Context Server Query Evaluation Using Derived Context Triggers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication network systems lack an efficient method to provide context-based services that can adapt to multiple attributes of derived context information from terminals, leading to inefficiencies in service delivery and potential malfunctions due to outdated context data.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a context server processes queries based on derived context information by identifying relevant raw context information, generating triggers for updates, and recalculating derived context information only when necessary, allowing for real-time evaluation of query conditions and action performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If continuous monitoring and recalculation of all context information is performed, then service adaptability to terminal context is improved, but system resource consumption and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice adaptabilityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining query conditions and triggers before actual context changes occur. When context information is updated, pre-configured triggers automatically initiate recalculation only for specific derived context attributes that match the trigger conditions, avoiding the need to continuously monitor and recalculate all context data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of uniformly processing all context information, the system applies local quality by selectively triggering recalculation only for specific derived context attributes that are relevant to the updated raw context information. Each trigger is locally targeted to specific query conditions and attributes, ensuring processing resources are concentrated only where necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If derived context information is recalculated frequently, then context accuracy is improved, but unnecessary calculations increase processing overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontext accuracyVSAvoidprocessing overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where triggers monitor updates to raw context information and provide feedback to the calculation engine. When a trigger condition is met (indicating relevant context change), the system recalculates the affected derived context attributes. This feedback loop ensures recalculation occurs only when necessary to maintain accuracy, avoiding wasteful frequent recalculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by recalculating only the specific derived context attributes that are affected by the updated raw context information, rather than performing excessive full recalculation of all context data. Triggers are configured to identify and trigger recalculation only for the minimal necessary subset of attributes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Speed

If real-time context updates are implemented, then service responsiveness is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice responsivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the context processing functionality into distinct modular components: raw context information collectors, trigger definitions, calculation engines for derived context attributes, and service applications. Each segment operates independently with well-defined interfaces, allowing real-time updates to be implemented in a structured manner that manages complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2374069B1Context-based communication service
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 TELECOM ITALIA SPA
  • EP2374069B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2374069B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is disclosed a method for providing a context-based service to a terminal of a communication network, the method comprising, at a context server cooperating with the communication network: a) receiving a query from a service application suitable for implementing the context based service, the query indicating that the context server should perform an action when a query condition is fulfilled, the query condition referring to one or more attributes of derived context information indicative of a context of the terminal; b) generating a query evaluation trigger indicating that the query condition should be evaluated when the derived context information is updated; c) identifying raw context information allowing to derive the derived context information; d) generating a calculation trigger indicating that the derived context information should be calculated when an update of the raw context information is received from the terminal; e) receiving from the terminal an update of the raw context information and, according to the calculation trigger, calculating a new value of the derived context information according to the update; and f) according to the query evaluation trigger, evaluating the query condition by using the new value and, if the query condition is fulfilled, performing the action.