Geofence-Based Network Search for Wireless Devices

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, user equipment (UE) experiencing out-of-service scenarios often engage in full radio access technology (RAT) and frequency band scans, leading to high power consumption and delayed network reestablishment, as these scans include bands not deployed in the new geographic area.

Innovation Solution

The UE determines a geofence identifier based on elapsed time in an out-of-service state, identifies location-specific radio access technologies (RAT) and frequency bands, and performs targeted MCC-based band scans before resuming full RAT scans, optimizing power usage and expediting network reconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE performs a full RAT and frequency band scan to search for network service, then the network reestablishment reliability is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork reestablishment reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network search process into two phases: first searching only frequency bands relevant to the geofence region, then performing full RAT scans only if necessary. This segmentation allows the UE to avoid unnecessary scanning of frequency bands not deployed in the current geographic region, reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable network reestablishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by obtaining geofence information and identifying relevant frequency bands before initiating the network search. By determining which frequency bands are deployed in the geofence region in advance, the UE can focus its search efforts on relevant bands first, reducing overall power consumption while ensuring reliable network reestablishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the UE performs a broad network search without location information, then the network reestablishment reliability is improved, but the time required for service acquisition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork reestablishment reliabilityVSAvoidservice acquisition time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network search process into two phases: first searching only frequency bands relevant to the geofence region, then performing full RAT scans only if necessary. This segmentation allows the UE to avoid unnecessary scanning of frequency bands not deployed in the current geographic region, reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable network reestablishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by obtaining geofence information and identifying relevant frequency bands before initiating the network search. By determining which frequency bands are deployed in the geofence region in advance, the UE can focus its search efforts on relevant bands first, reducing overall power consumption while ensuring reliable network reestablishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the UE performs targeted searches on specific RATs and frequency bands based on geofence information, then the power consumption is reduced, but the risk of missing available networks increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidnetwork detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network search process into two phases: first searching only frequency bands relevant to the geofence region, then performing full RAT scans only if necessary. This segmentation allows the UE to avoid unnecessary scanning of frequency bands not deployed in the current geographic region, reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable network reestablishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE monitors the results of the initial targeted search and automatically transitions to a full RAT scan if no suitable network is found. This feedback-based approach ensures that the UE does not miss available networks while still benefiting from the power savings of targeted searching when networks are available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10244457B1Service search using geofence configurations

Publication Date: 2019.03.26 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

The present aspects relate to out-of-service searches in a wireless communication system. Specifically, the present aspects provide that while in an out-of-service state corresponding to a radio resource disconnection, a user equipment (UE) may determine that a first time duration following entry into the out-of-service state has elapsed. The UE may further obtain a geofence identifier representing a shape forming a geographic region including one or more boundaries based on determining that the first time duration has elapsed. The UE may further identify at least one location identifier based at least on the geofence identifier and determine at least one radio access technology (RAT) and one or more associated frequency bands based on the at least one location identifier. The UE may further search on the at least one RAT and one or more associated frequency bands for at least one network entity within the geographic region.