Cell Broadcast Connectivity Graphs for Location Services

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users without access to GPS technology or in areas with poor GPS reception face limitations in participating in location-based services, as existing solutions rely heavily on global positioning system technology and may not be available or energy-efficient for all devices.

Innovation Solution

A system that provides location-based services using connectivity graphs based on cell broadcast information, where user equipment receives cell broadcast message identifiers and associates them with cell towers to determine relationships, allowing for location services without the need for GPS technology, using cell broadcast messages and databases to map CellIDs to locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS technology is used to provide location-based services, then location accuracy is improved, but device accessibility and energy efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoiddevice accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces cell broadcast messages as an intermediary mechanism to transmit location information. Instead of relying directly on GPS hardware in each device, the system uses cell towers to broadcast location data that can be received by any mobile device, thereby bridging the gap between GPS accuracy and device accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of location information through cell broadcast messages that replicate GPS-like location data. Rather than requiring every device to have GPS capabilities, the system broadcasts location information from cell towers that can be received and used by any device, effectively copying the location service functionality to devices without native GPS

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If GPS technology is used to provide location-based services, then location accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic cell broadcast messages that transmit location information at intervals rather than requiring continuous GPS operation. This allows devices to receive location updates periodically through low-power reception of cell broadcasts instead of continuously activating energy-intensive GPS hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Cell broadcast messages serve as an energy-efficient intermediary that delivers location information without requiring the receiving device to activate its GPS receiver. The cell tower acts as a mediator that consumes minimal energy to broadcast information that multiple devices can receive simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If cell broadcast information is used instead of GPS, then device accessibility and energy efficiency are improved, but location precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice accessibilityVSAvoidlocation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges cell broadcast information with connectivity graph data to create a hybrid location determination system. By combining multiple cell broadcast messages and analyzing connectivity patterns across multiple cell towers, the system achieves improved location precision that compensates for the lower inherent accuracy of individual cell broadcasts compared to GPS

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional GPS coordinates to a multi-dimensional connectivity graph that incorporates temporal and spatial relationships between multiple cell towers. This dimensional expansion allows the system to achieve precise location determination through pattern recognition across multiple dimensions rather than relying on single-point GPS accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Use of energy by moving object

If cell broadcast messages are used for location services, then energy consumption is reduced, but information availability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidinformation availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary construction of connectivity graphs that encode spatial relationships between cell towers in advance. This pre-processing of location information allows the system to provide comprehensive location services using only simple cell broadcast messages, eliminating the need for additional high-bandwidth information exchanges that would increase energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8401572B2Method and apparatus for providing location based services using connectivity graphs based on cell broadcast information
Publication Date: 2013.03.19 WSOU INVESTMENTS LLC
  • US8401572B2 patent drawing
  • US8401572B2 patent drawing
  • US8401572B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An approach is provided for providing location based services using connectivity graphs based on cell broadcast information. A plurality of cell broadcast message identifiers are caused to be received. Cell broadcast message identifiers are respectively associated with a plurality of cells. A connectivity graph specifying relationships among the cells is generated for providing a location based service.