Mobile Object Location Tracking via Dynamic Repeater Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for locating mobile objects in communications networks are inefficient, as they often require multiple attempts to establish communication and may fail when objects move rapidly or when the network infrastructure is weak, leading to unreliable communication.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating repeaters at sites through which a mobile object passes, storing location identifiers in each repeater, and using timers to update location servers with the next repeater's information, along with migration counters to manage resource allocation and chain integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a location server is used to store and update location references of mobile objects, then the source can query the last known location of the agent, but multiple attempts may be necessary before successful contact is established
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having mobile objects proactively register their location with the location server whenever they move to a new site. This ensures the server maintains up-to-date location information before communication attempts are made, eliminating the need for multiple retry attempts and reducing time loss.
2Adaptability or versatility
If routing with repeaters is used to allow message transmission without explicit location references, then communication can be established without knowing the agent's current location, but the source finds it impossible to contact the agent when a repeater in the chain is weak or disappears
Solution Approach 1:
The location server acts as an intermediary between the source and the agent. Instead of relying solely on the repeater chain, the source can query the location server to obtain the current location reference of the agent. This intermediary mechanism provides an alternative path when repeaters are weak or disappeared, ensuring communication reliability while maintaining the adaptability of routing without explicit location references.
3Reliability
If repeaters are generated at sites through which a mobile object passes to relay location messages, then a chain of repeaters is formed for message relay, but network resources are consumed by maintaining these repeater chains
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary location registration with the location server before establishing communication. This preliminary action reduces the need to maintain extensive repeater chains, as the location server already has current location information. Repeaters are still generated for message relay, but their maintenance burden is reduced because the location server can provide fallback location references.
4Reliability
If the source repeatedly queries the location server for the agent's location, then the last known location reference can be obtained, but the method is not entirely satisfactory when the agent is moving rapidly within a large geographical area
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where mobile objects automatically register their location with the server whenever they move to a new site. This continuous feedback loop ensures the location server maintains current location information even when agents move rapidly. The source queries the server, which responds with the most recent location, ensuring reliable tracking regardless of movement speed.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a mobile communicating object (A) belonging to a communications network and comprising processing means (PM). According to the invention, when a communication has been established with another communicating object (S) belonging to the network, the aforementioned processing means generate a repeater (Fi) at each site (Hi) through which they pass. Moreover, when the repeater is generated, the processing means associate a timing counter (CTF) therewith and configure said repeater such that: (i) it can store an identifier that is representative of the location of the next repeater (F(i+1)) or site (H(i+1)) in the chain of repeaters to which it belongs; and (ii) at the end of a selected duration of time, it transmits the location identifier of the next repeater (F(i+1)) or site (S(i+1)) to at least one location server (SL) in the network, so that it stores said identifier together with the primary identifier of the mobile object (A). Preferably, once a repeater has addressed the location identifier, the relay activity thereof is terminated and, if the repeater does not belong to another chain, it is removed so that it no longer consumes resources.