Mobile Terminal Environment Determination via Signal Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining a mobile terminal's environment in mobile radiocommunication networks are not adaptable to different types of mobile terminals, leading to inaccuracies in service provision.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that retrieve the terminal's identifier, technical features related to signal reception, and adjust measurements based on these features to determine the environment, allowing for accurate environment determination independent of terminal type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single environment determination method is applied to all mobile terminals, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to differences in terminal reception features

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplexity of environment determination methodVSAvoidprecision of environment determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by customizing the environment determination parameters and measurement operations according to the specific technical features of each mobile terminal type. Different terminals (e.g., GPS-equipped vs. non-GPS terminals) receive tailored determination methods that match their reception capabilities, thereby maintaining high measurement precision without requiring a single complex universal solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters by adapting the environment determination thresholds and measurement operations based on terminal-specific technical features. The system retrieves terminal identification information and uses it to select appropriate determination parameters, allowing the same basic methodology to achieve high precision across different terminal types through parameter customization rather than structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If environment determination is tailored to each terminal type, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple determination methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of environment determinationVSAvoidcomplexity of environment determination method
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the environment determination method adaptable and changeable based on terminal identification. Rather than hardcoding multiple static determination methods, the system dynamically selects and configures the appropriate determination parameters and operations based on the terminal's technical features, achieving customization without proportional increases in complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the terminal identification information retrieval and parameter selection system) that bridges the gap between diverse terminal types and the environment determination process. This intermediary layer manages the complexity by handling terminal-specific configurations centrally, allowing precise determination for each terminal type without requiring each terminal to implement complex determination logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If terminal-specific parameters are used for environment determination, then the reliability of service provision is improved, but the loss of information increases due to need for terminal feature data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of service provisionVSAvoidinformation about terminal technical features
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by retrieving and storing terminal identification information and technical features before the environment determination process begins. This advance preparation ensures that the necessary terminal-specific information is available when needed, improving reliability without causing information loss during the actual determination process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using terminal identification information to retrieve appropriate technical features and configure determination parameters. This feedback loop ensures that the system continuously adapts to the specific terminal being used, maintaining high reliability while managing information requirements efficiently through systematic data retrieval and utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8224312B2Method and network for determining an environment wherein a mobile terminal is situated
Publication Date: 2012.07.17 TELECOM ITALIA SPA
  • US8224312B2 patent drawing
  • US8224312B2 patent drawing
  • US8224312B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of determining an environment wherein a mobile terminal of a mobile radiocommunication network is situated, the mobile terminal being associated to an identifier. The method includes: i) retrieving the identifier; ii) retrieving at least one technical feature of the mobile terminal according to the identifier, the one technical feature being related to the capability of the mobile terminal of receiving a radio signal; iii) taking a measurement indicative of a quality of the radio signal at the mobile terminal; and iv) applying to the measurement an operation for determining the environment, the operation depending on at least one parameter, wherein the method further includes, before step iv), v) adjusting at least one of the at least one parameter and the measurement according to the at least one technical feature.