Network Controller Location Determination for IP-Based Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in accurately determining the geographic position of dual-mode mobile devices that can access both cellular and IP-based wireless telecommunications networks, particularly in providing location-based services and routing emergency calls effectively on IP-based networks.
Innovation Solution
A positioning system that establishes a wireless connection between a mobile device and an IP-based network, using a network controller and a serving mobile location center to retrieve information from a database for determining the device's geographic position, which includes last known position, IP address, MAC address, and subscriber identifier, facilitating accurate location determination and emergency call routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile device accesses an IP-based wireless telecommunications network, then service flexibility and cost efficiency are improved, but the ability to accurately determine geographic position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary component that bridges the IP-based wireless network and the cellular network infrastructure. This controller maintains location information for mobile devices accessing via IP-based networks, enabling accurate geographic position determination without requiring the device to connect to cellular infrastructure directly. The intermediary translates and manages location data between different network types.
Solution Approach 2:
The network controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving both IP-based wireless networks and cellular networks through a unified interface. It can determine location for devices on either network type using the same mechanisms, making the location determination system universally applicable across different network infrastructures and eliminating the precision gap between network types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If location-based services are implemented on IP-based networks, then service functionality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the location determination functionality for IP-based networks with the existing cellular network location infrastructure. By combining these previously separate systems into a unified approach where the network controller handles both types of networks, the patent reduces overall system complexity while enabling location-based services on IP-based networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The network controller automatically manages location information for mobile devices on IP-based networks without requiring additional complexity in the mobile devices themselves. The system performs self-service by maintaining and updating location data centrally, eliminating the need for complex client-side location determination mechanisms in mobile devices.
3Reliability
If emergency call routing is implemented on IP-based networks, then service reliability is improved, but information retrieval complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network controller pre-establishes and maintains location information for mobile devices before emergency calls are placed. By having location data readily available in advance through continuous tracking and registration mechanisms, the system can rapidly route emergency calls without complex real-time information retrieval, improving reliability while managing complexity through advance preparation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless connection between a mobile device and an IP -based wireless telecommunications network is established when the mobile device registers with a network controller (NC) through an access point (AP). When a geographical position is needed for the mobile device (e.g., a 911 call), messages are exchanged between the NC and a serving mobile location center (SMLC), where the SMLC retrieves information from a database that is used to identify the geographic position of the mobile device. The database can store a variety of information related to mobile devices such as: last known position, IP address, MAC address, a mobile or subscriber identifier (such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)), last CGI, etc. The geographical position is communicated back to the NC, which can then forward the position information to a switch for processing such as for 911 calls.