Geo-location Based Home Network Scanning Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices experience battery drain and performance issues due to frequent scanning for their home wireless communication network while roaming, as they attempt to reconnect and avoid roaming fees by periodically checking for availability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network location scanning application that uses geo-location information, such as GPS and OTDOA, to determine the device's location relative to the home network, adjusting the scanning frequency based on distance and estimated travel time, and suspending scans when far away, thereby reducing battery consumption and improving performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile devices periodically scan for home wireless communication network while roaming, then the device can detect when it returns to the home network and avoid roaming fees, but the frequent scanning causes battery drain and performance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scanning behavior adaptive rather than static. The device dynamically adjusts its scanning frequency based on real-time location information. When the device is far from the home network coverage area, scanning is suspended or reduced. When approaching or within the coverage area, scanning frequency increases. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining network detection reliability only when necessary, thereby reducing unnecessary battery consumption during periods when the device is clearly outside the home network range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of scanning frequency based on location parameters. By using GPS coordinates and comparing them with home network coverage area boundaries, the system modifies the scanning interval parameter. When the device is determined to be outside the coverage area by a threshold distance, the scanning frequency parameter is reduced or suspended. This parameter change strategy maintains the ability to detect network return while conserving energy during extended periods away from coverage.
2Speed
If mobile devices frequently scan for home network while roaming, then the device can quickly reconnect when returning to coverage area, but the scanning process inhibits device performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes reconnection speed adaptive through dynamic scanning adjustment. Instead of maintaining high-speed frequent scanning regardless of location, the system dynamically scales scanning activity based on proximity to the home network coverage area. When far away, scanning is minimized to preserve device performance. When approaching or within the area, scanning intensity increases to ensure quick reconnection. This dynamic approach maintains fast reconnection capability when needed while preventing performance degradation during normal roaming.
3Use of energy by moving object
If mobile devices suspend scanning when far from home network, then battery life is conserved and performance is optimized, but the device may delay detecting return to coverage area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using location-based triggering mechanisms. Before the device actually enters the home network coverage area, the system can detect approach based on GPS coordinates and pre-activate scanning mode. This preliminary detection of proximity allows the device to resume scanning in advance of actual coverage entry, preventing detection delays while still maintaining battery conservation during periods when the device is confirmed to be far from the coverage area.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of using geo-location information to suspend home network scanning in wireless communication networks is discussed herein. The method includes obtaining, by a mobile device, service from a first wireless communication network that is different from a second wireless communication network. The method further includes, based at least in part on the obtaining service from the first wireless communication network, scanning, by the mobile device, for the second wireless communication network. The method also includes determining, by the mobile device, a location of the mobile device and, based at least in part on the location, determining, by the mobile device, a distance of the mobile device from the second wireless communication network. Based at least in part on the distance, the mobile device delays or suspends further scanning, by the mobile device, for the second wireless communication network for at least a predetermined amount of time.