors, image sensors, audio sensors such as microphones, force sensors, moisture sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, fingerprint sensors, pressure sensors, touch sensors, ultrasonic sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, compasses, etc.), status indicators, speakers, vibrators, keyboards, touchpads, buttons, joysticks, etc.

[0027] Wireless circuit 26 may include one or more radio frequency transceivers 28 and one or more antennas 30 for wireless communication with external communication equipment 46. Transceivers 28 may include one or more transmitters and / or one or more receivers. Antennas 30 may include any desired type of antenna, such as patch antennas, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, inverted F-shaped antennas, planar inverted F-shaped antennas, slot antennas, helical antennas, waveguide radiators, combinations of these antennas, and / or other types of antennas. If desired, antennas 30 may include one or more phased antenna arrays (e.g., an array of antenna elements sometimes referred to as a phased array antenna, wherein the antenna elements have individually controlled phase and magnitude values, which are selected to manipulate a corresponding signal beam in a specific direction across each of these antenna elements via constructive and destructive interfaces).

[0028] Transceiver 28 can be used to transmit and / or receive radio frequency signals using antenna 30. Transceiver 28 may be formed individually with corresponding integrated circuits, or may share one or more integrated circuits. Transceiver 28 may include mixer circuitry, analog-to-digital converter circuitry, digital-to-analog transceiver circuitry, amplifier circuitry, and / or any other desired components for transmitting and / or receiving radio frequency signals. Wireless circuitry 26 may also include baseband processor circuitry, transmission line structures, filter circuitry, switching circuitry, and / or any other desired circuitry for transmitting and / or receiving wireless radio frequency signals using antenna 30.

[0029] If needed, each transceiver 28 may use different corresponding radio access technologies and / or communication bands to process radio frequency signals. For example, the first transceiver 28 may handle wireless local area network (WLAN) communications, the second transceiver 28 may handle cellular telephone communications, and so on. Generally, transceivers 28 can transmit and / or receive radio frequency signals within a corresponding frequency band (sometimes referred to herein as a communication band or simply a “band”). The frequency band processed by transceiver 28 may include wireless local area network (WLAN) bands (e.g., Wi-Fi). ® (IEEE 802.11) or other WLAN communication bands such as the 2.4 GHz WLAN band (e.g., 2400 MHz to 2480 MHz), the 5 GHz WLAN band (e.g., 5180 MHz to 5825 MHz), Wi-Fi ® 6E band (e.g., 5925MHz to 7125MHz) and / or other Wi-Fi ® Frequency bands (e.g., 1875MHz to 5160MHz); Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) frequency bands such as 2.4GHz Bluetooth. ® Frequency bands or other WPAN communication bands; cellular telephone bands (e.g., bands from about 600 MHz to about 5 GHz, 3G bands, 4G LTE bands, 5G NR frequency range 1 (FR1) band below 10 GHz, 5G NR frequency range 2 (FR2) band between 20 GHz and 60 GHz, etc.); other centimeter or millimeter wave bands between 10 GHz and 300 GHz; near-field communication bands (e.g., 13.56 MHz); satellite navigation bands (e.g., GPS bands from 1565 MHz to 1610 MHz, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) bands, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) bands, etc.); ultra-wideband (UWB) bands operating under the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol and / or other ultra-wideband communication protocols; communication bands under the 3GPP wireless communication standard family; communication bands under the IEEE 802.XX standard family, and / or any other desired bands of interest.

[0030] As used herein, the term "transmitting radio frequency signals" means the transmission and / or reception of radio frequency signals (e.g., for performing one-way and / or two-way wireless communication with external wireless communication equipment). Antenna 30 can transmit radio frequency signals by radiating them into free space (or through an intermediary device structure such as a dielectric overlay). Alternatively or in addition, antenna 30 can receive radio frequency signals from free space (e.g., through an intermediary device structure such as a dielectric overlay). The transmission and reception of radio frequency signals by antenna 30 each involve the excitation or resonance of antenna currents on antenna resonant elements in the antenna by the radio frequency signals within the antenna's operating frequency band.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the antenna 30 on the UE device 10 can transmit radio frequency (RF) signals 40 (e.g., for one or more corresponding wireless communication links) to the external communication equipment 46. The RF signals 40 transmitted from the UE device 12 (e.g., in the uplink direction 42) to the external communication equipment 46 are sometimes referred to as uplink signals. The RF signals 40 transmitted from the external communication equipment 46 (e.g., in the downlink direction 44) to the UE device 12 are sometimes referred to herein as downlink signals. The RF signals 40 can transmit wireless data (e.g., data organized into datagrams, packets, symbols, messages, etc., according to one or more corresponding communication protocols). The wireless data transmitted by the RF signals 40 in the downlink direction 44 are sometimes referred to herein as downlink data. The wireless data transmitted by the RF signals 40 in the uplink direction 42 are sometimes referred to herein as uplink data. Radio frequency signal 40 can be used to perform unidirectional communication (e.g., communication in which wireless data is transmitted only in the uplink direction 42 or the downlink direction 44) and / or bidirectional communication (e.g., communication between UE device 12 and external communication equipment 46 in which wireless data is transmitted in both the uplink direction 42 and the downlink direction 44). Wireless circuit 26 may include measurement circuit 32 for measuring wireless performance metrics using transmitted and / or received radio frequency signals.

[0032] External communication equipment 46 may include one or more transceivers 36 that use one or more antennas 38 to transmit radio frequency signals 40 in the downlink direction 44 and / or receive radio frequency signals in the uplink direction 42. Antennas 38 may include any desired type of antenna, such as patch antennas, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, inverted F-shaped antennas, planar inverted F-shaped antennas, slot antennas, helical antennas, waveguide radiators, combinations of these antennas, and / or other types of antennas. If desired, antennas 38 may include one or more phased antenna arrays. Transceivers 36 may be formed individually with corresponding integrated circuits, or may share one or more integrated circuits. Transceivers 36 may include mixer circuitry, analog-to-digital converter circuitry, digital-to-analog transceiver circuitry, amplifier circuitry, and / or any other desired components for transmitting and / or receiving radio frequency signals 40. External communication equipment 46 may also include baseband processor circuitry, transmission line structures, filter circuitry, switching circuitry, and / or any other desired circuitry for transmitting and receiving wireless radio frequency signals using antennas 38.

[0033] External communication equipment 46 may include control circuitry such as controller 34. Controller 34 may include processing and storage circuitry similar to that described above in conjunction with control circuitry 16 of UE device 12. Controller 34 may also communicate with other parts of communication system 10 or other nodes or terminals (e.g., other user equipment, servers, the Internet, etc.) of a larger communication network including communication system 10 (e.g., using wired and / or wireless network interfaces at external communication equipment 46). Figure 1 (Not shown in the diagram). The operation of the network equipment of the communication system 10 described herein can be performed by one or more processors in the controller 34 and / or control circuitry on other parts of the network equipment. The external communication equipment 46 can receive downlink data from other parts of the larger communication network for transmission to the UE device 12 using radio frequency signal 40 (e.g., in the downlink direction 44). Similarly, the external communication equipment 46 can forward uplink data received from the UE device 12 to other parts of the larger communication network (e.g., to other user equipment, servers, etc.). In this way, the external communication equipment 46 can serve as an interface between the UE device 12 and the rest of the larger communication network that includes the communication system 10.

[0034] Figure 1 The examples are merely illustrative. Although for clarity, in Figure 1 In the example, control circuitry 16 is shown separate from wireless circuitry 26, but wireless circuitry 26 may include processing circuitry (e.g., one or more processors) and / or storage circuitry, the processing circuitry forming part of processing circuitry 18, and the storage circuitry forming part of storage circuitry 20 of control circuitry 16 (e.g., portions of control circuitry 16 may be implemented on wireless circuitry 26). As an example, control circuitry 16 may include baseband circuitry (e.g., one or more baseband processors), digital control circuitry, analog control circuitry, and / or other control circuitry forming part of transceiver 28. The baseband circuitry may, for example, access the communication protocol stack on control circuitry 16 (e.g., storage circuitry 20) to: perform user plane functions at the PHY layer, MAC layer, RLC layer, PDCP layer, SDAP layer, and / or PDU layer; and / or control plane functions at the PHY layer, MAC layer, RLC layer, PDCP layer, RRC layer, and / or non-access layer. If desired, PHY layer operation may be additionally or alternatively performed by radio frequency (RF) interface circuitry in wireless circuitry 26.

[0035] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates how the UE device 12 can communicate with network equipment in the communication system 10 when it is located within geographical region 48. (See diagram for example.) Figure 2 As shown, Figure 1The external communication equipment 46 may include one or more wireless base stations 50 (e.g., a first wireless base station 50-1, a second wireless base station 50-2, a third wireless base station 50-3, etc.). Each wireless base station can provide wireless coverage for UE devices located within a corresponding geographical area or region (also called a cell). For example, wireless base station 50-1 can provide wireless coverage within cell 52, wireless base station 50-2 can provide wireless coverage within cell 54, and wireless base station 50-3 can provide wireless coverage within cell 56. The cell does not have to be circular and can generally have any shape.

[0036] When UE device 12 is located within cell 52, UE device 12 can communicate with wireless base station 50-1 (e.g., using...). Figure 1 (RF signal 40). During operation of UE device 12, the user of UE device 12 may wish to travel to other locations within geographic region 48. For example, the user may wish to travel to location 58 within cell 54 (as indicated by arrow 68). If necessary, the user can enter input into UE device 12 to notify UE device 12 and network equipment that the user is considering traveling to location 58 (e.g., by searching for information about location 58 or directions to location 58 on a web browser or navigation / map application running on UE device 12).

[0037] The following situations may arise: If location 58 is in an overcrowded geographic area, the user of UE device 12 may not wish to travel to location 58. In these cases, if the population density within cell 54 is too high, traveling to location 58 may pose a health risk to the user, potentially exposing them to viral pathogens. To assist the user of UE device 12 in making an informed decision about whether to travel to location 58, the network equipment in communication system 10 may estimate the population density around base station 50 based on the number of UE devices (e.g., UE device 12) present in the cell of base station 50. To preserve the privacy of the UE device's user, the network equipment may estimate these population densities based at least on the number of UE devices connected to the wireless base station within the cell (e.g., without exposing other personal / profile information about the user or their UE device to the network equipment). Generally, the more UE devices connected to a given wireless base station, the greater the population density within the cell of the wireless base station. The network equipment may use the estimated population density and local social distancing guidelines / protocols (e.g., as set by local or national health authorities) to provide the user of UE device 12 with information about the potential exposure risks if the user travels to location 58.

[0038] For example, a set 62 of UE devices may exist within cell 54 and be connected to wireless base station 50-2 at a given time. The network equipment in communication system 10 can estimate the population density of cell 54 based on the number of UE devices connected to wireless base station 50-2 (e.g., the number of UE devices within set 62). If the number of UE devices in set 62 is too high (e.g., given social distancing guidelines for managing cell 54), base station 50-1 can transmit information to UE device 12, informing the user that cell 54 is not a social distancing-friendly area and that the user may be at risk of exposure to viral pathogens if they travel to location 58. The user can then use this information to decide not to travel to location 58, or instead travel to another location, such as location 60 within cell 56 (as indicated by arrow 66).

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, a set 64 of UE devices may exist within cell 56 and be connected to wireless base station 50-3 at a given time. Network equipment can estimate the population density of cell 56 based on the number of UE devices connected to wireless base station 50-3 (e.g., the number of UE devices within set 64). A UE device may be referred to herein as connected to a wireless base station when it exchanges data with the wireless base station via a cellular telephone link or other wireless link (e.g., after registering with the wireless base station and being allocated scheduling resources for transmitting wireless data using the wireless base station). Such UE devices may sometimes be referred to herein as connected UE devices. If the number of UE devices in set 64 is sufficiently low (e.g., given social distancing guidelines for managing cell 54), base station 50-1 may transmit information to UE device 12, thereby informing UE device 12 that cell 56 is socially distancing friendly and that users can travel to location 60 with an acceptable low risk of exposure to viral pathogens (as indicated by arrow 66).

[0040] exist Figure 2 In the example, there are fewer UE devices in cell 56 than in cell 54. Therefore, the network equipment can provide information to UE device 12 informing its users that cell 56 is more socially friendly than cell 54, or otherwise informing them that traveling to location 60 is relatively safe given local social distancing guidelines. Users can then use this information to make an informed decision to travel to location 60 instead of location 58, thereby minimizing their exposure to viral pathogens. Each cell in geographic region 48 can have the same social distancing guidelines, or different cells can have different social distancing guidelines (e.g., as set by different local autonomous regions, cities, towns, etc.).

[0041] Consider an example of a user of UE device 12 searching for a local grocery store (e.g., in a navigation application, web browser, or other software application running on UE device 12). UE device 12 may transmit wireless data to base station 50-1 to perform the search. The network equipment can identify a first grocery store at location 58 and a second grocery store at location 60. The network equipment can identify a cell containing location 58 (e.g., cell 54) with a first number of UE devices wirelessly connected to wireless base station 50-2 (e.g., UE devices within set 62). The network equipment can also identify a cell containing location 60 (e.g., cell 56) with a second number of UE devices wirelessly connected to wireless base station 50-3 (e.g., UE devices within set 64). The network equipment can estimate the population density of cell 54 (e.g., how crowded the grocery store at location 58) based at least on the size of set 62, and can estimate the population density of cell 56 (e.g., how crowded the grocery store at location 60) based at least on the size of set 64.

[0042] If the population density of cell 54 exceeds a threshold level specified by social distancing guidelines for managing cell 54, the network equipment may transmit information to UE device 12 indicating that location 58 is overcrowded, has excessive population density, is unsafe to travel to, or is socially unfriendly. Additionally or alternatively, if the population density of cell 56 is less than a threshold level specified by social distancing guidelines for managing cell 56, the network equipment may transmit information to UE device 12 indicating that location 60 is not overcrowded, has sufficiently low population density, is safe to travel to, or is socially friendly. One or more software applications running on UE device 12 (e.g., a web browser, a navigation application, or other applications running on UE device 12) can provide user output (e.g., via...) Figure 1 The display 24, speakers, and / or other user output devices on the UE device 12 are used to inform the user of the UE device 12 of these social distancing conditions. The user can then use this information to make an informed decision about whether to go to the grocery store at location 58 or location 60 for their grocery shopping.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a graph illustrating how network equipment in communication system 10 processes a set of inputs to estimate social distancing conditions (e.g., population density). Figure 3 As shown, the communication system 10 may include network equipment 73 (e.g., such as...). Figure 2 (Base station 50 or similar equipment implemented on one or more base stations and / or on one or more other network nodes or terminals).

[0044] Network equipment 73 may include a population density estimator 70. The population density estimator may be implemented in hardware and / or software on network equipment 73 (e.g., using digital logic, analog circuitry, one or more processors, etc.). The population density estimator 70 may receive an application programming interface (API) 74, collected data 72, scheduling information 78, and / or date / time information 80.

[0045] The collected data 72 may include data from the UE device 12 (e.g., such as...) Figure 2 The UE devices 12 shown, along with sets 62 and 60, collect (e.g., aggregate, retrieve, receive, acquire, etc.) anonymized data. Each of these UE devices may communicate with the same network operator or operator performing the data collection from the UE devices (e.g., the network operator operating network equipment 73 and population density estimator 70, which may be the network operator associated with the operating system running on each of the UE devices 12). The number of UE devices 12 connected to each wireless base station 50 may sometimes be referred to herein as the connection count of that wireless base station 50. The collected data 72 may include information identifying the number of UE devices 12 connected to each wireless base station 50 in the communication system 10 (e.g., ...). Figure 2 The connection count of wireless base station 50-2, which indicates the size of set 62, and Figure 2 The connection counts of wireless base stations 50-3, which indicate the size of set 64). For example, the collected data 72 may include timestamp information (e.g., timestamps transmitted by each of the connected UE devices 12), a globally unique cell identifier for each wireless base station (e.g., a cell global identifier (CGI)) (e.g., information identifying the wireless base station 50 to which the UE device 12 is connected), information identifying the bandwidth consumed by each UE device 12, and / or sensor data such as sensor data 76.

[0046] Sensor data 76 may include data from the UE device 12 (e.g., on...). Figure 1The data is collected by one or more sensors in the measurement circuit 32. The sensor data can indicate the number of other UE devices 12 near any given UE device 12 (e.g., each UE device 12 can periodically and autonomously collect data identifying the number of other UE devices 12 within its radio frequency range). The sensor data can be collected, for example, using Bluetooth, NFC, and / or ultra-wideband signals transmitted and / or received by each UE device (e.g., the sensor data can be radio frequency sensor data). The collected data 72 does not include any information specifically identifying a particular UE device connected to a wireless base station or a user of that UE device. The network equipment 73 can process the collected data 72 to identify the connection count for each wireless base station. This information completely excludes details that identify the UE device itself or the user of the UE device, thus protecting user privacy.

[0047] Network equipment 73 can, for example, use collected data 72 to identify wireless base station 50-2 ( Figure 2 The system has a first connection count indicating the number of UE devices 12 wirelessly connected to wireless base station 50-2 in cell 54 (e.g., the size of set 62), and identifies wireless base station 50-3 with a second connection count indicating the number of UE devices 12 wirelessly connected to wireless base station 50-3 in cell 56 (e.g., the size of set 64), etc. This can be repeated for each of the wireless base stations (cells) in communication system 10 or for a subset of the wireless base stations (cells) in communication system 10.

[0048] Although the connection count provides the number of UE devices 12 connected to each wireless base station, there may be other information indicating the presence of persons within the cell of the wireless base station that are not otherwise included in the connection count. For example, API 74 may include APIs from one or more network operators other than the network operator operating population density estimator 70 (e.g., operators other than those interfaced with UE devices 12, such as operators handling communication with user equipment devices running operating systems other than the operating system of UE devices 12). API 74 may include information identifying or estimating the number of these other user equipment devices that may exist in each of the cells of communication system 10, since such user equipment devices would not be included in the connection count.

[0049] Dispatch information 78 can be obtained from wireless base station 50 ( Figure 2 Each of these components is provided to the population density estimator 70. Scheduling information 78 may include information about information allocation among UE devices connected to the wireless base station, information congestion patterns, etc. Time / date information 80 may also be provided to the population density estimator 70. Time / date information 80 may include information identifying the current time, date, season, etc.

[0050] Population density estimator 70 can estimate the population density of each cell in communication system 10 based on collected data 72, API 74, scheduling information 78, and / or date / time information 80. For example, population density estimator 70 can estimate the population density based on the area of ​​cell 54 and an estimate of the total number of people in cell 54. Figure 2 The population density of cell 54 (e.g., where population density is derived by dividing the total number of people by the area). Population density estimator 70 can estimate the total number of people in cell 54 based on the connection counts of wireless base stations 50-2 identified by collected data 72, sensor data 76, API 74, date / time information 80, and scheduling information 78.

[0051] For example, population density estimator 70 can estimate the total population as a connection count (indicating...). Figure 2 (Number of UE devices 12 connected to wireless base station 50-2 in set 62) Figure 2 The population density estimator 70 is the sum of the number of other UE devices 12 near the connected UE device 12 but not otherwise connected to the wireless base station 50-2, and the number of other user equipment devices operated by network operators as identified by API 74. If necessary, the population density estimator 70 can also adjust, extrapolate, interpolate, or fine-tune the estimated total population using scheduling information 78 (e.g., by increasing the estimated total population when scheduling information 78 identifies high data congestion within cell 54, or when there is a relatively large amount of traffic in the cell) and / or date / time information 80 (e.g., by increasing the estimated total population when the date or time indicates that more people are likely to be present in cell 54, such as when cell 54 is located in a park and the date / time indicates it is daytime in summer). The population density estimator 70 can then divide the estimated total population of cell 54 by the area of ​​cell 54 to estimate the population density of cell 54. The population density estimator can repeat this process for each of the cells and wireless base stations in the communication system 10 to produce (e.g., generate, estimate, output, estimate, calculate, etc.) a UE density estimate 82.

[0052] Population density estimator 70 can provide UE density estimates 82 to reporting circuitry 84. Reporting circuitry 84 can compare the estimated population density of each cell with a threshold. This threshold can be determined by a social distancing protocol managing each cell. Reporting circuitry 84 can report information identifying cells that are not socially distance-friendly and / or socially distance-friendly to one or more UE devices 12. For example, reporting circuitry 84 can be implemented on one or more wireless base stations.

[0053] Figure 4 It can be executed by network equipment 73 to send to one or more UE devices (such as Figure 2UE devices within cell 52 12) notify about one or more geographic areas (cells) (such as Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating the exemplary operation of social distancing conditions (while preserving user privacy) in communities 54 and 56. Network equipment 73 may include... Figure 3 Population density estimator 70 and Figure 2 One or more wireless base stations 50.

[0054] At any of the 90 optional operations, wireless base station 50-1 ( Figure 2 The UE device 12 can receive queries. For example, the UE device 12 may transmit such a query when a user of the UE device 12 is searching for a specific location in a web browser, navigation / map application, or other software application running on the UE device 12. The query may, for example, include location information identifying the location of the UE device 12. The location information may be obfuscated or masked to mask the precise location of the UE device 12 for privacy purposes. For example, the UE device 12 may identify the geographical block in which the UE device is located. The block can be of any size (e.g., 75m × 75m). Operation 90 may be omitted if necessary (e.g., the network equipment 73 may autonomously and / or periodically push information identifying non-social distancing friendly areas to the UE device 12). Operation 90 may be... Figure 4 It is executed after or simultaneously with any of the operations.

[0055] At point 92, network equipment 73 ( Figure 3 Data 72 can be collected (e.g., collected, retrieved, acquired, or otherwise actively and / or passively received) from UE equipment 12 within a cell of a group of wireless base stations 50. Figure 3(e.g., periodically, according to scheduling, on demand, in the background while the UE device is otherwise operating, etc.). If needed, the population density estimator 70 can identify (e.g., generate, produce, estimate, calculate, etc.) the connection count of each of the wireless base stations 50 in the group of wireless base stations 50 based on the collected data 72. The group of wireless base stations 50 may include all wireless base stations in the communication system 10 or a subset of all wireless base stations in the communication system 10. Generally, any UE device 12 wirelessly connected to the wireless base stations 50 in the communication system periodically collects at least some of the collected data 72 (e.g., the operating system of the UE device 12 may instruct the UE device 12 to periodically transmit this information to the network equipment 73). Alternatively, when the network equipment 73 receives a query from the UE device 12 identifying a specific location (at operation 90), the group of wireless base stations 50 may include wireless base stations having cells at and / or near the specific location. For example, if the query identifies that a user is searching for a grocery store, the group of wireless base stations may include those wireless base stations 50 having cells that overlap with each grocery store in the grocery stores near the querying UE device 12. As another example, if the query indicates that the user is searching for the direction to a specific park, the group of wireless base stations may include wireless base station 50 with cells overlapping with that specific park and / or adjacent wireless base stations. As yet another example, the group of wireless base stations may include wireless base stations with cells adjacent to the geographic block where the querying UE device 12 is located.

[0056] Population density estimator 70 can be used Figure 3 The collected data 72 is used to identify the connection count of each wireless base station in the group of wireless base stations. For example, the collected data may include data generated by each connected UE device, where the data includes timestamps for communications performed by the UE device and a corresponding globally unique cell identifier that identifies the wireless base station used to communicate with the UE device. The population density estimator 70 can use the timestamps and globally unique cell identifiers to identify how many UE devices 12 are connected to each wireless base station in the group of wireless base stations at a given time (each globally unique cell identifier), thereby giving a connection count for each wireless base station. Since the timestamps and globally unique cell identifiers do not reveal any information about the identity of a particular UE device 12 or the user of the UE device, the connection count allows the network equipment 73 to estimate the total population within the cells of the group of wireless base stations 50 while protecting user privacy.

[0057] The collected data 72 gathered by network equipment 73 may also include sensor data 76. Figure 3The sensor data can identify the presence of UE devices 12 that are near connected UE devices but are not themselves connected to a wireless base station. This allows network equipment 73 to better estimate the total population within a cell of a group of wireless base stations by including users with UE devices 12 that are not wirelessly connected to a wireless base station. The sensor data may also not contain information about the users of UE devices 12.

[0058] At operation 94, network equipment 73 can generate and maintain wireless dispatch information 78. Figure 3 The wireless base station 50 can generate wireless scheduling information 78 (e.g., as one or more wireless communication schedules) and can report the wireless scheduling information to the population density estimator 70.

[0059] At operation 96, the population density estimator 70 can receive API 74 from one or more other network operators. Figure 3 ).

[0060] At operation 98, the population density estimator 70 can be based on collected data 72, sensor data 76, scheduling information 78, date / time information 80, and / or API 74. Figure 3 This is used to estimate the total population within the cell of each of the 50 wireless base stations in the group.

[0061] consider Figure 2 For example, the group of wireless base stations includes at least wireless base station 50-2 with cell 54 and wireless base station 50-3 with cell 56. In this example, the population density estimator 70 can estimate (e.g., estimate, calculate, generate, identify, etc.) the total population of cell 54 by adding the connection count of wireless base station 50-2 (e.g., as identified from data 72 collected at operation 92) indicating the number of connected UE devices 12 in cell 54 (e.g., UE devices 12 in set 62 connected to wireless base station 50-2 via cellular links) to the number of UE devices 12 near but not otherwise connected to wireless base station 50-2 in cell 54 (e.g., as identified by sensor data 76 collected from UE devices 12 in cell 54 at operation 92), and to the number of user equipment devices of other operators within cell 54 as identified by API 74. If necessary, the population density estimator 70 can adjust the estimated total population based on date / time information 80 and / or scheduling information 78.

[0062] Similarly, the population density estimator 70 can estimate the total population of cell 56 by adding the connection count of radio base station 50-3 (e.g., as identified from data 72 collected at operation 92) indicating the number of connected UE devices 12 in cell 56 (e.g., UE devices 12 in set 64 connected to radio base station 50-3 via cellular links) to the number of UE devices 12 near but not otherwise connected to radio base station 50-3 in cell 56 (e.g., as identified by sensor data 76 collected from UE devices 12 in cell 56 at operation 92), and to the number of user equipment devices of other operators within cell 56 as identified by API 74. If necessary, the population density estimator 70 can adjust the estimated total population based on date / time information 80 and / or scheduling information 78.

[0063] At operation 100, population density estimator 70 can identify the social distancing conditions of cells in the group of wireless base stations based on the estimated total population of the cells and the local social distancing guidelines for each cell in the group. For example, population density estimator 70 can identify cells with satisfactory social distancing conditions and / or cells with unsatisfactory social distancing conditions.

[0064] Public health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or another governing body can issue local social distancing guidelines, rules, or laws governing the areas where Communities 54 and 56 are located. Social distancing guidelines may require people in different households to maintain a safe distance of d feet from each other. For example, distance d could be six feet, 1.5 meters, or some other distance.

[0065] Population density estimator 70 can identify the area required for individuals within each cell of the group of wireless base stations based on a distance d (e.g., as given in social distancing guidelines). Population density estimator 70 can use the expression π d 2 To identify (e.g., calculate, estimate, generate, produce, output, etc.) the area required for an individual, where " " is the multiplication operator. In the example where d = 6 feet, the area required for the individual is 113.04 ft. 2 (or 10.5m) 2 ).

[0066] The population density estimator 70 can identify (e.g., calculate, estimate, generate, produce, output, etc.) the maximum number of individuals u allowed in each cell of the group of wireless base stations by dividing the total area of ​​each cell by the area required for individuals within the cell under social distancing guidelines (e.g., where the maximum number of individuals allowed in a given cell under social distancing guidelines is given by u = A / (π)). d2 Given, where A is the total area of ​​the cell.

[0067] The population density estimator 70 identifies whether each neighborhood has satisfactory or unsatisfactory social distancing conditions by comparing its total population to the maximum number of individuals allowed in that neighborhood under social distancing guidelines. If the estimated total population for a given neighborhood (e.g., as estimated at operation 98) is greater than or equal to the maximum number of individuals allowed in that neighborhood under social distancing guidelines (e.g., value u), the neighborhood can be labeled as a non-social distancing friendly neighborhood, an overcrowded neighborhood, an unsafe neighborhood, etc. If the estimated total population for a given neighborhood (e.g., as estimated at operation 98) is less than the maximum number of individuals allowed in that neighborhood under social distancing guidelines (e.g., value u), the neighborhood can be labeled as a social distancing friendly neighborhood, a neighborhood with acceptable low crowding, a safe neighborhood, etc.

[0068] Each cell can have the same distance d or can have different distances d (e.g., when different local social distancing guidelines are applied to different cells). Consider the above. Figure 2 For example, the group of wireless base stations includes at least wireless base station 50-2 with cell 54 and wireless base station 50-3 with cell 56, and wherein a first social distancing guideline governs cell 54 and specifies that individuals maintain a safe distance d1 from each other, while a second social distancing guideline governs cell 56 and specifies that individuals maintain a safe distance d2 from each other. Cell 54 may have a first area A1, while cell 56 may have a second area A2. The area of ​​each cell may vary depending on the frequency used for communication (e.g., lower frequencies may produce larger cell areas than higher frequencies).

[0069] In this example, population density estimator 70 can estimate that neighborhood 54 has a first total population P1 and neighborhood 56 has a second total population P2 (e.g., during processing operation 98). Population density estimator 70 can use the formula u1 = A1 / (π) d1 2 The population density estimator 70 can be used to calculate the maximum number of individuals u1 allowed within a neighborhood 54 under the first social distancing guidelines. The population density estimator 70 can use u2 = A2 / (π) d2 2 To calculate the maximum number of individuals u2 allowed within a community 56 under the second social distancing guidelines. If T1 exceeds u1 (e.g., if...), Figure 2 If set 62 is too large, then cell 54 can be marked as a non-social distancing friendly area. If T1 is less than u2 (e.g., if...), then... Figure 2If the set 62 is small enough), the cell 54 can be marked as a social distancing friendly area or cell. Similarly, if T2 exceeds u2 (e.g., if Figure 2 the set 64 is too large), the cell 56 can be marked as a non-social distancing friendly area. If T2 is less than u2 (e.g., if Figure 2 the set 64 is small enough), the cell 56 can be marked as a social distancing friendly area or cell.

[0070] At operation 102, the network equipment 73 can notify one or more UE devices 12 (e.g., the UE device that transmitted the query received at operation 90) about the social distancing conditions of the cells of the set of radio base stations. For example, the network equipment 74 can transmit to the UE device 12 information identifying which cells are non-social distancing friendly and / or can transmit to the UE device 12 information identifying which cells are social distancing friendly. The UE device 12 can then use this information to notify its user of the social distancing conditions, enabling the user to make an informed decision about their own movement or travel.

[0071] For example, if Figure 2 the cell 54 is non-social distancing friendly (e.g., if T1 > u1), the radio base station 50-1 can provide a downlink signal to the UE device 12 in cell 52, thereby notifying the UE device 12 that location 58 is non-social distancing friendly. Additionally or alternatively, if Figure 2 the cell 56 is social distancing friendly (e.g., T2 < u2), the radio base station 50-1 can provide a downlink signal to the UE device 12 in cell 52, thereby notifying the UE device 12 that location 60 is social distancing friendly. The user of the UE device 12 can use this information to avoid location 58 and / or instead travel to location 60, thereby minimizing their exposure to potentially dangerous pathogens.

[0072] Figure 5 is an example flowchart of operations that can be performed by Figure 2 the UE device 12 in cell 52 to display information about the social distancing conditions of one or more geographical areas as identified by the network equipment 73 while preserving user privacy.

[0073] At operation 110, the UE device 12 can connect to the radio base station 50-1 (e.g., via a cellular phone link) while in cell 52.

[0074] At operation 112, the UE device 12 can provide anonymized UE information to the radio base station 50-1 (e.g., as processed by the network equipment 73 Figure 4The information collected by the network equipment may include timestamps associated with communication between the UE device 12 and the wireless base station 50-1, as well as globally unique cell identifiers that uniquely identify the wireless base station 50-1 and / or its cell 52. If needed, the UE device 12 may provide obfuscated location information to the wireless base station 50-1. For example, the UE device 12 may provide information identifying the geographical block in which the UE device 12 is located. If needed, the UE device 12 may generate sensor data identifying the presence of other UE devices 12 in its vicinity (e.g., UE devices 12 not currently connected to the UE device 50-1), and may transmit the sensor data to the wireless base station 50-1 (e.g., the network equipment 73 may collect the sensor data as...). Figure 3 (Sensor data 76). This information may not specifically identify the UE device 12 or its user (e.g., the UE information is anonymized).

[0075] At optional operation 114, UE device 12 may query network equipment 73 for social distancing information about one or more geographic regions. Geographic regions may include one or more locations that a user of UE device 12 wishes to visit and / or one or more cells located at, near, or adjacent to UE device 12. For example, when a user of UE device 12 searches for... Figure 2 At locations 58 and 60, this can query network equipment 73 to obtain information about social distancing conditions at locations 58 and 60 (e.g., social distancing conditions at cells 54 and 56). Additionally or alternatively, UE device 12 can autonomously transmit the query. UE device 12 can transmit the query in the uplink signal provided to radio base station 50-1, which can be processed... Figure 4 Operation 90 is received by network equipment 73. Operation 114 can be omitted if necessary (e.g., when the cell adjacent to UE device 12 is not socially friendly, or in response to any desired triggering condition, network equipment 73 can periodically provide social distance information of one or more cells to UE device 12).

[0076] At operation 116, UE device 12 may receive information from wireless base station 50-1 identifying social distancing conditions for one or more locations (cells). For example, UE device 12 may receive information from wireless base station 50-1 identifying which of a queried geographic area is non-socially distance friendly and / or which of the queried geographic areas is socially distance friendly. As another example, UE device 12 may receive information from wireless base station 50-1 identifying one or more cells adjacent to UE device 12 as non-socially distance friendly. This information may be processed by network equipment 73 (e.g., wireless base station 50-1) during processing. Figure 4 Transmission occurs during operation 102.

[0077] At operation 118, the display 24 on the UE device 12 may display information identifying the social distancing conditions received at operation 116. For example, the display 24 may display information identifying non-social distancing friendly cells and / or social distancing friendly cells. This information may be displayed as push notifications, banner notifications, etc., on a map or navigation application running on the UE device 12.

[0078] Figure 6 It shows the processing Figure 5 An example of a graphical user interface that can be displayed on monitor 24 during operation 118. For example... Figure 6 As shown, a graphical user interface (GUI) such as graphical user interface 120 can be displayed on display 24 (e.g., via software such as a navigation or map application running on control circuitry 16).

[0079] exist Figure 6 In the example, the graphical user interface 120 displays Figure 2 The map shows the geographical area where locations 58 and 60 are located. For example, a user of UE device 12 may have already searched for nearby parks in a map application. The map application can display the map at location 58 (…) using the graphical user interface 120. Figure 2 The first park at location 122 and at location 60 ( Figure 2 The second park 124 is located at [location missing]. In this example, cell 54 is not socially distance friendly (e.g., a relatively high number of UE devices 12 in set 62 makes it possible to target [missing information]). Figure 2 The estimated total population of the 54-member community exceeds that of the community. Figure 4 The operation at point 100 processes the maximum number of individuals allowed in cell 54 under local social distancing guidelines, while cell 56 is socially friendly (e.g., a relatively low number of UE devices 12 in set 64 allows for targeting...). Figure 2 The estimated total population of neighborhood 56 is less than that in Figure 4 The maximum number of individuals allowed in 56 communities under the local social distancing guidelines for handling 100 locations.

[0080] The graphical user interface 120 may display alarms, signs, warnings, or other graphical elements 126 (e.g., icons, banners, shapes, videos, images, text, pins, circles, animations, and / or other visual indicators) to indicate to the user of the UE device 12 that park 122 is not socially distancing friendly (e.g., park 122 is overcrowded). Additionally or alternatively, the graphical user interface 120 may display graphical elements 128 (e.g., icons, banners, shapes, videos, images, text, pins, circles, animations, and / or other visual indicators) to indicate to the user of the UE device 12 that park 124 is socially distancing friendly (e.g., park 122 is not overcrowded). This graphical information can help the user of the UE device 12 make informed decisions about which park to visit while minimizing exposure to pathogens. For example, the user can then input directions to a map application to generate directions from the current location of the UE device 12 to park 124. The use of graphical indicators... Figure 6 The examples are merely illustrative. Acoustic / audio, haptic, and / or any other desired indicators may be used to inform the user of UE device 12 about social distancing conditions.

[0081] In some examples, when the surrounding area is not socially distancing friendly, network equipment 73 can use the location of UE device 12 to warn the user of UE device 12. This could, for example, allow the user of UE device 12 to avoid these areas in advance. Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation that can be performed by network equipment 73 to notify UE device 12 when the nearby area is not socially distance friendly.

[0082] At operation 130, network equipment 73 can receive obfuscated location information from UE device 12 (e.g., during processing). Figure 4 (During operation 90). Obfuscated location information may include geographical blocks in which the UE device 12 is located but whose precise location is otherwise hidden from the network equipment to protect user privacy. For example, the UE device 12 may be processing... Figure 5 This information is transmitted during operation 112.

[0083] At operation 132, network equipment 73 can identify one or more cells surrounding UE device 12 based on fuzzy location information. For example, network equipment 73 can identify one or more cells that overlap with, are located at, are adjacent to, or are near the geographical block of UE device 12 for further processing. The radio base station 50 of the identified cells can, for example, be formed in... Figure 4 A group of wireless base stations are processed during the operation.

[0084] exist Figure 7In operation 134, network equipment 73 can estimate (e.g., estimate, calculate, output, generate, produce, etc.) the total population of the identified cell (e.g., in processing...). Figure 4 During operation 98, the wireless base stations of the identified cells were formed in Figure 4 (A group of wireless base stations processed at 98 locations).

[0085] exist Figure 7 In operation 136, network equipment 73 can identify the social distancing conditions of the identified community based on the community's total population, the community's area, and the local social distancing guidelines for managing the community (e.g., in processing...). Figure 4 (When operating 100). For example, network equipment 73 can identify which cells are socially distance friendly and which cells are not socially distance friendly (e.g., while preserving user privacy and masking personal information about the user of the UE device or the user of the UE device).

[0086] At operation 138, network equipment 73 can transmit information to UE device 12 identifying which cells are non-social distancing friendly (e.g., in processing...). Figure 4 (During operation 102). Additionally or alternatively, network equipment 73 may transmit information identifying which cells are socially distance friendly. UE device 12 can then display information identifying non-socially distance friendly and / or socially distance friendly areas at, near, or near UE device 12 (e.g., during processing). Figure 7 (Operation 138).

[0087] Figure 8 This is a diagram of a geographic region 48 illustrating an example of how network equipment 73 can notify UE device 12 of social distancing conditions in the vicinity. Figure 8 In this example, UE device 12 may be located at location 145 within geographic region 48. UE device 12 may transmit obfuscated location information to network equipment 73 (e.g., wireless base station 50-1). The obfuscated location information may identify UE device 12 as being located within geographic block 144 without revealing the precise location 145 to the network equipment. Geographic block 144 may have any desired shape, and as an example, may be a 75m × 75m block.

[0088] When processing Figure 7 During operation 130, network equipment 73 can receive information identifying geographic block 144 from UE device 12. Network equipment 73 can identify at least a first cell 140 and a second cell 142 that overlap with or are adjacent to geographic block 144 (e.g., during processing). Figure 7(During operation 132). Cell 140 can be covered by wireless base station 50-4. Cell 142 can be covered by wireless base station 50-5. A group of UE devices 144 can exist in cell 140, and a group of UE devices 146 can exist in cell 142.

[0089] In processing Figure 7 During operation 134, network equipment 73 can estimate the total number of individuals (total population) in cell 140 (e.g., the number of UE devices in UE device set 144) and can estimate the total number of individuals in cell 142 (e.g., the number of UE devices in UE device set 146).

[0090] exist Figure 8 In the example, neighborhood 142 has a higher population than neighborhood 140. If the total population density of neighborhood 142 exceeds a threshold level (e.g., if the estimated total population for neighborhood 142 exceeds the maximum number of individuals allowed in neighborhood 142 given its area and local social distancing guidelines), then network equipment 73 can identify neighborhood 142 as non-socially distancing friendly (e.g., in processing...). Figure 7 During operation 136). If the total population density of cell 140 does not exceed a threshold level (e.g., if the estimated total population for cell 140 is less than the maximum number of individuals allowed in cell 140 given its area and local social distancing guidelines for cell 140), then network equipment 73 can identify cell 140 as socially distance friendly. Network equipment 73 (e.g., wireless base station 50-1) can inform UE device 12 of the social distancing conditions of cells 140 and 142 (e.g., during processing). Figure 7 (Operation 138).

[0091] Figure 9 It shows that it can respond to in Figure 7 An example of a graphical user interface displayed on a display 24, based on information transmitted by network equipment 73 at operation point 138. Figure 9 As shown, a graphical user interface (GUI), such as graphical user interface 148, can (e.g., via software such as...) Figure 1 The navigation or map application running on the control circuit 16 is displayed on the monitor 24.

[0092] exist Figure 9 In the example, the graphical user interface 148 displays the geographical area surrounding the UE device 12 (e.g., Figure 8 A map of the geographical region 48. The graphical user interface 148 can be used at the location of the UE device 12 (e.g., at...). Figure 8 At position 145, an icon or indicator 150 is displayed. The graphical user interface 148 can display information related to cell 142 (…). Figure 8Graphical indicators 152, some or all of which overlap with those of the UE device 12, indicate to the user that the geographic area is not socially distance friendly. Additionally or alternatively, the graphical user interface 148 may display information related to cell 140 (…). Figure 8 The UE device 12 may include some or all of the overlapping graphic indicators 154, which identify to the user of the UE device 12 that the geographic area is socially distancing friendly. For example, the user of the UE device 12 can use this information to proactively avoid areas overlapping with cell 142. Graphic indicators 152 and 154 may include alarms, signs, warnings, push notifications, icons, banners, shapes, videos, images, text, pins, circles, animations, and / or any other desired visual indicators. Additionally or alternatively, when a user enters the geographic area of ​​cell 142, the UE device 12 may issue an audio or haptic alarm to warn the user that the cell is not socially distancing friendly.

[0093] If necessary, a cell may be considered socially distance-friendly according to any of the above embodiments if the cell's connection count exceeds or is greater than or equal to a threshold (e.g., a threshold given by the maximum number of individuals allowed in the cell, u), and a cell may be considered socially distance-unfriendly according to any of the above embodiments if the cell's connection count is less than the threshold. In other words, network equipment 73 may identify the social distancing conditions of a given cell based at least on the cell's connection count as a proxy or an estimate of the cell's total population, and, if necessary, may refine or adjust the estimated total population based on UE sensor data, API data from other network operators, scheduling information, and / or time / date information (e.g., the connection count itself may serve as an estimate of the cell's total population, if needed). If necessary, the social distancing guidelines described herein may be set by the user of the UE device (e.g., in place of a regulatory body or other than a regulatory body). The user may provide user input to a software application, for example via a user input device, which sets the social distancing guidelines or threshold distance d (e.g., based on the user's own comfort level), and the UE device or other equipment may notify the network of the user's choices / preferences to inform the UE device when certain areas are or are not socially distance-friendly.

[0094] The above combination Figures 1 to 9The described methods and operations can be executed by components of UE device 12 and / or network equipment 73 using software, firmware, and / or hardware (e.g., dedicated circuitry or hardware). Software code for performing these operations may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a tangible computer-readable storage medium) on one or more components of UE device 12 and / or network equipment 73. This software code may sometimes be referred to as software, data, instructions, program instructions, or code. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may include drives, non-volatile memory such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), removable flash drives or other removable media, other types of random access memory, etc. The software stored on the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be executed by processing circuitry on one or more components of UE device 12 and / or network equipment 73. The processing circuitry may include a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with processing circuitry, or other processing circuitry.

[0095] As described above, one aspect of this technology involves collecting and using data available from various sources to improve information transmission to users of user equipment devices at a given location and / or when the user equipment device moves through a geographic area. While the UE device 10 may collect and / or use personally identifiable information, the methods described herein limit or prevent such information from being exposed to the network itself and other users. It is well known that the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and practices generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly explained to the user.

[0096] According to one embodiment, a method for operating a wireless network having a set of base stations is provided, the method comprising: identifying connection counts indicating the number of user equipment (UE) devices connected to base stations in the set of base stations; estimating the population density of the cells of the base stations based at least on the connection counts; and providing information indicating the estimated population density to the UE devices for display by the UE devices.

[0097] According to another implementation, identifying connection counts includes collecting anonymized UE data from UE devices connected to the set of base stations, and identifying connection counts based on the anonymized UE data.

[0098] According to another implementation, the anonymized UE data includes timestamp values ​​and globally unique cell identifiers.

[0099] According to another implementation, the anonymized UE data does not contain information identifying the UE device.

[0100] According to another implementation, estimating population density includes estimating the total population of a neighborhood based at least on connection counts, and the method includes identifying the area required to identify individuals in the neighborhood based on social distancing guidelines associated with the neighborhood; generating the maximum number of individuals allowed in the neighborhood by the social distancing guidelines based on the area required to identify individuals; and comparing the estimated total population of the neighborhood with the maximum number of individuals allowed in the neighborhood by the social distancing guidelines.

[0101] According to another implementation, the social distancing guidelines include the distance between two people, and identifying the maximum number of individuals allowed in a community includes identifying the maximum number of individuals allowed in a community based on the area and distance of the community.

[0102] According to another implementation, providing information to the UE device includes notifying the UE device when the estimated total population of the cell exceeds the maximum number of individuals allowed in the cell by social distancing guidelines.

[0103] According to another implementation, estimating the total population includes collecting radio frequency sensor data from UE devices connected to the set of base stations, the sensor data indicating unconnected UE devices near the UE devices, and estimating the total population based on connection counts and radio frequency sensor data.

[0104] According to another implementation scheme, estimating the total population includes estimating the total population based on the current time.

[0105] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device having a display is provided, the method comprising: receiving from a wireless base station in a wireless network information identifying a geographic area having an estimated population density exceeding a maximum threshold population density, the maximum threshold population density being determined by the wireless network based on a social distancing protocol for managing the geographic area and user equipment (UE) connection counts of cells overlapping with the geographic area; and using an application running on the electronic device to display a map on the display, the map including graphic elements identifying the geographic area as having excessive population density.

[0106] According to another embodiment, the method includes transmitting information identifying a geographic block to a wireless base station, the geographic block including the location of an electronic device, the geographic region being adjacent to the geographic block.

[0107] According to another embodiment, the method includes collecting sensor data from one or more UE devices indicating the vicinity of an electronic device and transmitting the sensor data to a wireless base station for use by the wireless network when generating information identifying geographical areas.

[0108] According to another implementation, the method includes transmitting a timestamp and a globally unique cell identifier associated with the wireless base station to the wireless network for use by the wireless network when generating information identifying a geographic area.

[0109] According to another embodiment, the method includes receiving additional information from a wireless base station identifying an additional geographic area having an additional estimated population density less than a maximum threshold population density; and using an application running on an electronic device to display on a map additional graphic elements identifying the additional geographic area as having a smaller population density than the geographic area.

[0110] According to one embodiment, a method is provided for operating one or more processors in a wireless network, the wireless network including at least a first wireless base station in a first cell, a second wireless base station in a second cell, and user equipment (UE) devices in the first cell, the method comprising: receiving a timestamp and a globally unique cell identifier from the UE devices in the second cell; generating a first connection count for the second wireless base station based on the timestamp and the globally unique cell identifier received from the UE devices in the second cell; estimating a total number of people in the second cell based at least on the first connection count; and transmitting a signal using the first wireless base station when the estimated total number of people in the second cell exceeds a maximum number of people allowed in the second cell by a first social distancing protocol associated with the second cell, the signal notifying the UE devices in the first cell that the estimated total number of people in the second cell exceeds the maximum number of people allowed in the second cell by the first social distancing protocol.

[0111] According to another implementation, the method includes identifying the area required for individuals within a second cell based on the distance between two individuals identified by a first social distancing protocol; and generating a maximum number of individuals by dividing the area of ​​the second cell by the area required for individuals within the second cell.

[0112] According to another embodiment, the method includes receiving a timestamp and a globally unique cell identifier from a UE device in a third cell covered by a third wireless base station; generating a second connection count for the third wireless base station based on the timestamp and the globally unique cell identifier collected from the UE device in the third cell; estimating the total number of people in the third cell based at least on the second connection count; and when the estimated total number of people in the third cell exceeds the maximum number of people allowed in the third cell by a second social distancing protocol, transmitting an additional signal using a first wireless base station to notify the UE device in the first cell that the estimated total number of people in the third cell exceeds the maximum number of people allowed in the third cell by the second social distancing protocol.

[0113] According to another implementation, when the estimated total number of people in the second cell is less than the maximum number of people allowed in the second cell by the first social distancing protocol, the method uses the first wireless base station to notify the UE device in the first cell that the location in the second cell is socially safe.

[0114] According to another embodiment, the method includes receiving sensor data from a UE device in a second cell that indicates the number of additional UE devices in the second cell; and estimating the total number of people in the second cell by adding the number of additional UE devices in the second cell to a first connection count.

[0115] According to another implementation, the UE devices in the first cell run a first operating system, the method comprising: receiving an application programming interface from a network operator, the application programming interface identifying the number of additional UE devices in the second cell running a second operating system different from the first operating system; and estimating the total number of users in the second cell by adding the number of additional UE devices in the second cell to a first connection count.

[0116] The foregoing description is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described implementation scheme. The described implementation scheme can be implemented independently or in any combination.

Claims

1. A method for operating a wireless network having a set of base stations, the method comprising: A query is received from a user equipment (UE) device at a certain location, wherein the query identification includes a geographical region of a cell from a base station in the group of base stations, the location being outside the cell; Identify connection counts, which indicate the number of UE devices connected to the base station; The population density of the cells of the base stations is estimated based at least on the connection count and radio frequency sensor data collected from the UE devices connected to the set of base stations, the radio frequency sensor data indicating unconnected UE devices in the vicinity of the UE devices; as well as Information indicating the estimated population density is provided to the UE device for display by the UE device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the connection count comprises: Anonymized UE data is collected from UE devices connected to the set of base stations; as well as The connection count is identified based on the anonymized UE data.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the anonymized UE data includes a timestamp value and a globally unique cell identifier.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the anonymized UE data does not contain information identifying the UE device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein estimating the population density includes estimating the total population of the cell based at least on the connection count, and the method further includes: The area required to identify individuals within the community is determined based on social distancing guidelines associated with the community. The maximum number of individuals allowed in the community by the social distancing guidelines is generated based on the identified area required by the individuals. as well as The estimated total population of the neighborhood is compared with the maximum number of individuals allowed in the neighborhood by the social distancing guidelines.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the social distancing guidelines include the distance between two people, and identifying the maximum number of individuals allowed in the cell includes identifying the maximum number of individuals allowed in the cell based on the area of ​​the cell and the distance.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein providing the information to the UE device comprises: The UE device is notified when the estimated total population of the cell exceeds the maximum number of individuals allowed in the cell by the social distancing guidelines.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein estimating the total population further includes estimating the total population based on the current time.

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