Network Element Triggers Mobile Location Data Without Fallback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless systems, mobile devices need to 'fall back' to older 3G/2G networks to provide circuit-switched services, leading to unnecessary registration with a new MSC location area, resulting in increased traffic and data processing.
Innovation Solution
A method where a network element, such as a mobile switching center (MSC), triggers a mobile device to send location information without causing it to fall back from 4G to 2G/3G networks by using a paging request with an SMS indicator, avoiding the need for registration and subsequent location updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile device falls back to 3G/2G network to obtain circuit-switched services, then the device can access legacy services, but the device must register with a new MSC location area, generating extra traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the location information retrieval process from the traditional fallback procedure. Instead of requiring the device to actually fall back to 3G/2G network and register with MSC, the system separately obtains location information through the MME using the device's current 4G location, thereby removing the unnecessary registration traffic while preserving service access capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary approach where the MME acts as a mediator between the MSC and the mobile device. The MME retrieves location information from the device's current 4G location without requiring the device to switch networks, thus mediating the location acquisition process to avoid unnecessary fallback traffic
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile device falls back to 3G/2G network for circuit-switched services, then the service can be completed, but the device must perform location updates and authentication processes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the location information acquisition step from the fallback service flow. The system obtains location information through the MME while the device remains on 4G network, removing the need for location updates and authentication processes that would otherwise occur during fallback to 3G/2G
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary action by obtaining the device's location information through the MME before initiating any fallback or registration processes. This preliminary location acquisition eliminates the need for subsequent location updates and authentication that would be required if the device actually fell back to 3G/2G
3Quantity of substance
If the mobile device remains on 4G network, then traffic is reduced, but the device cannot access circuit-switched services that require fallback
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the MME as an intermediary to bridge between the 4G network and circuit-switched service requirements. The MME retrieves location information from the device's current 4G location and provides it to the MSC, enabling legacy service access without requiring the device to actually switch to 3G/2G network
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the location information retrieval function from the fallback mechanism itself. By obtaining location data through the MME while the device remains on 4G, the system separates the location acquisition function from the network switching requirement, allowing traffic reduction while maintaining service access
Data Source
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AI summary
Example embodiments provide methods of handling a request for location information for a mobile device attached to a wireless system that supports multiple types of radio access technology. In one embodiment, the mobile device is triggered, by a network element, to send location information without causing the mobile to fall back from a first network of the wireless system to a second network of the wireless system, the first network conforming to a later generation of radio access technology than the second network.