Wireless Transmitter Data Collection via Targeted Tasking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for mobile location-based services are slow to respond to changes in wireless network configurations, relying on costly manual surveys and opportunistic measurements, which can lead to substantial delays in updating network databases, affecting service quality and coverage.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that efficiently collect and maintain wireless network configuration information by retrieving a list of transmitter identifiers and parameters, communicating this information to devices with wireless receivers, and receiving selected radio measurements to update transmitter characteristics, focusing on regions with incomplete or inaccurate data, and prioritizing measurements based on database quality and coverage needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual surveys are used to collect wireless network configuration information, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmitter configuration information accuracyVSAvoidtime to update network database

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables mobile devices to automatically collect and report wireless network configuration information without requiring manual intervention. Devices self-organize to fill database gaps by receiving tasking information from the server, autonomously collecting measurements, and reporting results, thereby eliminating the need for costly manual surveys while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The server pre-identifies regions with incomplete or inaccurate transmitter configuration information and sends targeted tasking information to mobile devices in those areas before gaps are fully formed. This preliminary action allows the system to proactively collect needed measurements before service quality deteriorates, reducing the time required for database updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If opportunistic measurements are collected from subscribers, then loss of time is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime to update network databaseVSAvoidtransmitter configuration information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The server continuously monitors the quality and coverage of transmitter configuration information in the database, providing feedback through tasking information to mobile devices. This feedback mechanism ensures that opportunistic measurements are strategically directed to fill specific gaps rather than being randomly collected, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing update time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different collection strategies to different geographical regions based on local database quality. In regions with incomplete information, targeted tasking is sent to collect precise measurements. In regions with sufficient coverage, opportunistic collections are acceptable. This local quality approach maintains overall measurement precision while reducing total update time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If frequent database updates are performed to maintain service quality, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice quality consistencyVSAvoidenergy consumption for data collection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous updates, the system performs database updates periodically based on identified gaps in coverage. Mobile devices receive tasking information only when and where needed, rather than continuously collecting and reporting data. This periodic action maintains service reliability by updating only when necessary while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If comprehensive network coverage is maintained through continuous data collection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation service coverageVSAvoiddata collection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses universal mobile devices with existing capabilities (wireless communication, GPS, processors) to perform multiple functions: normal communication, location services, and database maintenance. No specialized equipment or complex dedicated hardware is required. The server coordinates these multi-functional devices to maintain comprehensive network coverage, achieving reliability without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8787171B2Efficient collection of wireless transmitter characteristics

Publication Date: 2014.07.22 SMITH MICRO SOFTWARE LLC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and processor-readable storage media are disclosed for collecting information pertaining to the configuration of one or more wireless networks and using this information in turn to estimate the location of mobile wireless devices associated with those networks. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing efficient systems and methods for collecting the information, which are responsive to the coverage or quality of the wireless network configuration information already stored in a network database.