Cellular Network Handset Data for Traffic Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining automobile and pedestrian traffic data are limited by high data collection and analysis requirements, are expensive, unreliable, and do not effectively utilize existing infrastructure, leading to inefficient and costly solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing AT&T network components to isolate specific handsets and determine location and travel information, generating real-time traffic reports based on demographic data, with the ability to compare current data to historical data and deliver reports to mobile devices, thereby minimizing network load and infrastructure enhancements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS and mobile phone location data are collected and aggregated to determine traffic conditions, then real-time traffic information can be obtained, but the data collection and analysis requirements become extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary location data from mobile phone records that are already being collected by cellular networks for billing and routing purposes. Instead of collecting comprehensive GPS data from all devices, the system selectively extracts location information from existing network records, significantly reducing data collection requirements while maintaining traffic information accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes existing cellular network infrastructure and mobile phone records that serve multiple purposes (billing, routing, customer service) to also provide traffic information. By making the existing network data serve this additional function, the patent avoids the need for dedicated traffic monitoring infrastructure, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If network probes are used to monitor voice data for traffic flow determination, then traffic information can be obtained, but the cost becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cellular network infrastructure serve itself by utilizing existing mobile phone records that are already being collected and stored for network operations and billing purposes. The same network infrastructure that collects data for its own operational needs also provides traffic information, eliminating the need for separate expensive monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Existing mobile phone records collected for network billing and routing purposes are repurposed to provide traffic flow information. This multi-functional use of existing data reduces the need for additional data collection infrastructure and lowers overall system cost.
3Loss of information
If device probes are programmed to send location data to a central database, then location information can be collected, but the system becomes unreliable for ad hoc demands and intensive on battery and network
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts location information from mobile phone records that are already being maintained by the cellular network for operational purposes. This extraction approach eliminates the need for continuous active probing of devices, reducing battery and network intensity while improving reliability for ad hoc demands since the data already exists in the network infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A traffic reporting system and method for geographic area of interest. The system includes standard wireless telecommunication components configured to establish search criteria, determine a sample size, collect traffic information, calculate additional traffic information, and generate reports.