Wireless Terminal Location Tracking via Request Smoothing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless location systems face inefficiencies in tracking a large number of mobile terminals due to resource constraints, as frequent location determination exhausts limited bandwidth and resources, especially when terminals are stationary or moving slowly.

Innovation Solution

A data-processing system regulates location requests by determining sequences of times when location information is needed for each terminal, storing identifiers according to time slots, and redistributing requests to reduce peak loads, thereby optimizing resource usage and maintaining acceptable confidence levels in location estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If location determination is performed frequently for each terminal, then location estimation confidence is improved, but network bandwidth and system resources are exhausted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation estimation confidenceVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth and system resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments terminals into different groups based on their mobility characteristics and location request patterns. High-mobility terminals receive more frequent location determinations, while low-mobility terminals receive fewer determinations. This segmentation allows the system to allocate resources efficiently according to actual needs, maintaining location confidence for mobile terminals while conserving resources for stationary terminals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the location determination frequency parameter based on terminal mobility status, location request rates, and network conditions. When terminals are stationary or moving slowly, the determination frequency is reduced. When terminals are highly mobile or generating many location requests, the frequency is increased. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching resource consumption to actual tracking needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If location determination frequency is increased for all terminals, then tracking accuracy is improved, but resource consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic adjustment of location determination frequency based on real-time terminal mobility characteristics. Terminals are continuously monitored, and when mobility exceeds a threshold, the determination frequency is increased to maintain tracking accuracy. When mobility is low, frequency is decreased to conserve resources. This dynamic approach ensures tracking reliability is maintained only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows terminals to self-report their mobility status and location request needs. Terminals that are stationary or moving slowly can indicate their reduced mobility, allowing the system to automatically reduce determination frequency for those terminals. This self-service mechanism enables the system to maintain accuracy for mobile terminals while conserving resources for stationary ones without centralized control overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If location requests are processed for all terminals simultaneously, then comprehensive tracking is achieved, but peak loads exhaust system capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive tracking coverageVSAvoidsystem capacity during peak loads

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic location determination with varying intervals based on terminal characteristics. Instead of simultaneous processing, location requests are distributed across different time periods. Terminals with higher mobility or more critical tracking needs are scheduled for more frequent periodic determinations, while stationary terminals are determined less frequently. This periodic distribution eliminates peak loads while maintaining comprehensive tracking coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of terminal mobility patterns and location request requirements before scheduling location determinations. By pre-classifying terminals based on their historical behavior and current needs, the system can proactively schedule determinations during off-peak periods for low-priority terminals, reserving system capacity for high-priority terminals during peak times. This preliminary classification prevents capacity exhaustion while maintaining comprehensive tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9942713B1Tracking large numbers of wireless terminals while regulating location requests

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 POLARIS WIRELESS INC

AI summary

An apparatus and method for tracking a large number of wireless terminals being used by wireless subscribers in a wireless network and for estimating the location of the terminals at each instant. Some embodiments of the present invention use a coordinated smoothing over time of when location requests should be issued to a location engine, for the large number of subscribers. The smoothing can be used in conjunction with a throttling of location requests, such as when the maximum rate of location request transactions that is supported by the wireless network is exceeded.