WO2003009630A1

WO2003009630A1 - Computer method and system for adapting a geographical zone to population behaviours

Info

Publication number: WO2003009630A1
Application number: PCT/FR2002/002486
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Flamant; Philippe Michon; Marc-Antoine Roberge; Emmanuel Bury
Original assignee: France Telecom
Priority date: 2001-07-18
Filing date: 2002-07-12
Publication date: 2003-01-30
Also published as: FR2827689B1; EP1407634A1; FR2827689A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for adapting a geographical zone to population behaviours supplying useful data comprising operations which consist in: finding in a first data structure assigned to said geographical zone, an identifier of each mobile telephone which indicates to the network its presence in said geographical zone, retrieving from at least a first database, behaviour profiles which correspond each to an identifier picked out in the first data structure and indexing in a second database the retrieved behaviour profiles by assigning them to the geographical zone to enable for example to trace their history or to monitor their evolution in time. A computer system comprises the first data structure, means for communicating with the first database and the second database, each provided specifically therefor.

Description

Method and computer system for adapting a geographic area to population behavior.

The technical field of application of the invention is that of the adaptation of geographic areas to the behavior of populations who permanently or temporarily occupy one or more of these geographic areas.

In terms of basic infrastructure, a geographic area such as an urban district is, for example, particularly suitable for a child population when it has parks with play areas, schools in sufficient quantity, traffic lanes with enhanced security. A geographic area such as a business center is, for example, particularly suitable for an active population when it is equipped with buildings conducive to work, with well-studied access routes by public or individual transport.

Knowledge of the information useful for adapting the geographic area can be obtained by census, by sampling or by cross-checking with other information, for example on the presence of business companies, on the proximity of another known area, etc. For example, knowing a particular event such as a show increases public transport traffic at the start and end of the show.

A bad or lack of knowledge of useful information to adapt the geographic area to the types of population that occupies it has certain disadvantages. For example, not knowing the interests of the population occupying the area, a display on billboards may have a very low impact, the population not paying attention. Not knowing at what particular times a population, with certain centers of interest, and a population, with other centers of interest, occupies the area, the advertising presentations may not appear at the appropriate times, the offer to sale in stores in this area may not be adapted. A precise knowledge of purchasing behavior, of various activities such as practicing a sport, participating in congresses, is useful for adapting the environment to the needs and / or preferences of the populations who occupy it. . To adapt a geographic area to population behavior, a first object of the invention is a method of providing useful information, characterized in that it includes actions consisting of:

- note, in a first data structure assigned to said geographic area, an identifier of each mobile phone which signals to a network its presence in said geographic area;

- extract from at least a first database, behavior profiles which each correspond to an identifier noted in the first data structure; - index in a second database the behavior profiles extracted by assigning them to said geographic area.

The behavior profiles listed in the second database then correspond to populations which occupy at one time or another the geographical area with a mobile telephone intended to communicate with a network which covers this geographical area. This information provides a good statistical assessment of all the populations who occupy at one time or another the geographical area with or without a mobile phone. It is then possible to better adapt the geographic area to the behavior of these populations as described in these profiles.

Certain populations may occupy the geographic area with a particular intensity at certain times and with a lesser or zero intensity at other times.

A second object of the invention is a method, characterized in that it further comprises actions consisting in: - note in the first data structure, for each identifier, a first instant at which the mobile telephone having this identifier begins to signal its presence in said zone and a second instant at which the mobile telephone having this identifier ends in signaling its presence in said area;

- listing in the second database, for each profile corresponding to this identifier, said first and said second instant recorded in the first data structure.

For a determined listed profile, the cumulation of the first and second moments associated with this profile makes it possible to appreciate an intensity of population occupation with this profile and possibly a temporal variation of intensity.

By listing behavior patterns without mobile phone identifiers, the second database guarantees the anonymity of people in these populations. In some cases, we may wish to keep no personal information that could allow us to identify individuals within a population by name.

A third object of the invention is a method, characterized in that it further comprises an action consisting in purging from said first data structure, each identifier and its first recorded time for which said second time is recorded.

This also has the advantage of not unnecessarily cluttering the first data structure.

To implement a method according to the invention, a fourth object of the invention is a computer system, characterized in that it comprises:

- A first data structure assigned to said geographic area, arranged to read an identifier of each mobile phone which signals to the network its presence in said geographic area; - means of communication with at least a first database, arranged to extract from said first database, behavior profiles which each correspond to an identifier noted in the first data structure;

- a second database arranged to list the behavior profiles extracted by assigning them to said geographic area. According to a fifth object of the invention, the computer system is characterized in that:

the first data structure is arranged to record, with each identifier, a first instant at which the mobile telephone having this identifier begins to signal its presence in said zone and a second instant at which the mobile telephone having this identifier ends in signaling its presence in said area;

- The second database is arranged to list, with each profile corresponding to this identifier, said first and said second instant recorded in the first data structure. Se) there is a sixth object of the invention, the computer system is characterized in that it comprises means for purging from said first data structure each identifier and its first recorded instant after having noted said second instant.

Numerous details and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the example embodiment, the description of which follows with reference to the appended drawings where identical references indicate the same elements and in which:

- Figure 1 shows a mobile telecommunications network-architecture in which the invention is implemented; - Figure 2 shows process steps according to the invention;

- Figure 3 shows a computer system according to the invention.

FIG. 1 makes it possible to recall in a simplified manner the elements of a GSM network useful for implementing the invention.

The network includes base transmission stations (BTS for Base Transceiver Station in English) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Each BTS includes a transmitter / receiver for communicating with one or more mobile telephones 6 by radio waves.

A Base Station Controller (BSC) manages a set of BTSs. For example, a BSC 7 controls BTS 1, 2,3 and a BSC 8 controls BTS 4,5.

A mobile services switch (MSC) manages a set of BSCs. For example, an MSC 10 manages the BSC 7 and a BSC 9. An MSC 11 manages the BSC 8.

Each MSC is associated with a visitor location register (VLR). For example, a VLR 12 is associated with the MSC 10 and a VLR 13 is associated with the MSC 11. The VLR contains the data necessary for the MSC to manage communications with mobile telephones 6 which are momentarily located, that is to say as visitors, in a geographic area covered by the MSC with which the VLR is associated.

A home location register 14 (HLR for Home Location Register in English) contains the data necessary to identify each user of the network, such as a VLR identifier associated with an MSC which covers a home area of this subscriber. Each subscription available to a network user is known within the network by means of an international identity number (IMSI for International Mobile Subscriber Identity in English). According to the plan

of IMU, IMSI contains a country code (MCC for Mobile Country Code in English), a network code (MNC for Mobile Network Code in English) and a subscriber identification number (MSIN for Mobile Subscriber Identification Number in English). The MCC country code indicates the country where the user's subscription is domiciled, for example 208 for France. The MNC network code indicates the nominal network of the subscription, for example 01 for an operator and 10 for another operator. The MCC and MNC codes determine, in a unique way in the world, the network to which the user is subscribed. MSIN identification number determines the user's subscription, uniquely within the network. Generally, the first two digits of the MSIN indicate the HLR where the user's subscription is listed.

For security reasons, to prevent an intruder from intercepting the IMSI and impersonating the legitimate subscriber, and also to reduce the size of call messages on the radio channel, the network operator has the option of '' use a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI). The TMSI number is used by the MSC to locally identify a mobile phone, for example when establishing communication between the network and the mobile phone. The TMSI number is temporarily listed in the VLR for the geographic area where the presence of the mobile is detected but is not in the HLR. Each time the geographic area associated with another VLR is changed, a new TMSI number is assigned to the mobile phone. For the world outside the network to which the user is subscribed, that is to say for other networks, for the user himself and other people wishing to join him, a telephone directory number (MSISDN for Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network Number in English) is the only known one. It is the number which allows for example to call the subscriber. The HRL contains a correspondence table between the MSISDN and the IMSI of each subscription.

In accordance with the international E.164 telephone numbering plan, the MSISDN number includes ^_ urrcode "of country- (CC" for 6otπ. Y Coαfe in English), a code of national destination (NDC for National Destination Code in English) 'subscriber (SN for Subscriber Number in English). The code CC is the code for the country in which the subscriber has taken out his subscription, for example 33 for France. The SN code is freely assigned to each subscription by the network operator.

Each mobile phone 6, commonly called mobile station (MS for Mobile Station in English) in the GSM standard, contains a subscriber identification card (SIM for Subscriber Identity Module in English). The SIM card is a micro-circuit card which contains data relating to the subscription, such as the IMSI identity number, a key and specific authentication algorithms for establishing communications with the network. A set of BTS base stations controlled by an MSC controller covers a geographical area consisting of one or more cells each covered by radio signals transmitted and received by a BTS base station.

In the example of FIG. 1, the BSC controller 7 covers a geographic area 15 by means of the base stations 1, 2, 3. The controller 8 covers a geographic area 16 by means of the base stations 4, 5. The controller 9 covers a geographic area 17 by means of other base stations not shown.

Each geographic area 15, 16, 17 is associated with a local area identifier (LAI). The LAI identifier includes the country code MCC, the network code MNC, and a local area code LAC. The MCC country code, identical in structure to that defined for the IMSI identity number, indicates the country where the geographic area is located. The MNC network code, with a structure identical to that defined for the IMSI identity number, indicates the network to which the BTS base stations which cover the geographical area belong. The local area code LAC is freely assigned by the network operator to distinguish each geographic area covered by the network. -

BTS d ^! une— zene-geographic- periodically transmit on a beacon channel (BCCH for Broadcast Control Channel in English) a broadcast signal which indicates the LAI identifier of the geographic area. Each mobile phone in the geographic area can therefore receive this broadcast signal.

When, for example, the mobile telephone 6 is switched on in the geographical area 15, the mobile telephone 6 receives from the base station 1 the signal broadcast with the identifier LAI of the geographical area 15. The code

MNC of the LAI identifier allows mobile phone 6 to recognize the network transmitting the broadcast signal. If the mobile phone 6 receives several signals from different networks, the mobile phone 6 preferably chooses the broadcast signal whose MNC code of the LAI identifier has the same value as the MNC code of the IMSI identity number of the SIM card it contains. The mobile telephone 6 then stores the value of the chosen LAI identifier. The mobile telephone 6 also receives the broadcast signal with request channel characteristics which allow it to attach to the transmitter network of the chosen LAI identifier.

The mobile telephone 6 then periodically compares the value of the stored LAI identifier with the value of the LAI identifier received in the broadcast signal. When, for example, the mobile telephone 6 leaves zone 17 for which it had stored a first value of identifier LAI corresponding to zone 17 and enters zone 15 for which the broadcast signal gives a second identification value LAI corresponding to zone 15, the mobile telephone 6 detects a difference between the stored LAI identifier value and the received LAI identifier value.

When the mobile telephone 6 is switched on in the zone 15 or when the mobile telephone 6 detects a difference between the stored LAI identifier value and the received LAI identifier value, the mobile telephone 6 signals, on the request channel, its presence in the geographic area 15. The controller 7 then generally receives from the mobile telephone 6, via at least one of the base stations 1, 2, 3, the IMSI identity number held by the SIM card mobile phone 6.

The controller 7 transmits the IMSI identity number received to the switch 10. The switch 10 sends a request message 18 to the VLR register 12 to match the IMSI identity number to the identification value LAI held by the controller 7 If the VLR register 12 contains a row of correspondence table allocated to the IMSI identity number, it replaces there an old identification value LAI which previously corresponded to the IMSI identity number, by the identification value LAI received with the request message 18. If the VLR register 12 does not contain the IMSI identity number, it assigns it a correspondence table line by placing the LAI identifier value received there with the request message18. The VLR12 register then sends a request message 19 to the HLR register 14 in order to match the IMSI identity number to an indicator which references the VLR register 12.

The HLR register 14 is the one which permanently contains a line of correspondence table with the IMSI identity number and the MSISDN telephone directory number to reach the subscriber who uses the mobile telephone 6. The location of the mobile telephone 6 thus obtained allows you to answer any incoming phone call on the network. The MSISDN telephone directory number makes it possible to find in the correspondence table of the register HLR 14 the indicator which references the register VLR 12, then, in the correspondence table of the register VLR 12, I identify LAI of the geographical area where is the mobile phone 6.

When the user turns off his mobile phone 6 in geographic area 15, the mobile phone 6 sends a detachment message received by at least one of the base stations 1, 2, 3 to the BSC controller 7, before s 'switch off.

The detachment message contains the IMSI identity number or a temporary TMSI identity number -if the network has matched a TMS temporary identity number with -IMSI-identity-number-If -the network has matched a temporary identity number TMSI to the IMSI identity number, the correspondence table line of the register VLR 12 which contains the IMSI identity number also contains the temporary identity number TMSI.

The BSC controller 7 transmits the IMSI identity number or the temporary TMSI identity number received to the switch 10. the switch 10 again sends a request message 18 to the VLR register 12 in order to purge the correspondence table row which contains the IMSI identity number. When the user leaves geographic area 15 with his mobile phone 6 on to enter geographic area 16 or 17, mobile phone 6 detects that the value of the LAI identifier received in the new geographic area is different from the value of stored LAI identifier.

As before, the mobile telephone 6 signals on the request channel its presence in the new geographical area 16 or 17.

If the mobile telephone 6 enters the geographical area 16, the controller 8 receives from the mobile telephone 6, via at least one of the base stations 4, 5, the IMSI identity number or the number d TMSI identity with the LAI identifier value stored in the mobile telephone 6. The temporary TMSI identity number with the LAI identifier value were generally memorized when the mobile telephone was previously in a geographical area it is leaving. If the mobile telephone 6 enters the geographical area 17, the controller 9 similarly receives the identity number IMSI or the temporary identity number TMSI with the value of identifier LAI stored. .

When the controller 8 receives the temporary identity number TMSI with the stored LAI identifier value, it transmits the values received to the switch 11. The switch 11 detects that the stored LAI identifier value does not correspond to a geographical area that 'he covers. The switch 11 then sends a request message 20 to the switch 10. The request message 20 contains the temporary identity number TMSI with the value of identifier LAI stored. The switch 10, detecting that the stored LAI identifier value corresponds to the geographical area 15 which it covers, again sends a request message 18 to the VLR register 12 in order to purge there the row of correspondence table which contains the number d TMSI temporary identity. According to certain possible network configurations, the request message 18 is accompanied by a request to retrieve the data from the correspondence table line to be purged, from the VLR register 12 to the VLR register 13, from so that you can reference the IMSI identity number and various other data relating to the subscription.

When the controller 9 receives the temporary identity number TMSI with the stored LAI identifier value, it transmits the values received to the switch 10. The switch 10, detecting that the stored LAI identifier value corresponds to the geographical area 15 qu 'it covers, again sends a request message 18 to the VLR register 12 in order to match the identity number IMSI to the identifier value LAI held by the controller BSC 9. The above explanations retain that the messages of request 18 from the switch MSC 10 to the register VLR 12 which relate to the mobile telephone 6, contain the identity number IMSI or the temporary identity number TMSI linked to the mobile telephone 6. When the mobile telephone 6 is switched on or enters the geographic area 15, the request message 18 contains an LAI identifier value which references area 15. When the mobile telephone 6 is switched off in or which In the area 15, the request message 18 contains a request to purge or modify the line of the correspondence table which contains the IMSI identity number linked to the mobile telephone. FIG. 2 shows a finite state machine of the type reentrant which implements the process according to the invention. Monitoring the messages 18 received by the VLR register 12, this finite state machine can be placed in the MSC switch 10, at the input of the VLRH-2-register or in a computer 21 connected to a bus 22 which connects the MSC switch 10 in the VLR register 12. Such a machine is assigned to each controlled zone, for example a machine for zone 15 and another machine for zone 17.

With reference to FIG. 2, a transition 23 is validated each time a message 18 is sent from the MSC switch 10 to the VLR register 12. The transition 23 activates a step 24 in which the message 18 is read in order to extract the identifier LAI and the IMSI ID number or the temporary TMSI ID number it contains. An LAI identifier value equal to that of the controlled area validates a transition 25. A LAI identifier value different from that of the controlled area validates a transition 26.

The validation of the transition 25 means that the MSC switch 10 requests to match the identifier value LAI of the zone controlled with an identity number IMSI in the correspondence table of the register VLR 12. This case occurs when mobile phone is on or enters the controlled area.

The transition 25 activates a step 27 in which an entry date, Date (E), from a mobile telephone in the controlled area, is taken equal to the date of transmission of the message 18 to the register VLR. The date Date (E) indicates, with acceptable precision, the moment at which the mobile telephone switches on or enters the controlled area.

A TMSI temporary identity number value in message 18 validates a transition 28. An IMSI identity number value in message 18 validates a transition 30.

The transition 28 activates a step 29. In step 29, the machine executes an IMSI function (TMSI) to obtain an IMSI identity number value which corresponds to the temporary identity number TMSI of the mobile phone active in the controlled area. . The IMSI function (TMSI) makes, for example, a request to the VLR register which contains, in a row of correspondence table, the IMSI identity number and the number

^ 'ideTιtite ^" tëmpôrairé TMSlrL'obtentiσn ~ dα ^" numberπ.l'rdentitéiMShvalide-transition 30 then. The transition 30 activates a step 31. In step 31, the machine executes a MSISDN function (IMSI) to obtain a value of MSISDN telephone directory number of the active mobile phone in the controlled area. The MSISDN (IMSI) function makes, for example, a request to the HLR register which contains, in a correspondence table row, the IMSI identity number and the directory number. MSISDN telephone. Obtaining the MSISDN telephone directory number validates a transition 32.

The transition 32 activates a step 33. In step 33, the machine stores, in a first data structure 44, the telephone directory number MSISDN, the identity number IMSI and possibly the temporary identity number TMSI.

The transition 32 also activates a step 34. In the step 34, the machine executes a Profile function (MSISDN) to obtain a profile which corresponds to the telephone directory number MSISDN of the mobile phone active in the controlled area. The Profile function (MSISDN) makes, for example, a request to a first database to extract one or more behavior profiles which correspond to an identifier found in the first data structure, such as the telephone directory number. MSISDN. The first database 47 contains behavior profiles associated with telephone directory numbers. The first database is fed in different ways. For example, the owner of the mobile telephone, then named customer, registers on a site dedicated to supplying this database by indicating his preferences for different services or areas of interest with the telephone directory number of his mobile telephone. . To modify or enter their preferences for the first time, the customer accesses the first database by INTERNET, by telephone or in voice or "WAP" mode, by Minitel - or by means of paper form. For example, a merchant who has collected in one way or another information on the preferences or consumption habits of his customers (types of products purchased, preferred brands ...), provides this information to the telecommunications operator who manages the first database and with which i! has an agreement.The merchant may have collected the information when the customer is browsing the Internet using his mobile phone or a landline, without his knowledge or not. Obtaining a profile extracted by the machine validates a transition 35. The transition 35 activates a step 36. In step 36, the machine performs an Enter function (Profile, Date (E)) to list the profile obtained in step 34, in a second database 48. The validation of the transition 26 for which the message 18 does not contain values of LAI identifiers equal to that of the controlled area, means that a mobile telephone enters, is switched on in another geographic area or is extinct in the controlled area.

The transition 26 activates a step 37. in step 37, the machine executes an Exist function (IMSI.TMSI) to determine whether the data structure contains the IMSI identification number or the temporary TIMSI identification number given with the message 18. If the data structure contains one of the IMSI, TMSI identification numbers, the data structure also contains the associated MSISDN telephone directory number. The presence of the MSISDN telephone directory number in the data structure validates a transition 38. The absence of the MSISDN telephone directory number in the data structure validates a transition 39.

The validation of the transition 38 means that a mobile telephone concerned by the message 18 was previously in the controlled area. The validation of the transition 39 means that the mobile telephone concerned by the message 18 was not previously in the controlled area. No action of the machine for the controlled zone is taken following the transition 39. The transition 38 activates a step 40 and a step 41. In step 40, an exit date, Date (S), d 'a mobile phone in the controlled area is taken equal to the date of transmission of message 18 to the VLR register. The date Date (S) indicates, with acceptable precision, the moment at which the mobile telephone is switched off in or leaves the controlled area.

Step 41 is identical to step 34. A transition 42 is validated following steps 40 and 41, by obtaining a profile in step 41, corresponding to the MSISDN telephone directory number for transition 38.

The transition 42 activates a step 43. In step 43, the machine executes the function (Profile, Date (S)) to list the exit date Date (S) with the corresponding profile in the second database.

Figure 3 shows a computer system according to the invention.

For each geographic area to be checked, for example the area

15, the system comprises a data structure 44 and a machine 46 on the model of that described with reference to FIG. 2. The system also includes a database 48 possibly common to several controlled zones 15, 16, 17 and means communication 45 with a database 47 external to the system. Each machine 46 with its associated data structure 44 is contained in the computer 21 or located in a switch 10, 11. The database 48 is preferably contained in the computer 21.

The database 47 contains behavior profiles associated with MSISDN telephone directory numbers.

The data structure 44, used by steps 33 and 37, makes it possible to make a correspondence between the IMSI identity number and the MSISDN telephone directory number of mobile telephones operating in the controlled area.

The database 48 contains zone references 49, 50, 51 such as -for example the machine-46-from zone 15-s-addresses-to the zone reference 49, the machine 46 from zone 16 s' address to the zone reference 50, the machine in zone 17 addresses the reference 51.

The zone reference 49 points to a list of profiles 52, 53, 54 listed by each activation of step 36. Each profile is associated with a list of entry dates and exit dates. The zone reference 51 points to a list of profiles 55, 56 listed by each activation of step 36 of another machine 46. Different software can then use the database 48. It is possible, for example, to obtain a temporal population density with profile 53 by adding a point to a measurement quantity for each date Date (E) and subtracting a point from this measurement quantity for each date (S). It is possible to obtain a population distribution over different zones with a profile 56 identical to a profile 52.

This makes it possible to quantify and trace a history or to follow a temporal evolution by area of distribution of the profiles.

Claims

1. A method of providing useful information for adapting a geographic area (15) to population behavior, characterized in that it includes actions consisting in:

- Identify in a first data structure (44) assigned to said geographic area, an identifier (MSISDN) of each mobile phone which signals to a network its presence in said geographic area (15);

- extracting from at least a first database (47), behavior profiles which each correspond to an identifier noted in the first data structure (44);

- indexing in a second database (48) the behavior profiles extracted by assigning them to said geographic area (15).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises actions consisting in:

- note in the first data structure (44) for each identifier (MSISDN), a first instant at which the mobile telephone having this identifier begins to signal its presence in said zone and a second instant at which the mobile telephone having this identifier ends to report its presence in said area;

- listing in the second database (48) for each profile corresponding to this identifier, said first and said second instant recorded in the first data structure.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises an action consisting in purging from said first data structure, each identifier and its first recorded time for which said second time is recorded.

4. Computer system for adapting a geographic area (15) to population behavior, characterized in that it comprises:

- A first data structure (44) assigned to said geographic area, arranged to read an identifier (MSISDN) of each mobile phone which signals to the network its presence in said geographic area;

- means of communication (45) with at least a first database (47), arranged to extract from said first database, behavior profiles which each correspond to an identifier noted in the first data structure;

- A second database (48) arranged to list the behavior profiles extracted by assigning them to said geographic area (15).

5. Computer system according to claim 4, characterized in that: - the first data structure (44) is arranged to record with each identifier, a first instant at which the mobile telephone having this identifier, begins to signal its presence in said zone and a second instant at which the mobile telephone having this identifier finishes signaling its presence in said zone; - The second database (48) is arranged to list with each profile corresponding to this identifier, said first and said second instant recorded in the first data structure.

6. Computer system according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises means for purging from said first data structure, each identifier and its first recorded instant after having noted said second instant.