PLMN List Timer Management for Reliable UE Network Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UE systems fail to effectively manage the entry of prohibited PLMNs in the PLMN list, leading to service failures due to the inability to delete entries when the timer is stopped before power off and lack of location information, impacting user experience.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method and system that triggers a predefined-time period timer for PLMN entries, detects switch-on operations after switch-off, calculates remaining and elapsed times, and manages PLMN entries based on comparisons to ensure timely deletion or retention in the PLMN list.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the timer is stopped before power off, then the UE can save power during idle periods, but the PLMN list entries cannot be deleted timely causing service failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by checking whether the timer has expired before attempting to delete PLMN list entries. This preliminary check ensures that the deletion operation is performed only when appropriate (i.e., when the timer has naturally expired), preventing premature or incorrect deletions while maintaining power-saving mode during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the timer status and using this information to control the deletion process. The system checks timer expiration status and adjusts its behavior accordingly - deleting entries when the timer expires and preserving them during active periods, thus resolving the contradiction between power saving and service reliability.
2Device complexity
If the timer is not restarted after switch-off, then the system complexity is reduced, but the PLMN list cannot be updated timely leading to service failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the timer behavior adaptive to device state changes. The timer is restarted specifically when a switch-off operation is detected, allowing the system to respond dynamically to user actions. This selective restarting mechanism updates the PLMN list efficiently without requiring continuous timer operation, thus balancing complexity and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timer parameter state based on operational conditions. When switch-off is detected, the timer is restarted with a new time period, effectively changing the timer's state from stopped to running. This parameter change enables timely PLMN list updates while maintaining simple system logic - the timer simply restarts rather than requiring complex state management.
3Quantity of substance
If location information is not stored for PLMN entries, then the storage requirements are reduced, but the system cannot determine when to delete entries based on user movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of the timer-based deletion mechanism from the location-based deletion mechanism. By using timer expiration as the primary deletion trigger, the system achieves entry deletion flexibility without requiring location information storage. The timer approach provides sufficient adaptability for most scenarios while minimizing storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple, lightweight timer mechanism instead of complex location tracking systems. The timer is a short-living, low-cost data structure that expires automatically after a predetermined period, providing the necessary deletion flexibility without the storage overhead of location information. This disposable timer approach is more efficient than maintaining location data for each PLMN entry.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. The method disclosed herein includes triggering a timer of a predefined-time period for an entry of one or more PLMN-IDs associated with one or more PLMNs in the PLMN list. The method includes detecting an occurrence of a switch-on operation of the UE subsequent to an occurrence of a switch-off operation of the UE. The method includes calculating a remaining time of the timer at a time of the occurrence of the switch-off operation and determining an elapsed time between the switch-off operation of the UE and the switch-on operation of the UE. The method includes comparing the calculated remaining time and the determined elapsed time and managing the entry of the one or more PLMN-IDs in the PLMN list.