Wireless Control Message Counting for User Terminal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting the number of individuals traveling on public transportation routes are either expensive, complex, or invasive, lacking a simple, accurate, and cost-effective solution.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize control messages from user terminals in wireless communication networks to detect user terminal handovers or initial access, incrementing a counter to represent the number of users, leveraging existing network infrastructure without requiring active measures from individuals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual counting methods are used to detect the number of travelers, then the counting process can be performed with simple equipment, but the method becomes expensive and complicated due to requiring staff assignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical counting systems with an automated electronic detection system that uses wireless communication networks. The system detects control messages (such as random access preambles) transmitted by user terminals to automatically count individuals, eliminating the need for staff assignment while maintaining simplicity of implementation.
2Reliability
If mechanical turnstiles are used to count individuals, then the counting is reliable, but the method becomes slow and ineffective and requires mechanical equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical turnstile systems with an electronic wireless communication-based detection system. The system automatically detects control messages transmitted by user terminals passing through the detection area, providing both reliable counting and high processing speed without mechanical constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the user terminal's own transmitted control messages (which are already being sent as part of normal wireless communication protocols) for counting purposes. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate counting mechanisms while maintaining reliability and improving speed.
3Extent of automation
If sensor-based solutions are used to detect passages of individuals, then detection can be automated, but the solution becomes technically complex and requires relatively high hardware amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing wireless communication network infrastructure (base stations, communication protocols) already present in the environment to perform counting functions. This multi-functional approach allows the communication network to serve both its primary communication purpose and the secondary function of automated counting, eliminating the need for separate sensor systems and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the wireless control messages as an intermediary carrier for counting information. Instead of directly detecting physical presence with sensors, the system detects the transmitted control messages that naturally occur during wireless communication, simplifying the detection mechanism while maintaining automation.
4Extent of automation
If video cameras with automatic image recognition are used to count persons, then counting can be automated and comprehensive data collected, but the method violates personal integrity in some countries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary counting information from the control messages without capturing or processing any personal identification data, images, or biometric information. The system counts occurrences of control messages to determine the number of users while deliberately excluding any personal integrity-sensitive data, thus maintaining automation while respecting privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses anonymous, transient control messages that are naturally generated and discarded during wireless communication. These messages serve as temporary, disposable carriers for counting purposes without creating permanent records of personal information, enabling automated counting while protecting personal integrity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for detecting a number of user terminals (8a, 8b), each of said user terminals (8a, 8b) comprising a receiver unit (10), a transmitter unit (11) and a control unit (12) arranged to control said receiver unit (10) and transmitter unit (11), each of said user terminals (8a, 8b) also being associated with a wireless communication network (1) comprising a plurality of network cells (2, 3), each being equipped with a node (4, 5). The method comprises detecting (16) communication between each of said user terminals (8a, 8b) and an associated node (4; 5) of said wireless communication network (1). Furthermore, the method comprises: detecting (17) a first control message being transmitted from a user terminal (8a, 8b); detecting (18) a second control message being transmitted from a node (4; 5), said second control message being associated with the first control message; and increasing (19) a counter (15a) representing said number of user terminals (8a, 8b) based on detection of transmission of said control messages. The present invention also relates to a detector device (9) for detecting a number of user terminals (8a, 8b).