Network Switching for Wi-Fi-Assisted VoLTE Call Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the early stage of 5G SA construction, voice communication based on EPS Fallback has a higher failure rate compared to VoLTE, necessitating a balance between voice communication success rate and data transmission rate.

Innovation Solution

Disabling the 5G SA mode when Wi-Fi is available and the signal strength is high, allowing the device to register in a 4G network for VoLTE communication, thereby avoiding EPS Fallback and ensuring good Internet access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the device uses 5G SA mode for data communication, then the data transmission rate is improved, but the voice communication success rate deteriorates due to EPS Fallback requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidvoice communication success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically switches the network registration mode between 5G SA and 4G LTE based on real-time conditions. When Wi-Fi is available and signal strength is sufficient, the device disables 5G SA mode and registers on 4G LTE network, enabling VoLTE for reliable voice communication while maintaining good Internet access through Wi-Fi. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting the network mode according to environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the network registration parameter from 5G SA to 4G LTE by disabling 5G SA mode when specific conditions are met (Wi-Fi available, signal strength above threshold). This parameter change allows the device to use VoLTE for voice calls, improving voice communication success rate while maintaining data communication capabilities through Wi-Fi.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the device disables 5G SA mode to use VoLTE, then the voice communication success rate is improved, but the data transmission rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoice communication success rateVSAvoiddata transmission rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the device capable of using multiple communication channels simultaneously: Wi-Fi for data communication and 4G LTE for voice communication. By disabling 5G SA mode and registering on 4G LTE, the device uses VoLTE for reliable voice calls while relying on Wi-Fi for high-speed data transmission, thus achieving both high voice success rate and good data transmission performance through multi-functional usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the communication functions by separating voice communication and data communication into different networks. Voice communication is handled by 4G LTE (VoLTE) ensuring high success rate, while data communication is handled by Wi-Fi ensuring high transmission rate. This functional segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different optimization goals to different communication types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the device uses EPS Fallback for voice calls, then 5G SA mode can be maintained, but the voice call failure rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve5G SA mode maintenanceVSAvoidvoice call success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of maintaining 5G SA mode and using EPS Fallback (which causes high failure rates), the patent inverts the approach by disabling 5G SA mode and directly using 4G LTE with VoLTE. This inversion eliminates the need for fallback procedures and directly provides reliable voice communication, resolving the contradiction by reversing the traditional 5G-first approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4387331B1Communication method and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4387331B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4387331B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4387331B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a communications method and an electronic device. In the communications method, the electronic device registers in 5G SA, and when a Wi-Fi status of the electronic device changes, if Wi-Fi is available and a Wi-Fi signal strength is good, a 5G SA mode of the electronic device is disabled, so that the electronic device does not register in a 5G mobile communications network. Then, the electronic device may register in a 4G mobile communications network. In this case, the electronic device can establish a voice call through VoLTE, thereby avoiding Eps fallback type voice communication. In this way, a success rate of the voice call can be ensured, and a user can have good Internet access experience based on WI-FI communication.