UE Network Selection via Restricted Local Operator Service

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently selecting a public land mobile network (PLMN) for user equipment (UE) when manual network selection fails, leading to service disruptions and increased resource consumption due to the explosive growth in data traffic and demand for high-speed services.

Innovation Solution

A method for UE to attempt registration on a manually selected PLMN, search for PLMNs providing a restricted local operator service (RLOS), and initiate registration for RLOS on a specific PLMN from the configured RLOS PLMN list, with the option to try subsequent PLMNs if the initial attempt fails, while informing the user about available RLOS services and obtaining consent for RLOS service access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual network selection is used, then user control over network choice is improved, but service continuity and reliability deteriorate when registration fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser controlVSAvoidservice continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces RLOS PLMN list as an intermediary mechanism between manual network selection and automatic network selection. When manual selection fails, the system automatically searches for PLMNs in the RLOS list, acting as a mediator that maintains service continuity without completely removing user control options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The RLOS PLMN list is pre-configured with alternative networks before manual selection failure occurs. This preliminary preparation ensures that when registration fails, the UE can immediately attempt registration with pre-identified alternative PLMNs, maintaining service continuity without delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If automatic search for alternative PLMNs is performed, then service continuity is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidprocessing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PLMN selection process into distinct phases: manual selection phase, automatic RLOS search phase (triggered only on failure), and registration attempt phase. This segmentation ensures that automatic search operations are performed only when necessary, reducing overall processing overhead while maintaining service continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial automatic search by only searching for PLMNs in the pre-configured RLOS list rather than conducting a comprehensive search of all available networks. This partial action reduces processing complexity while still achieving service continuity through alternative networks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If multiple PLMN registration attempts are made, then service availability is improved, but time consumption and battery usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidservice disconnect time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The RLOS PLMN list is pre-configured with multiple alternative networks in advance, ordered by priority. This preliminary preparation allows the UE to attempt registration with multiple PLMNs sequentially without performing extensive searches each time, reducing time consumption and battery usage while maintaining service availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the registration attempt process by first trying the user-selected PLMN, then automatically attempting registration with PLMNs from the RLOS list in sequence. This dynamic approach ensures service availability is maintained while minimizing unnecessary registration attempts and associated time/battery costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If RLOS service is automatically accessed, then service continuity is improved, but user awareness and consent control are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoiduser awareness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that notify the user when automatic RLOS PLMN search and registration is performed. This feedback ensures user awareness of the automatic actions taken while maintaining service continuity, balancing automated service restoration with user information rights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10856248B2Method for selecting network providing restricted local operator service in wireless communication system and apparatus thereof

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A method for selecting, by a user equipment (UE), a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes attempting a registration on a PLMN selected by a user in a manual network selection mode, if the registration on the PLMN selected by the user cannot be achieved, finding one or more PLMNs offering access to restricted local operator service (RLOS), selecting a specific PLMN of the found one or more PLMNs among PLMNs contained in a RLOS PLMN list configured to a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) of the UE, and initiating a registration for an access to RLOS on the specific PLMN, thereby using RLOS with high quality and high security.