FI122340B - Telecommunications network management - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally to the management of telecommunications networks. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the invention relates to the management of a communications network 5 for location.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT

Global and local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are geographically profiling the telecommunications networks of different telecom operators to obtain location information that can provide pay-based services. 10 For example, payroll service refers to a service whereby a user can search for their current location in a nearby Indian restaurant or similar service. The most common implementation of this so-called "fingerprinting" method is to utilize GPS (Global Positioning System) devices to collect the database: 15 - For example, a cellular identity of a communication network is collected by a GPS-capable device: this x1, y1 GPS coordinate contains cell # 1223

- This information is collected from the location of the telecommunications network of cells is then used as a "non-GPS" capability for subscribers (or GPS shadow area): if my phone is connected to 20 operators X in the cell # 1234 so I'm close to the coordinates x1, y1. In practice, the subscriber sends to the service the cell ID # 1234 it receives from the serving base station and the service converts this cell information into coordinates.

The database collected in this way will become more comprehensive and o 25 better over time. The more this information can be collected from GPS-capable ώ devices, the better and more accurate the location database becomes. Each transmitter (e.g., cell identifier) in the communication network is targeted to x geographical area or point and gradually the desired size

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the geographical area can be covered.

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£ 30 S For the telecommunications operator, the location databases described above and their associated

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° the proliferation of services based on this is not desirable. Subscriber location information is the 'property' of telecommunication operators and is not intended to be made available free of charge to anyone 2 so that the operator would not slip down the value chain associated with the production of services, providing at its worst a mere transmission path for services.

The first aspect of the invention provides a method for managing a telecommunications network. The method comprises detecting an excitation, mixing the communications network settings in response to said excitation to obtain new settings, updating said new settings in at least one network operator information system, and providing said new settings for implementation in said communication network.

Another aspect of the invention provides a device for managing a telecommunications network. The device comprises means for receiving an excitation and a processor configured to mix the communications network settings in response to said excitation 20 to obtain new settings, update said new settings in at least one network operator information system, and provide said new settings for implementation in said communication network.

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The third aspect of the invention provides a computer program comprising a program code executable on a computer 0 which, when executed, directs the device x to execute the first aspect or any related embodiment thereof.

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The computer program according to the third aspect may comprise program code which

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may be performed, for example, by any of the following: a general-purpose processor, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit, and a digital 3 signal processor. The computer program according to the third aspect may be stored on computer-readable media. Such media may be, for example, a floppy disk, CDROM, DVD, memory stick or other magnetic or optical storage media.

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In one embodiment, the scrambling is accomplished by exchanging the identification data of at least one radio transmitter in the telecommunications network. In another embodiment, the identity of the radio transmitters used in the telecommunication network is exchanged. In yet another embodiment, the identifiers of the radio transmitters of the communication network 10 are exchanged for completely new identifiers.

In one embodiment, the mixing is accomplished by changing the power levels and / or directions of the radio transmitters in the communication network.

In one embodiment, the excitation is a timed excitation or a manual excitation.

In one embodiment, the telecommunication network settings are scrambled throughout the telecommunication network. In another embodiment, the communication network settings are confused in only a portion of the communication network.

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In one embodiment, the mixing ensures the operation of said telecommunication network with said new settings.

Various embodiments of the present invention have been described in connection with some aspects of the invention. However, corresponding embodiments may be applicable to other aspects and related embodiments.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

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The figure shows a system according to an embodiment; Figures 2-4 illustrate some embodiments of the invention; and C \ |

Figure 5 shows a device according to an embodiment.

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Some embodiments of the invention actively seek to prevent or hinder the collection of accurate and comprehensive positioning information from a telecommunications network by means of fingerprinting or similar communication network profiling. This is accomplished by controlled alteration or mixing of the communication network settings, whereby the positioning data collected by fingerprinting or the corresponding communication network profiling becomes obsolete, at least in part inaccurate, or at least in part becomes unusable. The confused settings may be, for example, identification of radio transmitters in a telecommunications network, such as cell identifiers, or power levels or sectors of radio transmitters.

The telecommunications network in this context can be any wireless communication network such as GSM, GPRS, CDMA, WCDMA or WLAN.

15 It is known per se to change the telecommunication network settings as needed, for example to correct a detected fault or defect. In this case, the settings are usually changed only to the extent necessary to correct the problem. Instead, in a controlled manner of changing or mixing the settings according to some embodiments of the invention, the communication network settings 20 may be changed over the entire telecommunication network, or at least with respect to essential parts of the telecommunication network.

In addition, setting mixing according to some embodiments of the invention is typically done in a situation where the telecommunication network as such operates δ25 per se, i.e. the operation of the telecommunication network may not be necessary.

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ώ the need to change settings. However, this does not exclude the possibility of correcting faults or faults in the oo communication network when confusing settings x. On the contrary, any communication network failures or

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in practice, deficiencies can be corrected automatically when mixing 30 settings, even without the need to detect faults; o In some embodiments, new settings resulting from mixing

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the functionality is verified by appropriate tests before applying the new settings. This is to ensure that the new settings are free from 5 defects or faults, so that faults that may have occurred in the telecommunications network may be automatically corrected.

Figure 1 shows a system according to an embodiment. The system comprises 5 control devices 101, which may be, for example, a general-purpose server or a computer, a transmitter database 102 which manages the identification data transmitted by the telecommunications network to the terminals connected to the network (e.g. , where the network operator maintains 10 positioning information about the characteristics of the communication network. Such features include, for example, base station location, power levels, direction, and identification.

In the following, the operation of some embodiments of the invention in the system of FIG.

In step 1, an excitation is obtained which strikes the confusion of the characteristics of the communication network. In one embodiment, the excitation is time-dependent, i.e., the conversion can be made at regular intervals, for example once a month. In another embodiment, the excitation is manual, whereby the conversion is initiated by a special command that is given manually.

The excitation may be an external excitation or it may be an excitation (automatically) generated in the device 101.

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ώ In step 2, the control device 101 performs a conversion algorithm.

oo The conversion algorithm mixes certain communication network settings or features x in a predetermined manner. The conversion algorithm results in new settings. For example, the algorithm may confuse base station identifiers or power levels ^ 30, or directionality. In one embodiment, the starting point for the transformation is sought

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o Database settings currently in force on the telecommunication network.

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The conversion algorithm then mixes these settings, for example, by switching the settings appropriately or by completely switching the settings.

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In step 2, configurations can be confused across the entire network or only within a network. For example, the mixing can be performed only in a certain geographical area, or the mixing can be limited to certain base stations. 5 Confusion may concern one or more types of networks. For example, if your network operator manages both second (2G) and third generation (3G) networks, the mixing of settings can be performed at the same time on both networks, or the mixing can only be performed on one of the other networks.

10 In step 3, the mixed data (new settings) is exported to the telecommunication network transmitter database 102. As part of this step, there may be a number of automated tests that verify the correct update of the transmitter database and ensure the telecommunication network operates (such as call setup, data connection, etc.).

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In step 4, the mixed data (new settings) is exported to the network operator's location database 103 and, if necessary, to other information systems of the network operator. Other information systems into which at least some of the changed settings can be exported are, for example, the billing system, the 20 reporting system, and other documentation system. This update ensures that the network operator's own network positioning based on credentials (and / or other communication network features) continues to operate with unchanged accuracy.

o 25 In step 5, the new settings are implemented in the network elements of the communication network ob, such as the base stations, o 00 x The example of Figure 1 relates specifically to cellular radio networks, but

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in one way, it can be applied to other wireless communication networks, such as WLANs, in addition to or in addition to cellular radio networks.

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In one embodiment, the new settings are also communicated to selected external parties, such as service providers with whom 7 location information forwarding agreements have been concluded. Notification can be done manually or automatically. Outsiders can be notified of new settings, or just to let you know that the settings have been changed.

Figures 2-4 illustrate some embodiments of the invention.

Figure 2 shows the cells A1-A3, B1-B3, C1-C3 and D1-D3 of the telecommunications network (in a certain geographical area). In cell A2, the coordinates x1, y1 are the mobile stations 201 represented by a black ball.

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Fig. 3A shows a situation similar to Fig. 2 after a conversion of the communication network settings according to an embodiment. In the conversion, the identifiers of the cells in the communication network are exchanged, i.e., in this example, the positions of cells A1-A3, B1-B3, C1-C3 and D1-D3 in Figure 3A have changed with respect to Figure 2. In this way, the relation between the coordinates and the cell identifiers in the area of the communication network changes. As a result, the data content of fingerprinting location databases becomes obsolete. For example, in Fig. 3A, the coordinates x1, y1 are now met by cell D2 and not cell A2 as before.

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Assume that mobile 201 is now being attempted to locate based on a location database collected by fingerprinting. Mobile station 201 transmits to the service the serving base station identifier '' cell D2 ''. The service converts cell information into area coordinates, whereby the mobile station is incorrectly positioned to the right of map 25 based on an outdated location database. The area where ώ the mobile station is located is shown in the figure by a dashed line.

Fig. 3B shows a situation similar to that of Fig. 2, after completion

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a conversion of the communication network settings according to another embodiment.

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30 The transformation alters the identifiers o of the cells in the telecommunications network. In this example, the cells of A1-A3, B1-B3, C1-C3 and D1-D3 are new

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the labels are Ax1-Ax3, Bx1-Bx3, Cx1-Cx3 and Dx1-Dx3, respectively. As a result, the data content of the fingerprinting location databases 8 becomes obsolete and becomes unusable because no new cell identifiers are found in the fingerprinting location database.

Assume that mobile 201 is now being attempted to locate based on a location database collected by fingerprinting-5. Mobile station 201 transmits to the service the serving base station identifier '' cell Ax2 '. The service cannot find the identifier in the outdated location database, so the mobile station cannot be located at all.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 after a conversion of a communication network setup according to a third embodiment. The conversion modifies sectors, trends, or power levels of cells or transmitters. In this case, the power levels of the base station transmitters have been altered such that, for example, the area covered by cell B2 in Figure 4 is larger than in the initial situation of Figure 2. Correspondingly, the areas covered by cells A1-A3, B1, B3 and C1-C3 are reduced. As a result, the accuracy of positioning based on fingerprinting positioning databases is reduced.

20 Assume that mobile 201 is now being attempted to locate based on a location database collected by fingerprinting. Mobile station 201 transmits to the service the serving base station identifier '' cell A2 ''. The service converts the cell information into area coordinates, whereby the mobile station locates inaccurately to the dotted line area o 25 (the area previously covered by cell A2) based on an outdated location database.

Fig. 5 shows an example of a device 500 suitable for implementing various embodiments x of the invention. For example, the device may be of general use

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computer or server and may be adapted to act as control device 101 of FIG.

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The device 500 comprises a processor 501 for controlling the operation of the device and a memory 502 comprising a computer program / software 503. The computer software 503 may include instructions for the processor to control the device 500, such as operating system and various applications. In addition, the computer software 503 may comprise an application comprising instructions for controlling the device 500 to provide functionality according to an embodiment of the invention.

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The processor 501 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processor, or the like.

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The memory may be, for example, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM (Electronically erasable programmable read-only memory) , Random access memory (RAM), flash-15 memory, optical or magnetic memory or the like. Your device may have multiple memories. The memory may be part of the device 500 or it may be a separate module that can be connected to the device 500. The memory can only be used to store data or it can also be used for data processing.

The device 500 further comprises a communication interface module (COMM) 505, which provides an interface for communicating with other devices. The interface may be, for example, a wired connection such as an Ethernet connection or a wireless connection such as WLAN, Bluetooth, GSM / GPRS, CDMA, or WCDMA. The communication interface module can be integrated into the device 500 or it can be o 25 part of an adapter, card or similar which can be connected to the device 500. ώ The communication interface can support one or more communication technologies i 00 or the device may have several communication interface modules.

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To receive input from the user and output to the user, the device 30 500 may also comprise a user interface module 506 (shown by a dashed line) which may, for example, comprise a display and a keyboard (not shown)

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an integral part of the device 500 or independent parts that can be connected to the device 500.

However, the user interface may not be needed or the user interface may be implemented remotely through the communication interface module 505.

In addition to the elements shown in Figure 5, the device 500 may comprise other 5 elements.

The foregoing description provides non-limiting examples of some embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details set forth, but that the invention may be practiced in other equivalent ways. For example, it will be appreciated that in the disclosed methods, the order of the individual process steps may be rearranged and that some steps may be repeated several times or omitted entirely. It is also to be understood that in this document the terms embrace and include are open expressions and are not intended to be restrictive.

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Further, some features of the disclosed embodiments may be utilized without the use of other features. The foregoing description is to be considered as an explanation of the principles of the invention as such and not a limitation of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

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Claims (17)

1. A method for handling a telecommunications network, characterized in that in the method 5 (1) an impulse is detected, (2) the telecommunications network's settings in response to said impulse are mixed to obtain new settings, (4) said new settings are updated to at least one network operator. computer systems, and said (3, 5) new settings are set up for use in said telecommunications network. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification information for at least one of the radio transmitters of the telecommunications network 15 is exchanged in said mixture. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the said mix the identification information of the radio transmitters which is based on the telecommunications network is exchanged. 20 Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the identification information of the radio transmitter of the telecommunications network is exchanged with the whole new identification information in said mixture. 25 Method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that in said mixing the power levels and / or directivities of the radio transmitter of the telecommunications network are changed. 00 0 i 00 Method according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that said pulse 30 is a timing pulse or a manual pulse. CD r- · S Method according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the settings of the 0 cm telecommunications network are mixed in the area of the entire telecommunications network or only in part of the telecommunications network. Method according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that in connection with said mixing, it is ensured that said telecommunication network operates with said new settings. 5 Device (500) for handling a telecommunications network, characterized in that the device comprises a processor (501) configured to detect an impulse, mixing the telecommunication network's settings in response to said impulse to obtain new settings, updating said new settings to at least one network operator's computer system, and to provide said new settings for use in said telecommunication system. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that said processor is configured to perform said mixing by exchanging the identification information for at least one of the telecommunications network's radio transmitters. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said processor is configured to execute said mixture by exchanging the identification information of the radio transmitters 25 which are at the disposal of the telecommunications network. i 00 o oo Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said processor is x configured to perform said mixing by exchanging the CL identification information for the radio transmitter's radio transmitter with completely new identification information. σ> o cm Device according to any of claims 9-12, characterized in that said processor is configured to perform said mixing by changing the power levels and / or directivities of the telecommunications network radio transmitter. Device according to any of claims 9-13, characterized in that said pulse is a timed pulse and / or a manual pulse. Device according to any of claims 9-14, characterized in that said processor is configured to perform said mixing by mixing the settings of the telecommunications network in the area of the entire telecommunications network 10 or only in part of the telecommunications network. Device according to any of claims 9-15, characterized in that said processor is configured to ensure in connection with said mixture that said telecommunication network operates with said new settings. 15 A computer program with a computer executable program code that, when executed, directs the computer to perform a procedure according to any of claims 1-8. o CM ob o 00 X cc CL CD N. LO 05 O O CM