Cell ID Tower Geolocation Using Interpolation Between Neighboring Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the geographical location of communication towers using cell IDs are unreliable due to the inaccuracy of crowd-sourced data and the lack of cell ID information in public databases, which complicates the geolocation process.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves receiving a cell ID from a data record, querying geolocation data sources, setting the geolocation to a midpoint between previous and following cell ID locations when direct retrieval fails, and associating the cell ID with the tower geolocation, using a data processing platform to store and represent this information on a map.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If crowd-sourced cell ID databases are used for geolocation, then data availability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidgeolocation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple geolocation data sources including crowd-sourced cell ID databases, alternative data sources with tower locations but without cell IDs, and interpolation methods to create a comprehensive geolocation system that maintains both data availability and accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary interpolation process that bridges the gap between available cell ID data and actual tower locations, using geometric relationships and multiple data sources to derive accurate geolocation information when direct data is unavailable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple geolocation data sources are queried, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeolocation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the geolocation process into distinct stages: querying cell ID databases, querying alternative data sources, and applying interpolation methods when direct data is unavailable. This modular approach manages complexity by breaking down the overall system into manageable components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a hierarchical querying approach where simpler, faster data sources are queried first, and more complex interpolation methods are only applied when necessary. This partial action principle reduces overall system complexity by avoiding unnecessary computation in cases where direct data is available

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12568350B2Method for geolocating a communication tower using cell id and interpolation

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 BOOST SUBSCRIBERCO LLC

AI summary

A method for determining the geolocation of a communication tower involves receiving a cell ID for a network cell from a data record and querying geolocation data sources for the tower's geolocations using the cell ID. In cases where the querying fails to retrieve the geolocations based on the cell ID, the method sets the geolocations to be between the previous cell ID geolocations and the following cell ID geolocations. The method then associates the cell ID with the communication tower based on the determined geolocations and pushes the geolocations into a large-scale data storage using a data processing platform. This method enables accurate determination of the physical of a communication tower even when geolocation data sources do not provide the necessary information.