Terminal Device Position Estimation Using Segmented Assistance Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently supporting low complexity devices with low power consumption, particularly in providing accurate location-based services while minimizing power usage, especially in devices with high latency tolerance and low power requirements, such as those for the Internet of Things (IoT).

Innovation Solution

The system configures terminal devices to receive and combine different levels of position assistance information, with some information encrypted and others unencrypted, allowing conditional access based on permission, enabling devices to estimate their location with varying accuracy levels, even in idle or inactive modes, using system information blocks broadcast from infrastructure equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If position assistance information is provided to terminal devices to enable accurate location-based services, then location accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The position assistance information is segmented into multiple levels (first level with lower accuracy, second level with higher accuracy). Terminal devices can selectively receive and process only the necessary level of information, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adequate location accuracy for different application scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Devices perform partial processing by receiving unencrypted position assistance information and selectively determining whether to acquire additional encrypted information. This partial action approach allows devices to function with minimal power consumption for basic location needs, with the option to enhance accuracy only when necessary

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If encrypted position assistance information is transmitted to ensure security, then information security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation securityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The information transmission is segmented into unencrypted and encrypted portions. The unencrypted first level position assistance information can be processed by all devices without complex decryption mechanisms, while only specific devices with appropriate permissions need to handle the encrypted second level information, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network device acts as an intermediary that provides unencrypted position assistance information to all terminal devices. This intermediary approach allows devices to obtain basic location data without complex security processing, while the network manages the complexity of encrypted information distribution selectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3698588B1An estimate of a location of the terminal devices.
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3698588B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3698588B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3698588B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The controller circuitry is configured to identify one of the plurality of different position assistance information for use by the terminal device to identify a position of the terminal device, and to estimate the position of the terminal device by combining the identified position assistance information with the radio signal received by the position detection receiver circuitry. The position assistance information is identified in accordance with a permission allocated to the terminal device. By providing system information which is unencrypted and other system information which is encrypted, conditional access to the position assistance information can be provided in which a lowest level of position assistance information can provide the least level of position estimation accuracy.