Multi-SIM device for executing a scheduled base station searcher and method for executing a scheduled base station searcher

Abstract

The present application provides a multi-subscriber identity module (SIM) device, a method for scheduling the operation of a base station searcher, and a method for managing wake-up time. The multi-SIM device includes a first SIM interface; a second SIM interface; at least one processor, which is configured to implement: a base station (BS) searcher, which is configured to perform the following operations based on a request received from the first SIM interface: a resynchronization operation for ensuring synchronization with a BS or a measurement operation for measuring the signal quality of the BS; and a searcher scheduler, which is configured to receive a request to use the BS searcher from the first SIM interface, and identify whether the first SIM interface is authorized to use the BS searcher based on the request and the scheduling of the BS searcher.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0126313 filed on October 22, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] Apparatuses and methods consistent with various exemplary embodiments relate to a method of searching for a multiple subscriber identity module (SIM) device of a base station (BS) using a base station searcher and scheduling a BS search. Background Art

[0004] A multi-SIM device such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet personal computer (PC) or a laptop PC may include two or more SIMs. The SIM may include a SIM interface and a SIM card. The SIM card may be inserted into the SIM interface. The SIM may also be an embedded SIM, where the SIM is permanently embedded in the multi-SIM device and the SIM may be programmable. Each SIM may include International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) information and key information, through which a service provider may check and authenticate a user of the multi-SIM device. In a multi-SIM device, a user may access various networks by using multiple SIMs. For example, a first SIM may access a first network and a second SIM may access a second network.

[0005] When the multi-SIM device is a dual SIM dual standby (DSDS) device, multiple SIMs share one RF resource. In the case where the RF resource usage request periods of each SIM overlap, the communication performance of the multi-SIM device deteriorates because the SIM does not receive RF resources. In addition, when the multi-SIM device is a dual SIM dual communication (DSDA) device, multiple RF resources are allocated to each SIM respectively. Therefore, better communication performance can be provided compared to when the multi-SIM device is a dual SIM dual standby device. However, because the required hardware or software specifications are large, the cost of mass-producing multi-SIM devices and the amount of power consumption of multi-SIM devices may increase significantly.

[0006] Specifically, in a multi-SIM device, a BS searcher for searching for a BS is used to communicate with the BS. Since one BS searcher is shared by multiple SIMs, the BS searcher use request periods of the respective SIMs overlap. Summary of the invention

[0007] One or more example embodiments provide a multi-SIM device capable of performing scheduling on a Base Station (BS) searcher and a method of scheduling the BS searcher, so that a plurality of SIMs can efficiently perform a BS searcher operation.

[0008] According to one aspect of an example embodiment, a multi-SIM device is provided, comprising: a first SIM interface; a second SIM interface; and at least one processor configured to implement: a BS searcher configured to perform, based on a request received from the first SIM interface: a resynchronization operation for ensuring synchronization with a BS or a measurement operation for measuring a signal quality of the BS; and a searcher scheduler configured to receive a request from the first SIM interface to use the BS searcher, and to identify whether the first SIM interface is authorized to use the BS searcher based on the request and the scheduling of the BS searcher.

[0009] According to one aspect of an example embodiment, a method for scheduling operations of a BS searcher is provided, the BS searcher being configured to: perform, based on a request received from a first SIM interface or a second SIM interface, a resynchronization operation for ensuring synchronization with a BS or a measurement operation for measuring a signal quality of the BS, the method comprising: receiving a measurement authorization request for the BS searcher from the first SIM interface; and based on a state of the BS searcher, outputting to the first SIM interface one of a wait signal for causing the first SIM interface to wait for the measurement operation and an authorization signal for causing the first SIM interface to perform the measurement operation.

[0010] According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a method for managing a wake-up time is provided, at which a BS searcher starts a resynchronization operation according to a resynchronization operation request to ensure synchronization with a first BS corresponding to a first SIM interface and a second BS corresponding to a second SIM interface, the method comprising: identifying whether a first resynchronization operation corresponding to the first SIM interface and a second resynchronization operation corresponding to the second SIM interface overlap in time; and controlling the wake-up time of the first SIM interface based on a result of identifying whether the first resynchronization operation and the second resynchronization operation overlap in time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The above and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to an example embodiment;

[0013] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a multiple subscriber identity module (SIM) device according to an example embodiment;

[0014] Figure 3is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a searcher scheduler according to an example embodiment;

[0015] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a searcher scheduler according to an example embodiment;

[0016] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a multi-SIM device according to an example embodiment;

[0017] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a multi-SIM device according to an example embodiment;

[0018] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a multi-SIM device according to an example embodiment;

[0019] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a searcher scheduler according to an example embodiment;

[0020] Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a wake-up manager according to an example embodiment;

[0021] Fig. 10A , Fig. 10B and Fig. 10C is a diagram illustrating the operation of a wake-up manager according to an example embodiment;

[0022] Fig.11 is a block diagram illustrating a multi-SIM device according to an example embodiment; and

[0023] Fig.12 is a diagram illustrating a communication device including a wireless communication device according to an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] Reference Figure 1 , the wireless communication system 1 may include a multi-subscriber identity module (SIM) device 100, a first base station (BS) 10, and a second BS 20. As non-limiting examples, the wireless communication system 1 may include: a fifth generation wireless (5G) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, a global system for mobile communications (GSM) system, a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, or any other wireless communication system.

[0026] Each of the first BS 10 and the second BS 20 communicates with a terminal and allocates communication network resources to the terminal, and may include at least one of a cell, a NodeB (NB), an eNodeB (eNB), a next generation radio access network (NG RAN), a radio access unit, a BS controller, and a node on a network.

[0027] The multi-SIM device 100 communicates with a BS or another multi-SIM device and may be referred to as a node, user equipment (UE), next generation UE (NG UE), mobile station (MS), mobile equipment (ME), device, or terminal.

[0028] In addition, the multi-SIM device 100 may include at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, a mobile phone, an image phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), an MP3 player, a medical device, a camera, and a wearable device. In addition, the multi-SIM device 100 may include a television, a digital video disc (DVD) player, an audio system, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a vacuum cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washing machine, an air purifier, a set-top box, a home automation control panel, a security control panel, a media box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync TM , Apple TV TM or Google TV TM ), game consoles (e.g., Xbox TM or PlayStation TM ), at least one of an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camera and an electronic frame.

[0029] In addition, the multi-SIM device 100 may include at least one of the following devices: various medical devices (e.g., various portable medical measuring devices such as blood glucose meters, heart rate meters, blood pressure meters, and temperature detectors, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) machines, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, computed tomography (CT) scanners, and ultrasound machines), navigation equipment, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), event data recorders (EDRs), flight data recorders (FDRs), vehicle infotainment equipment, electronic equipment for ships (e.g., navigation equipment or gyrocompasses for ships), avionics equipment, security equipment, head units for vehicles, industrial or household robots, drones, automatic teller machines (ATMs) for financial institutions, point of sale (POS) terminals for stores, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices (e.g., light bulbs, various sensors, sprinkler equipment, fire alarms, temperature controllers, street lamps, bread machines, fitness equipment, hot water tanks, heaters, or boilers). The multi-SIM device 100 may include a variety of multimedia systems capable of performing communication functions.

[0030] The multi-SIM device 100 may be connected to a prescribed wireless communication network through the first BS 10 and the second BS 20. Information may be transmitted from the wireless communication network through one of various multiple access methods such as code division multiple access (CDMA), WCDMA, frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), OFDM-FDMA, OFDM-TDMA, and OFDM-CDMA.

[0031] At this time, the multi-SIM device 100 and the first BS 10 and the second BS 20 can communicate with each other, and can send and receive signals (or data) through various channels. In the current specification, sending and receiving signals (or data) through channels can be expressed as sending and receiving channels. In addition, the baseband processor 110 that communicates with the first BS 10 and the second BS 20 by using the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 can be expressed as the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 that communicate with the first BS 10 and the second BS 20.

[0032] The multi-SIM device 100 may include a baseband processor 110, a first SIM 120_1, a second SIM 120_2, a memory 130, and a transceiver (transmitter and receiver). The multi-SIM device 100 may use a first network service by connecting to a first network via a first BS 10 using the first SIM 120_1. The multi-SIM device 100 may use a second network service by connecting to a second network via a second BS 20 using the second SIM 120_2.

[0033] The baseband processor 110 may include a first radio frequency (RF) resource 112_1, a second RF resource 112_2, a BS searcher 114, and a searcher scheduler 116. The first RF resource 112_1 and the second RF resource 112_2 may include circuits and paths for receiving channels from the first BS 10 and the second BS 20 or tangible or intangible resources for processing transmission channels / reception channels.

[0034] The first RF resource 112_1 may support non-restricted channel configuration usage according to a radio resource control (RRC) protocol, and the second RF resource 112_2 may support restricted channel configuration usage according to the RRC protocol. In detail, the first RF resource 112_1 may support processing of the following channels: channels required for a specified SIM to maintain a network connection mode and channels required in an idle mode; and the second RF resource 112_2 may only support processing of channels required for a specified SIM in an idle mode. In addition, the channels required for a SIM in an idle mode may have a periodic characteristic and may include scheduling information for notifying the transmission timing of the channels.

[0035] For example, when the wireless communication system 1 is a WCDMA system, the channels required for the SIM to maintain a network connection mode are a dedicated channel (DCH), a forward access channel (FACH), a random access channel (RACH), a broadcast channel (BCH) and a paging channel (PCH), and the channels required for the SIM in an idle mode can be limited to BCH and PCH.

[0036] As described above, since the first RF resource 112_1 supports processing of more kinds of channels than the second RF resource 112_2, the configuration of the first RF resource 112_1 may be different from that of the second RF resource 112_2. In detail, the complexity of the configuration of the first RF resource 112_1 may be higher than that of the second RF resource 112_2.

[0037] The first SIM 120_1 may receive at least one first channel 12 required for using a first network service from the first BS 10. The second SIM 120_1 may receive at least one second channel 22 required for using a second network service from the second BS. At this time, the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 require RF resources to process the first channel 12 and the second channel 22. At this time, the baseband processor 110 may selectively allocate one of the first RF resource 112_1 and the second RF resource 112_2 to the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 based on information about the first network and the second network.

[0038] In an example embodiment, when allocating resources, the multi-SIM device 100 may operate in a dual radio (DR) mode or a dual SIM dual standby (DSDS) mode. In the DR mode, the first RF resource 112_1 and the second RF resource 112_2 are allocated to the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2, respectively, and a communication operation is performed by using all of the first RF resource 112_1 and the second RF resource 112_2. The baseband processor 110 may determine whether the multi-SIM device 100 can operate in the DR mode based on information about the first network and the second network.

[0039] The baseband processor 110 sets one of the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 as a primary SIM and the other as a sub SIM, and then, when it is determined that the multi-SIM device 100 can operate in DR mode, the primary SIM is allocated to the first RF resource 112_1 and the sub SIM is allocated to the second RF resource 112_2.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, when the first SIM 120_1 is set as a main SIM and the second SIM 120_2 is set as a sub SIM, the first SIM 120_1 processes the first channel 12 received from the first BS 10 by using the first RF resource 112_1, and may perform an operation in a connection mode with the first network or in an idle mode. The second SIM 120_2 processes the second channel 22 received from the second BS 20 by using the second RF resource 112_2, and may perform an operation in an idle mode.

[0041] Operations in the connected mode may include operations of actively exchanging data (e.g., voice or data calls or sessions) with at least one BS in the wireless communication system 1. Operations in the idle mode may include operations of monitoring a channel (e.g., a PCH or BCH having periodic characteristics).

[0042] When the RF resource use request periods of the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 overlap, the multi-SIM device 100 operates in the DR mode, the first RF resource 112_1 is allocated to the first SIM 120_1 and the second RF resource 112_2 is allocated to the second SIM 120_2, and then a communication operation can be performed through the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2. The baseband processor 110 allocates the first RF resource 112_1 to one of the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2, and therefore, when it is determined that the multi-SIM device 100 may not operate in the DR mode, the multi-SIM device 100 operates in the DSDS mode.

[0043] The information about the first network and the information about the second network may include: at least one information about the first channel 12 required between the first network and the first SIM 120_1, and at least one information about the second channel 22 required between the second network and the second SIM 120_2, wherein whether the DR mode is accessible is judged based on the information about the first network and the information about the second network and the main SIM and the sub-SIM are set. That is, the information about the first channel 12 may include: first channel setting information indicating the type of the first channel 12 and first scheduling information about the first channel 12 when the first channel 12 has a periodic characteristic. In addition, the information about the second channel 22 may include: second channel setting information indicating the type of the second channel 22 and second scheduling information about the second channel 22 when the second channel 22 has a periodic characteristic.

[0044] The BS searcher 114 ensures synchronization with the first BS 10 and the second BS 20 according to a request of the first SIM 120_1 or the second SIM 120_2. The BS searcher 114 may perform a resynchronization operation for receiving paging from the first BS 10 and the second BS 20, or a measurement operation for measuring signal qualities of the neighboring first BS 10 and the second BS 20 for handover. In an exemplary embodiment, the BS searcher 114 may be formed of hardware.

[0045] The searcher scheduler 116 may manage the request scheduling of the BS searcher 114 of the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2. In an exemplary embodiment, when a resynchronization operation or a measurement operation is to be performed by using the BS searcher 114, the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 may output a use request signal to the searcher scheduler 116, and the searcher scheduler 116 may output a grant signal or a wait signal to the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 based on the request scheduling of the BS searcher 114. In an exemplary embodiment, the searcher scheduler 116 may manage the request scheduling of the BS searcher 114 based on at least one of whether the BS searcher 114 operates, operations performed by the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2, and current states of the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2.

[0046] The searcher scheduler 116 manages the request scheduling of the BS searcher 114, can determine whether a plurality of SIMs (e.g., the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2) use the BS searcher 114 based on the request scheduling, and can efficiently perform a resynchronization operation or a measurement operation by using the BS searcher 114. In addition, the multi-SIM device 100 operates a plurality of SIMs (e.g., the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2) only through the BS searcher 114, and therefore, the required area can be reduced.

[0047] In the current specification, it is described that the BS searcher 114 performs a resynchronization operation or a measurement operation according to requests of a plurality of SIMs. For example, the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 perform a resynchronization operation or a measurement operation.

[0048] The memory 130 may store information about the first network and information about the second network, and whenever the information about the first network and the information about the second network are updated, the memory 130 may store the updated information. The baseband processor 110 accesses the memory 130, reads the information about the first network and the information about the second network, and may perform operations according to the example embodiment. In addition, the memory 130 may store information about a wake-up time at which a resynchronization operation is performed, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 described.

[0049] exist Figure 1 , it is shown that the multi-SIM device 100 includes only two SIMs, i.e., the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2, and the baseband processor 110 includes only two RF resources, i.e., the first RF resource 112_1 and the second RF resource 112_2. However, the multi-SIM device 100 may include more SIMs and more RF resources. The example embodiments described below may be applied to a multi-SIM device including three or more SIMs or three or more RF resources.

[0050] Figure 2 1 is a block diagram illustrating a multi-SIM device according to an example embodiment. Figure 1 Description given.

[0051] Reference Figure 2 , the multi-SIM device 100 may include a first SIM 120_1 , a second SIM 120_2 , a BS searcher 114 , a searcher scheduler 116 , and a wake-up manager 118 .

[0052] In order to perform a resynchronization operation or a measurement operation, the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 may output a use request Req to the searcher scheduler 116. The use request Req may include a resynchronization authorization request Req_r for performing a resynchronization operation and a measurement authorization request Req_m for performing a measurement operation. The searcher scheduler 116 may send one of a grant signal Grt, a wait signal Wt, and a start signal Stt in response to the use request Req of the first SIM 120_1 or the second SIM 120_2.

[0053] When the authorization signal Grt is received, the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 may perform a resynchronization operation or a measurement operation, and when the start signal Stt is received after the wait signal Wt is received, the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 may perform a resynchronization operation or a measurement operation. When the resynchronization operation or the measurement operation is completed, the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 may output a release signal Rls to the searcher scheduler 116, indicating that the resynchronization operation or the measurement operation is completed. Figure 2 , the grant signal Grt and the start signal Stt are shown as different signals. However, the grant signal Grt and the start signal Stt may be formed of a signal having the same information (eg, "1").

[0054] The searcher scheduler 116 may include a state database DB_st including information about whether the BS searcher 114 is used. The searcher scheduler 116 may determine whether the BS searcher 114 is used through the state database DB_st in response to the measurement authorization request Req_m of the first SIM 120_1 or the second SIM 120_2. In an example embodiment, the searcher scheduler 116 may determine whether to allow the first SIM 120_1 or the second SIM 120_2 to use the BS searcher 114 based on whether the BS searcher 114 is used, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 Described in detail.

[0055] The wake-up manager 118 may store and control a wake-up time T_wu at which the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 start a resynchronization operation and power is applied to the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2. The wake-up time T_wu may be predetermined, and the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 may perform a resynchronization operation at the predetermined wake-up time T_wu. In an example, the wake-up manager 118 may store and control a wake-up time T_wu at which the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 start a resynchronization operation and power is applied to the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2. Figure 1 130) receives information about the wake-up time T_wu.

[0056] In an example embodiment, the searcher scheduler 116 receives a wake-up time T_wu from the wake-up manager 118 in response to a measurement authorization request Req_m of the first SIM 120_1 or the second SIM 120_2, and may determine whether to allow the first SIM 120_1 or the second SIM 120_2 to use the BS searcher 114 based on the received wake-up time T_wu, as described in reference to Figure 4 Described in detail.

[0057] The wake-up manager 118 may control the wake-up time T_wu of at least one of the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2. In an exemplary embodiment, when the resynchronization operations of the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 are performed simultaneously, the wake-up manager 118 controls the wake-up time T_wu of one of the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 so that the resynchronization operations of the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 do not overlap. This is described below with reference to Fig. 9 is described in more detail.

[0058] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the searcher scheduler 116 according to an example embodiment. In detail, Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the searcher scheduler 116 when a measurement authorization request is received from the first SIM 120_1.

[0059] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , when receiving the measurement authorization request Req_m from the first SIM 120_1 at operation S110 , the searcher scheduler 116 may determine whether the BS searcher 114 is currently used based on the state database DB_st at operation S120 .

[0060] When the searcher scheduler 116 determines that the BS searcher 114 is being used at step S130, the searcher scheduler 116 may output a waiting signal Wt to ​​the first SIM 120_1 at operation S140. Then, when the second SIM 120_2 has finished using the BS searcher 114, the searcher scheduler 116 may receive a release signal Rls at operation S150, which indicates that the second SIM 120_2 has released the BS searcher 114. At operation S160, the searcher scheduler 116 may output a start signal Stt to the first SIM 120_1 in response to the release signal Rls.

[0061] The first SIM 120_1 may output a measurement request Msm for performing a measurement operation to the BS searcher 114 in response to the start signal Stt. After the measurement operation is completed, the first SIM 120_1 may output a release signal Rls to the searcher scheduler 116. The searcher scheduler 116 may update the state database DB_st in response to the release signal Rls to indicate that the BS searcher 114 is not currently used. Figure 4 A case where the BS searcher 114 is not being used at operation S130 is described.

[0062] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the searcher scheduler 116 according to an example embodiment. In detail, Figure 4 is a diagram showing when it is determined that the BS searcher 114 is not being used ( Figure 3 ”NO” in S130 in FIG. 1 ), a diagram of the operation of the searcher scheduler 116.

[0063] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , when the BS searcher 114 is not being used, the searcher scheduler 116 may identify an operation state of the second SIM 120_2 at operation S210.

[0064] The first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 may have a first state in which paging is received from a newly connected BS, or a second state in which the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 are connected to the BS and transmit and receive data to and from the BS. In an exemplary embodiment, in the first state, the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 may be connected to the PCH, and in the second state, the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 may be connected to the DCH. In the current specification, a state in which the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 are connected to the PCH may be referred to as a first state, and a state in which the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 are connected to the DCH may be referred to as a second state. The first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 may perform a resynchronization operation or a measurement operation in the first state, and may perform a measurement operation in the second state.

[0065] The priority of the resynchronization operation may have a higher priority than the measurement operation. When the second SIM 120_2 does not have the first state but has the second state at operation S220, because the second SIM 120_2 does not perform the resynchronization operation (which has a higher priority than the measurement operation), the searcher scheduler 116 may output a grant signal Grt to the first SIM 120_1 at operation S290.

[0066] When the second SIM 120_2 has the first state at operation S220, the searcher scheduler 116 may receive a wake-up time T_wu of the second SIM 120_2 from the wake-up manager 118 at operation S230. In addition, the searcher scheduler 116 may determine whether to perform a resynchronization operation of the second SIM 120_2 within an estimated time of a measurement operation performed by the first SIM 120_1 based on the wake-up time T_wu of the second SIM 120_2 at operation S240. In an example embodiment, the searcher scheduler 116 may determine whether the wake-up time of the second SIM 120_2 is included in the estimated time of the measurement operation of the first SIM 120_1.

[0067] When the resynchronization operation of the second SIM 120_2 is performed within the estimated time of the measurement operation of the first SIM 120_1 at operation S250, the searcher scheduler 116 may output a waiting signal Wt to ​​the first SIM 120_1 at operation S260. Then, when the second SIM 120_2 completes the resynchronization operation, the searcher scheduler 116 may receive a release signal Rls indicating that the second SIM 120_2 has released the BS searcher 114 at operation S270. The searcher scheduler 116 may output a start signal Stt to the first SIM 120_1 in response to the release signal Rls at operation S280, and the first SIM 120_1 may perform the measurement operation in response to the start signal Stt.

[0068] When the resynchronization operation of the second SIM 120_2 is not performed within the estimated time of the measurement operation of the first SIM 120_1 at operation S250, because the measurement operation of the first SIM 120_1 may be completed before the resynchronization operation of the second SIM 120_2 is performed, the searcher scheduler 116 may output a grant signal Grt to the first SIM 120_1 at operation S290. The first SIM 120_1 may perform the measurement operation in response to the grant signal Grt.

[0069] In the Figure 1The resynchronization operation is completed before the paging of 10 and 20 in 10 and 20). Because the measurement operation has no time limit, the priority of the resynchronization operation can be higher than the priority of the measurement operation. The searcher scheduler 116 according to the exemplary embodiment determines whether the measurement operation can be completed before the resynchronization operation is performed. When the measurement operation may not be completed before the resynchronization operation, the measurement operation is performed after the resynchronization operation is completed, and therefore, the resynchronization operation and the measurement operation can be smoothly performed by one BS searcher 114.

[0070] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 , an example is shown in which the searcher scheduler 116 receives a measurement authorization request Req_m from the first SIM 120_1. The example embodiment also includes an example in which the searcher scheduler 116 receives a measurement authorization request Req_m from the second SIM 120_2.

[0071] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a multi-SIM device according to an example embodiment. In detail, Figure 5 An example is shown in which the second SIM 120_2 outputs a measurement authorization request for a measurement operation while the first SIM 120_1 performs a resynchronization operation.

[0072] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 5 , the first SIM 120_1 may be in a first state (connected to, for example, the PCH), and the second SIM 120_2 may be in a first state (connected to, for example, the PCH) or a second state (for example, connected to the DCH). At operation T110, the first SIM 120_1 may output a resynchronization grant request Req_r to the searcher scheduler 116 so as to perform a resynchronization operation on the searcher scheduler 116. In response to the resynchronization grant request Req_r, the searcher scheduler 116 may output a grant signal Grt to the first SIM 120_1 at operation T120, and the first SIM 120_1 may perform a resynchronization operation by using the BS searcher 114 at operation T130.

[0073] The second SIM 120_2 may output a measurement authorization request Req_m to the searcher scheduler 116 at operation T140 in order to perform a measurement operation, and the searcher scheduler 116 may determine whether the BS searcher 114 is used based on the state database DB_st at operation T150. Since the first SIM 120_1 is performing a resynchronization operation using the BS searcher 114, the searcher scheduler 116 may output a waiting signal Wt to ​​the second SIM 120_2 at operation T160.

[0074] After the resynchronization operation is completed, the first SIM 120_1 may output a release signal Rls to the searcher scheduler 116 at operation T170. Based on the release signal Rls received from the first SIM 120_1, the searcher scheduler 116 may output a start signal Stt to the second SIM 120_2 at operation T180. The second SIM 120_2 may perform a measurement operation in response to the start signal Stt at operation T190.

[0075] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a multi-SIM device according to an example embodiment. In detail, Figure 6 An example is shown in which the second SIM 120_2 outputs a measurement authorization request for a measurement operation while performing a measurement operation of the first SIM 120_1 .

[0076] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 6 , the first SIM 120_1 may be in a first state (connected to, for example, a PCH), and the second SIM 120_2 may be in a second state (connected to, for example, a DCH). At operation T210, the first SIM 120_1 may output a measurement authorization request Req_m to the searcher scheduler 116 in order to perform a measurement operation on the searcher scheduler 116. In response to the measurement authorization request Req_m, the searcher scheduler 116 may determine whether the BS searcher 114 is used based on the state database DB_st at operation T220. Because the second SIM 120_2 is not using the BS searcher 114 in the second state, an authorization signal Grt may be output to the first SIM 120_1 at operation T230, and the first SIM 120_1 may perform a measurement operation by using the BS searcher 114 at operation T240.

[0077] At operation T250, the second SIM 120_2 may output a measurement authorization request Req_m to the searcher scheduler 116 in order to perform a measurement operation, and at operation T260 the searcher scheduler 116 may determine whether the BS searcher 114 is used based on the state database DB_st. Since the first SIM 120_1 performs a measurement operation by using the BS searcher 114, the searcher scheduler 116 may output a waiting signal Wt to ​​the second SIM 120_2 at operation T270.

[0078] After the measurement operation is completed, the first SIM 120_1 may output a release signal Rls to the searcher scheduler 116 at operation T280, and based on the release signal Rls received from the first SIM 120_1, the searcher scheduler 116 may output a start signal Stt to the second SIM 120_2 at operation T290. The second SIM 120_2 may perform the measurement operation in response to the start signal Stt at operation T295.

[0079] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a multi-SIM device according to an example embodiment. In detail, Figure 7 An example is shown in which the second SIM 120_2 outputs a resynchronization grant request for a resynchronization operation while performing a measurement operation of the first SIM 120_1 .

[0080] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 7 , the first SIM 120_1 may be in the first state (connected to, for example, PCH) or the second state (connected to, for example, DCH), and the second SIM 120_2 may be in the first state (connected to, for example, PCH). At operation T310, the first SIM 120_1 may output a measurement authorization request Req_m to the searcher scheduler 116 in order to perform a measurement operation. Because the second SIM 120_2 has the first state, the searcher scheduler 116 (e.g., from the wake-up manager 118) receives the wake-up time of the second SIM 120_2, and at operation T320 may determine whether the wake-up time of the second SIM 120_2 is included in the estimated time of the measurement operation of the first SIM 120_1.

[0081] If the searcher scheduler 116 recognizes the wake-up time T_wu of the second SIM 120_2 as being within the estimated time of the measurement operation of the first SIM 120_1, the searcher scheduler 116 may output a waiting signal Wt to ​​the first SIM 120_1 at operation T330. Then, at the prescribed wake-up time T_wu of the second SIM 120_2, the second SIM 120_2 may output a resynchronization grant request Req_r to the searcher scheduler 116 at operation T340. At operation T350, the searcher scheduler 116 may output a grant signal Grt to the second SIM 120_2 in response to the resynchronization grant request Req_r, and the second SIM 120_2 may perform a resynchronization operation by using the BS searcher 114 at operation T360.

[0082] At operation T370, after the resynchronization operation is completed, the second SIM 120_2 may output a release signal Rls to the searcher scheduler 116, and based on the release signal Rls received from the second SIM 120_2, the searcher scheduler 116 may output a start signal Stt to the first SIM 120_1 at operation T380. At operation T390, the first SIM 120_1 may perform a measurement operation in response to the start signal Stt.

[0083] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a searcher scheduler according to an example embodiment. In detail, Figure 8 An example is shown in which the second SIM 120_2 receives a resynchronization grant request for a resynchronization operation while the searcher scheduler 116 performs a measurement operation of the first SIM 120_1.

[0084] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 8 , the first SIM 120_1 has a first state (connected to, for example, PCH) or a second state (connected to, for example, DCH), and the second SIM 120_2 may be in the first state (connected to, for example, PCH). The searcher scheduler 116 may receive a measurement authorization request Req_m from the first SIM 120_1 at a first time point t1. Because the second SIM 120_2 has the first state (connected to, for example, PCH), the searcher scheduler 116 receives the wake-up time of the second SIM 120_2, and may determine whether the wake-up time T_wt of the second SIM 120_2 is included in the prescribed estimated time T_Est of the measurement operation of the first SIM 120_1. In the current example, the prescribed estimated time T_Est of the measurement operation may be from the first time point t1 to the second time point t2.

[0085] In the example of ①, the first wake-up time T_wu1 of the second SIM 120_2 may be between the first time point t1 and the second time point t2. Therefore, the searcher scheduler 116 may output a waiting signal Wt to ​​the first SIM 120_1. Then, at the prescribed first wake-up time T_wu1, the second SIM 120_2 may perform a resynchronization operation by using the BS searcher 114, and after the second SIM 120_2 completes the resynchronization operation, the first SIM 120_1 may perform a measurement operation.

[0086] In the example of ②, the second wake-up time T_wu2 of the second SIM 120_2 may not be included in the time period from the first time point t1 to the second time point t2. Therefore, the searcher scheduler 116 may output the grant signal Grt to the first SIM 120_1. The first SIM 120_1 may perform a measurement operation by using the BS searcher 114 in response to the grant signal Grt. Then, at the second wake-up time T_wu2 at which the measurement operation has been completed, the second SIM 120_2 may perform a resynchronization operation by using the BS searcher 114.

[0087] Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a wake-up manager according to an example embodiment.

[0088] Reference Figure 2 and Fig. 9 , when the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 transition to the first state (connected to, for example, the PCH) at operation S310, the wake-up manager 118 may determine whether a first resynchronization operation of the first SIM 120_1 and a second resynchronization operation of the second SIM 120_2 overlap in time at operation S320. When the first resynchronization operation and the second resynchronization operation overlap in time, the wake-up manager 118 may control a wake-up time T_wu of the first SIM 120_1 or the second SIM 120_2 at operation S330. In an example embodiment, when power is applied to the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2, the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 may transition to the first state.

[0089] According to an example embodiment, when the first resynchronization operation and the second resynchronization operation overlap in time, the wake-up manager 118 advances the wake-up time of the first SIM 120_1 or the second SIM 120_2, so that the first resynchronization operation of the first SIM 120_1 and the second resynchronization operation of the second SIM 120_2 may not overlap, and multiple SIMs (i.e., the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2) may perform the resynchronization operation by using one BS searcher 114.

[0090] Fig. 10A , Fig. 10B and Fig. 10C is a diagram illustrating an operation of a wake-up manager according to an example embodiment.

[0091] Reference Figure 2 and Fig. 10A, power is applied to the first SIM 120_1 at the first wake-up time T_wu1, and the first SIM 120_1 may perform a first resynchronization operation for a first time Rd1. Power is applied to the second SIM 120_2 at the second wake-up time T_wu2, and the second SIM 120_2 may perform a second resynchronization operation for a second time Rd2. Because there is a conflict period in which the first time Rd1 and the second time Rd2 overlap, the wake-up manager 118 may determine a time obtained by advancing the first wake-up time T_wu1 of the first SIM 120_1 by the first time Rd1 as a new first wake-up time T_wu1'=T_wu1-Rd1.

[0092] Reference Figure 2 and Fig. 10B As shown, the conflict period in which the first time Rd1 and the second time Rd2 overlap may maintain the third time C1, and the wake-up manager 118 may determine a time obtained by advancing the first wake-up time T_wu1 of the first SIM 120_1 by the third time C1 as a new first wake-up time T_wu1'=T_wu1-C1.

[0093] Reference Figure 2 and Fig. 10C , the wake-up manager 118 may change the second wake-up time T_wu2 of the second SIM 120_2 to a new second wake-up time T_wu2 ′ obtained by advancing the second wake-up time T_wu2 , and thus, the first time Rd1 and the second time Rd2 do not overlap.

[0094] By controlling the first wake-up time T_wu1 or the second wake-up time T_wu2 by the above method, the first time Rd1 required for the first resynchronization operation and the second time Rd2 required for the second resynchronization operation may not overlap, and both the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 may perform the resynchronization operation by using the BS searcher 114 .

[0095] Example embodiments (i.e., Fig. 10A , Fig. 10B and Fig. 10C The method described in detail in ) may be applied to the method of controlling the wake-up time, and thus, the times required for the resynchronization operations of the plurality of SIMs (ie, the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2) may not overlap.

[0096] Fig.11 1 is a block diagram illustrating a multi-SIM device according to an example embodiment. Figure 2 Description given.

[0097] Reference Fig.11, the multi-SIM device 100 may include a first SIM 120_1 , a second SIM 120_2 , a BS searcher 114 , a searcher scheduler 116 , a state memory 117 , and a wake-up manager 118 .

[0098] The BS searcher 114 may store the state information St_Sch in the state memory 117. The state information St_Sch may include information about whether the BS searcher 114 is used by the first SIM 120_1 or the second SIM 120_2. The searcher scheduler 116 reads the state information St_Sch from the state memory 117 based on the measurement authorization request Req_m of the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2, and may determine whether to authorize the measurement operation of the first SIM 120_1 and the second SIM 120_2 based on the state information St_Sch.

[0099] Fig.12 is a diagram illustrating communication devices including a wireless communication device according to an example embodiment.

[0100] Reference Fig.12 , the home gadget 2100, the home appliance 2120, the entertainment device 2140, and the access point (AP) 2200 may include a multi-SIM device according to an example embodiment. In some example embodiments, the home gadget 2100, the home appliance 2120, the entertainment device 2140, and the AP 2200 may form an Internet of Things (IoT) network system. Fig.12 The communication device shown is only exemplary. A wireless communication device according to an example embodiment may be included in Fig.12 In each of the other communication devices not shown.

[0101] The home gadget 2100, the home appliance 2120, the entertainment device 2140, and the AP 2200 may transmit and receive signals through the above-mentioned multi-SIM device according to the exemplary embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, the home gadget 2100, the home appliance 2120, the entertainment device 2140, and the AP 2200 may include a searcher schedule for performing operation scheduling on the BS searcher. Therefore, the home gadget 2100, the home appliance 2120, the entertainment device 2140, and the AP 2200 can effectively perform resynchronization operations and measurement operations on multiple SIMs by using one BS searcher.

[0102] According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Fig.11At least one of the components, elements, modules or units represented by the blocks shown may be embodied as various numbers of hardware, software and / or firmware structures that perform the above-mentioned functions. For example, at least one of the baseband processor 110, the first RF resource 112_1, the second RF resource 112_2, the BS searcher 114, the searcher scheduler 116, the state memory 117, the wake-up manager 118 and other components, elements, modules or units may use a direct circuit structure, such as a memory, a processor, a logic circuit, a lookup table, etc., which can perform various functions by controlling one or more microprocessors or other control devices. In addition, at least one of the baseband processor 110, the first RF resource 112_1, the second RF resource 112_2, the BS searcher 114, the searcher scheduler 116, the state memory 117, the wake-up manager 118 and other components, elements, modules or units may be specifically embodied as a part of a module, a program or a code, which contains one or more executable instructions for performing a specified logical function and executed by one or more microprocessors or other control devices. In addition, at least one of the baseband processor 110, the first RF resource 112_1, the second RF resource 112_2, the BS searcher 114, the searcher scheduler 116, the state memory 117, the wake-up manager 118, and other components, elements, modules, or units may further include a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, etc. that performs various functions, or may be implemented by a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, etc. that performs various functions. Two or more of the baseband processor 110, the first RF resource 112_1, the second RF resource 112_2, the BS searcher 114, the searcher scheduler 116, the state memory 117, the wake-up manager 118, and other components, elements, modules, or units may be combined into a single component, element, module, or unit that performs all operations or functions of the combined two or more components, elements, modules, or units. In addition, at least one of the baseband processor 110, the first RF resource 112_1, the second RF resource 112_2, the BS searcher 114, the searcher scheduler 116, the state memory 117, the wake-up manager 118 and other components, elements, modules or units can be executed by another of these components, elements, modules or units. In addition, although the bus is not shown in the above block diagram, the communication between the components, elements, modules or units can be performed through the bus. The functional aspects of the above exemplary embodiments can be implemented in algorithms executed on one or more processors.In addition, the baseband processor 110, the first RF resource 112_1, the second RF resource 112_2, the BS searcher 114, the searcher scheduler 116, the state memory 117, the wake-up manager 118, and other components, elements, modules or units represented by boxes or processing steps can adopt any number of related art technologies for electronic configuration, signal processing and / or control, data processing, etc.

[0103] While example embodiments have been particularly shown and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A multi-user identification module device, comprising: a first subscriber identification module interface; A second subscriber identification module interface; as well as At least one processor configured to implement: a base station searcher configured to perform, based on a request received from the first SIM interface, a resynchronization operation for ensuring synchronization with a base station or a measurement operation for measuring a signal quality of the base station; as well as a searcher scheduler configured to receive a request from the first SIM interface to use the base station searcher, and to identify whether the first SIM interface is authorized to use the base station searcher based on the request and the schedule of the base station searcher, wherein the first SIM interface and the second SIM interface are configured to operate in a first state and a second state, wherein the first state is used to receive paging from the base station and the second state is used to send and receive data with the base station, wherein the searcher scheduler is further configured to: receiving, from the first subscriber identity module interface, a measurement authorization request for the base station searcher; When the base station searcher does not perform an operation, identifying whether the second SIM interface has the first state or the second state; and When the second SIM interface has the second state, an authorization signal for causing the first SIM interface to perform the measurement operation by using the base station searcher is output to the first SIM interface.

2. The multi-user identity module device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to implement a wake-up manager configured to store and control a wake-up time at which the base station searcher starts the resynchronization operation according to a resynchronization operation request of the first subscriber identity module interface.

3. The multi-user identity module device according to claim 2, wherein: The base station searcher is further configured to: perform a first resynchronization operation according to a request received from the first SIM interface, and perform a second resynchronization operation according to a request received from the second SIM interface, and Wherein, the wake-up manager is further configured to: identify whether the first resynchronization operation and the second resynchronization operation overlap in time based on the wake-up time, and based on being identified as the first resynchronization operation and the second resynchronization operation overlap in time, modify at least one of the first wake-up time of the first resynchronization operation and the second wake-up time of the second resynchronization operation.

4. The multi-user identity module device according to claim 3, wherein: The wake-up manager is further configured to identify a first time spent on the first resynchronization operation and to modify the first wake-up time by the first time.

5. The multi-user identity module device according to claim 3, wherein: The wake-up manager is further configured to identify a second time at which the first resynchronization operation and the second resynchronization operation overlap, and advance the first wake-up time by the second time.

6. The multi-user identity module device according to claim 1, wherein: The searcher scheduler is further configured to access a status database indicating a status of the base station searcher and identify whether the first SIM interface is authorized to use the base station searcher based on the status based on the measurement authorization request received from the first SIM interface.

7. The multi-user identity module device according to claim 6, wherein: The searcher scheduler is further configured to output a wait signal to the first SIM interface based on the measurement authorization request received from the first SIM interface while the base station searcher performs an operation according to a request from the second SIM interface.

8. The multi-user identity module device according to claim 7, wherein: The searcher scheduler is further configured to: receive a release signal from the second SIM interface, the release signal indicating that the base station searcher has completed the operation according to the request from the second SIM interface, and The searcher scheduler is further configured to: based on the release signal received from the second SIM interface, output a start signal to the first SIM interface, so that the first SIM interface starts the measurement operation by using the base station searcher.

9. The multi-user identity module device according to claim 6, in, The base station searcher is further configured to receive a request for the resynchronization operation and the measurement operation from the first SIM interface or the second SIM interface operating in the first state, and The base station searcher is further configured to receive a request for the measurement operation from the first SIM interface or the second SIM interface operating in the second state.

10. The multi-user identity module device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to implement a wake-up manager, the wake-up manager being configured to store and control a wake-up time at which the base station searcher starts the resynchronization operation according to a resynchronization operation request of the first SIM interface or the second SIM interface, Wherein, the searcher scheduler is configured to: receive the wake-up time of the second user identification module interface from the wake-up manager when the second user identification module interface has the first state, and identify whether to perform the resynchronization operation of the second user identification module interface within the estimated time of the measurement operation requested by the first user identification module interface based on the wake-up time of the second user identification module interface.

11. The multi-user identity module device according to claim 10, in, The searcher scheduler is further configured to: when performing the resynchronization operation of the second SIM interface within the estimated time of the measurement operation, output a waiting signal to the first SIM interface to control the first SIM interface to wait for the measurement operation based on the measurement authorization request received from the first SIM interface, The searcher scheduler is further configured to: when the base station searcher completes the resynchronization operation according to the request from the second user identification module interface, receive a release signal from the second user identification module interface, and The searcher scheduler is further configured to: based on the release signal received from the second SIM interface, output a start signal to the first SIM interface to control the first SIM interface to start the measurement operation by using the base station searcher.

12. The multi-user identity module device according to claim 10, wherein: The searcher scheduler is further configured to, when the resynchronization operation of the second SIM interface is not performed within the estimated time of the measurement operation, output a start signal to the first SIM interface to control the first SIM interface to perform the measurement operation by using the base station searcher.

13. A method for scheduling an operation of a base station searcher included in a multi-user identity module device, the base station searcher being configured to: perform an operation based on a request received from a first user identity module interface or a second user identity module interface included in the multi-user identity module device: a resynchronization operation for ensuring synchronization with a base station or a measurement operation for measuring a signal quality of the base station, the method comprising: receiving, from the first subscriber identity module interface, a measurement authorization request for the base station searcher; as well as outputting, to the first SIM interface, one of a wait signal for causing the first SIM interface to wait for the measurement operation and an authorization signal for causing the first SIM interface to perform the measurement operation by using the base station searcher based on a state of the base station searcher, wherein the first SIM interface and the second SIM interface are configured to operate in a first state and a second state, wherein the first state is used to receive paging from the base station, and the second state is used to send and receive data with the base station, and Wherein, outputting the authorization signal comprises: When the base station searcher does not perform an operation, identifying whether the second SIM interface has the first state or the second state; and When the second SIM interface has the second state, the authorization signal for causing the first SIM interface to perform the measurement operation by using the base station searcher is output to the first SIM interface.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: receiving a release signal from the second SIM interface indicating completion of use of the base station searcher; as well as outputting, to the first SIM interface, a start signal for causing the first SIM interface to start the measurement operation by using the base station searcher based on the release signal, and Outputting the waiting signal includes: when the base station searcher performs an operation, outputting the waiting signal to the first user identification module interface.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein: Outputting the authorization signal includes: receiving a wake-up time when the second SIM interface has the first state, at which the resynchronization operation of the second SIM interface begins; identifying, based on a wake-up time of the second SIM interface, whether the resynchronization operation of the second SIM interface is performed within an estimated time of the measurement operation according to the request of the first SIM interface; When the resynchronization operation of the second SIM interface is performed within the estimated time of the measurement operation according to the request of the first SIM interface, outputting the waiting signal to the first SIM interface so that the first SIM interface waits for the measurement operation; receiving a release signal from the second SIM interface when the resynchronization operation of the second SIM interface is completed; Based on the release signal, outputting to the first SIM interface a start signal for causing the first SIM interface to start the measurement operation by using the base station searcher; and When the resynchronization operation of the second SIM interface is not performed within the estimated time of the measurement operation according to the request of the first SIM interface, the authorization signal for causing the first SIM interface to perform the measurement operation is output to the first SIM interface.

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