Roaming Mobile Terminal Network Selection via Home Operator Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile network selection methods for roaming users are inadequate as they do not allow for dynamic selection based on user-specific needs, such as service type, cost, and quality of service, leading to suboptimal network choices.
Innovation Solution
A method where a roaming mobile terminal interacts with the Home Operator to select a Visited PLMN based on user-defined service profiles, prioritizing networks according to criteria like availability, cost, and quality of service, with the Home Operator controlling the selection process to optimize network choice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mobile terminal performs automatic network selection using standard rules, then the selection process is simple and fast, but the user cannot select networks based on specific service needs, cost, or quality of service criteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic network selection by allowing users to define service profiles with specific criteria (service types, cost thresholds, QoS requirements). The system dynamically adapts network selection based on these user-defined parameters rather than using static automatic selection rules, enabling flexibility while maintaining ease of operation through profile-based management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the selection parameters from simple signal strength-based automatic selection to multi-criteria selection based on service types, cost, and quality of service. Users can modify these parameters through service profiles, allowing the system to select networks that optimize for specific criteria rather than following fixed automatic selection rules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile terminal performs manual network selection, then the user can choose networks based on information, but the terminal must process and display extensive network information, increasing computational burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex information processing and network evaluation functions from the mobile terminal and relocates them to the network side (Home Operator). The terminal only needs to select from pre-processed network lists provided by the Home Operator, significantly reducing terminal computational burden while maintaining user choice through interactive selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The Home Operator acts as an intermediary between the user's network selection needs and the available networks. It processes service profiles, evaluates network options based on user criteria, and provides optimized network lists to the terminal, mediating the complex selection process and reducing terminal complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the Home Operator controls network selection, then precise network optimization is achieved, but the terminal loses autonomy in selection decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the terminal provides user preferences and service profile information to the Home Operator, which then returns optimized network selections. This feedback loop enables precise network optimization based on user needs while maintaining terminal autonomy through iterative interaction rather than unilateral control.
Solution Approach 2:
The Home Operator performs preliminary network evaluation and filtering based on user service profiles before presenting options to the terminal. This preliminary action reduces the decision space for the terminal while maintaining precision, as the terminal only needs to select from pre-optimized networks rather than evaluating all available options.
4Speed
If the terminal stores preferred network lists locally, then quick selection is possible, but the information may be outdated and not reflect current network conditions or updated roaming agreements
Solution Approach 1:
The Home Operator performs preliminary network evaluation and provides updated network lists to the terminal before selection is needed. This ensures the terminal receives current network information reflecting latest roaming agreements and network conditions, maintaining both speed (through pre-processed lists) and information currency (through Home Operator updates).
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the terminal reports its location and current network conditions to the Home Operator, which then provides updated network recommendations. This feedback loop ensures the terminal always has access to current network information while maintaining quick selection capability through localized cache of recent recommendations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method allows the selection of a user-preferred visited mobile network for a roaming mobile terminal of a subscriber of a home network. The method includes, at the home network, the steps of receiving information on the location of the roaming mobile terminal, and receiving from the roaming mobile terminal service information including at least a choice of a service and controlling the selection of the visited mobile network for the roaming mobile terminal on the basis of the received service information and location information.