Group-Based MTC Device Triggering via Cell Broadcast Center

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies lack an effective method to trigger multiple Machine Type Communications (MTC) devices simultaneously, particularly in scenarios like mass data collection from electric meters, leading to network congestion and resource waste due to the absence of a standardized solution for group-based triggering.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an MTC server sending a request message with a group ID and communication notification to a Cell Broadcast Center (CBC), which obtains area information and broadcasts a message to trigger MTC devices, incorporating MTC indication and random access information to manage device activation and prevent congestion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If individual MTC devices are triggered separately to transmit data, then each device can be activated individually, but network congestion and resource waste occur due to the absence of group-based triggering mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual device triggering operations into a single group-based triggering mechanism. The MTC server sends a unified trigger message containing a group ID that identifies multiple MTC devices, allowing simultaneous activation of all devices in the group through one signaling operation rather than multiple separate operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger message is designed with universal applicability to serve multiple functions: it can trigger individual devices, groups of devices, or all devices in a network. The message structure includes a group ID field that can be configured to target different scopes of devices, making the triggering mechanism flexible and multi-functional.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If all MTC devices are activated simultaneously for mass data collection, then data collection efficiency is improved, but network congestion occurs due to simultaneous data transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata collection efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork congestion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic or time-staggered data transmission after group triggering. Devices in the group are activated simultaneously, but their data transmission occurs in scheduled time slots or periodic intervals rather than all at once. This time-division approach maintains high data collection efficiency while preventing network congestion through controlled transmission timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If standardized group-based triggering mechanism is implemented, then network management capability is optimized, but device complexity increases due to additional group ID management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork management capabilityVSAvoidgroup ID management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables MTC devices to autonomously manage group ID information without requiring complex network intervention. Devices store local group ID mappings and can self-identify their group membership, allowing the network to trigger groups using simple group IDs while devices handle the complexity of group management locally through self-service mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Use of energy by moving object

If MTC devices remain in sleep mode to conserve energy, then power consumption is reduced, but activation latency increases when data transmission is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidactivation latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary group triggering before data transmission is actually needed. The MTC server can send trigger messages to activate MTC devices in advance, allowing devices to wake up from sleep mode and prepare for data transmission before the actual data collection request arrives. This preliminary activation reduces the effective latency while devices can still remain in low-power states between triggers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2566200B1Method for triggering communication between group of machine type communication devices and machine type communication server
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP2566200B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2566200B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2566200B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method for triggering communication between a group of MTC devices and an MTC server, and an MTC device. The method includes: receiving an MTC request message sent by a machine type communications MTC server, where the MTC request message carries a group ID of the group of MTC devices and a communication notification message for the group of MTC devices; obtaining area information of the group of MTC devices; and sending the area information, the group ID of the group of MTC devices, and the communication notification message for the group of MTC devices to a cell broadcast center CBC, so that the CBC sends a broadcast message to a device in an area, where the broadcast message includes the group ID of the group of MTC devices and the communication notification message for the group of MTC devices. In the present invention, triggering communication between a group of MTC devices and an MTC server is implemented.