WO2006069594A1

WO2006069594A1 - Route adherence monitoring system within a telecommunication system

Info

Publication number: WO2006069594A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/014888
Authority: WO
Inventors: René Fernand Emile DE TORBAL
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2004-12-31
Filing date: 2004-12-31
Publication date: 2006-07-06

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring the movement of mobile user equipment (20) along a selected pre-defined route to determine if that route is adhered to. Adherence to the route requires that the mobile user equipment (20) moves within a corridot of selected positive width that surrounds the route. The method provides for the sending of a message (SMS, voice mail, telephone call, etc.) based on rule sets belonging to the pre-defined routes.

Description

Title Route adherence monitoring system within a telecommunication system.

Field of the invention The present invention relates generally to the telecommunications field; and more particularly, to a system and method for monitoring the adherence of a mobile user equipment to a predefined route.

Description of prior art Monitoring adherence to a predefined route or schedule is not straightforward as a vehicle can make slight excursions in response to the needs of its users. Some systems according to the prior art have been proposed for monitoring the present and past locations of a vehicle.

One of such prior art systems provides for a navigation apparatus that stores location coordinates for a sequence of intermediate or final destination points on a non-volatile memory, such as a CD-ROM, as disclosed by Nimura et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,584. A vehicle or traveller activates the apparatus at a departure point, and then communicates its arrival at one or more designated intermediate or final destination points by pressing a button at the time of arrival. The apparatus does not track time of arrival and provides little direct information on the present location of the vehicle or traveller between a departure point and the next destination point.

Another prior art navigation system that provides off-route detection and route re-optimization is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,775, issued to Tamai et al . The system is mounted on a vehicle and uses Global Positioning System (GPS) or Long Range Navigation (LORAN) signals to determine the present location of the vehicle. When the vehicle is determined to be off-course, relative to its planned route, by more than a selected threshold distance, the system notifies the vehicle operator of this deviation and computes and displays a new optimized route, beginning at the vehicle's present location.

In general, there are various systems, which have been used for determining the location of a person or vehicle. These include LORAN systems and GPS. These systems rely on externally transmitted radio frequency signals to calculate the location of a receiving antenna.

In LORAN systems, this calculation is based on the time difference in signals received from multiple transmitters. As the latitude and longitude of the transmitters are known, the distance from two or more transmitters can be calculated from the time lag between the receptions of the plurality of signals.

Another type of navigational system is the GPS system. In the GPS navigation system, the transmitters are positioned on orbiting satellites. Time and location information of the satellites plus a Doppler shift of the radio frequency signal received from the satellite is used to calculate the location of the receiver. GPS systems can determine location with even greater accuracy than LORAN systems.

Other types of systems are known that determine a position of mobile user equipment by a mobile telecommunications system. Positioning is accomplished by detecting a presence of the mobile user equipment in the mobile telecommunications system. The position information is the identity of the base station to which the mobile user equipment is operatively connected. Said base station in the mobile telecommunications system covers a specific part of a geographical area covered by all base stations in the mobile telecommunication system. More accurate position information is obtained when the coverage area of the base station is divided in sectors and there are means provided to detect the particular sector wherein the mobile user equipment is present.

Even more accurate position information is accomplished through a process known as triangulation, which basically determines a position of a mobile user equipment based on information as signal strength and sector information from at least three base stations. The mobile user equipment is also in this case operatively connected to one base station but other, neighbouring, base stations also receive the signals from the mobile user equipment.

Prior art solutions require specialized devices for determining the positions. The problem is to create a alternative system to the prior art systems.

Summary of the invention The object of this invention is to provide an improved method of monitoring adherence of a mobile user equipment operationally connected to a mobile telecommunications system to a certain route, and generating trigger events based on adherence to said route, and where said trigger events become available to systems and services for acting on adherence to said route. This object is achieved by a telecommunications system comprising a mobile telecommunications system consisting of at least one mobile switching center being operatively connected to at least one base station as well as at least one mobile user equipment operatively connected to said at least one mobile base station, wherein each at least one base station, corresponds to a specific geographical area, wherein said at least one mobile user equipment can be present, and wherein the mobile telecommunications system generates a position information representing the actual presence of said at least one mobile user equipment within the geographical area, where the telecommunications system further comprises a route adherence system having correlating means, a decision means and a database, wherein the correlating means is arranged in receiving said position information generated by the Mobile telecommunications system and performing a correlation on said position information with a selected predefined route stored in the database, where the correlating means provides a result of said correlation to the decision means arranged for generating trigger events for use by other systems or services, dependent on predefined decision rules, stored in said database.

The system as described above deploys a method for generating trigger events, based on the adherence of a mobile user equipment to a selected predefined route, within a telecommunication system comprising at least one mobile telecommunications system consisting of at least one mobile switching center being operatively connected to at least one base station where the mobile user equipment is operatively connected to said at least one mobile base station, wherein each at least one base station, corresponds to a specific geographical area, wherein said at least one mobile user equipment can be present, and wherein the mobile telecommunications system generates a position information representing the actual presence of said at least one mobile user equipment within the geographical area, comprising during operation the steps of:

- detecting the actual presence of said at least mobile user equipment within a specific geographical area corresponding to one of said at least one base station by the mobile telecommunications network; - generating a position information by said mobile telecommunications network; containing the actual presence of said at least one mobile user equipment within the geographical area corresponding to said at least one base station, emitting said position information by mobile telecommunications network, receiving said position information by correlating means,

- correlating the position information with a selected predefined route by said correlating means, - emitting the result of said correlation as correlation result by said correlating means, - receiving said correlation result by the decision means,

- deciding whether a trigger event has to be generated based on decision rules by the decision means,

- emitting set trigger events by set decision means. This invention provides a system and method for monitoring adherence to a predefined route of a mobile user equipment, operative!y connected to a mobile telecommunications system, providing event triggers based on said adherence. This invention further provides a method to subscribe to a route adherence monitoring service as well as the invocation thereof.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a person having mobile user equipment or a vehicle or an artifact, equipped with mobile user equipment, operationally connected to a mobile telecommunications system such as Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), General Packet Radio System (GPRS) or Universal Mobile telecommunication system (UMTS). Where the mobile user equipment is capable of operating in more then one of these mobile communication systems, any positioning precision might be further improved by overlaying the detected position by each mobile communication system. There are a variety of reasons that make it appropriate to monitor the adherence, of a mobile user equipment that is operationally connected to the mobile telecommunications system, to a selected predefined route, especially when certain actions within the telecommunications system have to be triggered when the mobile user equipment has completely, partially or not at all adhered to the selected route. Advantageously the invention allows also to create a closed route where begin- and end-points are the same. In this way circumscribing an area where entry on the route is treated as breach into or out of the enclosed area. In a first use of the invention, the person owning the mobile user equipment is rewarded for adhering to the route. The reward is made by certain trigger events that might be; an SMS or MMS message containing a reduction token; a message to a third party system that mobile user equipment with identity X is allowed a discount or certain privileges; a rewarding to the user's prepaid account or billing account; or a rewarding of bonus points in a bonus system (e.g. air miles). Basically it may be any instantaneous or delayed rewarding, valuable to the person owning or using the mobile user equipment.

In a second use of the invention any deviation a mobile user equipment makes from a selected predefined route may trigger an alarm or warning. This may be a single deviation or exceeding a preset level of deviation. The warning may be sent to the mobile user equipment itself or to any third party by means of a Short Message Service (SMS) or MuIti Media Message Service (MMS) message, a message via the IP network, a voice call or any other means available in the telecommunications system. Typical applications are the tracking of a child by their guardian, valuable article couriers, and prisoner on weekend permit. Therefore the present invention provides a solution for basically all applications where a persons, vehicle or artefact are tracked by means of their mobile user equipment, for adhering to a route, or entering or leaving of a certain predefined geographical area.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the route adherence monitoring system as claimed in claim 1 comprises means for providing a correlation result between zero or more detected positions of a mobile user equipment and a selected predefined route, and providing said correlation result to decision means, deciding to generate a trigger event towards one or more systems according to a predefined set of rules.

In the preferred embodiment users of a mobile user equipment may subscribe to a route adherence service by sending a SMS to the route adherence service. The route adherence service provides an identity of the mobile user equipment to one or more mobile telecommunications systems for detecting a position of said identified mobile user equipment. The route adherence service also enables and prepares the required charging for using the service. The mobile telecommunications systems may then, for the identified mobile user equipment, continuously provide detected position information to the route adherence system. In the case of the mobile user equipment having the capability to be operational connected to more then one mobile telecommunications system, the correlation means in the route adherence system may combine the position information received from the individual mobile telecommunications systems to one position information with improved accuracy.

Once a user is subscribed to the route adherence service he can activate the route adherence system for one of the predefined routes contained in a database of the route adherence system by selecting one of said predefined routes. Each predefined route is identified by a unique route number. The user may sent an SMS with the selected route number, enter a selected route number on an web-page, by calling a menu or by any other means available in the telecommunications system to make known the number of the selected predefined route to the route adherence service. The identity of said mobile user equipment is retrieved by the route adherence system from the mobile communication system where the mobile user equipment is subscribed to, contained in the SMS message or interactively retrieved from the user.

Optionally a user may enter a route via a webpage. His "personal route" is entered into the database of the route adherence system including rules applicable to adhering, which the user may select from a menu. Likewise, third parties can create custom routes and appropriate rule sets, available to other persons by the number identifying the route. The proprietor of the route adherence system has the possibility to maintain (create, edit, delete) the set of predefined routes via a maintenance interface of the route adherence system.

When a user has subscribed to the route adherence service, and an existing route number and (valid) mobile user equipment identification are available, the route adherence service generates a start correlation message to the correlation means in the route adherence system. The message contains also a timestamp, comprising date and time that the user invoked the adherence service. The correlation means stores this information as a new correlation record in a correlation table contained in a database. Once in the correlation table it will be included in the correlation process until it is removed from the correlation table. The user has the possibility to stop the adherence monitoring of one or all of his routes in the same way he invokes the adherence monitoring. The route adherence service receives his cancellation and sends a stop correlation message to the correlation means in the route adherence system. The message contains the number of the route and the identity of his mobile user equipment. If more then one route is cancelled a message is sent for each route. The correlation means removes the record in the correlation table indicated by the contents of the message. The correlation means also removes the record at own initiative based on time-out situations or as response on a "stop-correlation" message generated by the decision means.

In the detailed description of the invention two examples are described of the correlation process. One depicted as a "cell sequence method" and the other as a "co-ordinates method".

The result of the correlation is sent as a stream of correlation results to the decision means, where the result depicts the extent of adherence to the selected predefined route. The deciding means applies the rules stored in the database with the route, to decide on whether and what trigger events should be generated, based on the incoming stream of correlation results. If required and as indicated in the rules, the decision means stores intermediate information in the database with the indication of route number and identity of the mobile user equipment.

In a further use of the invention, a user, who is subscribed to the route adherence service, activates the adherence monitoring of a selected predefined route by means of a first message sent to the route adherence service. The message content might be the selected route number and the mobile telephone identity or mobile telephone number. The user, once arrived at the end of the selected route, sends a second message to the route adherence service. On reception of said second message, the route adherence service sends a third message back to said user. The contents of said third message will depend on the particular type of information desired, for example it could be an indication of the extend to which is adhered to the selected predefined route.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 depicts the telecommunication system in relation to the mobile telecommunications system and an embodiment of the route adherence monitoring system.

Figure 2 depicts a geographical area covered by radio base stations, a predefined route and actual routes followed by users A, B, and C of the route adherence monitoring service.

Figure 3 depicts a fictitious predefined route and 2 correlating position of mobile user equipment relative to the route.

Figure 4 depicts jitter compensation in the correlation window.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows a telecommunications system (1) comprising a mobile telecommunications system (2), a route adherence system (3), and a route adherence service (7). The mobile telecommunications system (2) may be for example a system operating according to GSM, GPRS or UMTS standards.

The mobile telecommunications system (2) comprises at least one mobile switching centre (23a,b) being operatively connected to at least one base station controller (22a₅b) said base station controller being operationally connected to the base stations (21a to d).

To obtain the position of a mobile user equipment (20) within the geographical area covered by a mobile telecommunications system, the mobile user equipment must be operationally connected to said system resulting in the generation of a presence signal. The presence signal is an indication that a mobile user equipment is connected to a certain base station (21a to d) and as a consequence the position of the mobile user equipment is known, as said base station covers a known part of the geographical area covered by the mobile telecommunications system. When a base station has its coverage area divided in sectors, a more precise indication of the position of the mobile user equipment in such a sector is possible. An even more accurate position of the mobile user equipment is obtained by the triangulation method, which also requires the operational connection to said system but where more then one base station receives signals from the mobile user equipment. The mobile telecommunications system(2) forwards the position of the mobile user equipment as position information (4) to the route adherence system (3). The mobile telecommunications system (2) will only forward position information for mobile user equipment if its identity is made known to the mobile telecommunications system. This is done (8) by the route adherence service (7) when a mobile user subscribes his mobile user equipment to the service.

Although the route adherence system (3) receives the position information from the mobile telecommunications system (2) continuously once the identity of the mobile user equipment is made known, the correlation will start only when the user invokes the route adherence service (7) for a specific route, he selects by the number of a predefined route from a set of predefined routes stored in the route adherence system (3). The route adherence service (7) provides a start correlation message (6a) to the route adherence system (3). The user can stop a started correlation via the route adherence service (7). The route adherence service (7) sends then a stop correlation message (6b) to the route adherence system (3).

The output of the route adherence system (3) is triggering events (5) to the telecommunications system.

In a first embodiment of the route adherence system (3) a method is used, that could be called the cell sequence method. The method is correlates the identity of base stations, the mobile user equipment was operatively connected to during its movement from departure to destination, with the identity of base stations as specified by the predefined route. The predefined route is a sequence of identities of base stations. Advantageously a more accurate definition of the route is possible with base station sectors when the coverage area of a base station is divided in sectors. Base stations or sectors of base station are identified by their identity code and or frequency and sector number.

In certain instances it is not necessary that the user or vehicle constantly follows the predefined route and pre-selected route. The user may follow other routes to his destination; however the measure in which the user has followed the pre-established route will have consequence on the contents of the message the user will receive.

Within the geographical area covered by the mobile telecommunications system, the mobile user equipment must be operationally connected to the mobile communications system with the objective that the mobile system is aware of the presence of the mobile user equipment within the system.

When mobile user equipment is operatively connected to the mobile communications system and more precisely it is operationally connected to at least one base station, said base station corresponds to a specific geographical area, and consequently it is possible to derive the geographical position of the mobile user equipment. If the area covered by a base station is divided in sectors then it will be possible to determine more precisely the geographical position of the mobile user equipment.

The mobile telecommunication system periodically reports the position of the mobile user equipment as position information (4) to the route adherence system (3). The position information contains the identity of the mobile user equipment, the identity of the base station (and where applicable the sector) it is operationally connected to and a time stamp. The period is a preset parameter Pi in the mobile telecommunication system.

In the first embodiment a predefined route is identified by a number identifying the route, the identification of the selected base stations (and where applicable sectors) covering the route. The predefined routes are stored in the database of the route adherence system. The format could be corresponding to figure 2: #1000 ; BSlOO, BSlOl, BS102, BS103. The correlation means executes a correlation process based on a correlation table contained in the database of the route adherence system. The correlation table holds a correlation record for each combination of a mobile user equipment identity and a selected route. When a new combination is to be entered into the correlation process the correlation means receives a start correlation message (6a) from the adherence monitoring service in the telecommunications system with the identity of the mobile user equipment and the number of the selected route. Upon receiving such message, the correlation means creates a new correlation record in the correlation table and enters the information from the start correlation message. The correlation means removes a correlation record from the table (and hence the correlation process is stopped) when one of the following conditions occurs;

When the time stamp of the last actual update is older then a system parameter Tl . In this case a last correlation result is send to the decision means having the correlation status set to "LOST".

When no entry to the route was recorded after a system parameter To. A last correlation result is send to the decision means having the correlation status set to "TIMEDOUT".

When a stop correlation message is received from the decision means or from the route adherence service (6b) specifying the identity of the mobile user equipment and the number of the predefined route.

Each record in the table comprises the following fields; number of the selected route, mobile user equipment identity and time stamp of last received position information. As long as the received position information (4) correlates with the predefined route (matches a base station and where applicable sector identity) the correlation means sends a correlation result (35) to the decision means. The correlation result contains the identity of the mobile user equipment, the number of the selected route and the correlation status. The correlation status is ONROUTE when positively correlating the position information with the selected route and OFFROUTE when this is not the case.

The decision means receives the correlation results and maintains a record for the specific mobile user equipment identity and selected route. The actual sequence of base station (and where applicable sector) identities as received in the correlation results is stored in this record. The decision means processes the contents of the record to determine resulting triggers events (5) to the telecommunication system when the route is completed. Completion of the route can be; a LOST or TIMEOUT correlation status received in the correlation result or a user message to the route adherence service resulting in a stop correlation message (6b). The rules applicable for processing the record contents and generating related trigger events are stored with the predefined route in the database of the route adherence system.

As indicated in fig. 2, a predefined route could be part of the complete route from departure to destination as within city boundaries the route adherence could be used to direct traffic away from city centres. For user A, who travelled from departure to destination according to shown route in figure 2, at the end of the route the record for said mobile user equipment is: BSlOO, BSlOl, BS102, BS103. This user would have a complete adherence (100%) to the predefined route #1000. Another user (B) who travels according to indicated route (fig.2) at the end of the route the record for said mobile user equipment is BS102, BS103. User B will receive a message indicating that 50% of route #1000 was adhered to. In a second embodiment of the route adherence system a method, alternative to the cell sequence method, based on actual coordinates is used. Coordinates can be in this case a grid reference, latitude-longitude, or any other position coordinate system.

A route is expressed as a sequence of geographical points further called route points, numbered in sequence from 1 to n. A route point is designated as P_x(a,b). The actual route is a sequence of straight lines between consecutive route points called route segments. A route segment is designated by two consecutive route points as P_x(a,b)- P_x+1U,b). The route is stored in the database of the route adherence system as a sequence of route points identified with the number of the route.

The position information (4) obtained from the mobile telecommunications system (2), in case of this embodiment, consists of a circular area in which the mobile user equipment is located with a certain probability. The mobile telecommunications system obtains the position information by triangulation measurement of several base stations that receive signals from the mobile user equipment. The position information, as send by the mobile telecommunication system, comprises; an identity of the mobile user equipment, a centre point (x₅y) and radius R of the circular area, and a timestamp. The position information for mobile user equipment is send with a time interval. The interval is a preset parameter Pi in the mobile telecommunication system. Alternatively the mobile telecommunications system sends only new position information when the centre of the circular area is displaced more then a preset value from the previous. The mobile telecommunication system can also include the radius R value allowing an interval proportional to the value of R. Advantageously these matters allow tuning the input load to the correlating means.

In case of a mobile user equipment with capability to be operational connected to more then one mobile telecommunications system the correlation means overlays the position information received to increase position accuracy. The applied method is well known from multi radar tracking systems and is not explained in detail here.

The correlation means only performs a correlation process when it receives a start correlation message from the route adherence service. The start message contains the identity of the mobile user equipment, the number of the predefined route selected, and a time stamp when the service was invoked.

The correlation means uses a correlation table contained in the database of the route adherence system. The table holds a record for each combination of a mobile user equipment identity and a selected pre-defined route for which a correlation process is running (wherefore a start correlation message is received). The record is created in the table by the correlation means when it receives a start message from the route adherence service and enters the identity of the mobile user equipment, the number of the predefined route selected, and a time stamp when the service was invoked in the created record. In addition to these fields the record holds a number of other fields used in the correlation process; correlation status, correlation window points (CP a,b,c and d), time stamp of entry to route and time stamp last received position information. The correlation means removes a correlation record from the table (and hence the correlation process is stopped) when one of the following conditions occurs;

When the time stamp of the last actual update is older then a system parameter Tl. In this case a last correlation result is send to the decision means having the correlation status set to "LOST".

When no entry to the route was recorded after a system parameter To. A last correlation result is send to the decision means having the correlation status set to "TIMEDOUT". - When a stop correlation message is received from the decision means or from the route adherence service specifying the identity of the mobile user equipment and the number of the predefined route.

The correlation process takes place in two steps. In a first mode the correlation means tests continuously if the mobile user equipment enters the predefined route. Once entered the correlation means switches to a second mode in which it test directional adherence to the selected predefined route.

Before route adherence monitoring can start an entry to the route is required. As long as the position information (4) is not on the route the correlation status for that mobile user equipment identity + route number is "OFFROUTE". As long as the correlation status is off route no correlation results are send to the decision means.

In the first mode the correlation means tests if the position information comes on to the route. It therefore calculates a distance D between the centre point of the position information and each route point and perpendicular to each route segment. The smallest of the calculated distances is the closest point to the route. The correlation means extracts the required route points from the database based on the number of the route as indicated in the correlation record. The shortest distance D found is the probable entry point.

If D is equal or smaller then R the correlation status is changed to "ONROUTE" for the specific combination of mobile identity and number of the route. The correlation status and a time stamp of the moment of entry on the route are stored in the correlation record. The correlation means also initiates a correlation window.

The correlation window is a 4-point window imaginary sliding over the route as indicated in fig 4. The 4 points are further identified as Correlation window points (CP) a,b,c and d. The movement of the window is always in the direction of CPd resembling the movement of the mobile user equipment along the route. The position information of the mobile user equipment is always between CPb and CPc. If this crosses CPb then CPd becomes the next point of the route and the contents of CPd shifts to CPc, CPc to CPb and CPb to CPa. If it moves towards CPd the window is locked and if the position crosses CPd it is considered not to have adhered to the direction of the route like when turning back half way the route. The unidirectional operation is the preferred embodiment of the correlation window. Alternatively it can be bidirectional.

The CPa_sb,c,d in the correlation window get the number of a route point. Following rules apply; if the position information correlates to a route point then CPb has the number of the route point. If it correlates to a route segment CPb and CPc have the number of the delimiting route points. If the position information correlates to the first or last route point or segment CPa or CPd is O.

Upon entry to the route the correlation means fills CPa₉b,c and d with initial values before continuing in mode 2. If the position information of the mobile user equipment correlates with the first route point P_1(ajb) of the route, CPa,b,c,d get the values (0,1,1,2). If it was to the last route point P_n(a>b)> the record fields CPa,b,c,d get the values (O,n,n,n-1). In case of correlation to a route segment delimited by route points P_x(a>b) and P_x+1(aιb) the values of CPa,b,c,d get the values (-l,x,x+l,-l). As upon entry the direction the route is followed is not yet known the previous and next route points (CPa and CPd) get in this case the value -1. The correlation means sends a first correlation result to the decision means, comprising mobile user equipment identity, route number, status, value of CPb and CPc. The second mode is correlation of the directional adherence to the route. This mode is only performed when the correlation status is ONROUTE and replaces the previous mode. The distance D is now calculated only for route points and route segments as indicated in the correlation window by the values of CPa,b,c and d. A CP having the value 0 is excluded. A CP with the value -1 is included and the correlation means determines the value for the previous and next point based on the value of CPb and CPc. The smallest distance D of the maximum 4 points and 3 segments is the route point or segment the position information correlates to given that D is smaller then the radius R. Based on which point or segment in the correlation windows the position information correlates to, the window keeps its position or is moved one point ahead along the route. The applicable rules are embedded in the correlation means. The table below defines the rules. The table is not complete but is merely intended to give an indication of the how the rules work. The current value of the CPs, together with the correlation gives the new values for the CPs as well as the correlation status. The new CP values as well as the new correlation status are stored in the correlation record by the correlation means.

Table 1

When in mode 2, for each incoming position information a correlation is made and the correlation result is send to the decision means as indicated before for mode 1.

Correlation of the position information of the mobile user equipment could be performed with one position on the preferred route. However, due to inaccuracy of the triangulation in the mobile telecommunications system jitter in the correlation might be introduced. To reduce the jitter, the preferred embodiment of the correlation window with 4 points (a, b, c, d), 3 segments (a-b), (b-c) and (c-d) correlation as shown in the table is an adequate compensation of the jitter problem. The setting, as shown in the table before, corresponds with the jitter compensation (JC=I) situation. A more sensitive correlation can be achieved by moving to the next route point when correlating with CPc (JC=O setting). A less sensitive correlation can be achieved when waiting to move to the next route point till correlation with CPd (JC=2). The different settings for JC are visualized in figure 4. The jitter compensation can be set even less sensitive by extending the size of the correlation window (extending the number of route points and segments).

Claims

1. A telecommunications system (1) comprising a mobile telecommunications system (2) consisting of at least one mobile switching center (23a, 23b) being operatively connected to at least one base station (21a, 21b, 21c, 2Id) as well as at least one mobile user equipment (20) operatively connected to said at least one mobile base station (21a, 21b, 21c, 2Id), wherein each at least one base station (21a, 21b, 21c, 2Id), corresponds to a specific geographical area (G, G¹ ,G' ',G¹ ' '), wherein said at least one mobile user equipment (20) can be present, and wherein the mobile telecommunications system (2) generates a position information (4) representing the actual presence of said at least one mobile user equipment (20) within the geographical area (G₅ G',G¹ ',G¹ ' '), characterised in that the telecommunications system (1) further comprises a route adherence system (3) having correlating means (31), a decision means and a database (33), wherein the correlating means (31) is arranged in receiving said position information (4) generated by the Mobile telecommunications system (2) and performing a correlation on said position information (4) with a selected predefined route stored in the database (33), where the correlating means provides a result of said correlation to the decision means (32) arranged for generating trigger events (5) for use by other systems or services, dependent on predefined decision rules, stored in said database (33).

2. The telecommunications system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said position information (4) contains the identity of the mobile user equipment and information about a position of the mobile user equipment.

3. The telecommunications system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said predefined routes are stored at the database (33) as a sequence of position information.

4. The telecommunications system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said correlating means (31) is arranged for correlating received position information (4) with the sequence of position information related to the selected predefined route and providing a correlation result to the decision means (32).

5. The telecommunications system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said correlating means (31) is arranged for receiving a correlation-start message (6a) to start a new correlation, from a route adherence service (7).

6. The telecommunications system (1) according to claim I to 4, wherein said correlating means (31) is arranged in receiving a correlation-stop message (6b) to stop an existing correlation, from decision means (32) or from route adherence service (7).

7. The telecommunications system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the database (33) is further arranged to store records of the correlation process performed by correlation means (31) in a correlation table.

8. The telecommunications system (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the decision means (32) is arranged for generating trigger events (5) for use by other systems or services based on a set of the decision rules where each is set is dedicated to one or more predefined routes.

9. The telecommunications system (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the position of the mobile user equipment is and the sequence of position information related to the selected predefined route is expressed as; geographical area (G, 6',G¹¹ _JG¹¹¹) corresponding to a base station (21a, 21b, 21c, 2Id), or the identity of said at least one base station (21a, 21b, 21c, 2Id) or a sector from a base station, or geographical coordinates.

10. The telecommunications system (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the mobile telecommunications system [Z) is a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) comprising base stations (21a, 21b, 21c, 2Id), Base station controllers (22a, 22b) and Mobile switching centers (23a, 23b).

11. The telecommunications system (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the mobile telecommunications system (2) is a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) comprising radio base stations (2Ia₅21b, 21c, 2Id) and radio network Controllers (23a, 23b).

12. Method for generating trigger events (5), based on the adherence of a mobile user equipment (20) to a selected predefined route, within a telecommunication system (1) comprising at least one mobile telecommunications system (2) consisting of at least one mobile switching center (23a, 23b) being operatively connected to at least one base station (21a, 21b, 21c, 2Id) where the mobile user equipment (20) is operatively connected to said at least one mobile base station (21a, 21b, 21c, 2Id), wherein each at least one base station (21a, 21b, 21c, 2Id), corresponds to a specific geographical area (G, G¹ ,G¹ ',G¹ ' '), wherein said at least one mobile user equipment (20) can be present, and wherein the mobile telecommunications system (2) generates a position information (4) representing the actual presence of said at least one mobile user equipment (20) within the geographical area (G, 6',G¹¹JG¹¹¹), comprising during operation the steps of: - detecting the actual presence of said at least mobile user equipment (20) within a specific geographical area (G, G¹, G", G¹¹¹) corresponding to one of said at least one base station (21a, 21b, 21c, 2Id) by the mobile telecommunications network(2),

- generating a position information (4) by said mobile telecommunications network(2); containing the actual presence of said at least one mobile user equipment (20) within the geographical area (G, G¹, G¹', G¹¹') corresponding to said at least one base station (21a, 21b, 21c, 2Id),

- emitting said position information (4) by mobile telecommunications network(2),

- receiving said position information (4) by correlating means (31),

- correlating the position information (4) with a selected predefined route by said correlating means (31),

- emitting the result of said correlation as correlation result (35) by said correlating means,

- receiving said correlation result (35) by the decision means (32),

- deciding whether a trigger event (5) has to be generated based on decision rules by the decision means (32), - emitting set trigger events by set decision means (32).

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the predefined routes are entered into the database (33) based on user entry via the route adherence service (7) by means of internet or based on proprietor entry via a maintenance interface of the route adherence monitoring system (3).

14. The method according to claim 12 wherein said event generation is started by sending a start-correlation message (6a) to the route adherence monitoring system (3) by the route adherence service (7).

15. The method according to claim 12 wherein said event generation is stopped by sending a stop-correlation message (6b) to the route adherence monitoring system (3) by the route adherence service (7) or by the decision means (35).