Method For Determining When A Large Crowd Gathers Based Upon Mobile Unit Registration Messages

• US 20130183922A1
• Filed: 01/13/2012
• Published: 07/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Olker, Tim J., Williams, Leslie J.
• Application Number:
  US13/349,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20130183922A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks

Abstract

A plurality of registration messages are received at a base station from a plurality of mobile units. The base station collects these registration messages for a predetermined period of time. At the end of the predetermined period of time, the base station sends the registration messages, or a summary of the registration messages, to a wireless network. The wireless network examines the registration messages to determine if the number of registration messages received for a predefined geographic area exceeds a predetermined threshold. If so, the wireless network sends a crowd information update message to a law enforcement agency if the plurality of registration message exceed a predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. A method for determining when a large crowd gathers, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of registration messages from a plurality of mobile units, wherein the plurality of registration messages are received within a predefined period of time, and wherein the plurality of mobile units are located within a predefined geographic area; and

sending a crowd information update message if the plurality of registration message exceed a predetermined threshold.

2. A method for determining when a large crowd gathers in accordance with claim 1, wherein the predefined geographic area correlates to a cell sector.

3. A method for determining when a large crowd gathers in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of registration messages comprises a call initiation message.

4. A method for determining when a large crowd gathers in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of registration messages comprises a power on message.

5. A method for determining when a large crowd gathers in accordance with claim 1, wherein the crowd information message includes the number of registration messages received.

6. A method for determining when a large crowd gathers in accordance with claim 1, wherein the crowd information message includes the location of the received registration messages.

7. A method for determining when a large crowd gathers in accordance with claim 1, wherein the crowd information message includes the time at which each of the plurality of registration messages was received.

8. A method for determining when a large crowd gathers in accordance with claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold is determined, at least in part, based upon the time of day.

9. A method for determining when a large crowd gathers in accordance with claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold is determined, at least in part, based upon a normal amount of registration message activity.

10. A method for determining when a large crowd gathers in accordance with claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold is determined, at least in part, based upon the predefined geographic area.

11. A method for determining when a large crowd gathers in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of sending a crowd information update message comprises sending the crowd information update message to a law enforcement agency.

12. A method for determining when a large crowd gathers in accordance with claim 1, wherein the crowd information update message comprises an approximate number of people in the group.

13. A method for determining when a large crowd gathers in accordance with claim 1, wherein the crowd information update message comprises the location of the group.