Geomessaging IP Address Generation via Multicast Area Codes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing location-based services require signaling between mobile devices and network providers to specify current locations, and geomessaging message providers need to know device locations for message distribution, which is inefficient and unnecessary.

Innovation Solution

The method generates geomessaging Internet protocol addresses using multicast Internet protocol addresses combined with area codes derived from cell identification or GPS coordinates, allowing location-based services to be delivered without requiring location specification, using a mobile communication device or geomessaging network entity to integrate area codes into protocol addresses for efficient data distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If signaling between mobile devices and network providers is used to specify current locations, then location-based services can be provided, but system complexity and overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation-based service capabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the location specification requirement from the signaling process by using pre-configured area codes embedded in multicast addresses. Instead of signaling current location dynamically, the system uses static area codes that represent predefined geographic regions, eliminating the need for continuous location reporting while maintaining location-based service functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining geographic areas and assigning area codes to them before actual service delivery. Mobile devices receive and store these area codes in advance, allowing them to generate appropriate multicast addresses without real-time location signaling. This preconfiguration reduces runtime complexity and signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If geomessaging message providers need to know device locations for message distribution, then messages can be targeted to specific locations, but information privacy and system efficiency are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage distribution efficiencyVSAvoidlocation privacy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces area codes as an intermediary between device locations and message distribution. Instead of message providers directly accessing or knowing device locations, they use area codes that represent geographic regions. This intermediary layer enables targeted message distribution to specific areas without revealing individual device locations, protecting user privacy while maintaining distribution efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies local quality by assigning specific area codes to specific geographic regions. Message providers can target messages to particular areas using these localized codes without needing global knowledge of all device locations. This allows efficient local message distribution while preserving the privacy of individual device positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If traditional location specification methods are used, then accurate location-based services are provided, but network overhead and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidnetwork energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using area codes that represent predefined geographic regions rather than specifying exact device locations. This partial location information is sufficient for most location-based services, eliminating the need for continuous high-precision location reporting. The reduced information requirement decreases network overhead and energy consumption while maintaining adequate service accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3160168B1IP multicast for geomessaging
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 VODAFONE HOLDING GMBH
  • EP3160168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3160168B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3160168B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention describes a methods of enabling and performing location-based services especially geomessaging. The invention describes in detail a flexible combination of multicast Internet protocol addresses and area codes in order to generate geomessaging Internet protocol addresses. The geomessaging Internet protocol address enables to receive by means of a mobile communication device (300) according to the invention geomessages and to submit the geomessages by means of the geomessaging network entity (400) according to the invention. No signaling between the mobile communication device (300) and the network or any service provider within the network is necessary to specify the current location of the mobile communication device. Furthermore, there is no need for a geomessaging message provider to know which mobile communication device is currently located within a specific first area.