Cellular Network Selection via Wi-Fi Location Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices face significant challenges in quickly selecting a suitable cellular network due to the need to scan an increasing number of bands and radio access technologies, which prolongs battery life depletion and user experience degradation.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a pre-loaded location database that correlates Wi-Fi access points' MAC addresses with cellular base stations' locations to prioritize band searches, expediting network selection by determining the device's current location and reordering band priority.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile device scans all channels within GPRS, UMTS, or LTE band groups to find a suitable cellular network, then the network selection comprehensiveness is improved, but the time required for network selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-populating a database with location information of Wi-Fi access points and corresponding cellular base stations before the mobile device needs to select a network. When the device detects a Wi-Fi signal, it can immediately query the database to obtain prioritized band information without performing exhaustive scans, thus resolving the contradiction between comprehensive network selection and fast selection time.
2Reliability
If the mobile device scans an ever-growing set of bands and radio access technologies to ensure optimal network selection, then the network selection accuracy is improved, but the battery energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores band priority information in a database before the mobile device needs to select a network. By pre-processing and storing the relationship between Wi-Fi access points and optimal cellular bands, the device avoids performing exhaustive scans that consume significant battery energy, thus resolving the contradiction between network selection accuracy and energy consumption.
3Reliability
If the mobile device performs a complete scan of all radio access technologies to ensure suitable network acquisition, then the service acquisition reliability is improved, but the user experience deteriorates due to prolonged selection time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-populates a database with location information of Wi-Fi access points and corresponding cellular base stations, including prioritized band information. When the mobile device detects a Wi-Fi signal, it queries the database to immediately obtain prioritized band information without performing exhaustive scans. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction between service acquisition reliability and user experience by enabling fast network selection while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
4Reliability
If the mobile device stores a comprehensive PLMN list with all possible networks and priority orders to ensure optimal network selection, then the network selection capability is improved, but the device memory requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a database as an intermediary that stores the relationship between Wi-Fi access points and corresponding cellular base stations with prioritized band information. Instead of storing all possible PLMN lists in the mobile device, the system uses this intermediary database to provide location-specific network information, thus reducing device memory requirements while maintaining comprehensive network selection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of selecting a cellular network includes storing a location database in a memory of a mobile device, the location database providing location data for one or more locations each identified by a unique identifier, in response to recognizing the identifier, determining a current location of the mobile device by looking up the identifier in the database, prioritizing bands based on the current location to define a band priority, and selecting the cellular network based on the band priority.