Wireless Network Social Distancing Estimation via Anonymized UE Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems lack effective methods to estimate population density in cells for social distancing purposes without compromising user privacy, especially during public health emergencies like pandemics.
Innovation Solution
A wireless network system that periodically harvests anonymized data from user equipment (UE) devices, including time stamps and globally unique cell identifiers, to estimate population density and compare it against social distancing guidelines, labeling cells as either social distancing-friendly or non-friendly, and providing this information to UE devices to aid users in making informed travel decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network harvests and processes UE data to estimate population density, then the ability to provide social distancing guidance is improved, but the privacy protection of users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary data elements (anonymized UE data including time stamps and cell identifiers) from the full UE data set, processing only what is needed for population density estimation while leaving personal identification information untouched and unused in the analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The network equipment acts as an intermediary that processes data in an anonymized form, creating a buffer between the raw UE data and the final population density estimates. This intermediary processing layer enables social distancing guidance while preventing direct exposure of user personal information
2Ease of operation
If the network provides detailed population density information for all cells, then the usefulness of travel guidance is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into individual cell units, each with its own population density estimation. This segmentation allows granular, cell-by-cell analysis that provides detailed travel guidance while keeping each individual processing unit simple and manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The network performs population density estimation for all cells (excessive action) but only provides this information to UE devices when and where needed for travel decisions. This ensures comprehensive coverage for guidance accuracy while avoiding unnecessary processing complexity in unused areas
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless network may include network equipment such as base stations that operate within cells and that communicate with user equipment (UE) devices. The network equipment may harvest anonymized data from the UE devices and may generate connection counts based on the anonymized data. The network equipment may estimate the total population of each cell based on the connection counts, may generate a maximum number of individuals allowed in the cells under a social distancing guideline, and may compare the estimated total population of the cells to the maximum number of individuals. Cells having an estimated total population that exceeds the maximum number of individuals may be labeled as cells having poor social distancing. Information may be provided to a UE device identifying these cells to allow a user to make informed decisions on where to travel without exposing private information to the network.