Group Call Reference Generation in Public Trunking Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing group call systems in public trunking networks, such as GSM-R, face inefficiencies due to the limitation of group number resources caused by the division of group call references into a group ID and a group call area ID, which is not suitable for networks with a large number of subscribers needing fixed number sections.

Innovation Solution

A method where a group call reference is generated based solely on a group ID, allowing the group ID to serve as the group call reference, thereby expanding the capacity for group IDs to match or exceed the length of group call references, simplifying data management, and eliminating the need for separate group call area IDs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the group call reference is divided into group ID and group call area ID, then the system can identify group calls in specific areas, but the capacity for group numbers is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegroup call identification capabilityVSAvoidgroup number resource capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the group call area identification from the group call reference structure, allowing the group ID to be independent of area constraints. This enables group IDs to be used across multiple areas without being limited by the combined group call reference structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional structure (group ID + area ID) to a one-dimensional structure (independent group ID), effectively adding a dimension of flexibility where group IDs can be assigned without area constraints, thereby expanding the available number space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If separate group call area IDs are used, then the system can manage group calls by area, but data management becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearea-based group call managementVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the area management function from the group call reference structure, allowing area information to be handled separately from group ID assignment. This simplifies data management by eliminating the need to manage combined group call reference structures across multiple areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If group ID length is limited to match group call reference length, then the system maintains compatibility with existing structures, but the capacity for group IDs is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegroup ID capacityVSAvoidinterface compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the group ID structure universal by allowing it to function independently across different areas and contexts. The group ID can serve both as a local identifier and a global identifier, eliminating the need for area-specific variations and expanding capacity while maintaining compatibility through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP1871139B1Method, register and system for group call
Publication Date: 2008.07.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP1871139B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1871139B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1871139B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a group call method, a group call register and a group call system, and provide more capacity for groups in 3GPP based public trunking network. In the embodiments of the present invention, a group call reference is generated according to a group ID. Typically the group ID is taken directly as the group call reference. In other words, the group ID is equal to the group call reference, which means the length of the group ID is equal to the length of the group call reference and the content of the group ID is the same as the content of the group call reference. Therefore the capacity for group IDs can be the same as that for group call references. Both the group ID and the group call reference can have a length of 8 decimal digits. Compared with the prior art that a group ID can have a length of at most 6 decimal digits, the embodiments of the present invention expand capacity for groups in the public trunking network over hundreds of times. A group ID corresponds to only one group call area, which simplifies group call data management in the group call register.