Mobile Terminal Network Selection via Autonomous Cell Recording

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile terminals struggle to quickly return to a network with higher priority when the network side does not provide priority identifiers, leading to prolonged residence on lower-priority networks despite favorable conditions.

Innovation Solution

The method involves recording the cell of the top-priority network when unable to connect, monitoring it while on a lower-priority network, and handover to the top-priority network based on preset conditions, such as cell identity or time intervals, regardless of the current network state, allowing the terminal to determine and switch to a higher-priority network independently of network-side identifiers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile terminal relies on network-side priority identifiers for network selection, then the network management is centralized and standardized, but the terminal cannot quickly return to high-priority networks when identifiers are not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork selection reliabilityVSAvoidtime to return to high-priority network
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal autonomously determines network priority based on preset rules (e.g., LTE as top priority) and independently decides handover timing without waiting for network-side priority identifiers, enabling self-service network selection that resolves the contradiction between standardized management and quick return to high-priority networks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal pre-records the cell identity and departure time from the top-priority network before actually leaving, so that when it later monitors and detects the same cell again, it can immediately trigger handover based on the preset time period condition, eliminating the need to wait for network-side priority information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the mobile terminal waits for network-side priority identifiers to trigger handover, then the network control is maintained, but the terminal remains on low-priority networks even when conditions are favorable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork switching speedVSAvoidterminal autonomy complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal independently monitors cells, compares current cell identity with recorded cell identity, checks time intervals against preset periods, and autonomously triggers handover without network-side identifiers, achieving self-service network management that improves switching speed while managing complexity through simple preset rules

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal performs preliminary recording of cell identity and departure time when leaving the top-priority network, preparing all necessary data in advance so that subsequent handover decisions can be made quickly and autonomously without complex real-time analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the terminal frequently switches networks based on priority, then network optimization is achieved, but unnecessary handovers increase when already on appropriate networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork optimization efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumed by frequent handovers
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal applies preliminary anti-action by recording the departure time from the top-priority network and using this recorded information to prevent premature or unnecessary handovers, only triggering handover when the preset time period has elapsed, thus avoiding energy-wasting frequent switches while maintaining network optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3171644B1Method and apparatus for selecting network
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3171644B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3171644B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3171644B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and an apparatus for selecting a network, including: a mobile terminal recording (S101) a cell of the top-priority-network that the mobile terminal is currently unable to reside on, wherein the top-priority-network is determined based on a rule preset in the mobile terminal; and if a cell of the top-priority-network is monitored (S102) and a relationship between the monitored cell and the previously recorded cell satisfies (S103) a preset condition, handing over (S104) the mobile terminal to the monitored cell, regardless of whether a current network connection state of the mobile terminal is in an idle state.