ES2302411B1 - SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTENDING THE SIZE OF A CELL IN A MOBILE PHONE NETWORK. - Google Patents

Abstract

System and method for size enlargement of a cell in a mobile phone network by amplifying signal This will be done by using a mechanical device that automatically moves to a position with minimum GSM / GPRS / UMTS coverage and perform a signal amplification at that point.

Description

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System and method for size enlargement of a cell in a mobile phone network.

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a system and a method for searching and extending coverage of a cell of a mobile telephone network, through the use of a robotic mechanical device moves freely and autonomously in a user-defined environment and is provided with means to detect the needs for expanding GSM / GPRS / UMTS coverage, rectifying this deficiency amplifying the signal.

The mobile terminal is associated with the possibility of the user to move freely. However in some places (for example inside a house, an industrial building, etc.) There may be coverage problems. This fact forces the user to move to those places that have a better level signal

The stand-alone device used in this system scrolls guided by an intelligent application implemented in it towards those places of worse coverage. In This point, where the coverage is low, amplifies the signal radius, thus increasing the cell size.

Background of the invention

Lack of coverage or, where appropriate, weakness signal are one of the main problems that find mobile phone operators today. This circumstance makes the loyalty of its customers difficult, which They are tempted on few occasions to change operators.

The traditional solution to this problem is increase investment in base stations, so that Improve radio coverage in the area. This solution is very expensive and unprofitable and in many cases it does not completely solve the trouble.

Description of the invention

The following definitions are used for  various entities that make up the solution of the invention:

to)

User: person who has a mobile phone and a mobile phone operator.

b)

Zone no coverage: geographical or domestic area in which the operator mobile does not have coverage for example with GSM / GPRS technology, UMTS or any other that may appear in the future.

C)

Zone with coverage: geographical or domestic area in which the operator mobile has coverage for example with GSM / GPRS, UMTS or any other that may appear in the future.

d)

Zone with weak coverage. Covered area in which the signal level It is very weak.

and)

Mobile terminal: terminal with technology GSM / GPRS or GSM / UMTS. We will refer to him as a terminal in this document.

F)

Robot: autonomous device that has of the following modules:

-

GSM and / or UMTS radio signal repeater. These devices have signal strength meters radio that reaches them, logically to the point where they are at all times.

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Mechanical system that allows move autonomously on a surface: wheels, driven by a servomotor, direction change shafts, various detectors of obstacles and / or vision, etc.

-

A internal application that obtains from the signal repeater module the radio signal intensity level and make decisions about the robot mobility, acting on the displacement system mechanic.

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At the initial moment the robot must be in a location that allows you to move freely. His work will be to find a location of area with weak coverage so that its amplification capacity is useful.

Once its operation starts the robot performs a measure of the level of coverage. Whether there is coverage or if it is not available, it will move to a covered area weak. Your movement will follow the following rules:

The mechanical system starts a movement random of a certain and configurable distance.

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In the case of starting from an initial situation in  the one with good coverage but with the movement of the robot the signal will be weaker the robot will continue in that direction. Otherwise it will make a new random movement.

The process will be repeated until the robot Find an area with weak coverage. In that place it will amplify the radio signal you receive.

In the case that the robot is from the Start at a location that has weak coverage it will remain in that place to amplify the radio signal.

This level of weak coverage is delimited Through a threshold. This value can be set according to environment needs.

In the case that the robot is in the initial moment in a place without coverage will move towards a place where it detects coverage or weak signal and in that case it will behave as in any of the previous scenarios.

Description of the figures

Figure 1 shows a scheme of the system full.

Figure 2 represents an organization chart of the methodology that governs the movement of the robot.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

Figure 1 shows a user who It is located in an area with zero GSM / GPRS / UMTS coverage. In this zone is placed a robot performs consecutive measurements of coverage. When it is in the desired place it stops and extend the coverage by amplifying the radio signal, so that the user can make calls and data connections from his original position thanks to the enlarged cell.

The robot consists of a mechanism electromechanical, which includes:

to)

Some measuring means of the radio signal strength that reaches the point where they are at all times;

b)

A mechanism that allows you to scroll autonomously through a surface.

C)

A circuit in which an application that gets from the signal repeater module the intensity level of the radio signal and make decisions about robot mobility, acting on the mechanical displacement system

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Figure 2 shows the methodology that follow the robot once located in an initial location, where performs a first measurement of the level of coverage, moving, whether or not there is coverage, up to one area with weak coverage, based on the following rules:

to)

Start a random movement of a determined and configurable distance.

b)

At case of initially having coverage but with the robot movement the signal becomes weaker the robot will continue in that direction, while otherwise will make a new random move.

C)

He process is repeated until the robot finds an area with weak coverage, where it amplifies the radio signal that receives.

d)

at if the robot is from the beginning in a location that has weak coverage will stay in that place to Amplify the radio signal.

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The system of the present invention requires for its development a signal repeater, (for example a "GSM Repeater "in the case of amplifying a GSM signal. This repeater must be mounted in an autonomous system of so many that exist in the market. It must be programmable so that on the one hand it can read the signal strength and act on the mechanical systems of displacement.

It is not considered necessary to extend this  description so that any subject matter expert understands the scope of the invention and the advantages thereof drift

The terms in which this text has been written memory should always be taken broadly and not limitative.

The materials, form and arrangement of elements will be subject to variation as long as it does not suppose an alteration of the essential characteristics of the invention, which are claimed below.

Claims (3)

1. System for expanding the size of a cell in a mobile telephone network, characterized in that it uses a robotic mechanical device that includes:

to)

a GSM and / or UMTS radio signal repeater, which has a means of measurement of the radio signal strength that reaches the point in the one they meet at all times;

b)

a mechanism that allows you to scroll autonomously through a surface; Y

C)

a circuit in which an application that gets from the signal repeater module the intensity level of the radio signal and make decisions about robot mobility, acting on the mechanical displacement system

2. Method for extending the size of a cell of a mobile telephone network, characterized in that, initially placing the robot in a location that allows it to move freely, it makes a first measurement of the level of coverage, moving, whether there is coverage or if it is not available, up to an area with weak coverage, based on the following rules:

to)

start a random movement of a determined and configurable distance;

b)

at case of starting from an initial situation where there is good coverage but with the movement of the robot the signal is more weak the robot will continue in that direction, while in case otherwise, it will make a new random movement;

C)

he process is repeated until the robot finds an area with weak coverage, where it amplifies the radio signal that receives;

d)

at if the robot is from the beginning in a location that has weak coverage will stay in that place to Amplify the radio signal.

3. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the weak coverage level is delimited by a threshold, this being a configurable value according to the needs of the environment.