Dynamic Roaming Search Period Adjustment for Mobile Terminals

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile radio communication terminals experience increased energy consumption and reduced autonomy when roaming, particularly when attached to foreign networks, leading to frequent network interrogations that drain battery life, especially in vehicles crossing borders.

Innovation Solution

A method for managing roaming that dynamically adjusts the search period for available networks based on whether the current network is preferred, using a priority-based list to extend the search period when the current network is preferred and shorten it when it is not, thereby optimizing energy usage while maintaining the ability to switch to a better network when available.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile terminal frequently searches for available networks while roaming, then the terminal can detect better network opportunities and switch to preferred networks, but the energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork switching capabilityVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the search period variable rather than fixed. The terminal dynamically adjusts the network search period based on whether the current network is preferred or not. When attached to a non-preferred network, the search period is shortened to enable faster detection of better networks. When attached to a preferred network, the search period is extended to reduce energy consumption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliable network switching capability and reducing battery consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of search period duration based on network preference status. By modifying this key parameter according to the terminal's attachment state (preferred vs. non-preferred network), the system optimizes the balance between network detection reliability and energy consumption. The search period is adjusted from a fixed value to a variable parameter that adapts to operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the mobile terminal uses a short search period to frequently check for better networks, then the terminal can switch to preferred networks quickly, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork switching speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the search period based on the current network's preference status. When the terminal is attached to a non-preferred network, it uses a shorter search period to enable faster network switching. When attached to a preferred network, it extends the search period to conserve energy. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between switching speed and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic network searching with variable periods. Instead of continuous searching or fixed periodic searching, the system uses conditional periodic action where the period length changes based on whether the current network is preferred. This allows the terminal to maintain fast switching capability when needed while reducing power consumption during stable attachments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Duration of action of moving object

If the mobile terminal extends the search period to save energy, then the battery life is improved, but the terminal may miss opportunities to switch to better networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidnetwork optimization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the search period parameter based on network preference conditions. When the current network is preferred, the search period is extended to preserve battery life. When the current network is non-preferred, the search period is shortened to maintain network optimization capability. This conditional parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between battery life and network optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts the search period to match operational needs. The terminal monitors its attachment status and adjusts the search period accordingly, making the system both energy-efficient during stable preferred network attachments and responsive during non-preferred network attachments. This dynamic behavior resolves the trade-off between battery life and network optimization capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3756390B1Management of the roaming of a mobile terminal by dynamic adaptation of the radiocommunication networks search period
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3756390B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for managing the roaming of a mobile terminal attached to a nominal radiocommunication network, HPLMN, comprising, when the current attachment network is not said nominal network, a search for the available networks according to a period stored in said terminal, so as to consider a switching of current attachment network; said method being characterized in that it also comprises a comparison (S3) of the identifier of said current attachment network with a list of identifiers of preferred networks, and a determination (S5, S6) of said period as a function of the result of said comparison, so that said determined period is bigger when said current attachment network belongs to said preferred networks.