Virtual Object Tracking for Mobile Machine-Type Communication Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication network configurations are inadequate for managing and tracking mobile objects, as they are designed primarily for stationary machine-type communication devices and fail to provide effective wireless communication for mobile objects moving within the physical environment.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a virtual object with mobility parameters, created based on information from connected machine-type-communication devices, allowing the communication network to treat the mobile object as if it were a connected device, using Network Function Virtualization (NFV) to manage and track its movement by instantiating virtual service gateways and modifying network configuration accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If communication networks are configured for stationary machine-type communication devices, then service can be provided to MTCDs via proximate APs, but the network cannot provide effective wireless communication for mobile objects moving within the physical environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual object as a digital representation of the mobile object within the communication network. This virtual object contains mobility parameters and is tracked by the network infrastructure, allowing the network to treat the mobile object as if it were a connected device. The virtual object serves as a copy that enables network management functions without requiring direct connection to the physical mobile object.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual dimension by creating a virtual object representation that exists in the network space rather than physical space. This allows the network to track and manage mobile objects through a separate virtual layer, adding the dimension of virtual representation to the physical communication problem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If handover is provided between APs for mobile UE, then continual connectivity is ensured, but this configuration is not suitable for machine-type communication devices which are typically static
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal virtual object representation that can represent any mobile object regardless of its specific type or characteristics. This virtual object framework provides a multi-functional solution that can handle tracking, mobility management, and communication services for various mobile objects using a single standardized approach, rather than requiring different configurations for different device types.
3Measurement precision
If MTCDs are deployed to capture or sense attributes in the physical environment, then data can be transmitted, but the MTCDs themselves are typically static and cannot track mobile objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual object as an intermediary between the static MTCDs and the mobile object being tracked. The virtual object receives mobility information from multiple static MTCDs and consolidates this data to track the mobile object's position and movement. This intermediary approach allows static devices to achieve mobile object tracking capability without requiring the devices themselves to be mobile.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a system and method for managing a mobile object using a plurality of machine type communication devices (MTCDs) communicatively connected to a communication network. A mobile object can be considered a virtual MTCD which can be managed and/or tracked by an array of MTCDs which are communicatively connected with the communication network. The MTCDs detect the mobile object and obtain or determine one or more parameters indicative of movement of the object. By tracking the movement of the object, the system can substantially ensure that there are connected MTCDs in the area to which the object is moving, thereby enabling the management and/or tracking of the mobile object can be provided by actively modifying the configuration of the communication network, for example using network function virtualization.