Terminal UI Display for 4G-5G Access Network Type Determination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In the context of 5G mobile communication networks with a non-standalone (NSA) architecture, there is a challenge in accurately determining and displaying the type of access network currently connected through a user interface (UI) on terminal devices, as both 4G and 5G access networks coexist, and existing solutions do not effectively differentiate between them based on signal quality.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for UI display that determine the signal quality of neighboring cells for both 4G and 5G access networks and display prompt information accordingly, ensuring that only networks with sufficient signal quality are preferred for data transmission, thereby accurately reflecting the current network state and user scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the terminal device displays access network type without considering signal quality, then the UI display is simple and fast, but the accuracy of network type determination is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of access network type determinationVSAvoidcomplexity of signal quality measurement and display logic
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs preliminary measurement of neighboring cell signal qualities for both 4G and 5G access networks before determining the current access network type. By measuring the signal qualities of neighboring cells in advance, the system can accurately determine the current network type without adding complex real-time measurement logic during the display decision process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from neighboring cell signal quality measurements to verify and confirm the current access network type determination. By comparing the measured signal qualities against threshold values, the system can feedback-adjust its network type identification to ensure accuracy, resolving the contradiction between simple display logic and accurate network type determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the terminal device measures neighboring-cell signal qualities for both 4G and 5G networks, then the accuracy of network state reflection is improved, but the measurement time and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of network state reflectionVSAvoidtime for measuring and processing signal qualities
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs neighboring cell signal quality measurements in advance during network registration or when network status changes, rather than performing continuous real-time measurements. This preliminary action stores the measurement results for later use in determining current network type, significantly reducing the time required during actual display operations while maintaining reliable network state reflection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system measures signal qualities of neighboring cells selectively based on configured criteria rather than measuring all possible neighboring cells uniformly. By applying partial measurement strategies focused on relevant network types and cells, the system achieves reliable network state reflection without the time penalty of exhaustive measurement of all possible networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If the terminal device uses only current serving cell information to determine access network type, then the determination is fast and simple, but the accuracy is insufficient for moving terminals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of access network type determinationVSAvoidspeed of network type determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device pre-measures and stores signal quality information of neighboring cells during network registration or initial attachment procedures. When determining current network type, the system retrieves pre-stored measurement data rather than performing new measurements, achieving both high accuracy and fast determination speed. This preliminary action eliminates the trade-off between measurement precision and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a copy of neighboring cell signal quality measurement results that are stored and reused for network type determination. Instead of performing new measurements during each determination, the system uses copied historical measurement data, significantly speeding up the determination process while maintaining accuracy. This copying approach resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3833101B1UI display method and apparatus, and terminal device
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3833101B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3833101B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3833101B1 patent drawingFigure 5(a)~5(b)

AI summary

A method and device for user interface (UI) display, and a terminal device are provided. The method includes the following. A first neighboring-cell signal quality obtained by measuring a neighboring cell of a first access network is determined, and a second neighboring-cell signal quality obtained by measuring a neighboring cell of a second access network is determined. First prompt information for the first access network or second prompt information for the second access network is displayed based on the first neighboring-cell signal quality and the second neighboring-cell signal quality.