Cell Selection Offset for In-Vehicle Emergency Calls

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-vehicle emergency call services face delays due to vehicles connecting to cells that do not support vehicle-related information relay, leading to longer response times for emergency responders and potential loss of life.

Innovation Solution

A wireless device and network device collaborate to adjust the selection priority of cells by using an offset to favor cells that support in-vehicle emergency calls, ensuring the vehicle remains connected to a cell capable of receiving and relaying critical information during emergencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vehicle connects to cells based on traditional selection criteria (signal strength, coverage), then general communication service is maintained, but emergency call services experience delays due to connection with cells that cannot relay vehicle information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency call service reliabilityVSAvoidemergency response time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the cell selection parameter from traditional signal strength-based metrics to a composite metric that includes emergency call capability indication. This parameter change enables the vehicle to prioritize cells that can relay emergency information, directly improving emergency call service reliability and reducing response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an emergency call capability indication as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the vehicle's communication needs and the cell's emergency support capability. This intermediary enables the vehicle to identify and connect to cells equipped with emergency relaying functionality, resolving the contradiction between general connectivity and emergency service reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If the vehicle prioritizes connection to cells with emergency call support, then emergency response time is reduced, but cell selection complexity increases due to additional capability assessment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency response timeVSAvoidcell selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having cells pre-indicate their emergency call support capability through broadcast information or system messages. This allows the vehicle to assess cell compatibility in advance during normal operation, enabling quick emergency response without adding complex real-time assessment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent simplifies the selection process by changing the assessment parameter to a binary capability indication (emergency support yes/no) rather than requiring complex real-time evaluation of multiple factors. This parameter simplification reduces device complexity while maintaining fast emergency response capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional cell reselection algorithms are used, then network compatibility is maintained, but vehicles may be handed over to cells that cannot support in-vehicle emergency calls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork compatibilityVSAvoidemergency information relay capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by making the cell selection criterion adaptive - using emergency capability indication when available, and falling back to traditional criteria when not available. This dynamic approach maintains network compatibility across different deployment scenarios while ensuring emergency reliability when capability information is present.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses emergency capability indication as an intermediary layer between the vehicle and the cell selection process. This intermediary maintains compatibility with traditional networks (where the indication may be absent or default) while enabling enhanced emergency reliability in networks that support the indication mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4059262B1Cell selection for in-vehicle emergency call services
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4059262B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4059262B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4059262B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a wireless device, such as an in-vehicle device, may determine a selection value for a cell that indicates a priority for selection of the cell by the wireless device and calculates, from the selection value, an adjusted selection value for the cell using an offset that increases a priority of selection for cells that support in-vehicle emergency calls. The wireless device selectively selects the cell based at least in part on the adjusted selection value. Numerous other aspects are provided.