Idle-Mode Wireless Device Positioning by Service Area Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication networks consume significant resources to accurately locate wireless devices in idle mode, especially when high temporal and spatial resolution is required, as frequent paging is necessary to determine their position within specific geographical areas.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism that localizes wireless devices by paging them only in a minimized set of service areas corresponding to a specific geographical area, reducing the need for frequent transitions to connected mode and conserving resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the wireless device is frequently paged to determine its position with high temporal and spatial resolution, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the resource consumption of the wireless device and the network increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The service area is divided into multiple sub-service areas, each served by a different radio network node. The controlling network node maintains separate location information for each sub-service area, allowing it to determine whether the wireless device is in the target geographical area without requiring the device to be in connected mode. This segmentation enables precise positioning while keeping the device in energy-efficient idle mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controlling network node pre-establishes location information for the wireless device in each sub-service area before positioning is actually needed. When a positioning request arrives, the node can immediately check the pre-stored location information to determine if the device is in the target area, eliminating the need for frequent paging and connected mode transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the wireless device stays in Idle mode to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the network cannot determine the device's position with high spatial resolution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidspatial resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The controlling network node acts as an intermediary that maintains location information for the wireless device across multiple sub-service areas. Instead of requiring the device itself to provide location information (which would require connected mode), the controlling node stores and manages the location data, enabling precise positioning queries while the device remains in idle mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The controlling network node performs multiple functions: it manages the wireless device's location information across different sub-service areas, handles positioning requests, and determines whether the device is in the target geographical area. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for the device to transition to connected mode for positioning, as the controlling node can directly query its stored location information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the wireless device is brought to connected mode for positioning, then high temporal and spatial resolution positioning is achieved, but resource consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemporal and spatial resolutionVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of bringing the wireless device to connected mode for every positioning query (excessive action), the system only queries the controlling network node's stored location information (partial action). This partial action approach provides sufficient positioning capability for determining whether the device is in the target area without the overhead of full connected mode activation, significantly reducing resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4152841B1Network node, controlling network node and methods performed therein

Publication Date: 2026.04.08 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a network node (14) for handling positioning of a wireless device in a wireless communication network. The network node (14) determines a set of service areas in which positioning of the wireless device is requested. Furthermore, the network node (14) transmits a request for positioning of the wireless device to a controlling network node (13), which request comprises an indication of the set of service areas. Also, the network node (14) receives a response from the controlling network node (13) indicating whether the wireless device is positioned within the set of service areas or not.