Apparatus and method for generating search area information

Abstract

The purpose of the present specification is to provide an apparatus and method for generating information about an area in which a search for a subject to be rescued may be effectively performed by means of radio wave analysis. The apparatus for generating search area information, according to the present specification, may: identify a reference base station, which is last connected to a mobile communication terminal, from information about histories of the mobile communication terminal that has accessed base stations; and select as a search area by means of information about analysis of coverage of the reference base station. The apparatus for generating search area information, according to the present specification, may exclude unnecessary search areas or select areas requiring preferential searches by generating information about an area in which a subject to be rescued is likely to be present, rather than searching the entire signal reachable range of a base station.

Description

[0001]

Description of the Invention

[0002]

Title of Invention

[0003] Device and method for generating search area information

[0004]

Technology Field

[0005] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for generating search area information, and more specifically, to an apparatus and method for generating search area information through radio wave analysis.

Background Art

[0006] The present application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0000863 filed in the Republic of Korea on January 3, 2025, and Korean Patent Applications No. 10-2025-0084513, No. 10-2025-0084514, No. 10-2025-0084515 and No. 10-2025-0084516 filed in the Republic of Korea on June 25, 2025, and all contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of said applications are incorporated into the present application.

[0007] The content described in this part merely provides background information regarding the embodiments described in this specification and does not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0008] The emergency rescue positioning system is used to rapidly provide accurate location information of rescue targets to emergency rescue agencies in situations such as distress, disappearance, crime, fire, and disaster. Emergency rescue agencies can request the positioning information of rescue targets from mobile carriers through the emergency rescue positioning system, and the mobile carriers provide the positioning information

[0009] It can be delivered to the emergency rescue agency early.

[0010] When the wireless communication terminal of a person being rescued is located within the coverage area of ​​a base station, the location of the person being rescued can be determined using base station-based positioning technology, GPS (Global Positioning System)-based positioning technology, or Wi-Fi-based positioning technology.

[0011] However, if the rescue victim's wireless communication device moves out of the base station's coverage area, the location of the last connected base station can be determined, but the victim's exact location cannot be identified. Emergency rescue agencies must deploy a large number of personnel and spend a significant amount of time searching for the victim, and this process increases the risk of failing to secure the golden time for rescue.

[0012]

Description of the Invention

[0013]

Technical Challenges

[0014] The present specification aims to provide an apparatus and method for generating information regarding an area where a search for a person to be rescued can be effectively performed through radio wave analysis. The present specification is not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description below.

Technical Solution

[0015] A search area information generating device according to the present specification for solving the above-described problem comprises: a hardware processor; and a memory connected to the processor and storing at least one computer program configured to perform a search area information generating method.

[0016] The method for generating search area information according to the first embodiment of the present specification may include: (a) receiving information regarding the history of a mobile communication terminal connecting to a base station (hereinafter referred to as "mobile communication terminal connection information") from a mobile communication service provider to which the mobile communication terminal of a person subject to rescue is subscribed; (b) identifying the base station last connected to the mobile communication terminal (hereinafter referred to as "reference base station") from the mobile communication terminal connection information; and (c) reading coverage analysis information of the reference base station and selecting a shadow area from the coverage analysis information as a candidate search area. The coverage analysis information is information combining digital terrain data and received signal strength data, and contains data regarding a shadow area within the coverage where communication between the base station and the mobile communication terminal is impossible.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the method for generating search area information may further include the step of (d) excluding the communication-enabled area of ​​an adjacent base station from the candidate search area.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the method for generating search area information may further include the step of (e) selecting an area adjacent to the weak communication area of ​​a reference base station among the candidate search areas as the final search area.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the method for generating search area information may further include (f) the step of generating search mission information for the final search area.

[0020] The method for generating search area information according to the second embodiment of the present specification may include: (a) receiving information regarding the history of a mobile communication terminal connecting to a base station (hereinafter referred to as "mobile communication terminal connection information") from a mobile communication service provider to which the mobile communication terminal of a person being rescued is subscribed; (b) identifying the base station last connected to the mobile communication terminal (hereinafter referred to as "reference base station") and the base station immediately preceding the reference base station (hereinafter referred to as "immediate connection base station") from the mobile communication terminal connection information; and (c) reading coverage analysis information of the reference base station and coverage analysis information of the immediate connection base station, and selecting an area adjacent to the communication area of ​​the immediate connection base station among the communication possible areas of the reference base station (hereinafter referred to as "last connection estimated area"); and (d) selecting a shaded area adjacent to the last connection estimated area from the coverage analysis information of the reference base station as a candidate search area.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the search area information generation method may further include the step of (e) selecting a weak communication area adjacent to the last connection estimation area among the weak communication areas of the reference base station, and selecting a shaded area adjacent to the weak communication area of ​​the reference base station selected first among the candidate search areas as the final search area.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the method for generating search area information may further include (f) a step of generating search mission information for the final search area. According to a third embodiment of the present specification, the method for generating search area information may include: (a) a step of receiving information regarding the history of the mobile communication terminal connecting to a base station (hereinafter 'mobile communication terminal connection information') from a mobile communication service provider to which the mobile communication terminal of the person being rescued is subscribed; (b) a step of identifying the base station last connected to the mobile communication terminal (hereinafter 'reference base station') from the mobile communication terminal connection information; and (c) a step of reading coverage analysis information of the reference base station and selecting a weak communication area from the coverage analysis information as a candidate search area.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the method for generating search area information may further include the step of (d) selecting an area from which the communication possible area of ​​an adjacent base station is excluded from the candidate search area as the final search area.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the method for generating search area information may further include the step of (e) generating search mission information for the final search area.

[0025] The method for generating search area information according to the fourth embodiment of the present specification may include: (a) receiving information regarding the history of a mobile communication terminal connecting to a base station (hereinafter referred to as "mobile communication terminal connection information") from a mobile communication service provider to which the mobile communication terminal of a person being rescued is subscribed; (b) identifying the base station last connected to the mobile communication terminal (hereinafter referred to as "reference base station") and the base station immediately preceding the reference base station (hereinafter referred to as "immediate connection base station") from the mobile communication terminal connection information; and (c) reading coverage analysis information of the reference base station and coverage analysis information of the immediate connection base station, and selecting an area adjacent to the communication area of ​​the immediate connection base station among the communication possible areas of the reference base station (hereinafter referred to as "last connection estimated area") as a candidate search area.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the method for generating search area information may further include (d) a step of setting a final search area in proportion to the time the mobile communication terminal is turned off. In this case, the step (d) may be a step of setting a final search area using a time-based diffusion model.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the method for generating search area information may further include (f) the step of generating search mission information for the final search area.

[0028] Other specific details of the present invention are included in the detailed description and drawings.

Effects of the Invention

[0029] According to another aspect of the present specification, information about areas where there is a high probability that a person to be rescued exists can be generated even in areas where communication between a base station and a wireless communication terminal is impossible.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present specification, the direction and speed of movement of the person to be rescued can be predicted to concentrate the resources needed for the search.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present specification, the time or cost for searching for a person to be rescued can be reduced. This allows the golden time for searching for a person to be rescued to be preserved, thereby reducing precious lives and social costs.

[0032] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description below.

[0033]

Brief Description of Drawing

[0034] Figure 2 is an example of coverage analysis information.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a method for generating search area information according to the first embodiment of the present specification.

[0036] FIGS. 4 to 14 are illustrative diagrams for each step of the first embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 15 is a schematic flowchart of a method for generating search area information according to a second embodiment of the present specification.

[0038] FIGS. 16 to 25 are illustrative diagrams for each step of the second embodiment. FIG. 26 is a graph of signal attenuation by the human body.

[0039] FIG. 27 is a schematic flowchart of a method for generating search area information according to a third embodiment of the present specification.

[0040] *39 FIGS. 28 to 32 are illustrative diagrams for each step of the third embodiment. FIG. 33 is a schematic flowchart of a method for generating search area information according to the fourth embodiment of this specification. FIGS. 34 to 38 are illustrative diagrams for each step of the fourth embodiment.

Forms for Carrying Out the Invention

[0041] The advantages and features of the invention disclosed in this specification, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, this specification is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of this specification is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art (hereinafter referred to as "persons skilled in the art") of the scope of this specification, and the scope of rights of this specification is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0042] The terms used in this specification are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the rights of this specification. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text. As used in this specification

[0043] "Comprises" and / or "comprising" do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components in addition to the mentioned components.

[0044] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components, and "and / or" includes each of the mentioned components and all combinations of one or more. Although "first," "second," etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another. Accordingly, the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0045] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) may be used in a meaning commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this specification pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise.

[0046] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0047] <Problems with Conventional Technology>

[0048] First, let's look at the process of selecting a search area for a rescue target using conventional radio wave analysis. Figure 1 is a reference diagram of the process of selecting a search area for a rescue target using radio wave analysis according to conventional technology.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 1, the prior art checks the information of the last connected base station to the rescue target's telephone in order to search for the rescue target. Once the information of the last connected base station is confirmed, the prior art calculates the distance (R) at which radio waves can reach based on the geographical location of the base station. In the prior art, the range (S = 71R2) at which the radio waves can reach is selected as the search area.

[0050] The theoretical radio wave reach of mobile communication base stations varies depending on various factors, but it is typically 0.5–2 km in urban areas and 10–30 km in rural / open areas. Even when limited to mobile communication base stations using LTE and 5G (high-frequency bands) in mountainous areas where rescue operations frequently occur, the radio waves from the base stations are approximately

[0051] It is possible to reach up to 2 to 5 km. Conventional technology can limit the approximate area, but the search range is too wide, making it difficult to adhere to the golden time for searching for victims.

[0052] <Definition of Terms>

[0053] The terms used in this specification are defined as follows. In this specification, "missing person" refers to a person who has moved away from the normal scope of daily life, lost contact, and whose location or life or death status cannot be confirmed. In particular, in this specification, "missing person" refers to a person who cannot be reached via a mobile communication terminal. Furthermore, in this specification, "missing person" is assumed to be one person. Although a situation in which multiple people go missing may occur, it is assumed that one person possesses a single mobile communication terminal.

[0054] In this specification, "mobile terminal" refers to user equipment for mobile communication services capable of transmitting and receiving voice, data, video, etc., through a wireless network. In particular, in this specification, "mobile terminal" refers to a device capable of using voice and video calls, data transmission and reception, text messaging services, etc., through a cellular network (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.). A mobile terminal is generally

[0055] mobile phone (feature phone), smartphone (smart phone), equipped with cellular functions

[0056] It can be a tablet, a smart watch with an eSIM built-in, a mobile router, an industrial PDA terminal, etc.

[0057] In this specification, "base station" refers to a communication relay device that is a component of a Radio Access Network (RAN), performs wireless communication with mobile terminals, and connects them to a wired network (core network). That is, it is a fixed device that performs wireless communication directly with mobile phones or terminals and is responsible for the transmission and reception of voice / data signals.

[0058] Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) or Telecom Infrastructure Providers install multiple base stations. Each base station can exchange signals with mobile terminals located within the range where radio signals can reach. Coverage refers to the range within which a radio signal transmitted from any base station can reach. If the maximum distance that a radio signal transmitted from a base station can reach is denoted as 'o', then coverage can refer to the area inside a circle with a radius of 'o' centered on the base station. Assuming that radio signals are radiated isotropically from the base station, coverage is formed as an area inside the circle; however, coverage is not necessarily formed as a circle.

[0059] In this specification, "coverage analysis information" refers to information regarding the communication-enabled area within the coverage of each base station. Wireless signals transmitted from a base station may experience signal strength attenuation due to factors such as distance, terrain, and buildings. Coverage analysis information can be generated through data on the strength of wireless signals measured in actual terrain. Additionally, coverage analysis information may be generated through base station parameters, digital terrain data, and radio propagation models. In this specification, "coverage analysis information" refers to information combining digital terrain data and received signal strength data.

[0060] In some areas within the coverage, there may be regions where communication is impossible due to weak wireless signal strength or the inability of wireless signals to reach. In this specification, a "Shadow Zone" refers to an area within the coverage where communication between a base station and a mobile communication terminal is impossible. Conversely, an area within the coverage where the wireless signal strength is sufficient is a communication-possible area. A communication-possible area can be further divided into a "good communication area" and a "poor communication area." A poor communication area refers to an area where the signal strength of the base station received by the mobile communication terminal is below a preset reference strength. The reference strength can be set in various ways.

[0061] In the aforementioned weak communication areas, communication between the mobile terminal and each base station may be established, but the communication may be unstable. In weak communication areas, the communication connection between the mobile terminal and each base station may be intermittently interrupted, or the call quality may degrade. Geographically, weak communication areas may overlap with dead zones.

[0062] Figure 2 is an example of coverage analysis information.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 1, the location of the base station is indicated at the center, and the maximum distance "R" that a wireless signal transmitted from the base station can reach is indicated. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the communication-enabled area is the area indicated in blue, yellow, orange, and red. Depending on the communication quality, the blue area is the best area, and the red area corresponds to the weak communication area. The shaded area corresponds to the remaining area within the base station's coverage range excluding the communication-enabled area. Meanwhile, FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the communication-enabled area is divided into four stages, but the coverage analysis information is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2.

[0064] In this specification, "Mobile terminal connection information" refers to information regarding the history of a mobile terminal connecting to a base station. A mobile service provider stores various connection-related data generated or recorded when a mobile terminal connects to a cellular network for network operation, billing, authentication, location tracking, quality of service (QoS), etc., on a server. In particular, in this specification, "mobile terminal connection information" refers to the base station identification information (connected base station ID) to which the mobile terminal is connected among the mobile terminal connection information.

[0065] A mobile communication service provider's server can store connected base station IDs based on time. Therefore, when a rescue subject's mobile communication terminal receives connection information from the mobile communication service provider to which the rescue subject's mobile communication terminal is subscribed, the ID of the base station the rescue subject's mobile communication terminal last connected to can be identified through the connection information. Additionally, the ID of the base station immediately connected can also be identified through the connection information.

[0066] <Physical Components for the Implementation of the Invention>

[0067] A search area information generating device according to the present specification may include a hardware processor and a memory connected to the processor.

[0068] A hardware processor may include a general-purpose processor, an ASIC (appliance-specific integrated circuit), other chipsets, logic circuits, registers, communication modems, data processing devices, etc., known in the art to which the present invention belongs, for executing calculation and various control logic. The memory may store at least one computer program configured to perform the search area information generation method according to the present specification. The computer program stored in the memory may be executed by the hardware processor. Additionally, the memory may store data and information necessary for performing the search area information generation method according to the present specification.

[0069] The aforementioned memory is not a medium that stores data for a brief moment, such as registers or cache memory, but rather stores data semi-permanently, and by the device

[0070] It refers to a readable medium. Specifically, examples of the storage medium include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, and optical data storage device. The computer program may be stored on various recording media on various servers that the computer can access or on various recording media on the user's computer. Additionally, the recording media may be distributed across networked computer systems, and computer-readable code may be stored in a distributed manner.

[0071] <Types of Search Scenarios for Rescued Persons> This specification presents various search scenarios for rescued persons and considers methods to estimate the location of rescued persons according to each scenario.

[0072] First, cases where the person to be rescued is located within a communication range and can communicate via a mobile communication terminal, regardless of whether the person is conscious or not, are excluded from the search scenarios of this specification.

[0073] Next, in this specification, a case where the consciousness of the person being rescued is unknown and the person's mobile device is located in a dead zone, and the emergency rescue positioning result of the fire department and police is unpositionable (dead zone), is referred to as "Search Scenario A".

[0074] Next, in this specification, a case where the mobile communication terminal of the person being rescued is located in a weak communication area, but the person being rescued is classified as a vulnerable group such as the elderly or a person with dementia and attenuation occurs due to falling, or attenuation of radio waves occurs due to geographical features such as waterways or deep streams, and the emergency rescue positioning result of the fire department and police is impossible to position (shadow area), is referred to as “Search Scenario B”.

[0075] Next, the case in which the emergency rescue positioning result of the fire department and police on the mobile communication terminal of the person being rescued is power-off is referred to as "Search Scenario C" in this specification. For example, this is when the battery of the mobile communication terminal is completely used up or when the person being rescued turns off the mobile communication terminal themselves.

[0076] <Search Scenario A for Rescue Targets>

[0077] In this specification, "Search Scenario A" refers to a case where the mobile communication terminal of the person to be rescued is located in a shadow area, and the emergency rescue positioning result of the fire department and police is "positioning impossible (shadow area)." The above Search Scenario A can be further divided into a case where the mobile communication terminal of the person to be rescued has no history of connecting to two or more base stations near the estimated time of the person to be rescued's disappearance (hereinafter "Search Scenario A-1") and a case where it has a history of connecting to two or more base stations (hereinafter "Search Scenario A-2").

[0078] First, I will explain Search Scenario A-1.

[0079] Search Scenario A-1 is a case where the mobile terminal of the person to be rescued has no history of connecting to two or more base stations near the estimated time of disappearance of the person to be rescued. In this specification, the estimated time of disappearance refers to the time when the person to be rescued was last seen, the time when the last location of the person to be rescued was known, the time of the last contact with the person to be rescued, etc. The time of disappearance of the person to be rescued is determined comprehensively by a search expert at the scene based on various evidence, and is not a component of the present invention. Search Scenario A-1 is a situation where a continuous connection to a specific single base station is maintained without any history of connecting to other base stations prior to the estimated time of disappearance. In other words, it is a case where the person to be rescued did not move from the coverage of another base station to the coverage of the specific base station.

[0080] FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a method for generating search area information according to the first embodiment of the present specification.

[0081] FIGS. 4 to 14 are illustrative diagrams for each step of the first embodiment.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 3, first, in step S100, the search area information generating device can receive information about the history of the mobile communication terminal connecting to a base station (hereinafter referred to as 'mobile communication terminal connection information') from the mobile communication service provider to which the mobile communication terminal of the person being rescued is subscribed.

[0083] When an emergency rescue agency provides the mobile communication terminal identification number (phone number) of the person being rescued, the mobile communication service provider provides the connection information of the person being rescued's mobile communication terminal. Laws and procedures related to this vary from country to country. Therefore, without considering what procedures were followed in this specification, it is assumed that the connection information of the person being rescued's mobile communication terminal has been secured.

[0084] In the next step S110, the search area information generating device can identify the base station (hereinafter referred to as the 'reference base station') last connected to the mobile communication terminal in the mobile communication terminal connection information.

[0085] Referring to Fig. 4, this is an example where the base station depicted in the center is identified as the reference base station.

[0086] In the next step S120, the search area information generating device can read the coverage analysis information of the reference base station. Coverage analysis information for multiple base stations may be stored in advance in the memory. In this case, the processor can read the coverage analysis information of the reference base station among the multiple coverage analysis information stored in the memory. Meanwhile, the coverage analysis information of the reference base station may not be stored in advance in the memory. In this case, the coverage analysis information of the reference base station can be downloaded and stored in the memory through communication with a device or server where the coverage analysis information of the reference base station is stored. Then, the processor can read the coverage analysis information of the reference base station stored in the memory.

[0087] The search area information generating device can select a shadow area from the coverage analysis information as a candidate search area. As previously explained, "coverage analysis information" is information that combines digital terrain data and received signal strength data. In addition, "coverage analysis information" includes location data for "shadow zones," which are areas within the coverage where communication is impossible because wireless signals cannot reach them. Therefore, the search area information generating device can select a shadow area from the coverage analysis information as a candidate search area.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 5, coverage analysis information of a reference base station is illustrated. The colors within the coverage radius—blue, yellow, orange, and red—represent communication-enabled areas based on signal strength. The shaded area corresponds to the remaining area within the base station's coverage range excluding the communication-enabled areas.

[0089] Meanwhile, two or more antennas may be installed in a base station. Also, the antennas installed in the base station may be installed to face different directions. For example, three antennas may be installed in a single base station, and each antenna may be installed to cover 120 degrees within the coverage area. Depending on the mobile communication service provider, there are cases where only the connected base station ID is stored in the mobile communication terminal connection information, and cases where the connected antenna information is additionally stored along with the connected base station ID in the mobile communication terminal connection information.

[0090] The area covered by each antenna within the base station's coverage

[0091] It is called a "sector." In this specification, "sector information" refers to information about the area covered within the base station's coverage by each antenna installed at the base station. Coverage analysis information may further include the base station's sector information.

[0092] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the mobile communication terminal connection information may further include connection antenna information of a base station, and the coverage analysis information may further include sector information corresponding to the connection antenna of the base station. In this case, at step S120, the search area information generating device may select the shaded area of ​​the connection sector in the coverage analysis information as a candidate search area. That is, the search area information generating device may exclude the shaded area of ​​the sector corresponding to the unconnected antenna in the coverage analysis information from the candidate search area. Through this, the search area information generating device may narrow the candidate search area to the shaded area of ​​a specific sector among the shaded areas within the coverage in the coverage analysis information. Referring to FIG. 6, the left radius of the reference base station is the sector corresponding to the connection antenna. Therefore, the right radius sector can be excluded from the candidate search area. And referring to FIG. 7, it is an example diagram showing the shaded area of ​​the connection sector in white.

[0093] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the search area information generation method may exclude the communication-enabled area of ​​an adjacent base station from the candidate search area (step S130 of FIG. 3).

[0094] In this specification, "adjacent base station" means a base station located at a geographically close distance to a reference base station. The coverage of base stations may overlap. Therefore, more precisely, "adjacent base station" means a base station located at a geographically close distance to the reference base station such that their coverage may overlap.

[0095] Even within the coverage of a reference base station, a mobile communication terminal at a specific location may connect to an adjacent base station rather than the reference base station. "Search Scenario A," currently under discussion, is a case where a mobile communication terminal of a rescue target is located in a dead zone, making communication impossible. Therefore, even if the reference base station is in a dead zone, the communication range of an adjacent base station can be excluded from the candidate search area to narrow down the search area. Referring to Figure 8, the reference base station and the adjacent base station are indicated. It is an example where the communication range of the adjacent base station is shown in red.

[0096] Referring to Fig. 9, this is an example where the communication range of adjacent base stations is excluded from the candidate search area. Meanwhile, in Fig. 9, white represents a shaded area and red represents a weak communication area.

[0097] Up until now, areas within the coverage of the reference base station where the rescue target is likely to exist have been selected. More precisely, areas within the coverage of the reference base station where the rescue target is unlikely to exist have been excluded. From now on, it is necessary to select areas within the candidate search areas where the rescue target is more likely to exist.

[0098] Referring to Fig. 9, among the shaded areas marked in white, there are areas adjacent to the weak communication area marked in red and areas that are not. The shaded areas that are not adjacent to the weak communication area of ​​the reference base station are areas adjacent to the communication-enabled area of ​​the adjacent base station. If the person being rescued moved to the shaded area of ​​the reference base station by passing through the communication-enabled area of ​​the adjacent base station, the last connected base station would be recorded as the adjacent base station. However, according to the connection information of the person being rescued's mobile terminal, the last connected base station was the reference base station, and there is no history of connection to the adjacent base station. In other words, it can be presumed that the person being rescued is highly likely to have moved to the shaded area by passing through the weak communication area of ​​the reference base station.

[0099] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the search area information generation method may further include the step of selecting an area adjacent to the communication weak area of ​​a reference base station among the candidate search areas as the final search area (step S140 of FIG. 3). That is, the search area information generation method may exclude an area adjacent to the communication possible area of ​​an adjacent base station among the candidate search areas from the final search area. The process of selecting an adjacent area means that cells are in contact with each other or are located within a preset reference distance within the coverage analysis information.

[0100] Referring to Fig. 10, it can be seen that the area adjacent to the weak communication area of ​​the reference base station among the candidate search areas is shown as a dotted line.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 11, it can be seen that the area indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 10 has been enlarged. The direction of movement that is likely to occur when it is presumed that the person being rescued moved through the weak communication area of ​​the reference base station to the shadow area is illustrated. In this case, the further the search time is from the presumed time of disappearance, the higher the probability that the person being rescued is located farther from the weak communication area of ​​the reference base station. According to one embodiment of the present specification, the search area information generating device may set a final search area in proportion to the time during which the communication connection between the reference base station and the wireless communication terminal is disconnected.

[0102] Referring to Fig. 12, examples of the final search areas set when the search time is 1 hour and 2 hours after the estimated time of disappearance can be seen.

[0103] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the search area information generating device can set a final search area using a time-based diffusion model.

[0104] A time-based diffusion model may have the following calculation process. The weak communication area within the coverage analysis information consists of multiple cells. Each cell has a location value based on digital terrain data. Each cell is set as a starting point, and the distance to the shaded area is calculated based on travel time. In this case, actual measured data on mountain movement speed can be used for the movement speed. Furthermore, terrain slope and clutter type can be reflected in the movement speed. Additionally, the travel distance can be calculated more accurately by reflecting the gender, age group, health status, skill level, and weather information of the person being rescued. Then, probability density is calculated for each time period of travel (e.g., per 10 minutes, per 30 minutes, per hour). The probability density calculation process is repeated for multiple cells within the weak communication area of ​​the coverage analysis information, and the results are all aggregated to classify the probability of finding the person being rescued into grades. For detailed information regarding the above diffusion model, refer to "Lost Person Search Area Prediction Based on Regression and Transfer Learning Mode 1 s (2021)" and "Decision support software for search & rescue operations (2014)".

[0105] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the method for generating search area information may further include the step of generating search mission information for the final search area (step S150 of FIG. 3). The search mission information is information necessary for rescue personnel to search for a person to be rescued, and may include location information for the final search area or information on a movement path toward the final search area.

[0106] Referring to Fig. 13, an example of three search mission information being generated can be seen. The search mission information can be generated based on the location of the search team and information about roads within the terrain. The search mission information generated in this way can be transmitted to the mobile communication terminals of rescue personnel depending on the search mission.

[0107] Referring to Fig. 14, this is an example of search mission information displayed on a mobile terminal of a rescue worker. The rescue worker can check the search mission information, move to the final search area, and proceed with the search operation. Through this, rescue workers can conduct search operations more efficiently than before and secure the golden time for rescuing the person to be rescued. In addition, by identifying an area where the person to be rescued is likely to be located, emergency rescue agencies can prevent excessive consumption of search personnel and search time.

[0108] Next, I will explain Search Scenario A-2.

[0109] Search Scenario A-2 is a case where the mobile terminal of the person to be rescued has a history of connecting to two or more base stations near the estimated time of disappearance of the person to be rescued. In other words, it is a case where the person to be rescued moved from the coverage of another base station to the coverage of that specific base station. Search Scenario A-2 is a method to more precisely estimate the direction of movement and current location of the person to be rescued by utilizing information about the last connected base station.

[0110] Meanwhile, in describing search scenario A-2, repetitive explanations of terms and concepts mentioned in the process of describing search scenario A-1 are omitted. FIG. 15 is a schematic flowchart of a method for generating search area information according to a second embodiment of the present specification.

[0111] FIGS. 16 to 25 are illustrative diagrams for each step of the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 15, first, in step S200, the search area information generating device can receive information (hereinafter 'mobile communication terminal connection information') regarding the history of the mobile communication terminal connecting to a base station from the mobile communication service provider to which the mobile communication terminal of the person being rescued is subscribed.

[0112] In the next step S210, the search area information generating device can identify the base station last connected to the mobile communication terminal (hereinafter referred to as the 'reference base station') and the base station immediately preceding the reference base station (hereinafter referred to as the 'immediately preceding base station') in the mobile communication terminal connection information.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 16, base stations labeled "A" and "B" can be identified. In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the mobile communication terminal of the person being rescued is recorded in the mobile communication terminal connection information as being connected to base station "B" 38 minutes after being connected to base station "A". Therefore, "Base station A" can be identified as the "immediately connected base station" and "Base station B" as the "reference base station".

[0114] In the next step S220, the search area information generating device can read the coverage analysis information of the reference base station and the coverage analysis information of the immediate connection base station. Then, the search area information generating device can select an area adjacent to the communication possible area of ​​the immediate connection base station among the communication possible areas of the reference base station (hereinafter referred to as the 'last connection estimated area').

[0115] Referring to FIG. 17, it can be seen that the communication-enabled area of ​​base station A is indicated in red, and the communication-enabled area of ​​base station B is indicated in yellow. Meanwhile, as previously explained, the mobile communication terminal connection information may further include the connection antenna information of the base station, and the coverage analysis information may further include sector information based on the connection antenna of the base station. In this case, the search area information generating device may select the last connection estimated area among the communication-enabled areas of the connection sector from the coverage analysis information of the reference base station.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 18, an example can be seen in which the last connection estimated area is displayed in green. According to one embodiment of the present specification, a search area information generating device can select the last connection estimated area within a preset error range based on the connection time difference between the immediately preceding connected base station and the reference base station. Search scenario A-2 according to the present specification assumes that a connection to base station "B" is established 38 minutes after a connection to base station "A". Therefore, the communication range of base station B, which is reachable 38 minutes after the rescue subject connects to base station A, can be the last connection estimated area.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 19, an example comparing the size of the communication range of the reference base station shown on the left and the estimated last connection range shown on the right can be seen. In the above example, the communication range of the reference base station is 97.98 km² and the estimated last connection range is 9.63 km 2 That is, in the above example, the last connection location of the rescue target can be reduced to about 1 / 10.

[0118] In the next step S230, the search area information generating device may select a shaded area adjacent to the last connection estimation area from the coverage analysis information of the reference base station as a candidate search area.

[0119] Meanwhile, as explained above, it can be presumed that the person being rescued is highly likely to move to a shadow area by passing through the weak communication area of ​​the reference base station. Accordingly, according to one embodiment of the present specification, the search area information generation method may further include the step of selecting a weak communication area adjacent to the last connection estimation area among the weak communication areas of the reference base station, and selecting a shadow area adjacent to the weak communication area of ​​the reference base station selected first among the candidate search areas as the final search area (step S240 of FIG. 15).

[0120] Referring to Fig. 20, the last connection estimate in the example shown on the left

[0121] You can see the area (shown in blue) and the weak communication area (shown in red) adjacent to the last estimated connection area. In the example shown on the right, you can see that the last estimated connection area shown in blue has been removed, and only the weak communication area shown in red is shown. In the example above, the size of the weak communication area has been reduced to about half the size of the last estimated connection area.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 21, it can be seen that the size of the communication-enabled area of ​​the reference base station shown on the left and the communication-weak area of ​​the reference base station shown on the right are compared. The size of the two areas differs by approximately 20 times. Therefore, the search area information generating device according to the present specification can significantly reduce the range of the search area compared to the prior art.

[0123] Meanwhile, it is desirable to exclude the communication-enabled area of ​​an adjacent base station from the shadow area of ​​the reference base station. According to one embodiment, the search area information device may further exclude the communication-enabled area of ​​an adjacent base station from the candidate search area in step S230. According to another embodiment, the search area information device may further exclude the communication-enabled area of ​​an adjacent base station from the final search area in step S240.

[0124] Referring to Fig. 22, it can be seen that some of the shaded area (indicated in white) of the reference base station overlaps with the communication-enabled area (indicated in blue) of the adjacent base station.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 23, this is an example where the communication range of an adjacent base station is excluded from the candidate search area or the final search area.

[0126] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the search area information generating device can set a final search area in proportion to the time during which the communication connection between the reference base station and the wireless communication terminal is disconnected.

[0127] Referring to Figures 24 and 25, examples of the final search areas set when the search time is 2 hours and 4 hours, respectively, from the estimated time of disappearance can be seen.

[0128] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the search area information generating device can set a final search area using a time-based diffusion model.

[0129] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the method for generating search area information may further include the step of generating search mission information for the final search area (step S250 of FIG. 15). The search mission information is information necessary for rescue personnel to search for a person to be rescued, and may include location information for the final search area or information on a movement path toward the final search area.

[0130] <Search Scenario B for Rescue Targets>

[0131] In this specification, "Search Scenario B" is a case where the mobile communication terminal of the person being rescued is located in a weak communication area, but the person being rescued is classified as a vulnerable group such as the elderly or a person with dementia, and attenuation of the human body occurs due to falling, or attenuation of radio waves occurs due to geographical features such as waterways or deep streams, and the emergency rescue positioning result of the fire department and police is impossible to position (shadow area).

[0132] It is not a contradiction that the connection between the mobile phone and the base station was lost even though the rescue victim's mobile phone was located in a weak signal area. Signal strength may be partially attenuated when a person's body is positioned between the mobile phone and the base station.

[0133] Figure 26 is a graph of signal attenuation by the human body.

[0134] Referring to Fig. 26, a graph showing signal attenuation according to the distance between a base station and a mobile communication terminal can be observed. The horizontal axis represents the distance between the base station and the mobile communication terminal. The vertical axis represents the strength of the attenuated signal. The larger the number on the vertical axis, the greater the signal strength being attenuated.

[0135] Meanwhile, electromagnetic signals have the characteristic of being attenuated by water. Therefore, the intensity of electromagnetic signals passing through the human body can also be attenuated. Typically, the amount of signal attenuation by the human body is known to be -6 dB. Therefore, as shown in the graph, when there is attenuation by the human body, the mobile communication terminal may appear to be located further away from the base station than its actual location.

[0136] The problem is that a rescue victim may cover a mobile phone with their body as they fall. In this case, even though the victim's mobile phone is located within the communication range, it has the same effect as the connection between the mobile phone and the base station being severed. Similarly, if a rescue victim falls into a narrow ditch or sewer, signal attenuation occurs, resulting in the same effect as the connection between the mobile phone and the base station being severed.

[0137] For example, if the area where a person is presumed missing is an open area with almost no communication dead zones (e.g., rice paddies, fields, flat land, etc.), it is rare for the connection between the mobile terminal and the base station to be severed. In this case, a search expert can make a comprehensive judgment based on the search site, such as considering a situation where the person loses consciousness and collapses, covering the mobile terminal with their body, or falls into a narrow hole. At this time, based on the fact that the connection between the mobile terminal and the base station is severed due to signal attenuation, it can be estimated that the person is located in a communication-enabled area close to the dead zone. In this specification, "Search Scenario B" relates to a method for generating search area information in cases based on such estimation.

[0138] FIG. 27 is a schematic flowchart of a method for generating search area information according to a third embodiment of the present specification.

[0139] FIGS. 28 to 32 are illustrative diagrams for each step of the third embodiment.

[0140] Referring to FIG. 27, first, in step S300, the search area information generating device can receive information about the history of the mobile communication terminal connecting to a base station (hereinafter referred to as 'mobile communication terminal connection information') from the mobile communication service provider to which the mobile communication terminal of the person being rescued is subscribed.

[0141] In the next step S310, the search area information generating device can identify the base station (hereinafter referred to as the 'reference base station') last connected to the mobile communication terminal from the mobile communication terminal connection information. In the next step S320, the search area information generating device can read the coverage analysis information of the reference base station. Then, the search area information generating device can select a weak communication area as a candidate search area from the coverage analysis information.

[0142] As explained above, the coverage analysis information is information that combines digital terrain data and received signal strength data. In addition, the coverage analysis information may contain data regarding weak communication areas within the coverage where the communication quality between the base station and the mobile communication terminal is below a preset standard.

[0143] Referring to Figure 28, this is an example of coverage analysis information for base station "B" identified as a reference base station. The section where the RSRP (Reference Signals Received Power) is less than -120dBm and greater than 125dBm is a weak communication area and is indicated in red.

[0144] Meanwhile, as previously explained, the mobile communication terminal connection information may further include connection antenna information of the base station, and the coverage analysis information may further include sector information based on the connection antenna of the base station. In this case, the search area information generating device may select a weak communication area of ​​the connection sector from the coverage analysis information of the reference base station as a candidate search area. According to one embodiment of the present specification, the search area information generating method may further include the step of selecting an area from which the communication-possible area of ​​an adjacent base station is excluded from the candidate search area as the final search area (steps S330 and S340 of FIG. 27).

[0145] Referring to FIG. 29, it can be seen that only the callable area is displayed in the coverage analysis information of the reference base station. In other words, the shaded area is excluded from the coverage analysis information of the reference base station shown in FIG. 28.

[0146] Referring to Fig. 30, it can be seen that the callable area of ​​the reference base station (yellow) and the callable area of ​​the adjacent base station (blue) are indicated. Additionally, the area marked in green is the "Hand-over hysteresis margin area." The hand-over hysteresis margin area is a region where the signal strength received from an adjacent base station is stronger than the signal strength received from the first connected base station, but the connected base station is not changed. Generally, the hand-over hysteresis margin is set to 4 dB, and if the difference between the signal strength received from the first connected base station and the signal strength received from the adjacent base station exceeds 4 dB, the connected base station may be changed. Meanwhile, the hand-over hysteresis margin area illustrated in Fig. 30 can be applied not only to Scenario B but also to all scenarios using time-series data. However, other scenarios were not described simply to avoid duplication of content and because it is limited to illustrating all examples within the figure.

[0147] Referring to FIG. 31, it can be seen that the area remaining after excluding the communication-enabled area of ​​an adjacent base station from the call-enabled area of ​​a reference base station is displayed. And referring to FIG. 32, it can be seen that only the communication-weak area of ​​the reference base station is displayed. In the example illustrated in the drawings, the communication-weak area corresponds to the final search area.

[0148] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the method for generating search area information may further include the step of generating search mission information for the final search area (step S150 of FIG. 3). The search mission information is information necessary for rescue personnel to search for a person to be rescued, and may include location information for the final search area or information on a movement path toward the final search area.

[0149] <Search Scenario C for Rescued Person> In this specification, "Search Scenario C" refers to the case where the mobile communication terminal of the rescued person is turned off. For example, this is the case where the battery of the mobile communication terminal is completely used up or where the rescued person directly turns off the mobile communication terminal. In this case, the mobile communication terminal connection information records information about the last connected base station and the time the mobile communication terminal was turned off. That is, at the time the mobile communication terminal of the rescued person is turned off, the mobile communication terminal is located within the communication range of the base station. And it is presumed that the rescued person is able to move.

[0150] FIG. 33 is a schematic flowchart of a method for generating search area information according to the fourth embodiment of the present specification.

[0151] FIGS. 34 to 38 are illustrative diagrams for each step of the fourth embodiment.

[0152] Referring to FIG. 33, first, in step S400, the search area information generating device can receive information about the history of the mobile communication terminal connecting to a base station (hereinafter referred to as 'mobile communication terminal connection information') from the mobile communication service provider to which the mobile communication terminal of the person being rescued is subscribed.

[0153] In the next step S410, the search area information generating device can identify the base station last connected to the mobile communication terminal (hereinafter referred to as the 'reference base station') and the base station immediately preceding the reference base station (hereinafter referred to as the 'immediately preceding base station') in the mobile communication terminal connection information.

[0154] Referring to FIG. 34, base stations labeled "A" and "B" can be identified. In the fourth embodiment, it is assumed that the mobile communication terminal of the person being rescued was last connected to base station "A" and then connected to base station "B" 38 minutes later, as recorded in the mobile communication terminal connection information. Therefore, "Base station A" can be identified as the "previous connection base station" and "Base station B" as the "reference base station."

[0155] In the next step S420, the search area information generating device can read the coverage analysis information of the reference base station and the coverage analysis information of the immediately preceding connected base station. Then, the search area information generating device can select an area adjacent to the communication possible area of ​​the immediately preceding connected base station among the communication possible areas of the reference base station (hereinafter referred to as the 'last connection estimated area') as a candidate search area.

[0156] Referring to FIG. 35, it can be seen that the communication-enabled area of ​​base station A is indicated in red, and the communication-enabled area of ​​base station B is indicated in yellow. Meanwhile, as previously explained, the mobile communication terminal connection information may further include the connection antenna information of the base station, and the coverage analysis information may further include sector information based on the connection antenna of the base station. In this case, the search area information generating device may select the last connection estimated area among the communication-enabled areas of the connection sector in the coverage analysis information of the reference base station as a candidate search area.

[0157] Referring to FIG. 36, an example in which the last connection estimation area is displayed in green can be seen. According to an embodiment of the present specification, the search area information generating device may select the last connection estimation area within a preset error range based on the connection time difference between the immediately preceding connected base station and the reference base station. In the search scenario according to the present specification, it is assumed that after connecting to the "A" base station, it is connected to the "B" base station 38 minutes later. Therefore, the communication available area of the B base station that can be reached 38 minutes after the structure target connects to the A base station may be the last connection estimation area.

[0158] If the mobile communication terminal of the structure target has been turned off (power-off) and the structure target has not moved, it can be found in the last connection estimation area. On the other hand, if the structure target has moved after the mobile communication terminal of the structure target has been turned off (power-off), it is necessary to expand the search area in proportion to the time after the mobile communication terminal of the structure target has been turned off (power-off). According to an embodiment of the present specification, the search area information generating device may set the final search area in proportion to the time when the mobile communication terminal is turned off (step S430 in FIG. 33).

[0159] Referring to FIGS. 37 and 38, examples of the final search areas set when the search time is 2 hours and 4 hours from the estimated disappearance time can be seen respectively.

[0160] According to an embodiment of the present specification, the search area information generating device may set the final search area using a diffusion model based on time.

[0161] According to an embodiment of the present specification, the search area information device may further execute excluding the communication available area of adjacent base stations from the final search area in step S430.

[0162] According to one embodiment of the present specification, the method for generating search area information may further include the step of generating search mission information for the final search area (step S440 of FIG. 33). The search mission information is information necessary for rescue personnel to search for a person to be rescued, and may include location information for the final search area or information on a movement path toward the final search area. Although embodiments of the present specification have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, a person skilled in the art to which the present specification pertains will understand that the present invention may be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical concept or essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

Claims

【Scope of Claim】 【Claim 11 Hardware processor ; and Memory for storing at least one computer program connected to the above processor and configured to perform a search area information generation method; and The above method for generating search area information is, (a) A step of receiving information regarding the history of the mobile communication terminal connecting to a base station (hereinafter referred to as 'mobile communication terminal connection information') from the mobile communication service provider to which the missing person's mobile communication terminal is subscribed; (b) A step of identifying the base station last connected to the mobile communication terminal (hereinafter referred to as the 'reference base station') and the base station immediately preceding the reference base station (hereinafter referred to as the 'immediately preceding base station') in the mobile communication terminal connection information; (c) a step of reading coverage analysis information of the reference base station and coverage analysis information of the immediately preceding connected base station, and selecting an area adjacent to the communication possible area of ​​the immediately preceding connected base station (hereinafter referred to as the 'last connection estimated area') among the communication possible areas of the reference base station; and (d) a step of selecting a shaded area adjacent to the last connection estimated area in the coverage analysis information of the reference base station as a candidate search area; comprising a search area information generating device.

2. In Claim 1, The above coverage analysis information is information combining digital terrain data and received signal strength data, and is a search area information generating device having data on a shadow area within the coverage where communication between a base station and a mobile communication terminal is impossible.

3. In Claim 1, The above mobile communication terminal connection information further includes base station connection antenna information, and If the above coverage analysis information further includes sector information based on the connection antenna of the base station, the above step (c) is a step of selecting the last connection estimated area among the communication possible areas of the connection sector in the coverage analysis information of the reference base station, a search area information generating device.

4. In Claim 1, The above step (c) is a step of selecting the last connection estimation area within a preset error range based on the connection time difference between the immediately preceding connection base station and the reference base station, a search area information generating device.

5. In claim 4, The above method for generating search area information is, (e) a step of selecting a communication failure area adjacent to the last connection estimation area among the communication failure areas of the reference base station, and selecting a shadow area adjacent to the communication failure area of ​​the reference base station selected first among the candidate search areas as the final search area; further comprising a search area information generating device.

6. In Claim 1, The above step (d) further comprises excluding the communication-enabled area of ​​an adjacent base station from the candidate search area, a search area information generating device.

7. In claim 5, The above step (e) is a step further comprising excluding the communication-enabled area of ​​an adjacent base station from the final search area, a search area information generating device.

8. In claim 5, The above step (e) is, A search area information generating device, which is a step of setting a final search area in proportion to the time during which the communication connection between the reference base station and the wireless communication terminal is disconnected. 【Claim this In claim 8, the step (e) is a step in which the search area information generating device sets a final search area using a time-based diffusion model.

10. In claim 5, The above method for generating search area information is, (f) A search area information generating device further comprising the step of generating search mission information for the final search area above.

11. In claim 10, A search area information generating device characterized in that the above search mission information includes information on the movement path to the above final search area.

12. Hardware processor ; and A memory storing at least one computer program connected to the processor and configured to perform a search area information generation method; wherein the search area information generation method comprises (a) A step of receiving information regarding the history of the mobile communication terminal connecting to a base station (hereinafter 'mobile communication terminal connection information') from the mobile communication service provider to which the missing person's mobile communication terminal is subscribed; (b) a step of identifying the base station last connected to the mobile communication terminal (hereinafter referred to as the 'reference base station') and the base station immediately preceding the reference base station (hereinafter referred to as the 'immediately preceding base station') in the mobile communication terminal connection information; and (c) a step of reading coverage analysis information of the reference base station and coverage analysis information of the immediately preceding connected base station, and selecting an area adjacent to the communication possible area of ​​the immediately preceding connected base station among the communication possible areas of the reference base station (hereinafter referred to as the 'last connection estimated area'); (d) a step of selecting a shaded area adjacent to the last connection estimation area in the coverage analysis information of the reference base station as a candidate search area; and (e) Select a communication failure area adjacent to the last connection estimation area among the communication failure areas of the reference base station, and select a shadow area adjacent to the communication failure area of ​​the reference base station selected first among the candidate search areas as the final search area. A search area information generating device including step ;

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