UICC Interface GPS Module Integration for Location Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current interfaces between Universal Integrated Circuit Cards (UICCs) and mobile radio communications devices are limited in providing precise location information, restricting the development of location-based applications due to their inability to handle detailed location data beyond cell identity, which is often inaccurate for large areas.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a Global Positioning System (GPS) module within the mobile radio communications device, allowing the UICC to activate, deactivate, and communicate with the GPS module for precise location data transfer, using new commands and notifications to extend the Universal Sim Application Toolkit (USAT) features and protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the UICC interface uses traditional cell-based location information (MCC, MNC, LAC, Cell Id), then the interface complexity remains low, but the location precision is insufficient for large cell areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation precisionVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the UICC interface with GPS module integration, merging two separate location determination approaches (cell-based and satellite-based) into a unified system. This allows the UICC to access high-precision GPS location data while maintaining the simplicity of the traditional card interface, thus resolving the contradiction between location precision and interface complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a GPS module as an intermediary component between the UICC and the location data source. The GPS module acts as a mediator that provides precise location information to the UICC through the existing interface, eliminating the need to modify the UICC interface itself while achieving high location precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the UICC stores increasing amounts of data for applications, then the application possibilities increase, but the interface capability remains limited to basic location data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication versatilityVSAvoidlocation information detail
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the UICC's data storage capability with GPS location data provision, creating a unified system where the UICC can leverage its increasing storage capacity for diverse applications while simultaneously accessing high-precision location information from the GPS module, thus preventing loss of location information detail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If the system uses only cell-based location data, then the device complexity is low, but the location accuracy cannot meet requirements for precise location-based applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines cell-based location determination with GPS-based location determination in a hybrid system. The mobile radio communications device maintains its simple cell-based interface while integrating a GPS module for high-precision location data, achieving accurate location measurement without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2223510B1Radio communications device, universal integrated circuit card and related method and communications device
Publication Date: 2016.05.04 LENOVO INNOVATIONS LTD (HONG KONG)
  • EP2223510B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2223510B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention provides for a UICC interface and related interfacing method, for use in a mobile radio communications device and including means enabling the UICC to provide an indication that at least one service requiring location data is present in the UICC, means for UICC to receive notification that a source of location data is available, means for allowing the UICC to initiate transfer of location data thereto, means for the actual transfer of the location data to the UICC, and means enabling the UICC to terminate the transfer of the location data, and wherein the location data can be provided from a GPS module or remotely in a contact-less manner.