U.S. patent application number 16/378202 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-27 for displaying network availability in dual connectivity networks.
The applicant listed for this patent is T-Mobile USA, Inc.. Invention is credited to Wafik Abdel Shahid, Egil Gronstad, John J. Humbert, Ming Shan Kwok, Kun Lu, Thomas P. Lucht, Alan Denis MacDonald.
Application Number | 20200068456 16/378202 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69583796 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-27 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200068456 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Humbert; John J. ; et
al. |
February 27, 2020 |
DISPLAYING NETWORK AVAILABILITY IN DUAL CONNECTIVITY NETWORKS
Abstract
A wireless communication system may support two types of
networks, such as a 4.sup.th-Generation (4G) network and a
5.sup.th-Generation (5G) network, configured to in a 5G
Non-Standalone Architecture (NSA). When using NSA, a primary
communication link is established through the 4G network and a
secondary communication link is established through the 5G network.
When a 5G secondary link is present, a communication device
displays a 5G symbol to indicate 5G network availability. When a
secondary link failure occurs, the device is configured to display
a 4G network for a time period, regardless of whether other
measures indicate that 5G services may be available. When a
connection goes from connected mode to idle mode, the communication
device displays the 5G symbol for a time period if a 5G secondary
link was present at the time when entering idle mode, and otherwise
displays a 4G symbol during the time period.
Inventors: |
Humbert; John J.; (Roeland
Park, KS) ; Lu; Kun; (Bellevue, WA) ; Kwok;
Ming Shan; (Seattle, WA) ; Abdel Shahid; Wafik;
(Kenmore, WA) ; Gronstad; Egil; (Encinitas,
CA) ; Lucht; Thomas P.; (Seattle, WA) ;
MacDonald; Alan Denis; (Bellevue, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
T-Mobile USA, Inc. |
Bellevue |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69583796 |
Appl. No.: |
16/378202 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62723301 |
Aug 27, 2018 |
|
|
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62752194 |
Oct 29, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 43/16 20130101;
H04W 36/0069 20180801; H04W 76/16 20180201; H04L 41/0677 20130101;
H04W 24/02 20130101; H04W 24/08 20130101; H04L 41/0668 20130101;
H04L 41/22 20130101; H04L 43/0805 20130101; H04W 8/005 20130101;
H04W 48/18 20130101; H04W 52/0245 20130101; H04B 17/318 20150115;
H04W 88/06 20130101; H04W 48/12 20130101; H04L 5/0082 20130101;
H04W 48/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 36/00 20060101
H04W036/00; H04L 12/24 20060101 H04L012/24; H04W 48/16 20060101
H04W048/16; H04W 48/18 20060101 H04W048/18 |
Claims
1. A method performed by a cellular communication device,
comprising: establishing a primary communication link using a first
radio access technology, wherein a first network symbol indicates
availability of the first radio access technology; determining
whether a second radio access technology is available to the
cellular communication device to support dual connectivity, wherein
a second network symbol indicates availability of the second radio
access technology; detecting a secondary link failure, wherein the
secondary link failure comprises at least one of: a failure to
establish a secondary communication link using the second radio
access technology; or a failure of the secondary communication link
after it has been established; and in response to detecting the
secondary link failure, preventing the second network symbol from
being displayed for at least a first time period.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time period extends
until the cellular communication device establishes another
secondary communication link.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that the
cellular communication device entered idle mode at a time when the
secondary communication link was present; and in response to
determining that the cellular communication device entered the idle
mode at the time when the secondary communication link was present,
displaying the second network symbol for at least a second time
period.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that the
cellular communication device entered idle mode at a time when the
secondary communication link was not present; and in response to
determining that the cellular communication device entered idle
mode at the time when the secondary communication link was not
present, preventing the second network symbol from being displayed
for at least a second time period.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the first
network symbol on the cellular communication device during the
first time period.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: repeatedly searching
for a radio frequency (RF) signal of the second radio access
technology; and pausing the searching during the first time
period.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, using the
first radio access technology, an identification of one or more
frequencies of the second radio access technology; repeatedly
searching on the one or more frequencies for a radio frequency (RF)
signal of the second radio access technology; and pausing the
searching during the first time period.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first radio access
technology is a 4th-Generation (4G) radio access technology; and
the second radio access technology is a 5th-generation (5G) radio
access technology.
9. A cellular communication device, comprising: one or more
processors: and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media
storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the
one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform
actions comprising: establishing a primary communication link via a
master base station that operates using 4.sup.th-Generation (4G)
radio access technology, wherein displaying a first network symbol
indicates availability of the 4G radio access technology;
determining whether 5.sup.th-Generation (5G) radio access
technology is available to the cellular communication device to
support a 5G Non-Standalone Architecture (NSA), wherein displaying
a second network symbol indicates availability of the 5G radio
access technology; attempting to establish a secondary
communication link via a secondary base station that operates using
the 5G radio access technology; detecting a secondary link failure,
wherein the secondary link failure comprises at least one of: a
failure to establish the secondary communication link; or a failure
of the secondary communication link after it has been established;
and in response to detecting the secondary link failure, preventing
the second network symbol from being displayed for at least a first
time period regardless of whether the 5G radio access technology is
determined to be available.
10. The cellular communication device of claim 9, the actions
further comprising: determining that the cellular communication
device entered idle mode at a time when the secondary communication
link was present; and in response to determining that the cellular
communication device entered the idle mode at the time when the
secondary communication link was present, displaying the second
network symbol for at least a second time period regardless of
whether the 5G radio access technology is determined to be
available.
11. The cellular communication device of claim 9, the actions
further comprising: determining that the cellular communication
device entered idle mode at a time when the secondary communication
link was not present: and in response to determining that the
cellular communication device entered idle mode at the time when
the secondary communication link was not present, displaying the
first network symbol for at least a second time period regardless
of whether the 5G radio access technology is determined to be
available.
12. The cellular communication device of claim 9, the actions
further comprising displaying the first network symbol on the
cellular communication device during the first time period.
13. The cellular communication device of claim 9, wherein
determining whether the 5G radio access technology is available to
the cellular communication device comprises receiving an indication
from the master base station regarding availability of the 5G radio
access technology.
14. The cellular communication device of claim 9, the actions
further comprising: repeatedly searching for a radio frequency (RF)
signal used by the secondary-base station; and pausing the
searching during the first time period.
15. The cellular communication device of claim 9, the actions
further comprising: receiving, from the master base station, an
identification of one or more frequencies used by the secondary
base station for communications with cellular devices; searching on
the one or more frequencies for a radio frequency (RF) signal used
by the secondary base station; and pausing the searching during the
first time period.
16. A method performed by a cellular communication device,
comprising: establishing a primary communication link using a first
radio access technology, wherein a first network symbol indicates
availability of the first radio access technology; determining
whether a second radio access technology is available to the
cellular communication device to support dual connectivity, wherein
a second network symbol indicates availability of the second radio
access technology; determining that the cellular communication
device has entered idle mode from connected mode; determining
whether a secondary communication link using the second radio
access technology was present at a time when the cellular
communication device entered idle mode from connected mode;
selecting, as a selected symbol, one of the first and second
network symbols for display on the cellular communication device
based at least in part on whether the secondary communication link
was present at the time when the cellular communication device
entered idle mode from connected mode; and displaying the selected
symbol for at least a first time period after entering idle mode,
regardless of w hether the second radio access technology is
determined to be available.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the selecting comprises:
determining that the secondary communication link was not present
at the time when the cellular communication device entered idle
mode from connected mode; and selecting the first network symbol in
response to determining that the secondary communication link was
not present at the time the cellular communication device entered
idle mode from connected mode.
18. The method of claim 16, w herein the selecting comprises:
determining that the secondary communication link was present at
the time when the cellular communication device entered idle mode;
and selecting the second network symbol in response to determining
that the secondary communication link was present at the time the
cellular communication device entered idle mode from connected
mode.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: detecting a
secondary link failure, wherein the secondary link failure
comprises at least one of: a failure to establish the secondary
communication link; or a failure of the secondary communication
link after it has been established; and in response to detecting
the secondary link failure, displaying the first network symbol for
at least a second time period regardless of whether the second
radio access technology is determined to be available.
20. The method of claim 16, further comprising: searching for a
radio frequency (RF) signal of the second radio access technology;
and pausing the searching during the first time period.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to the following
co-pending, commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/723,301, filed Aug. 27, 2018, and titled "SMART UE-STATE
TRIGGERED NETWORK SCANNING UNDER 5G EN DC IDLE MODE;" and to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/752,194, filed Oct. 29, 2018,
and titled "5G COVERAGE INDICATOR," which are incorporated herein
by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cellular communication devices use various network radio
access technologies to communicate wirelessly with geographically
distributed base stations. Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is an example
of a widely implemented radio access technology, which is used
within 4.sup.th-Generation (4G) communication systems. New Radio
(NR) is a newer radio access technology that is used in
5.sup.th-Generation (5G) communication systems. Standards for LTE
and NR radio access technologies have been developed by the
3rd-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) for use within cellular
communication networks by wireless communication carriers. Note
that the terms 4G and LTE are often used interchangeably when
referencing certain 4G systems and components. Also, NR radio
access technology may at times be referred to as 5G radio access
technology.
[0003] A configuration defined by the 3GPP in the 5G NR
specification, referred to as Non-Standalone Architecture (NSA),
allows the simultaneous use of 4G and 5G systems for communications
with a communication device. Specifically, NSA uses dual
connectivity (DC), in which a communication device uses both an LTE
radio and an NR radio for downlink receptions from and uplink
transmissions to corresponding LTE and NR base stations. An LTE
carrier is used for control-plane signaling and for user-plane
communications. An NR carrier is used for additional user-plane
bandwidth, for data download or transmission throughput, and for
uplink feedback related to channel conditions. In a scenario such
as this, the LTE carrier is said to "anchor" the communication
session.
[0004] Existing 4G networks use relatively low radio frequencies,
such as frequencies in bands below 6 GHz. 5G networks are able to
use an extended range of frequency bands compared to 4G networks,
such as higher frequency bands in in the range of 6-100 GHz. Radio
communications using the higher frequency 5G bands can support
higher data speeds, but also have disadvantages compared to the
lower frequency bands. Specifically, radio signals in the higher
frequencies have shorter range and are more easily blocked by
physical objects. Accordingly, the ability for a communication
device to communicate using higher-frequency 5G bands may be
sporadic as the device is physically moved.
[0005] Communication devices such as smartphones often have a
status bar that shows, among other things, the current signal
strength and/or signal quality of the current wireless connection
with a base station. In addition, the status bar may have a network
indicator, such as an icon or symbol, that indicates the network
type being used for the current wireless connection. For example,
the network indicator might comprise a "4G LTE" symbol when the
current connection is over an LTE network, and a "5G" network
symbol when the current connection is over a 5G network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The detailed description is described with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a
reference number identifies the figure in which the reference
number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in
different figures indicates similar or identical components or
features.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing relevant components of a
communication network that supports Non-Standalone Architecture
(NSA) dual connectivity based on 4.sup.th-Generation (4G) and
5.sup.th-Generation (5G) radio access technologies.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method that
may be performed by a cellular communication device for pausing
signal scanning during times when it is unlikely that a user is
viewing the device.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for
radio frequency (RF) signal scanning.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for
performing periodic signal scanning.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for
controlling the display of a network indicator in response to
certain events.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example mobile communication
device that may be configured in accordance with the described
techniques.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Described herein are techniques for determining which of
multiple network identifiers to display on the status bar of a
wireless communication device when the device is operating in a
cellular network of a wireless communication provider that has
areas of dual signal coverage. Network identifiers might include,
for example, symbols that indicate 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G, and so forth,
corresponding to different wireless network standards and
technologies.
[0014] The described techniques may be useful when a wireless
communication device is within an area that is supported by both 4G
and 5G technologies, for example. In this situation, 5G radio
access technology may be used in a configuration referred to as
Non-Standalone Architecture (NSA) dual connectivity. NSA dual
connectivity uses 5G radio access technology to augment 4G
communication capabilities. More specifically, NSA dual
connectivity uses a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) anchor carrier, which
is supplemented at times by a 5G New Radio (NR) carrier.
[0015] An initial connection between a communication device and a
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) base station is configured based on LTE
system information. System information in the LTE environment is
broadcast by the LTE base station in data objects referred to as
System Information Blocks (SIBs). System information may include
information relating to cell access, scheduling, communication
channels and frequencies, network identifiers, tracking area codes
(TACs), cell IDs, status, power levels, paging information,
neighboring cells, etc.
[0016] Cellular communication devices receive the LTE system
information prior to establishing connections with LTE base
stations, as well as during the connections. When there are changes
in the system information of an LTE base station, connected
cellular communication devices are notified and the devices
retrieve the changes from subsequently broadcast SIBs.
[0017] In accordance with certain embodiments described herein, an
LTE base station is configured to broadcast system information
indicating that the LTE base station supports 5G NSA dual
connectivity. In certain embodiments, this information may be
included in an LTE SIB, as a parameter that is referred to herein
as a 5G availability indicator or as an NSA availability
indicator.
[0018] A wireless communication device, often referred to in this
environment as a User Equipment (UE) or Mobile Station (MS),
monitors the broadcast channels of one or more nearby LTE base
stations in order to determine whether the LTE base stations
support NSA dual connectivity. In some situations, the device may
receive a broadcast 5G availability indicator indicating that an
LTE base station supports NSA dual connectivity, but the device may
nevertheless be in a location where NR signals are too weak to be
used. This may be particularly problematic when the device is in
idle mode, because when in idle mode the device does not maintain
an active NR communication channel. Under NSA, NR communication
channels are instead set up when the device is in a connected mode.
Because of this, before displaying a 5G network symbol the device
takes further steps to confirm that 5G services are indeed
available.
[0019] Specifically, when a device receives an indication that an
LTE base station supports NSA dual connectivity, the device scans
one or more NR frequencies to search for a broadcast NR reference
signal, measures the signal strength and/or quality of any NR
reference signal that it finds, and compares the measured NR signal
strength and/or quality to a threshold signal strength and/or
quality. The threshold signal strength and quality are equal to the
approximate minimum signal strength and quality that would be
needed to support NR data communications. If the measured signal
strength and/or quality is greater than the threshold signal
strength and/or quality, the device displays a 5G network symbol to
inform the device user that the device is currently able to use 5G
services. Otherwise, the device displays the 4G or LTE network
symbol. In some embodiments, the threshold signal strength and/or
quality may be configurable, and may be configured with different
values for different frequency bands.
[0020] In some implementations, the device may be configured to
receive NR configuration information during initial attachment to
the LTE base station. Specifically, the LTE base station may use
Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling with the device to specify
the frequencies that are potentially used for NR broadcast
transmissions by the NR base station associated with the LTE base
station. Based on this information, the device can limit the
searching of NR frequencies to those frequencies that are actually
being used, and can avoid searching other frequencies that are not
used by the communication provider in the area where the device is
located.
[0021] In other implementations, the device may be preconfigured
with stored information indicating the possible frequencies of NR
transmissions by either the communication provider or by NR base
stations in specific locations.
[0022] In some embodiments, the signal scanning described above may
be limited to certain times in order to reduce power consumption
that may be involved in the signal scanning. In some embodiments,
for example, the device may be configured to determine the
probability that a user of the device is actually looking at the
display of the device, and to pause signal scanning when the user
is unlikely looking at the display. Whether the user is likely
looking at the display may be determined based on factors such as
whether the display is on, whether a lock screen or screen saver is
active, whether the device is locked, whether the device's camera
is obscured, whether a human face can be detected with the camera,
whether the device is facing downward, whether the device is
moving, and so forth.
[0023] In some embodiments, power consumption may be reduced by
scanning periodically, rather than continuously, at intervals that
increase in length over time. For example, the interval length may
start at 1 second, increase to 2 seconds, increase to 4 seconds,
and so on until reaching a maximum interval length. If or when an
NR signal is found, the device displays the 5G network symbol,
resets the interval length to its lowest or beginning value, and
begins the process again, first at an interval length of 1 second,
increasing to 2 seconds, and so forth until a suitable RF signal is
no longer present or until reaching the maximum interval length.
The use of varying intervals such as this allows quick updates in
conditions where 5G coverage is changing frequently, while
conserving power in conditions where coverage is relatively
unchanging.
[0024] In some embodiments, scanning intervals may decrease in
length over time. For example, the interval length may start at a
maximum interval length, decrease to a lower length such as 4
seconds, decrease to 2 seconds, and so on until reaching a minimum
interval length. In some embodiments, scanning intervals may be
increased or decreased as a function of whether the device is
moving. When the device is not moving or moving relatively slowly,
scanning intervals may be increased in length over time, because
signal conditions are less likely to be changing while the device
is not moving. When the device is moving, as another example,
scanning intervals may be decreased, because signal conditions are
more likely to change as the device moves.
[0025] Other techniques may be used when determining which of
multiple network identifiers to display. While in connected mode,
for example, the device may be configured to detect NR
communication link failures and in response to prevent the 5G
symbol from being displayed for a set time period. As another
example, when the device goes from connected mode to idle mode, the
device may determine whether to display the 5G symbol based on
whether an NR communication link was present at the time the device
went to idle mode. If an NR communication link was present, the
device may display the 5G symbol for a set time period. If an NR
communication link was not present, the device may prevent the 5G
symbol from being displayed for a set time period. In some
embodiments, signal scanning may be paused during the mentioned
time periods, thereby reducing the amount of power that would
otherwise be consumed by signal scanning. In other cases, signal
scanning may be continued, but the NR link failure detection
described above may override signal detection during the indicated
time periods.
[0026] Although certain techniques are described in the context of
4G and 5G networks, the techniques described herein may also be
used with different network types, standards, and technologies.
That is, the techniques may be used more generally for first and
second wireless communication networks, where a 4G network is an
example of the first wireless communication network and a 5G
network is an example of the second wireless communication
network.
[0027] Furthermore, although the techniques are described in the
context of a single LTE base station and a single associated NR
base station, the techniques may also be used in conjunction with
cell groups, where a communication device might use carrier
aggregation to concurrently communicate with more than one LTE base
station and/or more than one NR base station.
[0028] The described techniques allow a cellular communication
device to efficiently determine which of multiple network
identifiers should be displayed to device users, while also
reducing the amount of signal scanning and the amount of power
consumed by signal scanning. While conserving power, the described
techniques also provide reliable indications of network coverage,
at intervals that are frequent enough to satisfy user needs and to
provide good customer experiences.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates relevant high-level components of a
cellular communication system 100, such as components that might be
implemented by a cellular communication provider. The communication
system 100 has one or more network cores 102, which may in some
cases include a 4G network core and a 5G network core. The
communication system 100 has multiple cell sites 104, only one of
which is shown in FIG. 1, for purposes of discussion.
[0030] The illustrated cell site 104 supports both 4G and 5G radio
access technologies, and therefore has both 4G and 5G cellular
access points. The 4G access point is implemented as an LTE base
station 106, also referred to as an eNodeB, a master eNodeB, or a
master base station. The 5G access point is implemented as a New
Radio (NR) base station 108, also referred to as a gNodeB, a
secondary gNodeB, or a secondary base station. The network core(s)
102 communicate with the LTE base station 106 and the NR base
station 108. Radio communications are controlled by the LTE master
base station 106. Note that various cell sites of the system 100
may be configured in different ways and may use different radio
access technologies or combinations of radio access
technologies.
[0031] A cellular communication device 110 is an example of many
such devices that are configured for use with the communication
system 100. In the described embodiment, the communication device
110 supports both 4G/LTE and 5G/NR networks and communications.
Accordingly, the communication device 110 has an LTE radio (not
shown) that communicates wirelessly with the LTE base station 106
of the cell site 104 and an NR radio (not shown) that communicates
wirelessly with the NR base station 108 of the cell site 104.
Although the 4G and 5G access points are shown as being collocated,
in other embodiments the 4G and 5G access points may be at
respectively different locations.
[0032] The communication device 110 may comprise any of various
types of wireless cellular communication devices that are capable
of wireless data and/or voice communications, including smartphones
and other mobile devices, "Internet-of-Things" (IoT) devices,
smarthome devices, computers, wearable devices, entertainment
devices, industrial control equipment, etc.
[0033] The communication device 110 may communicate through either
or both of the LTE base station 106 and the NR base station 108. In
some cases or embodiments, the communication device 110 may support
dual connectivity communications, in which a single communication
session might simultaneously use both a 4G connection and a 5G
connection. More specifically, the communication device 110 may
operate using what is referred to as a Non-Standalone Architecture
(NSA) dual connectivity, using 5G radio access technology to
augment 4G communication capabilities. When using NSA dual
connectivity, the communication device 110 uses both an LTE carrier
and an NR carrier for downlink data reception and uplink
transmissions.
[0034] When the communication device 110 is in idle mode, it
receives one or more signals 112 that have been broadcast by the
LTE base station 106. The one or more signals 112 may be broadcast
for reception by multiple communication devices, and may contain
information regarding capabilities and characteristics of the LTE
base station 106. For example, a broadcast signal may include
information needed by a communication device to establish
bi-directional communications with the LTE base station 106. In the
LTE environment, at least some of this information is provided in a
periodically broadcast Master Information block (MIB) and multiple
System Information Blocks (SIBs). FIG. 1 shows a single SIB 114
that is being broadcast by the LTE base station 106. The SIB 114
can be received by multiple communication devices, including the
illustrated communication device 110.
[0035] Although the communication device 110 does not maintain a
connection with the NR base station 108 when the device 110 is
operating in idle mode, the NR base station 108 transmits one or
more reference signals 116 that can be detected by the
communication device 110 to determine whether the communication
device 110 is within an area in which NR communications are
possible. Specifically, the communication device is configured to
measure reference signal received power (RSRP) and/or reference
signal received quality (RSRQ) of any detected NR reference signals
116 to determine whether NR communications are possible.
[0036] The communication device 110 has a graphical user interface
(GUI) 118 for presenting information and for interacting with a
user. The GUI 118 may be displayed on a graphical display panel
119. For example, the graphical display panel may comprise a
touch-sensitive flat panel display. As further examples, the
graphical display panel 119 may comprise a TFT-LCD (thin film
transistor technology, liquid crystal diode) display, an IPS
(in-place switching) LCD, a capacitive touchscreen LCD, an OLED
(organic light emitting diode) display, an AMOLDED (active-matrix
organic light-emitting) diode, or any other display device.
[0037] The GUI 118 may be displayed at certain times and not at
other times. At times, for example, the display may be off.
Alternatively, or a screen saver or lock screen having relatively
static and/or non-interactive information such as the time of day
or other status information may be displayed in place of the GUI
118.
[0038] A status bar 120 is typically shown at the top of the GUI
118. In this example, the status bar 120 has a signal strength
meter 122, a carrier identifier 124, and a network identifier 126.
The status bar 120 also indicates the current time of day in a time
field 128.
[0039] The signal strength meter 122 shows the strength and/or
quality of signals or communication channels that have been
established with the LTE base station 106 and/or the NR base
station 108. The carrier identifier 124 corresponds to the network
carrier or provider whose signals are being used for
communications.
[0040] The network identifier 126 indicates the type of network
that is being used by the communication device 110. More
specifically, the displayed network identifier 126 corresponds to
and identifies the wireless communication standard that is
currently being used for communications by the communication
device. In the example described herein, the network identifier 126
indicates "5G" when the device is in an area where 5G services can
be accessed and displays "LTE" when the device is using LTE radio
access technology and 5G services are not accessible. Other
embodiments may of course have different types of networks,
corresponding to different communication protocols, and may use
symbols corresponding to those communication protocols.
[0041] It is generally intended for the status bar 120 to show a
network identifier 126 corresponding to the most advanced or
highest-capability cellular network that is currently available for
use by the communication device 110. In the system described
herein, a 5G network symbol is displayed when the communication
device 110 is able to use 5G communications.
[0042] In certain implementations, a network availability indicator
is included in one of the SIBs 114 that is broadcast periodically
by the LTE base station 106. The network availability indicator
indicates whether the LTE base station 106 is in a geographic area
within which 5G services are available. More specifically, the LTE
base station includes the network availability indicator when the
LTE base station is associated with an NR base station and is
configured to support NSA dual connectivity in conjunction with the
NR base station.
[0043] In some embodiments, the network availability indicator may
comprise a variable specified in the SIB, where the variable has a
positive value when 5G services are available, and a negative value
when 5G services are not available. In some embodiments, for
example, an "upperLayerIndication" variable, generally described in
3GPP TS 36.331 as indicating support for an "upper layer," may be
used to indicate that NSA services are available.
[0044] In some embodiments, the device 110 may have a user-facing
camera 130 and/or a camera that faces outward from the user of the
device. The device 110 may also have a microphone 132. The device
110 may have various other types of sensors, not shown in FIG. 1,
such as an accelerometer, a compass, a global positioning device
(GPS), a light sensor, a moisture sensor, a microphone, and so
forth.
[0045] FIGS. 2-5 illustrate example methods that may be performed
by a cellular communication device, such as a cellular telephone or
smartphone, to determine which of multiple network symbols should
be displayed in the status bar of the communication device. The
example methods may be performed in an environment in which a first
wireless communication network, such as a 4G network, serves
multiple geographic areas, while a second wireless communication
network, such as a 5G network, serves only some of the multiple
geographic areas. The cellular communication device communicates
through a first, master base station of a network cell to access
the 4G cellular communication network. The communication device
communicates through a second, secondary base station, to access
the 5G cellular communication network.
[0046] The master base station, also referred to as a primary base
station, is implemented in accordance with a first radio access
technology, such as LTE, and is referred to below as an LTE base
station. The secondary base station is implemented in accordance
with a second radio access technology, such as 5G NR, and is
referred to below as an NR base station. For purposes of this
discussion, it will be assumed that the LTE base station acts as a
master or primary base station for purposes of dual connectivity,
and that the NR base station acts as a secondary base station.
[0047] FIG. 2 shows an example method 200 that may be implemented
by the cellular communication device so that idle mode 5G signal
scanning is performed primarily during times when a user is likely
viewing the communication device.
[0048] An action 202 comprises receiving information over a
broadcast channel of the LTE base station, where the information
includes an indicator of whether the LTE base station is associated
with an NR base station to support dual connectivity. In certain
embodiments, for example, the information might comprise an LTE
Master Information Block (MIB) and one or more LTE System
Information Blocks (SIBs). The MIB and SIBs contain information
that is used by the communication device to attach to the LTE base
station. Most relevant to this discussion, an SIB may include a 5G
availability indicator, indicating that the LTE base station
supports Non-Standalone Architecture (NSA) dual connectivity in
conjunction with an associated NR base station. In some cases, the
"upperLayerIndication" variable of SIB2 may be used for this
purpose.
[0049] The 5G availability indicator, when set to "TRUE" or "ON",
indicates that 5G services are generally available in the
geographic area within which the communication device is located.
In many cases, this indication may indicate that the LTE base
station is associated with an NR base station and configured to
support NSA dual connectivity in conjunction with the NR base
station. The cellular communication device may take further
actions, as described below, to determine whether NR communications
are actually possible at any given time.
[0050] The action 202 might be performed, for example, when the
communication device is turned on and scans LTE frequency bands to
find a suitable LTE signal, or when the communication device is
handed off to a new cell, prior to establishing bi-directional
communications with the LTE base station.
[0051] An action 204 comprises establishing bi-directional
communications with the LTE base station. For example, the action
204 may comprise camping on the LTE base station, based on
information received in the MIB and SIBs received in the action
202. As the communication device is moved about, it may camp on
different LTE base stations of other network cells, after obtaining
MIBs and SIBs from those LTE base stations.
[0052] An action 206 comprises determining whether broadcast
information from the LTE base station indicates that 5G services
are available to the communication device and/or that 5G services
are generally available in the geographic area within which the
communication device is located.
[0053] In some embodiments, the action 206 may comprise evaluating
the 5G availability indicator to determine whether the LTE base
station is associated with an NR base station to support NSA dual
connectivity. More specifically, the action 206 may comprise
determining whether the 5G availability indicator is set to a
positive, "TRUE", or "ON" value. If the 5G availability indicator
is not set to a positive, "TRUE", or "ON" value, an action 208 is
performed of displaying an LTE network symbol, or another symbol
that does not indicate 5G availability.
[0054] An action 210 is performed in response to receiving an
indication from the LTE base station, such as the 5G availability
indicator, indicating that the LTE base station is associated with
an NR base station to support NSA dual connectivity. The action 210
comprises determining whether it is likely that the communication
device and/or the display of the communication device is being
viewed by a user. In some embodiments, this may be performed by
detecting one or more device conditions indicating either that the
display of the device is likely being viewed or that the display
and/or its GUI is not likely being viewed.
[0055] In certain embodiments, the action 210 may comprise
determining whether the display of the device is off, whether the
device is displaying a screen saver, or whether the device has been
locked for security, with any of these conditions indicating that
the user is not likely looking at the device display.
[0056] The action 210 may similarly comprise determining whether
the device is displaying its GUI. If the display is not displaying
its GUI, and is instead primarily displaying relatively static
and/or non-interactive content such as status information,
time/date, etc., it is considered unlikely that the user is viewing
the display.
[0057] As another example, the action 210 may comprise determining
whether the device is in a low-power mode or sleep mode, which
corresponds to a likelihood that the user is not actively using or
viewing the device.
[0058] As another example, the action 210 may comprise determining
the orientation of the device, and, in particular, determining
whether the display of the device is facing downward. If the
display is facing downward, it is considered unlikely that the user
is viewing the display.
[0059] As another example, the action 210 may comprise determining
that the device is in a pocket, purse, or other confined space from
which would be difficult to use. More specifically, the action 210
may comprise determining whether a camera of the device is
obscured, such as when the camera senses darkness. The action 210
may similarly comprise using a proximity sensor to determine that
the display of the device is against a surface. As another option,
acoustic measurements might be made using a microphone of the
device, to determine whether ambient sounds have been blocked,
which might indicate that the device is in a confined space such as
a pocket. Any of these conditions may be considered indications
that the user is not likely viewing the device or its display.
[0060] The action 210 may comprise detecting a human face using the
user-facing camera of the device. If a human face is detected, it
is likely that the user is viewing the device display.
[0061] The action 210 may comprise determining whether the device
is moving or stationary, where non-movement, especially for some
length of time, may indicate that the device is not being used.
[0062] Any of these conditions may be used alone or in combination
to predict whether the probability of a user viewing the device,
the device display, and/or the device GUI is greater or less than a
probability threshold. In some implementations, for example,
multiple conditions may weighted and summed, and a weighted sum
that exceeds a given threshold may indicate that the device is
likely being viewed. Similarly, multiple conditions may be
evaluated algorithmically to determine whether the device is likely
being viewed.
[0063] If in the action 206 it is determined that the communication
device is in an area that is generally supported by 5G services,
and in the action 210 a condition is detected indicating that
communication device is likely being viewed by a user, an action
212 is performed. In the illustrated embodiment, the action 212
comprises initiating or resuming a procedure of scanning 5G RF
frequencies and updating a displayed network symbol depending on
whether a 5G RF signal can be found that satisfies applicable
signal criteria and that can be used for 5G communications.
Scanning, which will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3
and 4, may comprise repeatedly searching multiple frequencies used
by the NR base station to detect an RF signal used by the NR base
station for communications with cellular communication devices.
During scanning, the searching may be repeated continuously, at a
constant rate of repetition, or at fixed or varying time
intervals.
[0064] As will be further described in the discussion relating to
FIGS. 3 and 4, the scanning and updating indicated by the action
212 also includes displaying a 5G network symbol in response to
detecting a suitable 5G RF signal. If a suitable 5G RF signal is
not found, the scanning and updating action 212 may display a
symbol other than the 5G network symbol, such as the LTE network
symbol.
[0065] If in the action 206 it is determined that the device is not
in an area that is generally supported by 5G services, or if in the
action 210 a condition is detected indicating that the user is not
likely viewing the device, an action 214 is performed. The action
214 comprises pausing the described scanning of 5G frequencies and
the described updating of the network identifier to conserve power.
While scanning and updating are paused, the network identifier
remains unchanged.
[0066] After either of the actions 212 or 214, the latter parts of
the method 200 are repeated, starting at the action 206, to
periodically determine whether to pause or resume 5G signal
scanning and network symbol updating. For example, these actions
may be repeated every several seconds, or in response to other
conditions or events. When the cellular communication device moves
to new cells and corresponding LTE base stations, the actions are
repeated starting at the action 202.
[0067] FIG. 3 illustrates an example method 300 that may be
implemented by the cellular communication device for scanning 5G RF
frequencies to detect 5G RF signals and in response to display
appropriate network symbols. The method 300 may be initiated,
paused, or resumed in accordance with the actions 212 and 214 of
FIG. 2. For example, the method 300 may be performed at any time in
response to receiving a 5G availability indicator indicating that
5G services are potentially available. The method 300 may be
performed continuously or periodically, when not paused.
[0068] An action 302 comprises determining the RF frequencies used
by an NR base station for communicating with cellular devices. In
particular, the action 302 may comprise receiving, from an LTE base
station that is acting as a master base station, an identification
of one or more frequencies used by an associated secondary NR base
station. For example, the action may comprise receiving RRC
messages from the LTE base station, where the RRC messages indicate
the one or more frequencies that are used by the associated NR base
station or base stations. More specifically, this information can
be obtained from the "MeasObjectNR" information element as
specified in 3GPP TS 36.331, Version 15.2.2, Paragraph 6.3.5.
[0069] An action 304 comprises searching for one or more RF signals
on the RF frequencies identified in the action 302. For example,
the action 304 may comprise tuning a receiver to the identified RF
frequencies to detect RF reference signals, and measuring the
signal strengths and/or qualities of one or more of the detected RF
reference signals. For example, the action 304 may comprise
determining a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) or Reference
Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) of the NR base station.
[0070] An action 306 comprises determining whether any of the RF
signals satisfy one or more signal criteria. For example, the
action 306 may comprise determining whether an RF signal on one of
the identified frequencies has a strength (i.e., RSRP) and/or
signal quality (i.e., RSRQ) that is greater than a signal strength
threshold or a signal quality threshold. In some embodiments, the
signal thresholds may be configurable, and may be configured with
different values for different frequency bands. This allows network
operators to set different thresholds to account for channel fading
profiles of different frequencies.
[0071] In response to detecting an RF signal that satisfies the one
or more signal criteria, an action 308 is performed of displaying a
5G network symbol on the cellular communication device, indicating
that 5G/NR radio access technology is currently available to the
cellular communication device. The 5G network symbol can be any
symbol that is known to be associated with 5G communications or
that otherwise identifies the 5G network. For example, the symbol
may comprise the text "5G".
[0072] If none of the RF signals satisfy the one or more signal
criteria, an action 310 is performed, comprising displaying the LTE
network symbol in the status bar or other display area of the
communication device. The LTE network symbol can be any symbol that
is known to be associated with LTE communications or that otherwise
identifies the LTE network, such as the text "LTE". Alternatively,
a symbol corresponding to any other type of available network, such
as a 3G network, may be displayed.
[0073] The method 300 is repeated during any time that scanning is
enabled (i.e., not paused) by the method 200. The method 300 may be
repeated continuously, periodically, or in response to other
conditions.
[0074] FIG. 4 shows an example method 400 that may be implemented
by the cellular communication device so that idle mode 5G signal
searching is performed at intervals of variable length in order to
reduce power consumption. In one embodiment, the method 400 may be
used in conjunction with the method 200 of FIG. 2. Specifically,
the scanning referred to by the actions 212 and 214 of FIG. 2 may
comprise repeatedly performing the method 400. When scanning is
started or resumed in the action 212, the method 400 is performed
repeatedly until paused in the action 214.
[0075] In other embodiments, the method 400 may be performed
whenever the current LTE base station supports NSA dual
connectivity, such as whenever the communication device has
received a 5G availability indicator indicating that 5G NSA dual
connectivity is supported by the LTE base station.
[0076] In the method 400, searching is repeated at time intervals,
where the time intervals have a length that increases over time,
after each repetition of searching, until the length reaches an
upper limit. The length is reset to an initial, beginning value
whenever the network symbol changes, such as from LTE to 5G or from
5G to LTE.
[0077] The method 400 uses a software-based timer that marks the
time intervals. The timer measures a sequence of increasing time
intervals T.sub.n, where n ranges from 1 to N. In some embodiments,
the sequence of time intervals may be increased over time in a
predefined sequence of exponentially increasing values. For
example, an exponentially increasing sequence may be where
T.sub.1=1 second, T.sub.2=2 seconds, T.sub.3=4 seconds, T.sub.4=16
seconds and T.sub.5=32 seconds, where N=5 and 32 seconds is the
upper interval limit.
[0078] An action 402 comprises setting the timer to T.sub.n. If
this is the first time the method 400 is being performed, n=1, and
T.sub.n=T.sub.1. Otherwise, the value of n is determined by
subsequent actions of the method 400.
[0079] An action 404 comprises determining whether the timer has
elapsed, indicating that a time T.sub.n has elapsed since the timer
was set in the action 402. If the action 404 indicates that the
timer has not elapsed, the action 404 is repeated without further
actions. No RF signal scanning or searching is performed if the
timer has not yet elapsed.
[0080] If the timer has elapsed, signaling that a time interval of
T.sub.n has expired, an action 406 is performed. The action 406
comprises searching 5G RF frequencies for a 5G RF signal and
updating the displayed network symbol as needed. As an example, the
action 406 may comprise performing the method 300 as described
above with reference to FIG. 3. This results in either the LTE
network symbol or the 5G network symbol being displayed by the
device, depending on whether 5G is currently available.
[0081] After performing the searching and symbol updating, an
action 408 is performed. The action 408 comprises determining
whether the action 406 resulted in a change in the displayed
network symbol, such as changing from LTE to 5G or from 5G to LTE.
In response to determining that there has been a change of the
displayed network symbol, an action 410 is performed of resetting
the time interval length to a beginning value by setting n to 1.
The method 400 is then repeated beginning at the action 402.
[0082] If the displayed network symbol has not changed, an action
412 is performed, comprising determining whether the length of the
time period has reached its upper limit. In the illustrated
embodiment, this may comprise determining whether n is equal to or
greater than N (where t.sub.N is the maximum time interval). If n
is less than N, an action 414 is performed of incrementing n by 1.
The method 400 is then repeated beginning at the action 402, with
the increased interval length. If n is equal to or greater than N,
the increasing of n (i.e., the action 414) is stopped or omitted
and instead the method 400 is repeated beginning at the action 402,
without changing the interval length.
[0083] FIG. 5 illustrates an example method 500 that may be used in
some embodiments when determining which of multiple network symbols
to display on a status bar of a communication device. The
discussion of FIG. 5 assumes that a cellular communication device
is using a cell that supports NSA dual connectivity. Accordingly,
the cell has an LTE master base station and at least one 5G
secondary base station. As discussed above, displaying an LTE
network symbol indicates availability of the LTE radio access
technology. Displaying a 5G network symbol indicates availability
of the NR radio access technology.
[0084] An action 502 comprises establishing a data connection
between the communication device and one or more base stations,
thereby entering what is referred to as connected mode. More
specifically, the action 502 may comprise establishing a primary
communication link via the master base station, using LTE radio
access technology. The action 502 may also comprise establishing,
or attempting to establish, a secondary communication link via the
secondary base station, using NR radio access technology. The
actions subsequent to the action 502 are repeated while the
communication device is in connected mode.
[0085] An action 504 comprises detecting a secondary link failure.
For example, a secondary link failure may comprise a failure to
establish the secondary communication link at any time while the
device is in connected mode. As another example, a secondary link
failure may comprise a failure of the secondary communication link
after it has been established. In described embodiments, a
communication link is implemented as a carrier between the device
and a base station, and a failure of the link occurs when the
carrier is lost or cannot be established.
[0086] If a secondary link failure is detected, an action 506 is
performed of preventing the 5G network symbol from being displayed
for at least a specified time period during any subsequent times
that the communication device is in idle mode. The 5G network
symbol is prevented from being displayed regardless of whether any
idle-mode evaluations, such as the evaluations discussed above
relating to FIGS. 2-4, have determined that 5G radio access
technology is currently available. In other words, during the
specified time period the action 506 overrides any other idle-mode
determinations regarding whether 5G services are available. In the
embodiments described herein, the action 506 may comprise instead
displaying the LTE network symbol during the specified time period
while the device is in idle mode.
[0087] In order to reduce power consumption of the device, the
action 506 may also include pausing any RF signal scanning, such as
the RF searching described with reference to FIGS. 2-4, that may
otherwise be performed during the specified time period while in
idle mode.
[0088] If a secondary link failure is not detected, an action 508
is performed. The action 508 comprises determining whether the
communication device has entered idle mode from connected mode.
[0089] If a secondary link failure is not detected and the
communication device has not entered idle mode (i.e., the device
has remained in connected mode), an action 510 is performed of
determining whether there is currently an active secondary link. If
there is currently an active secondary link, an action 512 is
performed of displaying the 5G network symbol. If there is not
currently an active secondary link, an action 514 is performed of
displaying the LTE network symbol.
[0090] If in the action 508 it is determined that the communication
device has entered idle mode from connected mode, the communication
device selects either the LTE network symbol or the 5G network
symbol based at least in part on whether the secondary
communication link was present at the time when the device entered
idle mode. If the NR secondary communication link was present, the
5G network symbol is selected. If the NR secondary communication
link was not present, the LTE network symbol is selected. The
selected network symbol is then displayed for at least a specified
time period while the device is in idle mode. Idle-mode RF signal
scanning may also be paused during the specified time period.
[0091] More specifically, if the communication device has entered
idle mode from connected mode, an action 516 is performed to
determine whether the device entered idle mode at a time when the
NR secondary communication link was present or when the NR
secondary communication link was not present. If the 5G secondary
communication link was present at the time the device entered idle
mode, an action 518 is performed of selecting and displaying the 5G
network symbol for at least a specified time period while the
device is in idle mode, regardless of whether any idle-mode
evaluations, such as the evaluations discussed above relating to
FIGS. 2-4, have determined that 5G radio access technology is
currently available. In other words, during the specified time
period the action 518 overrides any other idle-mode determinations
regarding whether 5G services are available.
[0092] If the 5G secondary communication link was not present at
the time the device entered idle mode, the action 506 is performed
of preventing the 5G network symbol from being displayed for at
least the specified time period while the device is in idle mode,
overriding any other idle-mode determinations as already discussed.
The LTE network symbol may instead be displayed during this time
period.
[0093] The actions of the method 500 starting at 504 may be
performed repeatedly when the communication device is in connected
mode to detect and respond to secondary link conditions and, if
appropriate, to override selections of displayed network symbols
that might otherwise be made.
[0094] Note that the actions 512 and 514 are performed when the
device is in connected mode, and override the actions 506 and 518.
That is, the actions 506 and 508 are applicable only when the
communication device is in idle mode. Accordingly, each of the time
periods of the actions 506 and 518 may comprise a fixed time or may
instead extend only until the cellular communication device again
enters connected mode and/or establishes an NR secondary
communication link. In other embodiments, however, the actions 506
and 518 may be applicable even when the device is in connected
mode, and may override the actions 512 and 514.
[0095] FIG. 6 illustrates an example cellular communication device
600 that may be used to implement the techniques described herein.
The methods of FIGS. 2-5, for example, may be implemented by a
device such as the device 600. The device 600 is an example of the
communication device 110, illustrating additional high-level
components that are not shown in FIG. 1.
[0096] The device 600 may include memory 602 and a processor 604.
The memory 602 may include both volatile memory and non-volatile
memory. The memory 602 can also be described as non-transitory
computer-readable media or machine-readable storage memory, and may
include removable and non-removable media implemented in any method
or technology for storage of information, such as computer
executable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other
data. Additionally, in some embodiments the memory 602 may include
a SIM (subscriber identity module), which is a removable smart card
used to identify a user of the device 600 to a service provider
network.
[0097] The memory 602 may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM,
EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital
versatile discs (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,
magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage
devices, or any other tangible, physical medium which can be used
to store the desired information. The memory 602 may in some cases
include storage media used to transfer or distribute instructions,
applications, and/or data. In some cases, the memory 602 may
include data storage that is accessed remotely, such as
network-attached storage that the device 600 accesses over some
type of data communication network.
[0098] The memory 602 stores one or more sets of
computer-executable instructions (e.g., software) such as programs
that embody operating logic for implementing and/or performing
desired functionality of the device 600. The instructions may also
reside at least partially within the processor 604 during execution
thereof by the device 600. Generally, the instructions stored in
the computer-readable storage media may include various
applications 606 that are executed by the processor 604, an
operating system (OS) 608 that is also executed by the processor
604, and data 610.
[0099] In some embodiments, the processor(s) 604 is a central
processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), both CPU
and GPU, or other processing unit or component known in the art.
Furthermore, the processor(s) 604 may include any number of
processors and/or processing cores. The processor(s) 604 is
configured to retrieve and execute instructions from the memory
602.
[0100] The device 600 may have interfaces 612, which may comprise
any sort of interfaces known in the art. The interfaces 612 may
include any one or more of an Ethernet interface, wireless
local-area network (WLAN) interface, a near field interface, a DECT
chipset, or an interface for an RJ-11 or RJ-45 port. A wireless LAN
interface can include a Wi-Fi interface or a Wi-Max interface, or a
Bluetooth interface that performs the function of transmitting and
receiving wireless communications using, for example, the IEEE
802.11, 802.16 and/or 802.20 standards. The near field interface
can include a Bluetooth.RTM. interface or radio frequency
identifier (RFID) for transmitting and receiving near field radio
communications via a near field antenna. For example, the near
field interface may be used for functions, as is known in the art,
such as communicating directly with nearby devices that are also,
for instance, Bluetooth.RTM. or RFID enabled.
[0101] The device 600 may also have an LTE radio 614 and a 5G radio
616, which may be used as described above for implementing dual
connectivity in conjunction with an eNodeB and a gNodeB. The radios
614 and 616 transmit and receive radio frequency communications via
an antenna (not shown).
[0102] The device 600 may have a display 618, which may comprise a
liquid crystal display or any other type of display commonly used
in telemobile devices or other portable devices. For example, the
display 618 may be a touch-sensitive display screen, which may also
act as an input device or keypad, such as for providing a soft-key
keyboard, navigation buttons, or the like.
[0103] The device 600 may have input and output devices 620. These
devices may include any sort of output devices known in the art,
such as speakers, a vibrating mechanism, or a tactile feedback
mechanism. Output devices may also include ports for one or more
peripheral devices, such as headphones, peripheral speakers, or a
peripheral display. Input devices may include any sort of input
devices known in the art. For example, the input devices may
include a microphone, a keyboard/keypad, or a touch-sensitive
display. A keyboard/keypad may be a push button numeric dialing pad
(such as on a typical telemobile device), a multi-key keyboard
(such as a conventional QWERTY keyboard), or one or more other
types of keys or buttons, and may also include a joystick-like
controller and/or designated navigation buttons, or the like.
[0104] Although features and/or methodological acts are described
above, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not
necessarily limited to those features or acts. Rather, the features
and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of
implementing the claims.
* * * * *