US 12,452,941 B2
UE-controlled selection between inter-RAT handover and inter-RAT dual connectivity
Atul Kulkarni, Brambleton, VA (US); Sreekar Marupaduga, Dallas, TX (US); Sougata Saha, Overland Park, KS (US); and Anurag Thantharate, Overland Park, KS (US)
Assigned to T-Mobile USA, Inc., Bellevue, WA (US)
Filed by T-Mobile USA, Inc., Bellevue, WA (US)
Filed on Dec. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/540,241.
Application 18/540,241 is a continuation of application No. 17/248,523, filed on Jan. 28, 2021, granted, now 11,882,491.
Prior Publication US 2024/0163756 A1, May 16, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H04W 76/15 (2018.01); H04W 36/08 (2009.01); H04W 36/14 (2009.01)
CPC H04W 76/15 (2018.02) [H04W 36/08 (2013.01); H04W 36/14 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for dynamically controlling connectivity of a user equipment device (UE), the method comprising:
when the UE has standalone connectivity with a first access node under a first radio access technology (RAT), (a) detecting by the UE that the UE is within threshold strong coverage of a second access node under a second RAT and (b) responsive to the detecting, making a selection by the UE between (i) engaging in inter-RAT handover from the first access node to the second access node and (ii) having inter-RAT dual connectivity with the first access node and the second access node; and
causing by the UE the first access node to take action in accordance with the UE's selection,
wherein making the selection by the UE is based on core network slice support.