Wi-Fi Calling IP Address Location Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wi-Fi emergency calls using portable communication devices often fail to provide accurate location information due to the use of IP addresses, which do not necessarily represent the physical location of the device, especially in mobile scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a Wi-Fi calling user equipment (UE) obtaining and using a public IP address that includes location information during registration with a wireless local area network (WLAN), either by checking if the assigned IP address is public or private and requesting a public IP address if necessary, and then populating this IP address in a protected registration message to ensure location information is provided to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) during emergency calls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a private IP address is used during Wi-Fi registration, then the device can maintain network connectivity and mobility, but accurate location information cannot be provided to emergency services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the device determines whether its assigned IP address is public or private, and if private, obtains a public IP address through a NAT traversal process. This intermediary step allows the device to maintain mobility while providing accurate location information to emergency services by using the public IP address as a location indicator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the IP address parameter from private to public by implementing a NAT traversal process. This parameter change enables the device to transition from a state where location information is hidden (private IP) to a state where location information can be provided to emergency services (public IP), while maintaining network connectivity.
2Reliability
If a public IP address is obtained and used during Wi-Fi registration, then accurate location information can be provided to emergency services, but the registration process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the IP address type (public or private) during the registration process itself, before emergency services are needed. If the IP is private, the NAT traversal process is initiated during registration, so that when an emergency call is placed, the public IP address is already available without requiring additional real-time actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic registration process that adapts based on the IP address type. The system dynamically determines whether to use the assigned private IP or obtain a public IP through NAT traversal, making the registration process flexible and conditional rather than fixed, thereby managing complexity through adaptive logic.
3Productivity
If the assigned IP address is used without verification, then the registration process is simple and fast, but the IP address may not represent the physical location of the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary verification of the IP address type during the registration process itself. By checking whether the assigned IP is public or private at the time of registration, the system ensures location accuracy is established before the device goes mobile, maintaining both speed and precision without requiring later corrections.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-service by autonomously determining its own IP address type and initiating the appropriate process (using private IP or obtaining public IP through NAT traversal). This self-determination mechanism maintains registration speed while ensuring location accuracy without requiring external verification services.
Data Source
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AI summary
The systems, devices, and methods discussed herein are directed to a Wi-Fi calling (WFC) portable communication device, or a user equipment (UE), for providing a location information during a registration with a wireless local area network (WLAN). During a registration with a WLAN, the WFC UE may send a request for obtaining a public Internet Protocol (IP) address information of the WLAN, which includes location information of the WLAN, and use the public IP address of the WLAN as the assigned IP address of the WFC UE to register with the WLAN.