Terminal Network Search Mode Adaptation for Roaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users experience prolonged network access times when roaming, as terminals often fail to quickly find compatible communication networks due to differences in standards between home and visited countries, leading to inefficient searching and poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

The method involves adding the WCDMA network search mode to the terminal's list when the SIM card belongs to an operator not supporting the WCDMA standard, allowing it to search for and register with WCDMA networks in the visited area before the no-service timer times out, even if other standards are not supported, thereby improving search efficiency and user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal searches for communication networks using only the standards supported by the SIM card operator, then the terminal can avoid searching for incompatible networks, but the terminal fails to find available networks in visited countries with different standards, leading to prolonged access time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork access success rateVSAvoidnetwork access time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal dynamically changes the search parameters by adding WCDMA network search mode to its list of search modes when roaming abroad, even though its SIM card operator does not support WCDMA. This parameter change enables the terminal to search for and access available networks in visited countries, resolving the contradiction between search reliability and access time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the terminal adds WCDMA network search mode to its search list while roaming, then the terminal can find and register with available WCDMA networks faster, but the terminal increases its search complexity and power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork search efficiencyVSAvoidsearch mode complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal dynamically adjusts its search mode list based on roaming status rather than maintaining a fixed configuration. When roaming is detected, the terminal automatically adds WCDMA search mode to its list; when not roaming, it maintains its original search configuration. This dynamic adjustment improves search efficiency during roaming while avoiding unnecessary complexity during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal performs preliminary detection of roaming status and proactively adds the appropriate search mode before network access is attempted. By detecting the roaming condition in advance and preparing the extended search list, the terminal avoids delays during the actual network access process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal searches for networks in FULL RAT mode, then the terminal can access any available network standard, but the terminal consumes more power and performs more extensive searching than necessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork standard compatibilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal applies partial action by selectively adding only the WCDMA search mode to its search list when roaming, rather than enabling all possible search modes. This partial extension of search capability provides the necessary adaptability to access available networks while avoiding the excessive power consumption that would result from searching all possible network standards simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3376797B1Method for searching for network and terminal
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3376797B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3376797B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3376797B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method for searching for a network and a terminal is provided. The method includes: adding a mode in which a terminal searches for a WCDMA network to a list of modes in which the terminal searches for communication networks, when a SIM card inserted in the terminal belongs to a first operator not supporting a WCDMA standard; searching for a first WCDMA network operated in a visited place when the terminal roams to the visited place, and residing in the first WCDMA network to acquire location information of the visited place; and registering in a second WCDMA network operated in the visited place, according to the location information of the visited place.