Wireless Device Time Zone Refinement Using Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication devices often face inaccuracies in time zone determination due to ambiguity in network-provided time zone information, especially when transitioning between time zones like America/Phoenix and America/Denver, which can result in incorrect local time settings for users.
Innovation Solution
The device uses its location to refine network-provided time zone information by soliciting a time zone information message from the network and biases location-based time zone selection to ensure accuracy, validating the derived time zone against the serving base station's country to prevent border region ambiguities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If network-provided time zone information is used, then time zone determination can be obtained from the serving network, but ambiguity arises when multiple time zones match the parameters (e.g., America/Phoenix vs America/Denver)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines network-provided time zone information with location-based time zone determination. The device receives time zone parameters from the network (such as UTC offset and DST status) and merges this information with location data from GPS or other location sources to uniquely identify the correct time zone, resolving ambiguities that exist when using network information alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces location information as an intermediary element that mediates between network-provided time zone parameters and the final time zone selection. By using location coordinates as an intermediary, the system can disambiguate between multiple time zones that have identical network parameters but different geographic locations.
2Measurement precision
If location-based time zone selection is used, then ambiguity between multiple time zones can be resolved, but border region ambiguities may occur where location alone is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges location-based time zone determination with network-provided time zone information to create a more reliable system. In border regions where location alone may be ambiguous, the network-provided parameters (UTC offset, DST status) serve as additional constraints that help confirm the correct time zone selection, thereby improving overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the device validates its selected time zone by checking consistency between location-derived time zone, network-provided time zone parameters, and expected time zone behavior. This feedback loop allows the system to detect and correct errors in border regions or when either location or network information is ambiguous.
3Ease of operation
If NITZ messages are sent at network discretion, then network control over message transmission is maintained, but devices may not receive updated time zone information when transitioning between time zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the device monitors its own location changes and time zone transitions. When the device detects that it has moved into a region where the current time zone may be incorrect, it actively requests updated time zone information from the network, ensuring that time zone accuracy is maintained without requiring the network to continuously broadcast NITZ messages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the device to self-manage its time zone information by monitoring its own location and detecting when time zone updates are needed. The device autonomously determines when to request updated time zone information from the network, reducing the burden on the network while ensuring timely updates during time zone transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for using a location to refine network-provided time zone information is disclosed. The method can include a wireless communication device receiving a time zone information message from a network; determining multiple candidate time zones matching a set of time zone identification parameters included in the received time zone information message; deriving a location of the wireless communication device; and using the location to select a current time zone for the wireless communication device from the candidate time zones matching the set of time zone identification parameters.