Mobile Station Time Zone Determination via GNSS and Time Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile stations (MS) may fail to correctly set their time due to the optional nature of time information transmission in Network Identification and Time Zone (NITZ) messages in 2G and 3G networks, leading to inconsistent time settings across various applications and services.
Innovation Solution
The solutions involve using location tracking technologies like GNSS/GPS/AGPS to determine geographical coordinates and universal time, and a time server to provide universal time, time zone offset, and daylight saving settings, allowing the MS to independently or cooperatively determine its time zone without relying on communication standards or user configuration, with fallback methods using mobile country code, location area identity, and SMS timestamp for accurate time zone determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If NITZ messages are used to provide time information to MS, then time setting accuracy is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the messages are optional and may not be transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a time server as an intermediary between the network and the MS. The time server receives location information from the MS, determines the appropriate time zone, and provides time information through alternative channels (SMS, signaling messages) when NITZ messages are not available. This mediator ensures reliable time setting even when the primary NITZ mechanism fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The MS autonomously determines its geographical location using GNSS or other location technologies, then uses this location information to query the time server for the appropriate time zone. This self-service approach allows the MS to independently obtain time information without relying on the optional NITZ messages from the network.
2Measurement precision
If location tracking technologies are used to determine geographical coordinates and time zone, then time zone determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing multi-functional capabilities of mobile devices by using the same GNSS and location processing infrastructure already present for other location-based services. The time zone determination reuses the location tracking functionality, avoiding the need for separate dedicated hardware or systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The time server acts as an intermediary that handles the complex task of mapping geographical coordinates to time zones. Instead of implementing complex time zone database and mapping logic within the MS, the device simply sends its location to the time server, which performs the complex conversion and returns the appropriate time zone information.
3Reliability
If multiple fallback methods are implemented for time zone determination, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic, hierarchical fallback mechanism where the MS attempts multiple time zone determination methods in sequence. The system starts with the simplest method (using available network information) and progressively tries more complex methods (location-based querying, SMS-based time server communication) only if previous methods fail. This dynamic approach ensures reliability while managing complexity through conditional execution.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application pertains to methods and apparatus to perform time zone determination by a mobile station. One example method for use in a communication device includes determining a geographical location and universal time for the device; determining a time zone for the device based on the geographical location; determining a time for the device based on the universal time and the time zone; using the determined time in applications operable on the device, wherein the applications operable on the device comprise applications other than the application used to determine the geographical location. Other examples are shown and described.