Location-Based Service Control in Cellular Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling service usage on mobile terminals in communication networks based on location are limited in their ability to provide extensive customization and management of service uses, particularly in terms of service availability and charging structures.

Innovation Solution

The method involves combining multiple contiguous and non-contiguous preferred areas for mobile terminals, using network-based and terminal-based localization technologies to determine the terminal's location, and managing service usage based on these determinations, allowing for customizable service options and charging plans across different areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple preferred areas are combined and managed for mobile terminals, then service usage control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice usage control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coverage area is segmented into multiple preferred areas and remaining areas, allowing the system to provide different service uses and charging structures for different location segments. This segmentation enables precise control of service usage based on terminal location while managing complexity through structured area division.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different service uses are assigned to different geographic areas (preferred vs. remaining areas). The system applies location-specific service configurations, charging rates, and availability settings, allowing tailored service quality in different locations without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If network-based and terminal-based localization technologies are used, then location determination accuracy is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination accuracyVSAvoiduse of energy by mobile terminal
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges network-based localization (using network infrastructure for position determination) with terminal-based localization (using terminal capabilities). This combination achieves high location accuracy while distributing the energy burden, as network-based methods require minimal terminal energy compared to purely terminal-based GPS or positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different service uses are provided for preferred and remaining areas, then adaptability of service usage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of service usageVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service usage configuration is made dynamic, allowing the system to automatically adjust service availability, charging rates, and service types based on the terminal's current location (preferred area vs. remaining area). This dynamic adaptation provides versatility without requiring complex manual configuration or multiple static device versions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1732343B1Usage control of services in communication networks
Publication Date: 2016.05.11 VODAFONE HOLDING GMBH
  • EP1732343B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1732343B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1732343B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for controlling the use of a mobile device (B) in a communication network (1, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1620, 1720) for communication connections, depending on the location of the mobile device (B) in the communication network (1, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1620, 1720), wherein the communication network (1, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1620, 1720) has at least one coverage area with a cellular network structure composed of radio cells, which The service area for at least one mobile device (B) is divided into at least one priority area and a residual area, and when the mobile device (B) is located in at least one priority area for communication connections, the use of at least one service is enabled.which differs from the use of services enabled when the mobile device (B) is located in the remaining area for communication connections. In order to meet the ongoing need for a mobile device (B) to be able to use services in a communication network for communication connections depending on the location of the mobile device (B) in the communication network (1, 820, 1020, 1220, 1420) and in particular to enable extensively customizable service uses as well as their setup and/or signaling, at least two and/or more, contiguous and/or non-contiguous priority areas are defined in the communication network (1, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1620,1720) for the mobile device (B). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device for controlling the use of services available for communication connections by a mobile device (B) in a communication network, depending on the location of the mobile device (B) in the communication network (1, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1620, 1720), which is designed and/or configured to carry out the method according to the invention. The present invention also relates to a mobile device (B) that can be used in a communication network (1, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1620, 1720) according to the method.