Location Information Server for LCP SUPL Convergence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location systems lack a scheme to integrate the Location Configuration Protocol (LCP) standards from the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) into the Secure User Plane for Location (SUPL) architecture, hindering the convergence of mobile communication network and internet location services.
Innovation Solution
A location system comprising a location information server and a SUPL server that provide and obtain location information in the form of references, enabling the convergence of LCP and SUPL by transmitting and requesting location information references between the Secure User Plane for Location Enabled Terminal (SET) and the SUPL server, allowing for seamless interoperability between the two architectures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LCP and SUPL architectures are kept separate, then each architecture can maintain its own standards and protocols, but the convergence of mobile communication network and internet location services is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a location information server as an intermediary component that bridges the LCP and SUPL architectures. This server receives location information requests from SETs via LCP protocols, obtains location data from SUPL servers, and delivers it back to clients. The intermediary enables standard convergence without requiring complex direct integration between the two architectures, thus improving adaptability while managing integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the location service system into distinct functional components: the LCP layer for internet-based location requests, the SUPL layer for mobile network location provisioning, and the location information server as a bridging layer. This segmentation allows each architecture to operate independently with its own standards while enabling convergence through the segmented interface, resolving the contradiction between convergence capability and integration complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If location information is transmitted directly between SET and location server, then the transmission path is simple, but charging, security, and privacy functions are difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The location information server acts as an intermediary between the SET and the final location data destination. By routing location information requests and responses through this server, the system enables implementation of charging functions (billing for location services), security functions (authentication and authorization), and privacy functions (data protection and user consent management) without complicating the direct transmission path between SET and location server.
3Speed
If SUPL server obtains location information directly from SET, then the location acquisition is direct, but auxiliary GPS data and internet location services cannot be integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location information flow into two parallel paths: one for direct SUPL-based location acquisition from SET (maintaining speed), and another for LCP-based internet location services through the location information server (enabling multi-source integration). The segmentation allows the SUPL server to obtain location information directly while simultaneously enabling integration of auxiliary GPS data and internet location services through the bridging location information server.
Data Source
AI summary
This document discusses a location system, method, server and terminal. A location information server provides a Secure User Plane for Location, SUPL, Enabled Terminal, SET, with location information regarding the SET in a form of reference; the SET provides a Secure User Plane for Location, SUPL, server with the location information reference regarding the SET via an SUPL message; the SUPL server obtains the location information regarding the SET from the location information server according to the location information reference transmitted by the SET.