Network Node Location Tracking via Count Metric Dissemination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for conveying location and mobility information in mobile nodes within packet switched data communications networks are inefficient, often requiring expensive equipment, high power consumption, or reliance on multiple access points, which can lead to communication disruptions and increased complexity, especially in scenarios with high mobile node movement speeds.

Innovation Solution

A network node system that disseminates location and mobility information through a message with an identifier and count metric, adjusting the metric based on distance and network type, and determines resource reservation priority based on estimated distance and movement velocity, preventing duplicate message dissemination and optimizing resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS receiver and tracking system are used to determine location, then location accuracy is improved, but device cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses access points as intermediary nodes to determine mobile node location. Instead of requiring GPS equipment in the mobile node, the system employs existing network infrastructure (access points) to measure signal strength and calculate position, thereby achieving location accuracy without adding complex equipment to the mobile device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/GPS-based location system with a signal-based approach. Location is determined by measuring wireless signal strength from multiple access points and using trilateration algorithms, substituting physical tracking equipment with electromagnetic field measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If mobile node actively requests information from each access point, then location information is obtained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation information availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional request-response model. Instead of the mobile node actively requesting location information from each access point, the access points proactively measure signal strength and the network server calculates and provides location information to the mobile node, reducing the mobile node's power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by having access points automatically measure signal strength and the server automatically calculate and update location information without requiring active requests from the mobile node, thereby reducing its power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If signal strength measurement is used to determine location, then equipment cost is reduced, but measurement precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment costVSAvoidlocation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines measurements from multiple access points to determine location. By merging signal strength data from several sources and using trilateration algorithms, the system achieves improved location precision while continuing to use low-cost signal strength measurement techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional signal strength measurement to three-dimensional spatial positioning by incorporating data from multiple access points located at different positions, adding spatial dimensions to the measurement process and improving precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Measurement precision

If continuous location updates are performed, then location accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic location updates rather than continuous updates. The system determines location at regular intervals or when triggered by specific events such as entering a new cell or subnet, maintaining location accuracy while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP1902593B1Network node
Publication Date: 2011.10.05 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP1902593B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1902593B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1902593B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4D

AI summary

A technology is disclosed for efficiently and effectively conveying location and mobility related information about a mobile node to the network in order to facilitate location and mobility related functions and services. According to this technology, in order to detect location and mobility (for example, movement velocity) of the mobile node, dissemination of information including the identification information of the mobile node and the count metric indicating the distance to the mobile node is performed among adjacent network nodes. The network node, upon receiving this message, stores the information in the message, and generates a new count metric by decreasing the count metric. The network node then sends the message including the identification information of the mobile node and this newly generated count metric to the other network nodes. For example the network node determines the priority of resource reservation for each mobile node based on the count metric of each mobile node.