Satellite Image Openness Analysis for Base Station Site Selection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining base station placement face increased processing loads as the number of wireless terminals or areas to be supported grows, particularly due to the need to input and process large amounts of numerical data related to service areas.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that estimates open areas from satellite images using a trained open area prediction model, calculates openness based on construction data, and determines suitability for base station placement, reducing processing load through automated site selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the number of service areas to be supported increases, then the coverage area expands, but the processing load for selecting site candidates increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the service area into a grid structure where each grid cell can be independently evaluated. Instead of processing the entire service area as one large region, the system divides it into smaller manageable units (grids), allowing parallel processing and reducing the overall computational burden while maintaining comprehensive coverage evaluation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary classification of grid cells based on basic criteria (such as building density, terrain type, or existing infrastructure) before conducting detailed radio wave propagation simulations. This preliminary filtering reduces the number of grids that require computationally intensive simulations, thereby reducing processing load while still identifying suitable site candidates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the number of wireless terminals increases, then the service capacity expands, but the processing load for site selection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice capacityVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the evaluation process into multiple stages: initial grid classification, candidate selection, and detailed simulation. This segmentation allows the system to handle increasing numbers of wireless terminals by processing grids in batches and using simplified criteria in early stages, reducing the processing load associated with evaluating sites for larger service capacities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by evaluating only a subset of grids in detail rather than all grids. It uses preliminary filtering to identify promising candidate grids and focuses computational resources on those, performing exhaustive simulations only where necessary. This approach maintains service capacity expansion while controlling processing load through selective detailed analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4391622B1Information processing device, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 RAKUTEN GROUP INC
  • EP4391622B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4391622B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4391622B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5A

AI summary

An information processing apparatus acquires a satellite image, estimates, in the satellite image, an open area with a spatial extent where base station placement for wireless communication is possible, calculates openness of the open area using rays virtually cast from a predetermined position in the open area, and determines, based on the openness, whether or not the open area is a site appropriate for base station placement.