Home PLMN Scanning Control in Mobile Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile communication terminals fail to periodically scan for the Home Public Land Mobile Network (Home PLMN) when in non-idle modes, leading to prolonged stays in Visitor PLMN even when a Home PLMN is available, due to the expiration of the Home PLMN scanning timer during data transmission, SMS, or calls.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine the operation mode of a mobile communication terminal upon expiration of the Home PLMN scanning timer, setting a flag in non-idle modes to delay scanning until the terminal returns to idle mode, and then checking the flag to initiate Home PLMN scanning based on the expired timer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile communication terminal periodically scans the Home PLMN when the scanning timer expires, then the terminal can detect available Home PLMN networks, but the terminal cannot perform scanning when in non-idle modes (data transmission, SMS, or calls)

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHome PLMN detection reliabilityVSAvoidScanning execution frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal checks the operation mode before attempting to scan for Home PLMN. If the terminal is in non-idle mode, the scanning action is postponed until idle mode is achieved, ensuring scanning only occurs when communication resources are available

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The scanning behavior dynamically adapts based on the terminal's operation mode. The system transitions between scanning and non-scanning states depending on whether the terminal is in idle or non-idle mode, making the scanning process flexible rather than rigid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the terminal omits Home PLMN scanning when in non-idle mode to maintain communication activities, then communication services can continue uninterrupted, but the terminal may remain in Visitor PLMN even when Home PLMN is available

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCommunication service continuityVSAvoidTime spent in Visitor PLMN

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the operation mode and uses this feedback to determine when to perform scanning. When the terminal returns to idle mode after communication activities, the scanning is triggered, creating a feedback loop that balances service continuity with network detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal performs Home PLMN scanning periodically when in idle mode, rather than continuously. This periodic action occurs at intervals determined by the scanning timer expiration, reducing interference with communication services while still achieving periodic network detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8565762B2Apparatus and method for scanning a home public land mobile network in a mobile communication terminal

Publication Date: 2013.10.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are an apparatus and a method for scanning a Home Public Land Mobile Network (Home PLMN) in a mobile communication terminal that includes the operations of determining an operation mode of the mobile communication terminal, if a Home PLMN scanning timer expires, and setting a flag to indicate that the Home PLMN scanning timer expires, if the mobile communication terminal is determined to be in a non-idle mode. As a result, the Home PLMN can be searched as fast as possible.