Congestion Confirmation via Mobile Location Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing congestion confirmation systems are ineffective in estimating congestion degrees without monitoring cameras, as they rely on visual data that is not always available.

Innovation Solution

A congestion confirmation system utilizing mobile communication devices with Internet access and a server that stores location information, allowing users to request and display congestion data in real-time, including past and future time frames, through GPS and database management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If monitoring cameras are used to estimate congestion degree, then congestion degree can be calculated by analyzing video images, but the system cannot estimate congestion when no monitoring camera is available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecongestion degree estimation accuracyVSAvoidsystem applicability to locations without cameras

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses mobile communication devices that users already carry to perform multiple functions: location tracking, congestion data collection, and congestion estimation. This replaces the specialized monitoring camera system with a universal device (smartphone) that can operate anywhere with mobile network coverage, thus achieving both measurement precision and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The congestion confirmation server acts as an intermediary between mobile communication devices and users. It collects location information from multiple devices, processes this data to estimate congestion degree, and provides the results to users. This intermediary architecture enables the system to function without monitoring cameras by mediating between available mobile device data and congestion estimation needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If theme parks distribute congestion degree information on the Internet, then congestion information becomes accessible, but such establishments are not typical so congestion cannot be known before going to the place

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecongestion information availabilityVSAvoidtime to obtain congestion information before travel

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary congestion estimation by continuously collecting and processing location data from mobile devices in advance of user travel decisions. Users can query congestion information before leaving, allowing them to make informed decisions about whether to visit a location, thus preventing the loss of time and resources from traveling to congested areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring the locations of mobile communication devices in real-time and updating congestion degree estimates accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that congestion information remains current and accurate, allowing users to access reliable congestion data before traveling to destinations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If mobile communication devices continuously transmit location information to the server, then real-time congestion data is available, but network traffic and server load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecongestion information update frequencyVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous transmission, mobile communication devices transmit location information periodically at predetermined intervals. This periodic action reduces network traffic and server load compared to continuous transmission, while still providing timely congestion information for user decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system collects location information from a subset of mobile devices rather than all devices in an area. By sampling location data from multiple devices periodically rather than continuously from all devices, the system achieves sufficient congestion estimation accuracy while minimizing network traffic and server resource consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11488388B2Congestion confirmation system with location information of each user

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 INTERMAN CORP

AI summary

A user can confirm the congestion degree of a congestion confirmation area at the present moment by a congestion confirmation system which includes mobile communication devices and a congestion confirmation server. The mobile communication device periodically detects and transmits the current location information to the congestion confirmation server. Receiving the current location information, the congestion confirmation server stores the current location information in a database in association with a current time. The mobile communication device sends a congestion confirmation request designating one of the congestion confirmation areas. In response to this request, the congestion confirmation server refers to the database and transmits the location information of mobile communication devices currently located in the congestion confirmation area as designated. Receiving the location information of the mobile communication devices, the mobile communication device which has sent the congestion confirmation request displays a map including the mobile communication devices.