KR20130055509A - Method and apparatus for providing an alert on a user equipment entering an alerting area - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method and an apparatus providing an alarm from a user terminal is provided to efficiently provide an alarm by using a different tracking method based on a distance to a user terminal and a speed of a user terminal. CONSTITUTION: A user terminal(101) starts an alarm system by receiving information about an alarm region(601) and estimate a geographical location coordinate using a GPS positioning tracking method(602). If the distance between the user terminal and the alarm region is greater than the second critical distance, the user terminal converts the GPS location tracking method into a substitute location tracking method(605). If the distance the user terminal and the alarm region is greater than the third critical distance is smaller than R+D, the user terminal continuously uses the GPS location tracking method(606). The GPS location tracking method can be repeated until the user terminal reaches a destination. [Reference numerals] (601) Start AS; (602) Calculate the location of a UE by GPS positioning; (603) Calculate the distance between the UE and an alarm region; (604) Distance between the UE and the alarm region > Second critical distance ?; (605) Calculate the location of the UE by alternative positioning; (606) Distance between the UE and the alarm region <= Third critical distance ?; (AA) Stat; (BB,EE) No; (CC,DD) Yes

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AN ALERT ON A USER EQUIPMENT ENTERING AN ALERTING AREA}

The present invention relates to a user terminal, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for providing an alarm in a user terminal entering an alarm zone.

Cellular networks can be used to locate the geographic location of a portable device, such as a user terminal. Here, the geographic location may be estimated by different modes, such as handset based, network based, hybrid location tracking system and the like.

Network-based geographic location tracking systems use cellular-based base stations to estimate the location of a portable device, while in a network enabled system the portable device estimates location coordinates using embedded software and / or hardware applications. In addition, in a hybrid system, the network and handset-based location tracking system performs an operation for first measuring and calculating the location of the device. Here, the portable device measures the data needed for the location calculation and the network calculates the geographical location. In addition, the plurality of user terminals are geographically using a global positioning system (GPS), an A-GPS (Assisted GPS), and a time difference of arrival (hereinafter referred to as TDOA). Provide location tracking.

Here, the most basic location tracking technique that can be used in a cellular system is called a cell-identification (hereinafter, referred to as 'cell ID'). The user terminal is connected to an individual base station in a cell and every cell has a unique ID. The base station then recognizes the cell ID and the geographic location. In addition, the cell ID is known to a user terminal capable of obtaining the cell's location from the network. The accuracy of the cell ID depends on the size and density of the cell.

And GPS consists of a plurality of satellites that transmit signals including a transmission time stamp, orbit information and almanac (location of all satellites). The GPS provides location and time information to the user terminal at locations where the field of view of four or more GPS satellites is not obstructed. The GPS service provided to the user terminal is independent of the network provider (s). The signals transmitted by the GPS satellites are received by a GPS receiver in the user terminal so that the information of the received signals is used to determine the exact location coordinates of the user terminal or the user. Disadvantages of GPS are its inefficiency in indoor location tracking and the fact that the time to first fix (TTFF) can sometimes be very long because buildings in urban areas interfere with the reception of GPS signals. to be.

Applications of the user terminal may be used to generate alerts that are generated when a user approaches or reaches a particular location of interest. When the user approaches the target location, the application starts the geo-location tracking function by setting the predefined conditions and the radius of the target location to display the information in its user terminal. Once the geolocation tracking function is activated, the location tracking system continuously monitors the current location of the user terminal through GPS or AGPS. And when the user terminal reaches the vicinity of the alarm zone, the user is alerted by appropriate means. In this case, the user may be alerted by a means such as a message, an alarm or a vibration.

The current location tracking system checks the location of the user terminal at regular intervals when the user terminal moves. Location tracking is usually performed relatively frequently several times a minute to obtain an accurate location. In general, the position of the user terminal is determined by the position of the user terminal which is calculated from signals transmitted by the satellites of the positioning system such as GPS. In addition, some techniques perform location tracking by base stations in a mobile communication network or a wireless local area network (WLAN). The mobile communication network performs location tracking of the user terminal and transmits location information to the user terminal.

On the other hand, the user terminal has a limited power source. Continuous location tracking calculations consume large amounts of power and increase the current drawn from the battery. Increasing power consumption of the user terminal may limit the location tracking operation time and availability of the user terminal. In particular, the user terminal may not be connected with all available satellites due to signal reception being disturbed by surrounding structures in urban and indoor environments. Since these GPS functions do not always work to maintain handset battery charge time, the initial positioning time for enabling location functions for applications that provide Location Based Service (LBS). This can be excessively long.

Accordingly, the present invention proposes an apparatus and method for obtaining location information for efficiently providing an alarm in a user terminal (hereinafter referred to as a 'user terminal') entering an alarm zone.

In addition, the present invention proposes an apparatus and method for efficiently providing an alarm by using different location tracking methods based on the distance from the alarm area to the user terminal and the speed of the user terminal.

In order to solve the above problem, the method of the present invention, in the method for providing an alarm in the user terminal entering the alarm zone, calculating the distance between the location of the user terminal and the alarm zone, the calculated distance is When the distance is greater than or equal to a distance threshold, the location of the user terminal is calculated using an alternative location tracking method, and when the calculated distance is less than the distance threshold, the location of the user terminal is calculated using a satellite-based location tracking method. It features.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for providing an alert in a user terminal entering an alert zone, the apparatus comprising: a distance calculator configured to calculate a distance between the position of the user terminal and the alert zone; If the calculated distance is greater than or equal to a distance threshold, the location of the user terminal is calculated using an alternative location tracking method, and if the calculated distance is less than the distance threshold, the location of the user terminal using a satellite based location tracking method. It characterized in that it comprises an algorithm selection unit for calculating a.

These and other aspects of the invention may be more readily understood in conjunction with the following description and the annexed drawings. However, the following description is only intended to represent preferred embodiments and various specific matters and should not be understood to limit the present invention. In addition, various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention include such modifications.

The present invention has the effect of obtaining location information for efficiently providing an alarm in a user terminal (hereinafter referred to as a "user terminal") entering an alarm zone.

In addition, the present invention has an effect of efficiently providing an alert by using different location tracking methods based on the distance from the alert zone to the user terminal and the speed of the user terminal.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration of the present invention and the operation and effect thereof will be clearly understood through the following detailed description.
1 is a block diagram of a geographical positioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a block diagram showing the structure of an alarm system according to embodiments of the present invention;
3 is a diagram illustrating an HCS cell structure existing in a cellular network according to embodiments of the present invention;
4 is a diagram illustrating a criterion for an alternative location tracking method according to embodiments of the present invention;
5 is a diagram illustrating a criterion for a GPS location tracking method according to embodiments of the present invention;
6 is a flowchart of selecting a location tracking method in an alarm system according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
7 is a flow chart for accessing and maintaining a database for an alternative location tracking scheme in an alert system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
8 is a flowchart illustrating a periodic rate of a timer for a GSP location tracking method in an alarm system according to embodiments of the present invention;
9 is a flowchart for converting a GSP location tracking into an alternative location tracking according to embodiments of the present invention;
10 is a flowchart for converting an alternative location tracking to a GPS location tracking according to embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a table illustrating a simulation result of average battery consumption for various periodic rates of GPS location tracking according to embodiments of the present invention.

Embodiments, various features, and advantages of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted if they are deemed to obscure the subject matter of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the examples used in the present invention are provided to help a more general understanding of the present invention, and the present invention can be practiced without these specific details. Accordingly, the above examples should not be understood to limit the scope of the invention.

Embodiments of the present invention achieve systems and methods for energy efficient implementation of an alert system in portable user terminals. Like reference numerals throughout the drawings consistently show corresponding features, in particular with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11, preferred embodiments are shown. Throughout this specification, a user and a user terminal (user terminal) may be used interchangeably. The user terminal may be an electrical user terminal with an alarm system.

1 is a block diagram of a geographical positioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a geographical positioning system includes a user terminal 101, a network 102, and a satellite navigation 103.

Looking at each component, the user terminal 101 may be set by the user, such as a reminder (reminder). In addition, the user terminal 101 may include an alert system 104 which may interact with location-based services (hereinafter referred to as 'LBS'). . In addition, the network 102 may provide various information such as a cell ID, a location based function, and the like. In addition, the user terminal 101 may estimate its geographic location using an alternate positioning method, and the alternative location tracking method may use information received from the network 102. Here, the alternative location tracking method may be a cell ID based location tracking system, a Wi-Fi location system, an Observed Time Difference of Arrival (hereinafter referred to as 'OTDA'), or an enhanced Observed Time Difference, Control plane method, such as 'E-OTD'.

User terminal 101 may be determined by the user based on the location-based function from the LBS, such as a reminder through the user interface. Here, the reminder may be provided to the user in the form of a text message, a sound message, vibration of the user terminal 101 and other similar kinds of alarms. In addition, the user terminal 101 and the network 102 may interact with the satellite navigation or satellite navigation system (GNSS) 103. Satellite navigation 103 such as GPS, A-GPS, Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) or Galileo location tracking system allows the user terminal 101 to estimate its geographical location. When the user terminal 101 arrives at the predetermined alert zone estimated by the coordinates and radius of the alert zone, a function preset in the user terminal 101 may be executed.

For example, a user terminal 101 departing from location X may designate location Y, which is an alert area for sending text messages to its friends. When the user terminal 101 approaches the radius of the predetermined warning area, the geographical position coordinates of the user terminal 101 are estimated. Here, the alarm zone radius can be set by the user. If the user terminal 101 is located within a radius of the alert zone, the user terminal 101 can generate an alert and send a text message to another terminal previously designated. If the geographic location of the user terminal 101 satisfies the coordinate information of the alert zone, the reminders are activated according to the alert set by the user.

In another embodiment, user terminal 101 includes an alert system (AS) 104 that can interact with an LBS. Here, the LBS may be connected to other mobile devices via the network 102 and may be an information or entertainment service utilizing the geographic location of the mobile device. For example, LBS finds the location of the nearest cash machine or friend or colleague, recommends social events in the city, or performs turn by turn navigation to any address. It can be used to locate a person or object. When the user terminal 101 approaches the feature location, the LBS may provide a message to the user terminal 101 by sending a message containing information that may be of interest to the user.

2 is a block diagram showing the structure of an alarm system according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the alert system 104 includes an alert zone distance calculator 201, an algorithm selector 202, an alternate position tracker 203, a database 204, and a GPS position tracker 205. Include.

Looking at each component, the algorithm selector 202 interacts with the distance calculator 201 to the alert zone. The alarm area distance calculator 201 calculates a distance between the current location of the user terminal 101 and the alarm area, and transmits the calculated distance to the algorithm selector 202. The algorithm selector 202 then analyzes the calculated distance and determines an algorithm to be performed to estimate the geographical position of the user terminal 101.

The algorithm selector 202 then interacts with the GPS position tracker 205 and the alternate position tracker 203. The GSP location tracking unit 205 includes an algorithm for estimating the geographical position of the user terminal 101 with the aid of the GPS navigation 103, and the alternative location tracking unit 203 is used in the cell to which the user terminal 101 is connected. It may include an algorithm for estimating the geographic location of the user terminal 101 by checking the cell ID. The alternate location tracker 203 can interact with the database 204. The database 204 may store information about the cell ID corresponding to the location of the cells.

The alternative location estimator 203 may include a database optimizer 206 that interacts with the database 204. The database optimizer 206 may optimize the cell ID and the location of the cells by using a hierarchical cell structure (hereinafter referred to as HCS). Here, the HCS is a structure in which cells in mobile communication are divided so that geographical location can be effectively used in serving a large number of users. The HCS concept allows the user terminals to camp on various types of cells according to their mobility status, allowing the network to minimize frequent cell reselection and handover.

3 is a diagram illustrating an HCS cell structure existing in a cellular network according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a large cell called Umbrella cell 301 may be present with smaller cells called macro cells 302. Macro cell 302 may also be present with micro cells 303 and smaller cells called pico cells. For example, the cricket stadium / fair site may be a micro cell 303, and the multi-storey building may be a pico cell in a large cell. Referring to FIG. 3, the cells 301, 302, and 303 are shown in triangle shape.

In one embodiment, the boundary of the alert zone may be predetermined by the input of the user terminal 101 of the proximity zone. If the proximal area is not within the circle shape, the largest circle covering the proximate area is considered as the alarm area. Micro / pico cells are allocated radio spectrum to serve an increased population. User terminals 101 leaving the pico / micro cells are allowed to reselect a larger cell.

And in the HCS concept, cells are given priority from 0 to 7. Where 0 is the lowest priority and 7 is the highest priority. Smaller cells are given the highest priority and larger cells are given the lower wired priority. In low mobility conditions, the user terminal may preferentially process higher priority cells (smaller cells). However, in high mobility, the user terminal preferentially processes to reselect lower priority cells to avoid frequent cell reselection. In another embodiment, the umbrella cells 301 may be given a higher priority than the macro cell 302, micro cell 303, and pico cell to avoid frequent cell replacement of the user terminal 101. Frequent cell replacement consumes a lot of battery power of the user terminal 101.

4 is a diagram illustrating a criterion for an alternative location tracking method according to embodiments of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the geographic location of the user terminal 101 may be estimated by an alternative location tracking scheme. Here, the alternative location tracking scheme can be used when the user terminal 101 is considerably far from the alert zone. The user terminal 101 may be camped on in a cell having a maximum radius of 'R'. And the alert zone may be a first threshold distance 'D' from the user terminal 101 that may be used in the algorithm selector. The critical distance 'D' used in the algorithm may be determined based on actual knowledge of the network or may be determined by performing experiments. If the distance of the user terminal 101 from the alert zone is at least a second threshold distance '2R + D', an alternative location tracking scheme may be used.

In another embodiment, the alternative location tracking scheme may be a cell ID location tracking system. Secure User Plane Location (hereinafter referred to as "SUPL") Cell ID location systems, such as protocol-based cell ID location tracking systems, cell IDs in control plane-based location tracking systems, or enhanced cell IDs, etc. It can be used to effectively estimate the geographical location of the user terminal 101. In addition, the SUPL structure includes a SUPL enabled terminal (hereinafter referred to as "SET") and a SUPL Location Platform (hereinafter referred to as "SLP"). Here, SET refers to a mobile device, such as a telephone or a PDA, configured to support SUPL operation. SLP is a server or network device stack that deals with user authentication, location requests, location-based application downloads, billing and roaming. SUPL also supports the C-Plane protocols developed for location data exchange between mobile devices and wireless networks.

5 is a diagram illustrating a reference for a GPS location tracking method according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the geographical location of the user terminal 101 may be estimated by the GPS location tracking method. The GPS location tracking method can be used when the user terminal 101 is located very close to the alert zone. The user terminal 101 may be camped on in a cell having a maximum radius of 'R'. The alert zone may be a first threshold distance 'D' from the user terminal 101. If the distance from the alert zone to the user terminal 101 is less than the third threshold distance 'R + D', a GPS location tracking scheme may be used.

6 is a flow chart for selecting a location tracking method in the alarm system according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the user terminal receives information about an alarm zone and starts an alarm system (601). In this case, the basic method for the alarm used by the user terminal 101 may be a GPS location tracking method. In operation 602, the user terminal 101 estimates the geographical location coordinates using the GPS location tracking method. In operation 603, the user terminal 101 calculates a distance between the user terminal 101 and an alarm zone using the GPS tracking mode.

In operation 604, the user terminal 101 compares the distance between the user terminal 101 and the alarm zone with a second threshold distance '2R + D' identified through an experiment. If the distance between the user terminal 101 and the alert zone is greater than the second threshold distance, the user terminal 101 switches the GPS location tracking method to the alternative location tracking method (605). In contrast, when the distance between the user terminal 101 and the alarm zone is less than or equal to the third threshold distance 'R + D', the user terminal 101 continuously uses the GPS location tracking method (606). Here, the GPS location tracking method is repeated until the user terminal 101 arrives at the destination or switches to an alternative location tracking method having a threshold distance of 'R + D' or the alarm system is stopped / stopped by the user 101. Can be.

The various operations performed in the above steps 601 to 606 may be performed in the order presented or in a different order or at the same time. In addition, in some embodiments, some operations listed in FIG. 6 may be omitted. An alternative location tracking scheme, such as cell ID, which is an event based mechanism, can be used when the user terminal 101 is remote from the alert area. The user terminal 101 may be camped on a cell. Since the coverage area of the cell may be large, the user terminal 101 may be used until an event such as cell reselection or a special event such as an emergency service or no service occurs. May remain dormant.

7 is a flowchart of accessing and maintaining a database for an alternative location tracking method in an alarm system according to embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the alert may be optimized by maintaining the database 204 in an alternate location tracking manner.

Referring to FIG. 7, the user terminal 101 observes a cell related event (701). The user terminal checks whether the generated event is a special event such as a service switching event or an emergency service event or a service related event (702). As a result of the check, when the cell-related event is a special event, the user terminal 101 activates the GPS location tracking method (703) to estimate the geographical location coordinates of the user terminal 101. In contrast, if the cell-related event is not a special event, the user terminal 101 checks whether the cell-related event is a cell reselection event (704). As a result of the check, if the cell related event is not a cell reselection event, the user terminal 101 waits for a cell related event to occur. In contrast, when the cell related event is a cell reselection event, the user terminal 101 designates the lowest priority cell as the variable low priority cell (LPC) in the current HCS structure (705).

The user terminal 101 may compare the priority of the low priority cell (LPC) with the priority of the cell where the user terminal 101 may be camped on (706). In this case, the user terminal 101 may compare the camped cell ID with a cell having a lower priority or a cell having a higher priority. As a result of the comparison, when the camped cell ID is lower than the low priority cell (LPC), the user terminal 101 may extract or obtain cell ID information for the low priority cell (710). In operation 711, the user terminal 101 may determine whether information about a low priority cell exists in the database 204. As a result of the check, when the information about the low priority cell exists in the database 204, the user terminal 101 acquires the geographical position corresponding to the low priority cell by using the information about the low priority cell ( 712, provide the obtained geographic location to the algorithm selection section (713). As a result of the check, if the information about the low priority cell does not exist in the database 204, the user terminal 101 sets the next lowest priority cell as the low priority cell in the HCS structure (715).

As a result of the comparison, when the priority of the low priority cell is larger than the camped cell, the user terminal 101 designates the lowest priority cell as the low priority cell (LPC) in the current HCS structure (707). The user terminal 101 performs cell ID location tracking on the LPC in the lowest priority cell in the current HCS structure (708) and stores the cell ID information in the database 204 (709). In operation 714, the user terminal 101 provides location information to the algorithm selection unit.

Here, the algorithm selector determines the position of the cell ID of the user terminal 101 by tracking the cell ID position according to the database 204 or the cell class, and the user terminal 101 determines that the algorithm selector is configured to set a value of 'R'. Cell ID information is provided to the algorithm selection unit so as to be determined. And R may be the largest radius of the cell for a particular cell. The alternative location tracking scheme can then maintain the database 204 by assigning priorities to the umbrella cells. Various operations of steps 701 through 714 may be performed in the order presented, in other orders, or concurrently. In addition, in some embodiments, some operations listed in FIG. 7 may be omitted.

Meanwhile, the database 204 may store location information corresponding to the value of the cell ID in order to prevent the user terminal 101 from performing location tracking. Here, the user terminal 101 tracks the same path previously passed by the user terminal 101. When the user terminal 101 enters the same cell again, the user terminal 101 may refer to the database 204 instead of performing location tracking again.

The database 204 may store a table including corresponding location information of a cell corresponding to the cell ID according to the priority of the cells in the HCS structure. This location information can be obtained during the previous sessions of the alert, and the database 204 can be dynamically updated for future connections. Once the location of the cell ID from the network 102 is estimated, the alert system 104 checks the cell ID of the low priority cell in the HCS structure, thereby reducing the size of the database 204 and estimating the geographic location. The number of calculation processes performed by 101 can be reduced. In addition, the database 204 may be dynamically updated by assigning priorities to lower priority cells in the HCS structure, thereby reducing the size of the database 204. If cell ID location tracking is used by another location based application, the database 204 may be updated. In addition, a decrease in calculation in the user terminal 101 may reduce battery power consumption of the user terminal 101.

In one embodiment, if the radius of the cell where the user terminal 101 is camped on is greater than the radius of the lower priority cell, the lower priority cell may be used as a reference. The cell ID location tracking method starts when the user terminal 101 leaves the cell. In addition, the use of lower priority cells as a reference can reduce battery power consumption of the user terminal 101.

In another embodiment, the alarm may be optimized by adopting a variable periodic rate depending on the speed of the user terminal 101 and the distance of the user terminal 101 from the alert zone in a GPS location tracking scheme such as tracking mode. Here, the tracking mode may refer to a mode in which the GPS location tracking unit 205 responds to the current location of the user terminal 101 at predetermined time intervals. The predefined time interval may be provided by the user terminal 101 and may be changed at any time by the user terminal 101.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a periodic rate of a timer for a GSP location tracking method in an alarm system according to embodiments of the present invention. Here, the GPS tracking mode can be used regardless of the user terminal 101 location information from the alert zone. The dynamic timer may be used when estimating the geographical position of the user terminal 101 in the GPS tracking mode.

The user terminal 101 activates a timer and estimates a geographic location at a predetermined time interval (801). When the timer expires (802), the user terminal 101 calculates coordinates of its geographic location by using the GPS location tracker 205 (803). The user terminal 101 calculates the distance between the user terminal 101 and the alarm area using the GPS location tracking unit 205 (804), and calculates a moving direction of the user terminal 101 (805). In operation 806, the user terminal 101 determines whether the moving direction of the user terminal 101 is directed to the warning area.

As a result of the check, when the moving direction of the user terminal 101 is directed to the alarm zone, the user terminal 101 may calculate its own moving speed (808). In operation 809, the user terminal 101 determines whether the moving speed of the user terminal 101 is increased. As a result of the check, when the moving speed of the user terminal 101 increases, the user terminal 101 decreases the timer value of the periodic timer (810). In contrast, if the moving speed of the user terminal 101 decreases, the user terminal 101 increases the timer value of the periodic timer (812).

As a result of the check, when the moving direction of the user terminal 101 does not face the warning area, the user terminal 101 may calculate its moving speed (807). In operation 811, the user terminal 101 determines whether the moving speed of the user terminal 101 increases. As a result of the check, if the moving speed of the user terminal 101 is increased, the user terminal 101 increases the timer value of the periodic timer (812). In contrast, if the moving speed of the user terminal 101 is reduced, the user terminal 101 decreases the timer value of the periodic timer (810).

In steps 801 to 812, the time of the periodic timer capable of adjusting the positioning time of the GPS location tracking may be newly determined. In addition, various operations in steps 801 to 812 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order, or simultaneously. In addition, in some embodiments, some operations listed in FIG. 8 may be omitted.

The periodicity or control of the time interval of the timer may be determined to optimize the alerting system 104. Depending on the distance of the user terminal 101 and the moving speed of the user terminal 101 from the alert zone, the periodicity of acquiring the position determination using the GPS may be reduced or increased. Therefore, the increased cycle time results in fewer times of positioning, which consumes less battery power of the user terminal 101.

In another embodiment, the alert may be optimized using an alternate (cell ID) location tracking scheme and a GPS location tracking scheme interchangeably based on the distance and threshold of the user 101 from the alert zone. If the user 101 is considerably far from the alert zone, the alternate location tracking can provide an almost accurate cell where the user terminal 101 can be camped on. This alternate location tracking is activated when an event such as the user terminal 101 changes a cell occurs. In addition, the GPS location tracking method may be performed when the user terminal 101 needs a more accurate location tracking method. GPS location tracking is activated when the timer value of the periodic timer expires.

The threshold distance 'D' may be determined based on actual knowledge of the network 102 and cell reselection delay and experimental data, such as the maximum radius of umbrellas, macros, or micro cells observed in the network 102 in real time. Here, the experimental data includes the minimum area around the alarm area that the GPS location tracking can calculate regardless of the size of the alarm area considering the maximum actual speed that can be calculated by the user terminal 101.

In one embodiment, the GPS location tracking may be switched to an alternative location tracking scheme. When the user terminal 101 moves away from the alert zone, an alternative location tracking scheme may be adopted. The alternate location tracking may be performed only when the center of the cell where the user terminal 101 is camped on is known. The user terminal 101 may be at least 'R + D' away from the alert zone. Since the GPS location tracking can estimate the exact location of the user terminal 101, the maximum distance of the user terminal 101 is the point opposite the alarm zone in the circle whose center is 'R + D' distance from the alarm zone. Can be. Therefore, when the user terminal 101 is at a defined distance from the alert zone, an alternative location tracking scheme may be used to obtain the geographic location of the user terminal 101, the defined distance being a second threshold '2R + D'. Can be. Where D is a predefined minimum distance that alternate location tracking may fail to alert when user 101 enters the alert zone, and R is the cell (based on priority) at which the phone is currently camped on Is the maximum radius.

After performing the initial location setting, the user terminal 101 can calculate the distance between the user terminal 101 from the alert area, and can determine one of an alternative location tracking method and a GPS location tracking method based on the calculated distance. .

9 is a flowchart for converting a GSP location tracking into an alternative location tracking according to embodiments of the present invention. Before describing FIG. 9, it is assumed that the basic method used by the user terminal 101 for alerting is the GPS location tracking method.

Referring to FIG. 9, the user terminal 101 activates GPS location tracking based on a basic location setting rate (hereinafter, referred to as 'FR') (901). In operation 902, the user terminal 101 estimates coordinates of a geographical position of the user terminal 101. After receiving the location setting, the user terminal 101 may calculate the time required for the user terminal 101 to arrive at the alarm zone using the distance between the user terminal 101 and the alarm zone and the speed of the user terminal 101. (903).

The user terminal determines the positioning rate of the GPS tracking based on the calculated time required for the user terminal 101 to arrive at the warning area and the distance between the user terminal 101 and the warning area. Change to a new positioning rate FRnew (904). Here, the new positioning rate can be calculated using a predefined equation. The user terminal 101 compares the calculated new positioning rate FRnew with the previous positioning rate FRold (905). If the calculated new positioning rate FRnew is not the same as the previous positioning rate FRold, the user terminal 101 transmits the new positioning rate FRnew to the GPS location tracking unit 205 (906). In operation 907, the position of the user terminal 101 is calculated using the GPS location tracking unit 205. At this time, the user terminal 101 detects the cell information of the cell camped on the user terminal 101.

The user terminal 101 determines the distance between the user terminal 101 from the alert area by using the calculated position of the user terminal 101. The user terminal 101 compares the distance between the user terminal 101 and the alarm zone and the second threshold value 2R + D. As a result of the comparison, it is checked whether the distance between the user terminal 101 and the alarm zone is less than the second threshold value 2R + D (908). If the distance between the user terminal 101 and the alarm zone is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the user terminal 101 stops the GPS location tracking method and changes the GPS location tracking method to the alternative location tracking method (909). . This alternative location tracking method is a preferred location tracking method when the user terminal 101 is far from the alert area.

In contrast, if the distance between the user terminal 101 and the alarm zone is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the user terminal 101 checks whether the user terminal 101 has reached a predetermined destination (910). As a result of the check, when the user terminal 101 reaches the destination, the user terminal 101 stops the alarm (911). In contrast, if the user terminal 101 does not reach the destination, the user terminal recalculates the time when the user terminal 101 arrives in the alert zone and the distance between the user terminal 101 and the alert zone (903).

 The above steps 903 to 910 may be repeated until the user terminal 101 arrives at the destination or the GPS location tracking method is switched to the alternative location tracking method. Operations in steps 901 to 911 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order, or simultaneously. In addition, in some embodiments, some operations listed in FIG. 9 may be omitted.

In another embodiment, the alternative location tracking method may be switched to the GPS location tracking method. When the user terminal 101 moves toward the alert zone, the user terminal 101 may not provide high accuracy for nearby alert zones using cell ID location tracking. Therefore, when the user terminal 101 exists within a predetermined distance of the warning area, the user terminal 101 can obtain the exact position of the user terminal 101 using the GPS location tracking method. Here, the predetermined distance may be the third threshold 'R + D', where D is a predetermined minimum that may fail to inform the alarm by using an alternative location tracking method when the user terminal 101 enters the alarm zone. Where R is the maximum radius of the cell for which cell ID positions can be calculated (based on priority). When the distance between the user terminal 101 and the alarm zone is greater than 'R + D', the user terminal 101 may use an alternative location tracking method.

10 is a flowchart of converting an alternative location tracking method into a GPS location tracking method according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the user terminal 101 obtains cell information about a cell in which it is camped on (1001). In operation 1002, the user terminal 101 determines whether the obtained cell information exists in the database 204 including the positions of cells in a hierarchical cell structure (HCS) corresponding to stored cell ID values. As a result of the check, if the obtained cell information does not exist in the database 204, the user terminal 101 obtains cell ID information of the next largest cell or the cell having the next lowest priority in the HSC structure (1003). .

The user terminal 101 compares the priorities of the camped cells with the priorities of the acquired cells (1004). As a result of the comparison, if the priority of the obtained cell is lower than that of the camped cell, the user terminal 101 performs a cell ID location tracking method (1005) to associate with the cell of the lowest priority in the current HCS structure. Obtain the geographic location for the highest grade cell ID that is to be obtained. The user terminal 101 stores the obtained geographic location information and the current cell information in the database 204 with higher priority cells in the database 204 (1006). In operation 1008, the user terminal 101 calculates a distance between the current location of the user terminal 101 and the alarm zone.

If the obtained cell information exists in the database 204, the user terminal 101 obtains information about the current cell from the database 204 (1007). In operation 1008, the user terminal 101 calculates a distance between the current location of the user terminal 101 and the alarm zone.

In operation 1009, the user terminal 101 compares the calculated distance with the third threshold value 'R + D', and determines whether the calculated distance is smaller than the third threshold value. As a result of the check, if the calculated distance is smaller than the third threshold value, the alternative location tracking method is stopped, the user terminal 101 determines that it is within a threshold distance from the alert area, and activates the GPS location tracking method. In contrast, if the calculated distance is greater than the third threshold value, the user terminal 101 waits until an event occurs (1010). Here, the event may be a regular event such as a cell reselection or a special event such as a service changeover, an emergency service, a service unrelated event, or the like.

In operation 1011, the user terminal 101 determines whether the generated event is a special event. Since the cell ID location tracking cannot be performed in the special event, when the generated event is the special event, the user terminal 101 stops the alternative location tracking method and switches to the GPS location tracking method (1012). In contrast, when the generated event is not a special event, the user terminal 101 repeatedly performs the cell ID location tracking operation.

Steps 1001 to 1012 may be repeated until the user terminal 101 stops tracking the location or the user terminal 101 enters an area close to the warning area. Various operations in these steps 1001 to 1012 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order, or simultaneously. In addition, in some embodiments, some operations listed in FIG. 10 may be omitted.

This alternative location tracking method consumes less battery power than the GPS location tracking system, so the alarm can be optimized. Event-based tracking methods are less frequently used in network 102 than time-based location tracking. The battery ID tracking method consumes 3-4mA, while the GPS tracking method consumes 101mA, more than 10 times the cell ID tracking method. Therefore, alternative location tracking methods consume less battery power than GPS location tracking methods.

FIG. 11 is a table illustrating a simulation result of average battery consumption for various periodic rates of GPS location tracking according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, the table shows that a high initial positioning rate for determining the position of the user terminal 101 quickly consumes battery power of the user terminal 110, while a low initial setting rate is used for the user terminal 101. Indicates longer battery life. For example, a battery with 800 mA hours with 1.6 mA of quiescent current lasts 7.7 hours if a continuous (1 / sec) position tracking positioning rate is selected. However, if location tracking is set to 1 / hour, the battery lasts for 171 hours.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control network components. The network components shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 include blocks that may be at least one of a hardware device or a combination of hardware device and software module.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for enhancing user experience on a computing device by enabling customization of the application by allowing one or more resident client entities to negotiate with one or more client execution entities or a server in terms of an application that can be customized. And systems. Therefore, it is understood that the scope of the present invention extends to computer readable means including such a program and a message, and when the program is executed on a server, a mobile device, or an appropriate programmable device, such computer readable storage means is one. Program code means for performing the above steps.

The method may be implemented, for example, in a preferred embodiment or in conjunction with a software program written in Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL), or at least one of It is implemented by several software modules or one or more VHDLs running on a hardware device. The hardware device may be a kind of portable device. The apparatus may also include, for example, hardware means such as an ASIC, a mixture of hardware and software such as an ASIC and an FPGA, or means that may be at least one microprocessor and at least one memory containing software modules. . Embodiments of the method described in the present invention may be partially implemented in hardware and software. Alternatively, the present invention may be implemented on different hardware devices using a plurality of CPUs, for example.

In the above description, specific specific embodiments are shown, which are provided to help a more general understanding of the present invention, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. will be. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may modify or modify the present invention in the form of leisure cock within the principles and scope described in the claims herein.

101; User terminal 102: network
103: satellite navigation 104: alarm system

Claims (20)

In the method for providing an alarm in the user terminal entering the alarm zone,
Calculating a distance between the location of the user terminal and the alarm zone;
Calculating a location of the user terminal by using an alternative location tracking method when the calculated distance is equal to or greater than a first predetermined threshold value;
If the calculated distance is less than the first threshold value, the method for providing an alert comprising the step of calculating the location of the user terminal using a satellite-based location tracking method.
The method of claim 1, wherein the user terminal calculates a position of the user terminal using a satellite navigation system.
The method of claim 1, wherein an alarm system is activated by a user of the user terminal.
The method of claim 1, wherein the alternative location tracking method is at least one of a cell-ID based location tracking system, a Wi-Fi location tracking system, and an arrival observation time difference location tracking system.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the cell-ID based location tracking system is at least one of a secure user plane location protocol based cell-ID location tracking system, a control plane based cell-ID location tracking system and an advanced cell-ID location tracking system. Alarm providing method, characterized in that.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the cell-id based location tracking system prioritizes umbrella cells larger than micro, macro, and pico cells.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising storing at least one of cell IDs, location of the cell IDs, and priority of cells corresponding to the cell IDs in a database.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the satellite based location tracking method is one of a location navigation system and a assisted location navigation system.
The method of claim 1, further comprising: calculating a location of the user terminal at periodic intervals using the satellite-based location tracking method when the calculated distance is greater than or equal to a second predetermined threshold. Way.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the periodic interval is determined by at least one of the speed of the user terminal, the direction of movement of the user terminal relative to the alert zone, and the calculated distance.
An apparatus for providing an alert at a user terminal entering an alert zone, the apparatus comprising:
A distance calculator configured to calculate a distance between the location of the user terminal and the alarm zone;
When the calculated distance is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold value, the position of the user terminal is calculated using an alternative location tracking method, and when the calculated distance is less than the first threshold value, the satellite based location tracking method is used. And an algorithm selection unit for calculating a position of the user terminal.
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the user terminal calculates a position of the user terminal using a satellite navigation system.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the alarm system is activated by a user of the user terminal.
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the alternative location tracking method is at least one of a cell-ID based location tracking system, a Wi-Fi location tracking system, and an arrival observation time difference location tracking system.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the cell-ID based location tracking system is at least one of a secure user plane location protocol based cell-ID location tracking system, a control plane based cell-ID location tracking system and an advanced cell-ID location tracking system. Alarm providing apparatus, characterized in that.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said cell-id based positioning system prioritizes umbrella cells larger than micro, macro and pico cells.
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the algorithm selector stores at least one of cell IDs, positions of the cell IDs, and priorities of cells corresponding to the cell IDs in a database.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the satellite based positioning method is one of a positioning system and a assisted positioning system.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the algorithm selector, when the calculated distance is greater than a second predetermined threshold, providing an alert, characterized in that for calculating the position of the user terminal at periodic intervals using the satellite-based location tracking method Device.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the periodic interval is determined by at least one of the speed of the user terminal, the direction of movement of the user terminal relative to the alert zone, and the calculated distance.

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