KR102254702B1 - Method and apparatus for scanning in mobile communication terminal with sim cards - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and a user terminal for processing selection of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) in a mobile communication network are provided. In the method, the user equipment (UE) is one or more radio access technologies including a list of useful PLMNs when the UE performs manual closed subscriber group (CSG) selection. Technology: obtaining a PLMN list of RATs; Starting a PLMN list valid timer; When at least one predefined event is triggered and the PLMN list valid timer is running, the process of reusing the previously acquired PLMN list. The at least one predefined event includes at least one of Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) timer expiration, manual PLMN selection, manual CSG selection, and automatic CSG selection.

Description

A scanning method and method in a mobile communication terminal including SIM cards TECHNICAL FIELD [METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCANNING IN MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL WITH SIM CARDS}

The present invention relates to communication devices, and in particular, optimized scanning in a mobile communication terminal having single/multiple Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards using a single radio frequency (RF). scanning).

Mobile devices are generally public land mobile networks (PLMNs), macro cells, micro cells, femto cells, pico cells. It is possible to detect the presence of one or more proximity mobile terminals of various types, such as. According to existing technologies, the mobile device performs a scanning process to identify and generate a list of useful networks from which the mobile device can select one network to connect to and initiate any type of mobile communication process. As an example, PLMN list scanning may be performed to create a list of neighboring PLMNs, home PLMNs (HPLMNs) and closed subscriber groups (CSGs) or femto cells for the mobile device. . The list generated by the PLMN list scan may be helpful during PLMN selection, HPLMN selection, or CSG selection.

According to existing technologies, when the PLMN list scan is performed during PLMN selection/HPLMN selection/CSG selection procedures, and other scenarios of manual PLMN selection/HPLMN selection/CSG selection procedures are immediately initiated, the complete PLMN scan is resumed. Will be seen. These situations are generally specific scenarios such as when the user is moving and is moving from a range from one mobile terminal to another, when the user is using a mobile device with dual or multiple SIM cards. Occurs in When the UE or mobile device has multiple/dual SIM cards that use a single radio frequency (RF) to perform the PLMN list scan, the RF must be shared for a scanning operation by each SIM-related operator. do. At this time, if a call is received from another SIM, the newly received call will be lost. Therefore, for each SIM existing in the user equipment (UE), PLMN list scanning must be performed separately, and thus, each scanning operation for each SIM reduces the time required for scanning the complete PLMN list. Will increase. Also, the scanning operation for each SIM will consume more battery power.

The PLMN list acquisition procedures for different scenarios are described below.

HPLMN timer expiration: When the UE is registered in the visited PLMN (Visited PLMN: VPLMN), the UE scans and generates a PLMN list after each HPLMN timer expires. In the case of the HPLMN timer expiration, the UE based on the number of SIMs present in the UE, based on the operation mode such as single mode, dual mode, tri mode (tri mode), multi-mode of the UE, all of the Obtain a list of all available PLMNs from radio access technologies (RATs).

1 is a flow chart showing an example of the HPLMN timer expiration procedure according to the prior art.

In step 102, the UE checks whether the HPLMN timer expires. When the timer expires, the procedure proceeds to step 104, step 106, or step 108. In step 104, the UE checks whether the operation mode of the UE is a single mode including a single SIM. When the operating mode of the UE is a single mode, in step 110, a list of all available PLMNs for each RAT is obtained. In step 106, the UE checks whether the operation mode of the UE is a double mode. When the operating mode of the UE is the double mode, in step 112, a list of all available PLMNs for each of the two RATs is obtained. In step 108, the UE checks whether the operation mode of the UE is a multi-mode (for example, a tri-mode including three SIMs). When the operation mode of the UE is multi-mode (eg, tri-mode), in step 114, a list of all available PLMNs for all (eg, three) RATs is obtained.

Manual PLMN selection: Similar to the HPLMN timer expiration, for the manual PLMN selection procedure, a list of all available PLMNs is based on the number of SIMs present in the UE, single mode, dual mode, tri mode of the UE, It must be obtained from all RATs based on the operation mode, such as multi-mode and the like.

2 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the manual PLMN selection procedure according to the prior art. In step 202, the UE checks whether the selection procedure is a manual PLMN selection procedure. If the selection procedure is a manual PLMN selection procedure, the procedure proceeds to step 204, step 206, or step 208. In step 204, the UE checks whether the operation mode of the UE is a single mode operation including a single SIM. When the operating mode of the UE is a single mode, in step 210, a list of all available PLMNs for each RAT is obtained.

In step 206, the UE checks whether the operating mode of the UE is a dual mode. When the operating mode of the UE is the dual mode, in step 212, a list of all available PLMNs for each of the two RATs is obtained. In step 208, the UE checks whether the operation mode of the UE is a multi-mode (eg, tri-mode). When the operation mode of the UE is multi-mode (eg, tri-mode), in step 214, a list of all available PLMNs for all (eg, three) respective RATs is obtained.

Periodic CSG selection: For the periodic CSG selection procedure, a list of all useful PLMNs for CSG cells is based on the number of SIMs present in the UE, such as single mode, dual mode, tri mode, multi-mode, etc. It is obtained from all RATs based on the same operation mode. Here, the obtained RATs exclude 2G RATs.

3 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the periodic CSG selection procedure according to the prior art. In step 302, the UE checks whether the selection procedure is a periodic CSG selection procedure. If the selection procedure is a periodic CSG selection procedure, the procedure proceeds to step 304, step 306, or step 308. In step 304, the UE checks whether the operation mode of the UE is a single mode including a single SIM. When the operation mode of the UE is a single mode, in step 310, a list of all useful PLMNs for each RAT, except for 2G RATs, is obtained. In step 306, the UE checks whether the operating mode of the UE is a dual mode. When the operation mode of the UE is the dual mode, in step 312, a list of all useful PLMNs for each of the two RATs, except for 2G RATs, is obtained. In step 308, the UE checks whether the operation mode of the UE is a multi-mode (eg, tri-mode). When the operation mode of the UE is multi-mode (eg, tri-mode), in step 314, a list of all useful PLMNs for each RAT is obtained, except for all (eg, three) 2G RATs.

Based on the procedures as described above, problems in other scenarios are explained in the description of how the manual periodic CSG selection is implemented in a short time period along with any one of the PLMN selection, HPLMN timer expiration, and periodic CSG selection. Is confirmed.

4 is a flow diagram illustrating a problem in a confirmed scenario for a list acquisition procedure for periodic CSG timer expiration and HPLMN timer expiration according to the prior art. 4 illustrates the interaction between an access layer (AS) 404 and a non-access layer (NAS) 402 in a multi-mode UE for generating and obtaining a PLMN list. When the periodic CSG timer expires in the NAS 402, CSG discovery is performed by transmitting START_LIST_REQ to the AS 404, so that the CSG identifier (Identity: ID) along with the PLMNs in all supported RATs (4G, 3G) It is initiated to obtain a useful list of The AS 404 performs the scanning procedure by sending LIST_IND to the NAS 402 and provides a CSG-associated PLMN list in 4G and 3G RATs.

Assume that as soon as the HPLMN timer expires, the NAS 402 sends START_LIST_REQ back to the AS 404 to obtain a list of all PLMNs for 4G, 3G and 2G RATs. Even though NAS 402 already has a list of useful PLMNs recently acquired in 4G and 3G along with the CSG IDs (for the CSG cell), NAS 402 does not use the existing PLMN list. Instead, it sends the request START_LIST_REQ for the PLMN list again to obtain a corresponding list of available PLMNs from all RATs in 4G, 3G and 2G again. Since the AS 404 restarts the scanning procedures in 4G and 3G RATs, there will be a delay when acquiring the PLMN list, thus consuming more battery power. A similar problem can be observed even when the PLMN obtained due to the periodic CSG timer expiration and manual PLMN selection is triggered immediately.

5 is a flow diagram illustrating a problem in a scenario confirmed for a list acquisition procedure in two SIMs when two SIMs using a single RF in common have 4G and 3G RATs according to the prior art. to be. 5 illustrates the interaction between the AS 504 and the NAS 502 in a multi-mode UE having dual SIMs (SIM1 and SIM2) for generation and acquisition of the PLMN list. When the periodic CSG timer for SIM1 expires, when the manual PLMN is selected, or when the HPLMN timer expires, the UE needs to obtain the list of the available PLMNs in SIM1. Here, SIM1 needs to obtain the PLMN list in 4G and 3G, and SIM2 needs to obtain the PLMN list in 4G, 3G and 2G, so that both SIM1 and SIM2 use 4G and 3G RATs in common. Have. Upon expiration of the periodic CSG timer, the CSG search is initiated to obtain a useful list of the CSG IDs along with the PLMNs in all supported RATs in SIM1 by sending START_LIST_REQ to the AS 504. While the PLMN list request procedure is in progress in the AS 504 in SIM1, the RF will be used by SIM1.

After the periodic CSG timer expires, during the generation of the PLMN list in SIM1, the HPLMN timer may expire in SIM2. Since the RF of the UE is occupied by the SIM1, the UE has to wait until release of the RF in order to transmit a request for another PLMN list. The AS 504 generates a PLMN list in SIM1, and transmits the LIST_IND to the NAS 502 in SIM1. Upon receiving the PLMN list, the RF is released by SIM1 for use by the SIM2. SIM2 of the UE uses the RF channel and transmits the START_LIST_REQ to obtain a list of useful PLMNs that are part of the HPLMN timer expiration actions in all supported RATs of 4G, 3G and 2G.

Even though SIM1 has recently performed the acquisition of the PLMN list in 4G and 3G, and the RATs for which the PLMN list is obtained are supported by SIM2, a useful list of the PLMNs that already exist is not used and the PLMN list Is obtained again. This results in a delay in waiting for the time that the RF will be released to SIM1, as well as obtaining the PLMN list from 4G and 3G in SIM2. Further, the delay in the release of the RF and the repeated generation of the PLMN list leads to more battery power consumption.

6 is a flow diagram illustrating a problem in a confirmed scenario for a list acquisition procedure in two SIMs using a single RF when two SIMs have 4G and 3G RATs in common according to the prior art. It's grams. 6 illustrates the interaction between the AS 604 and the NAS 602 in a multi-mode UE for generation and acquisition of a PLMN list. When the periodic CSG timer for SIM1 expires, when the manual PLMN is selected, or when the HPLMN timer expires, the UE needs to obtain the list of the available PLMNs in SIM1. Here, the PLMN list that needs to be obtained by both SIM1 and SIM2 is the same. Upon expiration of the periodic CSG timer, the CSG search is initiated to obtain a useful list of the CSG IDs along with the PLMNs in all supported RATs in SIM1 by sending START_LIST_REQ to the AS 504. While the PLMN list request procedure is in progress in SIM1, the RF will be used by SIM1.

After the periodic CSG timer expires, while SIM1 generates the PLMN list, the periodic CSG timer may expire in SIM2. Since the RF of the UE is occupied by the SIM1, the UE has to wait until release of the RF in order to transmit a request for another PLMN list. The AS 604 generates a PLMN list in SIM1, and transmits LIST_IND to the NAS 602 in SIM1. Upon receiving the PLMN list, the RF is released by SIM1 for use by the SIM2. SIM2 of the UE uses the RF channel and transmits the START_LIST_REQ to obtain a list of useful PLMNs that are part of the periodic CSG timer expiration actions in all supported RATs.

Even though SIM1 has recently performed the acquisition of the PLMN list in 4G and 3G, and the RATs for which the PLMN list is obtained are supported by SIM2, a useful list of the PLMNs that already exist is not used and the PLMN list Is obtained again. This results in a delay in not only waiting for the time that the RF will be released to SIM1, but also obtaining the PLMN list in SIM2 from 4G and 3G. Further, the delay in the release of the RF and the repeated generation of the PLMN list leads to more battery power consumption.

Problems as described above in other scenarios of the HPLMN timer expiration, the manual PLMN selection and the periodic CSG selection are observed during the acquisition of the PLMN list of 3GPP based systems. The existing methodologies do not describe the use of the existing PLMN list before expiration of the implementation HPLMN, nor do they describe reducing battery power consumption by reusing the same PLMN list before expiration of the HPLMN timer.

Accordingly, there is a need for an efficient method and apparatus for optimized scanning in a mobile communication terminal in order to solve the above-described problems.

The present invention solves at least the problems and disadvantages as described above, and provides at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for processing Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) selection in a mobile communication network.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method of processing a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) selection in a mobile communication network is provided. In the method, the user equipment (UE) is one or more radio access technologies including a list of useful PLMNs when the UE performs manual closed subscriber group (CSG) selection. Technology: obtaining a PLMN list of RATs; Starting a PLMN list valid timer; When at least one predefined event is triggered and the PLMN list valid timer is running, the process of reusing the previously acquired PLMN list. The at least one predefined event includes at least one of Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) timer expiration, manual PLMN selection, manual CSG selection, and automatic CSG selection.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a user terminal used in a mobile communication network for improved PLMN selection is provided. When the UE performs manual closed subscriber group (CSG) selection, the user terminal acquires a PLMN list of one or more radio access technologies (RATs) including a list of useful PLMNs. And, when the PLMN list valid timer is started, at least one predefined event is triggered, and the PLMN list valid timer is running, the previously obtained PLMN list is reused. . The at least one predefined event includes at least one of Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) timer expiration, manual PLMN selection, manual CSG selection, and automatic CSG selection.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a non-transitory computer-readable medium of a user equipment (UE), the UE includes information related to a public land mobile network (PLMN) selection mode. And, with stored, processor-executable instructions for advanced PLMN selection in a mobile communication network, when the instructions are executed by a processor, the UE: the UE is a passive closed subscriber group (CSG) When performing the selection, obtaining a PLMN list of one or more radio access technologies (RATs) including a list of useful PLMNs; Starting a PLMN list valid timer; When at least one predefined event is triggered and the PLMN list valid timer is running, a process of reusing the previously acquired PLMN list is performed. The at least one predefined event includes at least one of Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) timer expiration, manual PLMN selection, manual CSG selection, and automatic CSG selection.

As described above, and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings:
1 is a flow chart showing an example of an HPLMN timer expiration procedure according to the prior art;
2 is a flow chart showing an example of a manual PLMN selection procedure according to the prior art;
3 is a flow chart showing an example of a periodic CSG selection procedure according to the prior art;
4 is a flow diagram illustrating a problem in a confirmed scenario for a list acquisition procedure for periodic CSG timer expiration and HPLMN timer expiration according to the prior art;
5 is a flow diagram illustrating a problem in a scenario confirmed for a list acquisition procedure in two SIMs when two SIMs using a single RF in common have 4G and 3G RATs according to the prior art. to be;
6 is a flow diagram illustrating a problem in a confirmed scenario for a list acquisition procedure in two SIMs using a single RF when two SIMs have 4G and 3G RATs in common according to the prior art. It's grams;
7 is a table showing a list obtained by a UE during CSG selection including different values according to an embodiment of the present invention;
8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for optimized scanning in a mobile communication terminal having single/multiple SIM cards using a single RF according to an embodiment of the present invention;
9 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a solution to a problem in a scenario of a list reuse procedure for periodic CSG timer expiration and HPLMN timer expiration according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a solution to a problem in a scenario of a list sharing procedure when two SIMs using a single RF have 4G and 3G RATs in common according to an embodiment of the present invention. It's grams;
FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a solution to a problem in a scenario of a list sharing procedure between two SIMs using a single RF having 4G and 3G RATs in common according to an embodiment of the present invention. It's grams.

Various embodiments of the present invention describe a method and apparatus for optimized scanning in a mobile communication terminal having single/multiple SIM cards using a single RF. In the present invention, when the PLMN list is already useful from the CSG scan for single, dual, and multiple SIM cards using a single RF in a plurality of RATs supported by the UE, the manual PLMN selection, the HPLMN timer expires. The focus is on reducing the delay and saving battery power while acquiring PLMN lists for various reasons, such as the CSG selection.

In the following specific description of the embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form part of the present disclosure and are shown in a way that describes specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. It can be understood that the above embodiments of the present disclosure are described in sufficient detail so that those skilled in the art can implement the present invention, and other embodiments may be used, and modifications may be possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. There will be. Accordingly, the following specific description will not be used to limit the spirit of the invention, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

The detailed description may refer to “an”, “one”, or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations. This does not necessarily imply that each of the reference documents as described above is the same embodiment(s), or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Also, single features of different embodiments may be combined to provide different embodiments.

As used herein, the term "user equipment (UE)" refers to mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld or laptop computers, and telephony capabilities. Represent mobile devices, such as similar devices with s. The terms "UE", "user device" and "user node" may be used herein with the same meaning. The UE may include components that allow the UE to communicate with other devices, and also a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) application, a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) application. , Or a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) or eUICC (embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card) including, but not limited to, a Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM) application The same one or more associated removable memory modules may be included. Alternatively, the UE as described above may be configured with the device itself, which does not have such a module. In other cases, the term "UE" refers to devices such as desktop computers, set-top boxes, or network appliances that have similar capabilities but do not move. Show them. The term “UE” may also refer to a hardware or software component capable of terminating a communication session for a user. In addition, the UE may include one or more SIM applications running together, and when the mobile device includes two SIM applications, it may be referred to as a dual SIM mobile device. When running on a mobile device, it may be referred to as a multi-SIM mobile device.

As used herein, the single forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include multiple forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. In addition, the terms "includes", "comprises", "including" and/or "comprising" as used in this detailed description refer to the features mentioned, integers Specifies the existence of s, steps, actions, elements, components, and/or groups, but does not include one or more other features, integers, steps, actions, elements, components, and/or Or it will be understood that it does not preclude the presence or addition of those groups. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes one and all of the combinations and one or more of the associated listed items arrangements.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present invention. Terms such as terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant technical field, and interpreted as an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless explicitly defined here. It will be understood that it will not be.

The present invention is described for the purpose of reducing the time delay associated with re-acquiring lists for Radio Access Technology (RAT), and also saving battery power of a user equipment (UE). The present invention provides the PLMN IDs together with the closed subscriber group (CSG) list acquisition procedure in order to acquire CSGs or femto cells as well as normal cells at the access layer level. It will be described that scanning the lists is performed and maintaining the same list valid for the duration of the list validity timer. During this time, if one of the other events occurs to obtain the PLMN list, the same list can be reused again. The same list may be reused for dual or multiple SIM cards in which the respective RATs overlap.

The present invention discloses a method for optimized scanning in a mobile communication terminal having single/multiple SIM cards using a single RF, the method including the processes of obtaining a list of useful PLMNs due to CSG selection. The list also includes CSG ID, Home Node B (HNB) name (HNB Name: HNBName), HNB Length (HNB Length: HNBLength) and RAT information for the CSG cell. The method also includes starting a valid timer for the obtained list. The obtained list is only valid for a specific period.

The RAT information table is updated each time the list is obtained in all supported RATs while starting the list valid timer. Here, the RATs may be 4G and 3G. The UE is a CSG ID for a list of useful PLMNs from 4G and 3G along with a description of each cell type indicating whether the cell is a normal CSG cell, HNBLength, PLMN ID, RAT along with HNBName Manage the table of information. The UE updates the table each time the list is obtained from RATs supported as part of the CSG selection. If the list is requested for any reason and the valid timer of the list is still running, the same list can be reused instead of re-acquiring the list, thus saving time to obtain the new list And saves battery power of the UE. Further, the obtained list may be configurable and may be stored in a non-volatile memory of the UE for later use.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is optimized in a mobile communication terminal having the dual SIM card and multiple SIM cards using a single RF, supporting RATs common to both dual SIM cards and multiple SIM cards. The method for scanning can be extended, and the method is a table of CSG ID, HNBLength, PLMN ID with HNBName, and RAT information for a list of useful PLMNs from 4G and 3G along with the description of the normal cell as well as the CSG cell. It includes managing. The UE updates the table each time the list is obtained from RATs (4G and 3G) supported for one of the SIMs. The obtained list may be configurable and may be stored in the UE's non-volatile memory for later use. If the list is needed by another SIM during the list acquisition in one SIM, the same list can be shared between the two SIMs for the commonly supported RATs to save time and battery, and thus The process of obtaining the list need not be performed for the RAT for which the list has already been obtained by the one SIM.

7 is a table showing a list obtained by a UE during the CSG selection including different values according to an embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a list obtained by the UE and received from the AS, including a number of values related to the obtained RATs. The UE receives the list including parameters such as, but not limited to, PLMN ID, CSG ID, HNBLength (HNBLen), HNBName, RAT ID, Description, and the like. The RAT ID indicates the type of the RAT. In one embodiment of the present invention, the RAT ID is 3G. In another embodiment of the present invention, the RAT ID is 4G. Description indicates the type of the cell and whether the cell is a normal cell or a CSG cell. The parameters may help to identify each PLMN obtained from the list in advance and quickly. Here, these parameters may be referred to as PLMN-related information, and the PLMN-related information instructs the UE to initiate one of manual CSG discovery, automatic CSG discovery, manual PLMN discovery, and high priority PLMN discovery.

For example, in the table above, sl. No 1 indicates that the obtained PLMN has a PLMN ID of 310380, CSG ID of 0x12345678, HNBLen of 5, HNBName of Test1, RAT ID of 3G, and Description of CSG cell. In the table 700, sl. No 2 indicates that the obtained PLMN has a PLMN ID of 310410, a CSG ID of 0x21345678, an HNBLen of 4, an HNBName of Test2, a RAT ID of 4G, and a description of a CSG cell.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for optimized scanning in a mobile communication terminal having single/multiple SIM cards using a single RF according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step 802, the mobile communication terminal checks whether periodic CSG selection is initiated by the UE. In step 804, when the UE initiates CSG selection, the mobile communication terminal acquires CSG IDs for a CSG cell, the useful PLMN list, and a PLMN list for a normal cell. In step 808, the mobile communication terminal starts a PLMN list valid timer during at least one of predefined events such as HPLMN timer expiration, manual PLMN selection triggering, and manual CSG selection triggering. In step 806a, the mobile communication terminal checks whether the HPLMN timer has expired; In step 806b, the mobile communication terminal checks whether manual PLMN selection is triggered; In step 806c, the mobile communication terminal checks whether manual CSG selection is triggered. Although not shown, the predefined event may also include triggering of automatic CSG selection. When at least one of the predefined events is triggered, the mobile communication terminal reuses the useful PLMN list for one or more RATs such as 4G and 3G in step 810. In step 812, the mobile communication terminal acquires a PLMN list for 2G based on the requirements of the UE.

9 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a solution to a problem in a scenario of a list reuse procedure for periodic CSG timer expiration and HPLMN timer expiration according to an embodiment of the present invention. 9 illustrates the interaction between the NAS 902 and the AS 904 in a multi-mode UE for generating and obtaining a PLMN list. When the periodic CSG timer expires, the CSG search is initiated to obtain a useful list of CSG IDs along with the PLMNs in all supported 4G and 3G RATs by sending START_LIST_REQ to the AS 904. The AS 904 performs a scan procedure at the supported frequencies, generates a list required for 4G and 3G, and transmits the generated LIST_IND to the NAS 902.

When the NAS 902 receives the PLMN list, the UE creates a database including PLMN ID, CSG ID, HNBLen, HNBName, RAT ID and Description, as described in FIG. 7, and all the supported 4G And starting a list validity timer each time the PLMN list, which is part of the CSG search, is obtained from 3G RATs. During the execution of the valid timer, if the event HPLMN timer expiration is triggered, a new event of the HPLMN timer expiration requests the new PLMN list. However, instead of obtaining the PLMN list again, the same PLMN list is reused for the 4G and 3G RATs. In one embodiment of the present invention, other events that can be triggered during the execution of the valid timer are manual PLMN selection and periodic CSG selection.

In this approach, the PLMN list obtained from one SIM for the 4G and 3G RATs is shared by the other SIM to reduce the delay that may occur due to the occurrence of the events within the expiration of the list validity timer. Can be extended for cards. When another SIM needs to obtain a PLMN list from the 4G, 3G and 2G RATs, the other SIM reuses the lists for the 4G and 3G RATs because the valid timer is still running, but the 2G RAT We do not have a list of PLMNs for. Accordingly, the UE transmits START_LIST_REQ to the AS 904 to obtain a useful list of PLMNs only for the 2G RAT. Upon receiving the request, the AS 904 scans the supported frequencies, obtains a list required for the 2G RAT, and transmits the generated LIST_IND to the NAS 902.

Since the PLMN list is obtained from 4G and 3G in one SIM due to the expired periodic CSG timer, the PLMN list is reused by another SIM when the HPLMN timer expires. The other SIM detects that the PLMN list is not useful for 2G, and thus triggers the PLMN list request procedure only for 2G RAT, thus saving the time required to obtain the PLMN list, and the battery of the UE. It saves power.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a solution to a problem in a scenario of a list sharing procedure when two SIMs using a single RF have 4G and 3G RATs in common according to an embodiment of the present invention. It's grams. 10 illustrates the interaction between the NAS 1002 and the AS 1004 in a multi-mode dual SIM UE including SIM1 and SIM2 for generation and acquisition of a PLMN list. Here, SIM1 obtains the PLMN list in 4G and 3G RATs, SIM2 obtains the PLMN list in 4G, 3G and 2G RATs, and thus, both SIM1 and SIM2 have 4G and 3G RATs in common. When the periodic CSG timer expires in SIM1 of the UE, the CSG discovery transmits START_LIST_REQ to the AS 1004 to obtain a useful list of the CSG IDs together with the PLMNs in all supported 4G and 3G RATs. Is initiated for. The AS 1004 performs the scan procedure at all supported frequencies and provides a list of the 4G and 3G, respectively. While the PLMN list request procedure is in progress in SIM1, the RF will be used by the SIM1.

During this time, the PLMN list acquisition procedure needs to be started in SIM2 due to the event of the HPLMN timer expiration. However, since the RF is still occupied by the SIM1, SIM2 needs to wait until the SIM1 releases the RF in order to rescan the valid list of the PLMNs. In another embodiment of the present invention, other events that initiate different PLMN list acquisition procedures may be manual PLMN selection and periodic CSG selection.

When the PLMN list is received by SIM1, the UE creates a database including PLMN ID, CSG ID, HNBLen, HNBName, RAT ID and Description, as described in FIG. 7, and all the supported 4G and 3G RATs Whenever the PLMN list, which is part of the CSG search for s, is acquired, a list valid timer is started. The PLMN list acquisition procedure is completed in SIM1, and the RF is released by SIM1. Since both SIM1 and SIM2 have 4G and 3G RATs supported in common, and the useful list of PLMNs will be the same for both 4G and 3G RATs, the same PLMN list by SIM1 is shared with SIM2. It can save time and battery power. After sharing the PLMN list with the SIM2, the UE determines that 2G RATs will still be scanned. Therefore, the UE uses the PLMN list obtained by SIM1 for 4G and 3G RATs for SIM2, and performs RAT scanning only for 2G instead of scanning 4G, 3G and 2G RATs.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a solution to a problem in a scenario of a list sharing procedure between two SIMs using a single RF having 4G and 3G RATs in common according to an embodiment of the present invention. It's grams. 11 illustrates the interaction between the NAS 1102 and the AS 1104 in a multi-mode dual SIM UE including SIM1 and SIM2 for generation and acquisition of a PLMN list. Here, both SIM1 and SIM2 obtain the PLMN list in common in 4G and 3G RATs. When the periodic CSG timer expires in SIM1 of the UE, the CSG discovery transmits START_LIST_REQ to the AS 1104 to obtain a useful list of the CSG IDs together with the PLMNs in all supported 4G and 3G RATs. Is initiated for. The AS 1104 performs a supported scan procedure for each of the 4G and 3G. While the PLMN list request procedure is in progress in SIM1, the RF will be used by the SIM1.

During this time, the PLMN list acquisition procedure needs to be started in SIM2 due to the event of the periodic CSG timer expiration. However, since the RF is still occupied by the SIM1, SIM2 needs to wait for the SIM1 to release the RF, thus causing a delay in obtaining the PLMN list from SIM2. In another embodiment of the present invention, other events that initiate different PLMN list acquisition procedures may be manual PLMN selection and HPLMN timer expiration.

When the PLMN list is received from SIM1 of the UE, the UE creates a database including PLMN ID, CSG ID, HNBLen, HNBName, RAT ID and Description as described in FIG. 7, and all the supported 4G And starting a list validity timer each time the PLMN list, which is part of the CSG search, is obtained from 3G RATs.

The PLMN list acquisition procedure is completed in SIM1, and the RF is released by SIM1. Since both SIM1 and SIM2 have 4G and 3G RATs supported in common, and the useful list of PLMNs will be the same for both 4G and 3G RATs, the same PLMN list by SIM1 will be shared with SIM2. I can. The SIM1 and SIM2 are using the same PLMN list for 4G and 3G RATs. The SIM2 uses the released RF and starts a list valid timer. Since the PLMN list for the 4G and 3G RATs has already been obtained by the SIM2, the UE will not initiate another scan procedure for obtaining the PLMN list for 4G and 3G RATs, and thus the time and battery power. Will save you.

The invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments; It will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the various devices and modules described herein may be activated, and a hardware circuit, for example, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor based logic circuit and firmware And, it may be operated using a hardware circuit such as a combination of software and/or hardware and firmware and/or software embedded in a machine-readable medium. For example, the various electric structures and methods may be implemented using electric circuits such as transistors, logic gates, and application specific integrated circuits.

Although the above embodiments are described herein in various embodiments, it will be apparent for those skilled in the art to practice the invention using modifications. Further, the following claims are intended to cover all general and specific features of the embodiments described herein and all phrases of the scope of the embodiments that may be described to exist between the embodiments as language. Will make sense. It will be understood that various changes may be made in form and specific matters departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents by those skilled in the art.

Claims (20)

In a method for processing a public land mobile network (PLMN) selection in a mobile communication network,
When performing a manual closed subscriber group (CSG) selection, the user equipment (UE) is a PLMN of one or more radio access technologies (RATs) including a list of useful PLMNs. Public Land Mobile Network) obtaining a list;
Starting a PLMN list valid timer;
When at least one predefined event is triggered and the PLMN list valid timer is running, reusing the previously obtained PLMN list,
The at least one predefined event includes at least one of Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) timer expiration, manual PLMN selection, manual CSG selection, and automatic CSG selection. How to handle PLMN selection in the communication network. The method of claim 1,
The UE further comprises a process of obtaining PLMN-related information,
The PLMN-related information includes PLMN identifier (Identity: ID), CSG ID, Home Node B (HNB) name, HNB length, and RAT information associated with each PLMN included in the PLMN list. How to handle PLMN selection in a mobile communication network. The method of claim 2,
The above PLMN related information is:
And information instructing the UE to initiate one of a manual CSG discovery, an automatic CSG discovery, a manual PLMN discovery, and a high priority PLMN discovery. The method of claim 1,
And updating a RAT information table whenever the PLMN list is acquired while the PLMN list valid timer is running. The method of claim 4,
The RAT information table includes at least one of PLMN ID, CSG ID, HNB length, HNB name, description of each cell type, and RAT information for each PLMN included in the PLMN list. How to handle PLMN selection in a mobile communication network. The method of claim 4,
The RAT information table is configurable according to user selection and received information, and is stored in a non-volatile memory of the UE. The method of claim 1,
The UE further comprises a process of maintaining a database including at least one of PLMN ID, CSG ID, HNB name, HNB length, and RAT information associated with each PLMN included in the PLMN list. A method of processing PLMN selection in a mobile communication network, characterized in that. The method of claim 1,
The one or more RATs include at least one of 4G (generation) technology and 3G technology. The method of claim 1,
And sharing the PLMN list with one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs) for commonly supported RATs. In a user terminal (User Equipment: UE) used in a mobile communication network for selection of an improved public land mobile network (PLMN),
When performing manual closed subscriber group (CSG) selection, a PLMN list of one or more radio access technologies (RATs) including a list of useful PLMNs is obtained, and a PLMN list valid timer is set. Initiating and, when at least one predefined event is triggered and the PLMN list valid timer is running, a control unit for reusing the previously obtained PLMN list,
The at least one predefined event includes at least one of Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) timer expiration, manual PLMN selection, manual CSG selection, and automatic CSG selection. UE used in mobile communication network for PLMN selection. The method of claim 10,
The control unit is further configured to obtain PLMN-related information,
The PLMN-related information includes PLMN identifier (Identity: ID), CSG ID, Home Node B (HNB) name, HNB length, and RAT information associated with each PLMN included in the PLMN list. UE used in a mobile communication network for improved PLMN selection. The method of claim 11,
The above PLMN related information is:
And information instructing the control unit to initiate one of a manual CSG discovery, an automatic CSG discovery, a manual PLMN discovery, and a high priority PLMN discovery. The method of claim 10,
The control unit is further configured to update the RAT information table whenever the PLMN list is acquired while the PLMN list valid timer is running. UE. The method of claim 13,
The RAT information table includes at least one of PLMN ID, CSG ID, HNB length, HNB name, description of each cell type, and RAT information for each PLMN included in the PLMN list. UE used in mobile communication networks for improved PLMN selection. The method of claim 13,
The RAT information table is configurable according to user selection and received information, and is stored in a non-volatile memory of the UE. The method of claim 10,
The control unit is further configured to maintain a database including at least one of PLMN ID, CSG ID, HNB name, HNB length, and RAT information associated with each PLMN included in the PLMN list. UE used in a mobile communication network for improved PLMN selection. The method of claim 10,
The one or more RATs include at least one of 4G (generation) technology and 3G technology. UE used in a mobile communication network for advanced PLMN selection. The method of claim 10,
The control unit is further configured to share the PLMN list with one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs) for commonly supported RATs. UE. In a non-transitory computer-readable medium of a user equipment (UE), the UE includes information related to a public land mobile network (PLMN) selection mode, and is stored, mobile communication With processor-executable instructions for enhanced PLMN selection in the network, when the instructions are executed by a processor, the UE:
Obtaining a PLMN list of one or more radio access technologies (RATs) including a list of useful PLMNs when performing manual closed subscriber group (CSG) selection;
Starting a PLMN list valid timer;
When at least one predefined event is triggered and the PLMN list valid timer is running, a process of reusing the previously obtained PLMN list is performed,
The at least one predefined event includes at least one of Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) timer expiration, manual PLMN selection, manual CSG selection, and automatic CSG selection. Non-transitory computer-readable media. The method of claim 19,
And updating a RAT information table whenever the PLMN list is acquired while the PLMN list valid timer is running.

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