SUPL Platform Intermediary for Mobile Terminal Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location services in mobile communication networks require mobile terminals to support multiple protocols to locate other terminals, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method where a requesting terminal sends a SUPL protocol-based location request message to an SUPL Platform with the identifier of a target terminal, allowing the platform to identify and transmit the target terminal's location information without the requesting terminal needing to support the Mobile Location Protocol (MLP), thus reducing the need for multiple protocol support on mobile terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mobile terminals support multiple protocols (SUPL and MLP) to locate other terminals, then location service capability is improved, but terminal cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The SUPL Platform acts as an intermediary between the requesting terminal and the target terminal. The requesting terminal only needs to support SUPL protocol to send location requests through the SUPL Platform, which then handles the location acquisition and returns results. This mediator approach eliminates the need for terminals to support multiple protocols directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The SUPL Platform provides universal location service functionality that can handle both SUPL and MLP protocol requirements. By centralizing protocol handling in the platform, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring each terminal to support multiple protocols, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mobile terminals support multiple protocols (SUPL and MLP) to locate other terminals, then location service capability is improved, but terminal cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SUPL Platform serves as a cost-effective intermediary that handles complex protocol processing on the network side rather than requiring expensive multi-protocol support in each terminal. This shifts the complexity and cost burden from terminal manufacturing to network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The requesting terminal uses a simpler, more cost-effective implementation that only requires SUPL protocol support. The complex MLP protocol handling is performed by the SUPL Platform, allowing terminals to be manufactured at lower cost while still providing comprehensive location services.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for locating a mobile terminal is disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention, including: a requesting terminal transmits a location request message carrying an identifier of a target terminal to an SUPL Platform(SLP), the SLP responds to the request, identifies the identifier of the target terminal, obtains a location information of the target terminal, and transmits the obtained location information of the target terminal to the requesting terminal, so that the SUPL Enabled terminal(SET) can locate itself with SUPL protocol, and also can locate other terminals without supporting Mobile Location Protocol(MLP), and thus the cost of terminals can be decreased.