Network Discovery Using Geographical Index Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current techniques for network discovery and selection between 3GPP and non-3GPP systems are inefficient, leading to increased power consumption and battery drain in mobile devices, as they require continuous scanning for multiple radio technologies and frequent communication with network devices, especially when non-3GPP networks provide limited coverage.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication unit equipped with signal processing logic to receive hierarchical policies of network information, allowing it to perform network discovery and selection without entering an active mode, using existing 3GPP mobile management concepts and segmenting network information based on geographical indices, thereby reducing unnecessary data reception and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If continuous scanning for multiple radio technologies is performed, then network discovery capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork discovery capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments network information by geographical indices (tracking area codes, routing area codes, cell IDs) so that the wireless communication unit only receives and processes network information relevant to its current location. This segmentation allows the device to remain in idle mode while still discovering available networks by matching received geographical indices with stored information, eliminating continuous scanning requirements and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the network device pre-segment and provide network information (including geographical indices and system information) to the wireless communication unit while it is in idle mode. This allows the device to perform network discovery using pre-received information without needing to actively scan or transition to active mode, thereby maintaining network discovery capability while minimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If frequent communication with network devices is performed, then network selection accuracy is improved, but battery life deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork selection accuracyVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the network device provide comprehensive network information (including system information, access conditions, and geographical indices) in advance while the wireless communication unit is in idle mode. This allows the device to perform accurate network selection using pre-received information without frequent active communications, thereby maintaining network selection accuracy while preserving battery life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the wireless communication unit to autonomously perform network discovery and selection using stored network information and received geographical indices without requiring frequent network device communication. The device can independently determine which networks are available in its current location by matching received geographical indices with stored information, reducing communication frequency and extending battery life while maintaining accurate network selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If hierarchical policy of network information is received and stored, then network discovery efficiency is improved, but device memory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork discovery efficiencyVSAvoidmemory requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments network information by geographical indices (tracking area codes, routing area codes, cell IDs) into organized hierarchical structures. This segmentation allows the wireless communication unit to efficiently store and retrieve only the network information relevant to specific geographical areas, improving network discovery efficiency by enabling quick location-based queries while managing memory usage through structured organization rather than storing all possible network information uniformly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9107112B2Access network discovery and selection in a multi-access technology cellular communication system

Publication Date: 2015.08.11 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A wireless communication unit (302, 405, 505, 605) is capable of communicating with a plurality of communication networks in a cellular communication system, where the plurality of communication networks employ a respective plurality of radio access technologies. The wireless communication unit (302, 405, 505, 605) comprises a receiver for receiving a message from a network device in the cellular communication system; and signal processing logic, operably coupled to the receiver, for determining from the received message a hierarchical policy of network information that applies to the plurality of radio access technologies.