Terminal Device Network Search Triggering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for terminal devices to switch between RATs are inefficient, often causing devices to remain in low-RAT networks due to improper network configurations or inadequate switching triggers, leading to suboptimal data access speeds and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The method involves an intelligent terminal system that initiates a search for a high-priority network when the user disconnects from a current hotspot, prioritizing networks based on stored lists and searching in descending order of priority, thereby optimizing the transition to higher-RAT networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a periodic search mode is used to search for high-RAT networks, then the terminal device can autonomously initiate searching when a timer expires, but this causes power waste when the user does not move and delays searching when the user actually moves to an area with 4G/3G coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork switching reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs a preliminary judgment on whether the user is in a moving state before initiating the periodic search for high-RAT networks. By detecting movement status in advance, the system activates searching only when necessary, avoiding unnecessary power consumption during stationary periods while ensuring timely search initiation when the user moves to areas with 4G/3G coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the terminal device remains in a low-RAT network due to improper network configuration or switching not being triggered, then the device can maintain stable connection, but the data service connection speed and network access speed are lower compared to high-RAT networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiddata access speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device dynamically adjusts its network searching behavior based on user movement status. When the user is detected to be in a moving state, the system actively searches for high-RAT networks (4G/3G) to improve data access speed. When stationary, the system maintains the current low-RAT connection to ensure stability, thus dynamically optimizing the balance between connection stability and data access speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the terminal device performs blind searching for high-RAT networks without determining user movement state, then the device can potentially find higher speed networks, but unnecessary searches waste power and timely searching is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork switching efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring user movement status and using this information to control the periodic search function. The movement detection provides feedback that triggers or suppresses network searching, ensuring that searching is performed efficiently only when the user is moving, thereby improving network switching efficiency while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during stationary periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3852440B1Method for quickly searching for high-standard network, and terminal device
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3852440B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3852440B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3852440B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a method for triggering a search for a high-RAT network. When it is detected that Wi-Fi of a terminal device is disconnected, a terminal device moves out of an elevator, or a terminal device moves to another location with a comparatively good signal, the terminal device can be automatically triggered to start background searching for a network, and attempt to camp on and register with the high-RAT network.