Location Cache Invalidation for Emergency Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for updating location information in emergency communication systems, such as NG911/NG112, fail when the location source becomes non-viable, leading to inaccurate or invalid location data, which can hinder emergency services' ability to locate devices accurately.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves caching initial location information and monitoring subsequent updates to detect invalid location data, triggering the generation and transmission of a location object with invalidation information to discard the cached data, ensuring that only valid location information is used for emergency services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If location information is cached for continuous service, then service availability is improved, but data accuracy deteriorates when location source becomes non-viable
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a monitoring mechanism that continuously checks the viability of the location source. When the location source becomes non-viable (stops providing updates), the monitoring detects this condition and triggers feedback to invalidate the cached location information, ensuring accuracy is maintained while preserving service availability through the caching mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The cached location information is made dynamic through validity period management. The system automatically updates the validity status of cached data based on whether the location source remains viable. When updates stop receiving, the cached information transitions from valid to invalid state, allowing the system to maintain service continuity while ensuring data accuracy through conditional validity.
2Measurement precision
If location information is updated frequently from location source, then data accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring mechanism operates autonomously without requiring external intervention. The system automatically monitors the location source for viability, detects when updates stop, and triggers invalidation of cached information. This self-service approach maintains high location accuracy through continuous monitoring while minimizing added complexity by automating the entire process.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If cached location information is used when location source is unavailable, then service continuity is improved, but localization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages the validity state of cached location information based on the viability status of the location source. When the location source becomes unavailable, the cached information transitions to an invalid state, preventing its use for new location determinations. This dynamic validity management ensures service continuity through caching while protecting localization accuracy by preventing use of potentially stale data.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system provides continuous feedback on the viability of the location source. When the source becomes unavailable, this feedback triggers the invalidation of cached location information, ensuring that the system does not rely on potentially inaccurate data. This feedback mechanism maintains service continuity while preserving localization accuracy through conditional data validity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of updating a location information, which represents a physical location of a communication device (2), is generated by a location source (1), and sent from the location source (1) via a location object generating unit (1A, 2A) and a cache unit (3A) to a location consumer (4), comprises caching a first location information (6) in the cache unit (3A), monitoring of a second location information (60) received subsequently to the first location information (6) at the location object generating unit (1A, 2A) by the location object generating unit (1A, 2A) to detect an invalid location information, and, triggered by the detection of an invalid location information (30, 50, 70), sending a location object (31, 51, 61, 71, 81) generated by the location object generating unit (1A, 2A) from the location object generating unit (1A, 2A) to the cache unit (3A), wherein the location object (31, 51, 61, 71, 81) comprises an invalidation information (85-88) indicating that a location information (6, 83) sent prior to the location object (31, 51, 61, 71, 81) is invalid such that, when the location object (31, 51, 61, 71, 81) is received at the cache unit (3A), the cached first location information (6) is discarded by the cache unit (3A).