Modem Cell Barring for Network Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile phones often experience network communication failures due to modem abnormalities during switching between communication systems, leading to prolonged network unavailability and the need for manual rebooting, which is inflexible and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that detect abnormal network communication functions in modems, disconnect them from current cells, set the cells as barred for a specified duration, and search for alternative cells supporting the same Radio Access Technology (RAT), allowing for automatic reconnection to a target cell when the barred duration expires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the modem repeatedly attempts to connect to the current cell after abnormality, then connection recovery may be achieved, but power consumption increases and connection establishment time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection recoveryVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively barring the current cell before the modem can repeatedly attempt connections. When abnormality is detected, the system sets the current cell as a barred cell with a configured barring duration, preventing further connection attempts to the faulty cell. This anticipatory measure stops the harmful repeated connection behavior before it can consume additional power, while still allowing the modem to search for and connect to alternative cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If manual rebooting is performed to restore network communication, then the modem can be reset, but user convenience is reduced and recovery time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork communication restorationVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the modem to automatically detect its own abnormality state and trigger the cell barring mechanism without requiring user intervention. The system autonomously identifies when network communication fails, bars the current cell, and initiates searches for alternative cells. This automatic self-diagnosis and self-correction capability restores network communication while eliminating the need for users to manually reboot the device, significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the modem searches for alternative cells after abnormality, then network availability is improved, but the complexity of cell management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork availabilityVSAvoidcell management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the cell status parameter from 'accessible' to 'barred' when abnormality is detected. This simple parameter transformation fundamentally changes the cell's behavior - the barred cell is automatically excluded from search results and connection attempts. The system leverages existing cell parameters (barring duration, cell identity) and reconfigures them to control the search behavior, rather than introducing complex new management mechanisms. This approach improves network availability while keeping the implementation relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10285122B2Method and apparatus for handling abnormality of network communication function and storage medium
Publication Date: 2019.05.07 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • US10285122B2 patent drawing
  • US10285122B2 patent drawing
  • US10285122B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed are a method and apparatus for handling abnormality of a network communication function. When it is determined that a network communication function of a modem is abnormal, the modem is disconnected from a current cell, the current cell is set to be a barred cell, and a first barring duration within which the barred cell is barred is set; and when a duration within which the barred cell is barred is shorter than the first barring duration, one or more cells corresponding to a Radio Access Technology (RAT) supported by the modem is searched for, the cells excluding the barred cell.