Context Determination via Nearby Provider Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing context-based services are limited by the number and type of sensors associated with a user's device, restricting the availability of context-based information and services.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes a telecommunication system with consumer and provider devices to determine context information by checking for available data on consumer devices and, if unavailable, leveraging nearby provider devices within proximity, based on predetermined rules and sensors, to enhance service provision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number and type of sensors associated with a device increases, then the number of context-based services that can be provided to the user increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor capabilities of multiple devices (consumer device and provider devices) into a unified context information source. Instead of requiring each consumer device to have all necessary sensors, the system combines sensor data from multiple devices to provide comprehensive context-based services, thereby increasing versatility without increasing individual device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal context information system where any device can serve as either a consumer or provider of context information. The system enables multi-functionality by allowing devices to participate in context-based services without needing to possess all required sensors themselves, as they can leverage sensor data from other devices in the network.
2Adaptability or versatility
If context information is obtained from nearby provider devices, then the availability of context-based services increases, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a context information system as an intermediary that mediates between consumer devices and provider devices. This intermediary manages the complexity of obtaining context information from multiple sources by providing a standardized interface for consuming context data, thereby increasing service availability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a network dimension to context information gathering. Instead of relying solely on sensors within a single device, the system extends context information acquisition to include nearby devices in the network, effectively adding a spatial/network dimension that increases service availability while distributing the complexity across multiple devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Method for providing information on a context parameter relating to a consumer device of a telecommunication system which includes a plurality of provider devices. The method includes: a) checking if data relevant to the context parameter are available for the consumer device; b) in the positive case of a), obtaining the information on the context parameter relating to the consumer device based upon the available data; c) in the negative case of a), checking, according to predetermined proximity rules, if among the plurality of provider devices, there is at least one nearby provider device that, with regard to the context parameter, is in the proximity of the consumer device; d) in the positive case of c), checking if data useful to determine the information on the context parameter relating to the consumer device are available for the at least one nearby provider device, and e) in the positive case of d), determining the context information on the consumer device based upon the data available for the at least one nearby provider device.