Proximity Service Server Device Identifier Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing proximity discovery methods in communications technologies suffer from high error rates and low accuracy due to reliance on cell identity and network resource overhead, failing to effectively manage proximity information registration and user discovery.

Innovation Solution

A method involving user equipment and a proximity service server to register and manage proximity information through equipment identifiers, converting broadcast information into identifiers and maintaining a proximate equipment list, enabling accurate proximity discovery under network control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If proximity discovery is implemented based on cell identity, then the implementation is simple, but the accuracy of proximity discovery is low and error rate is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidproximity discovery accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the proximity discovery process into two parts: cell-level discovery (coarse) and device-level discovery (fine). The terminal device first discovers potential proximate devices at the cell level, then performs precise identification at the device level using unique device identifiers, thereby improving overall accuracy while maintaining implementation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a proximity management function in the network as an intermediary to manage device identifiers and assist in proximity determination. This intermediary helps resolve the contradiction by providing accurate device-level identification information without requiring the entire system to be rebuilt, thus improving accuracy while keeping implementation feasible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If proximity discovery is implemented by application server, then the service flexibility is high, but the network resource overhead is enormous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork resource overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by having terminal devices autonomously monitor and obtain device identifiers of other devices in the same cell before needing proximity information. This preliminary collection and local caching of identifier information reduces the need for frequent network queries, thereby reducing network resource overhead while maintaining service flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables terminal devices to self-service by autonomously performing proximity discovery and identifier monitoring without requiring continuous application server intervention. Devices independently manage their own proximity information needs, significantly reducing network resource consumption while preserving service adaptability through device autonomy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Area of stationary object

If proximity discovery uses cell radius-based judgment, then the coverage area is large, but the distance error between UEs is enlarged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell coverage areaVSAvoiddistance measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a single-dimension approach (cell radius-based distance judgment) to a multi-dimensional approach by incorporating device-level identifier matching in addition to cell-level information. This dimensional enhancement allows the system to maintain large cell coverage while achieving precise distance and proximity determination through device-specific identifier comparison.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2819444B1Proximity information registration
Publication Date: 2018.03.07 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2819444B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2819444B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2819444B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention provides a proximity information registration method, a query method, and a user equipment. The proximity information registration method includes: sending, by a first user equipment, a proximity service request to a proximity service server, where the proximity service request sent by the first user equipment carries an equipment identifier of the first user equipment; monitoring and obtaining, by the first user equipment, broadcast information of a second user equipment which is broadcast by the second user equipment; and registering the broadcast information of the second user equipment with the proximity service server, so that the proximity service server converts the broadcast information of the second user equipment into an equipment identifier of the second user equipment according to a mapping between the equipment identifier of the second user equipment and the broadcast information of the second user equipment stored by the proximity service server. According to the present invention, under network control, a user using the user equipment can discover a proximate user using a same application as the user.