Dynamic Location Server Handover for Roaming Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing triggered location services are interrupted when a target terminal moves, as the previous location server cannot calculate the location value, leading to the need for a new service session request and disruption of ongoing services.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to select and switch to a new location server without interrupting the current triggered location service session, by having the home location server identify and communicate with a Visited SUPL Location Platform to determine a new positioning method and protocol, allowing continuous service even when the target terminal is in a roaming state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a location server is determined before triggered location service starts and not changed during the service, then the service setup is simple and quick, but the service is interrupted when the target terminal moves and the location server can no longer calculate the location value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the location server selection dynamic rather than static. The home location server (H-SLP) continuously monitors the target terminal's location and dynamically selects an appropriate visited location server (V-SLP) when the terminal moves to a new area, ensuring the service remains continuous and reliable while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The home location server (H-SLP) acts as an intermediary between the target terminal and the visited location servers. The H-SLP receives location information from the terminal, determines the appropriate V-SLP based on the terminal's current location, and manages the handover process, thereby simplifying the overall system operation while ensuring service continuity.
2Reliability
If the location server is changed when the target terminal moves, then the service continuity is maintained, but the complexity of service management increases due to need for server switching protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The home location server (H-SLP) serves as a central intermediary that manages all location server switching operations. It receives location updates from the terminal, autonomously determines the appropriate V-SLP, and handles the handover process, thereby maintaining service continuity while keeping the complexity centralized and managed rather than distributed across multiple entities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the target terminal continuously provides its location information to the H-SLP, which then determines whether a server change is needed. This feedback loop enables automatic, intelligent server switching based on actual terminal movement, maintaining service continuity without requiring complex manual management or predetermined switching rules.
3Reliability
If a new triggered location service session is requested after interruption, then the service can resume, but time is lost due to service interruption and re-establishment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the triggered location service session framework and keeping it in a suspended state rather than fully terminating it. When the terminal moves and a new V-SLP is selected, the service can quickly resume using the existing session context, avoiding the time-consuming process of establishing a completely new service session and minimizing service interruption time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains the continuity of the triggered location service by preserving the service session state even when the location server changes. The H-SLP manages the handover between V-SLPs in a way that keeps the service action continuous, ensuring that location calculations and reporting continue without significant interruption, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining service availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing triggered location information of a target terminal is provided. The method includes transmitting by a previous H-SLP a report message informing that a target terminal is in a roaming state during the triggered location service to an H-SLP of the target terminal or the target terminal. The H-SLP of the target terminal selects a new V-SLP based on a location identifier (LID) received from the target terminal, and the H-SLP provides the V-SLP with an ID of the target terminal, a positioning method of the target terminal (SET CAPABLITY), and the LID as the information on the network in which the target terminal currently exists. The newly selected V-SLP determines the positioning method and protocol used for the positioning with the target terminal by using the SET CAPABILITY, the newly selected V-SLP transmits its own IP address and the newly determined positioning method and protocol (POSMETHOD) to the H-SLP. The H-SLP transmits the IP address of the newly selected H-SLP and the new POSMETHOD to the target terminal, the target terminal transmits a positioning inducing message to the new V-SLP and calculates a location value by using the determined POSMETHOD, in such a manner that the triggered location service is maintained even though the target terminal is in a roaming state during the service by performing the step of selecting the H-SLP for calculating the location value of the target terminal without interruption.