Mobile Station Time Zone Setting via Network Controller

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices often fail to accurately set their time due to inconsistent and optional time information messages in 2G and 3G networks, leading to malfunctioning time-dependent applications.

Innovation Solution

A method where a generic access network controller determines the location of a mobile station and sends a registration acceptance message with encoded time zone information, allowing the mobile station to use this information to set its local time accurately, even when connected to different time zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optional time information messages are sent in 2G and 3G networks, then network identification and time zone (NITZ) functionality is provided, but the mobile station cannot reliably set its time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime setting accuracyVSAvoidtime information consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The network determines and prepares time zone information before the mobile station needs it. The network calculates the time zone offset based on the mobile station's location and includes this pre-determined information in the registration acceptance message, ensuring the mobile station receives accurate time zone data without needing to query it separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network receives location information from the mobile station and uses this feedback to dynamically determine and provide the correct time zone information. This closed-loop approach ensures the time zone data is always accurate for the mobile station's current location, resolving the reliability issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the mobile station uses its own clock for time-dependent applications, then applications can function, but the clock may be incorrect leading to malfunctioning applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoidclock accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile station automatically receives and applies time zone information from the network without manual intervention. The system self-configures by extracting location data, determining the appropriate time zone, and applying it to the clock, ensuring both ease of operation and clock accuracy simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile station switches between different networks, then network flexibility is achieved, but clock changes occur causing time confusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork switching capabilityVSAvoidtime consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts time zone information based on the mobile station's current network connection and location. When the mobile station switches networks, the new network provides updated time zone information corresponding to its location, allowing the system to transition smoothly between networks while maintaining time consistency through dynamic adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2617247B1Methods and apparatus to provide time zone information to a mobile station

Publication Date: 2020.11.04 BLACKBERRY LTD

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for providing time zone information to a mobile station are described. An example method disclosed herein includes accepting at a generic access network controller a registration request from a mobile station, encoding in a generic access network information element a first offset from a first time, and transmitting the generic access network information element to the mobile station.