Terminal Device Path Determination via Network Signal Metrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for techniques that can determine a path of movement of a terminal device through a region covered by a communication network, especially to provide information on the area where the terminal device was located during a measurement, which is crucial for predictive Quality of Service (QoS) in communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that involves obtaining a set of measurements and parameters related to the terminal device and the communication network, identifying candidate areas with associated area metrics indicating the likelihood of the terminal device's presence, determining transition metrics for pairs of candidate areas, calculating path metrics for candidate paths, and determining the path of movement based on these metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If precise positioning information is obtained using traditional methods (e.g., GPS), then position accuracy is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses communication network infrastructure (base stations, access points) as an intermediary to determine terminal position. Instead of relying on GPS satellites or complex onboard positioning systems, the network infrastructure itself provides positioning information through signal strength measurements and triangulation, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/GPS-based positioning systems with a signal-based positioning approach using communication network measurements. By substituting the mechanical GPS receiver with a signal-strength-based positioning system using existing communication infrastructure, the device complexity is reduced while position accuracy is maintained through collaborative measurement
2Measurement precision
If collaborative measurements from multiple network nodes are collected, then position determination accuracy is improved, but communication overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the positioning task into segments performed by different network nodes (base stations, access points). Each node independently performs measurements and sends results to a central entity, which then aggregates the data. This segmentation allows parallel processing and reduces the complexity burden on any single device while improving overall position determination accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges measurements from multiple independent sources (different base stations and access points) to determine terminal position. By combining these collaborative measurements through signal strength comparison and triangulation algorithms, the system achieves higher position determination accuracy while distributing the processing complexity across multiple network entities
3Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal device moves through areas with varying network coverage, then service adaptability is improved, but maintaining continuous positioning and QoS prediction becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal positioning method that works across different network coverage scenarios (strong signal areas, weak signal areas, handover zones). The same collaborative measurement approach using signal strength and network node identification functions reliably regardless of the specific coverage conditions, enabling continuous positioning and QoS prediction as the terminal moves through diverse network environments
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a computer-implemented method for determining a path of movement of a terminal device. The method includes (i) obtaining a set of measurements and/or parameters relating to the terminal device and/or a communication network in which the terminal device is operating, wherein respective measurements and/or respective parameters in the received set were obtained as the terminal device traversed a path of movement through a plurality of areas; (ii) using the obtained set to identify a plurality of candidate areas in which the terminal device may have been located as the terminal device traversed the path of movement; (iii) using the obtained set to determine respective transition metrics for pairs of the candidate areas; (iv) determining respective path metrics for a plurality of candidate paths; and (v) determining the path of movement traversed by the terminal device according to the determined path metrics.