Codeword-Based Triggered Location for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3GPP control plane location solutions for LTE wireless access lack support for flexible trigger events such as time of day, velocity, and combinations of location and time-based triggers, limiting network efficiency and flexibility in periodic and triggered location services.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses codewords to enable a user equipment (UE) to detect and report trigger events without revealing the specific types of events to network entities, allowing for new trigger event definitions and reduced network impact, with codewords encoded in various formats and interpreted only by the UE and external client.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing trigger events (periodic, area-based, motion-based) are used for location services, then location reporting can be implemented, but the network structure becomes complex and flexible trigger definitions are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in trigger event definitionsVSAvoidnetwork structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a codeword as an intermediary mechanism between the external client and the UE. The codeword carries trigger event definitions without requiring network entities to interpret them, allowing flexible trigger definitions while avoiding network structure complexity. The codeword acts as a mediator that translates diverse trigger requirements into a format the UE can process independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the trigger event definition logic from the network entities and places it in the UE through the codeword mechanism. This allows the network to remain simple while the UE gains the capability to process various trigger types (time-based, velocity-based, combinations) without network intervention in the interpretation phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If multiple network entities (GMLC, MME, E-SMLC) are involved in location services, then location functionality is supported, but the system complexity and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation service reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of network entities
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the trigger event monitoring and decision-making functionality from the network entities and relocates it to the UE. The UE receives the codeword with trigger definitions and independently determines when to report location, eliminating the need for continuous network coordination and reducing the role of multiple network entities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The UE performs self-service by autonomously monitoring for trigger events defined in the codeword and independently deciding when to initiate location reporting. This self-service approach reduces dependency on network entities for trigger evaluation and location initiation, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If trigger events are reported to network entities for processing, then location services can be managed centrally, but network resources are consumed and processing delays occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation reporting efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork processing resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by having the UE perform trigger event detection and location reporting initiation locally, rather than having the network continuously monitor and process trigger events. This inversion shifts the computational burden from the network to the UE, improving network productivity and reducing processing delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3777252B1Flexible periodic and triggered location of a mobile device in a wireless network using a codeword
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3777252B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3777252B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3777252B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Techniques are discussed herein for enabling an external client to request periodic or triggered location of a user equipment (UE) according to trigger criteria that are not visible to entities within a wireless network, using a codeword in a periodic and triggered location request that is sent to the UE. The codeword may be meaningful to the UE, but not to the wireless network, and may indicate particular types of triggered and/or periodic events to be detected and reported by the UE. A location report sent by the UE to the wireless network may contain a second codeword, indicating a type of triggered or periodic event detected by the UE, which may be conveyed by the wireless network to the external client without interpretation. Codewords may enable more flexibility for periodic and triggered location without impacting wireless networks.