System and method for handling inactive subscriber identity module services in multi-subscriber identity module dual subscriber identity module dual standby mode

Abstract

A system and method for handling inactive Subscriber Identity Module services in a Multi-Subscriber Identity Module, Dual Subscriber Identity Module, Dual Standby mode is provided. Systems and methods for providing an inactive subscriber identity module (SIM) service with multiple SIMs configured at multiple UEs are disclosed herein. A primary user equipment (UE) activates a first SIM of a dual SIM dual standby (DSDS) configuration used by the primary UE to perform active mode network communication on the first SIM, and in response to activating the first SIM of the DSDS configuration used by the primary UE, sends an indication to a secondary UE to activate a second SIM of the DSDS configuration. The secondary UE receives the indication to activate a second SIM of the first DSDS configuration used by the primary UE, and activates the second SIM for use by the secondary UE in response to receiving the indication. Thus, the secondary UE can handle any network communication on the second SIM during the network communication on the first SIM at the primary UE.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application generally relates to wireless communication systems, including wireless communication systems that provide inactive SIM services utilizing multiple SIMs configured at multiple UEs. Background Art

[0002] Wireless mobile communication technologies use various standards and protocols to transmit data between base stations and wireless communication devices. For example, wireless communication system standards and protocols may include the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) (e.g., 4G), 3GPP New Radio (NR) (e.g., 5G), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard for wireless local area networks (WLANs) (commonly referred to within industry organizations as WLANs). ).

[0003] As envisioned by 3GPP, different wireless communication system standards and protocols may use various radio access networks (RANs) for communication between base stations (sometimes also referred to as RAN nodes, network nodes, or simply nodes) of the RAN and wireless communication devices referred to as user equipment (UE). 3GPP RANs may include, for example, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) RAN (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and / or Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN).

[0004] Each RAN can use one or more radio access technologies (RATs) for communication between base stations and UEs. For example, GERAN implements GSM and / or EDGE RAT, UTRAN implements Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) RAT or other 3GPP RAT, E-UTRAN implements LTE RAT (sometimes referred to as LTE), and NG-RAN implements NR RAT (the NR RAT is sometimes referred to as 5G RAT, 5G NR RAT, or NR in this document). In some deployments, E-UTRAN may also implement NR RAT. In some deployments, NG-RAN may also implement LTE RAT.

[0005] The base station used by the RAN may correspond to the RAN. An example of an E-UTRAN base station is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (also commonly denoted as an evolved Node B, enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB). An example of an NG-RAN base station is a Next Generation Node B (also sometimes referred to as a gNodeB or gNB).

[0006] The RAN provides communication services together with external entities through its connection with the Core Network (CN). For example, E-UTRAN may utilize the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and NG-RAN may utilize the 5G Core Network (5GC).

[0007] The frequency bands of 5G NR can be divided into two or more different frequency ranges. For example, frequency range 1 (FR1) may include frequency bands operating at frequencies below 6 gigahertz (GHz), some of which are available for use by previous standards and can potentially be expanded to cover new spectrum products from 410 megahertz (MHz) to 7125MHz. Frequency range 2 (FR2) may include frequency bands from 24.25GHz to 52.6GHz. It should be noted that in some systems, FR2 may also include frequency bands from 52.6GHz to 71GHz (or higher). The frequency bands in the millimeter wave (mmWave) range of FR2 may have smaller coverage than the frequency bands in FR1 but potentially higher available bandwidth. Technicians will recognize that these frequency ranges provided by way of example may vary over time or region. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit(s) in a reference number refers to the drawing number that first introduces the element.

[0009] Figure 1 A flow chart of a method of using coordinated UEs to prevent missed communications at a primary UE operating in DSDS mode is shown.

[0010] Figure 2 A flow chart of a method of using coordinated UEs to prevent missed communications at a primary UE operating in DSDS mode is shown.

[0011] Figure 3 A flow chart of a method of using coordinated UEs to prevent missed communications at a primary UE operating in DSDS mode is shown.

[0012] Figure 4 A flow chart of a method of using coordinated UEs to prevent missed communications at a primary UE operating in DSDS mode is shown.

[0013] Figure 5 A flow chart of a method of using coordinated UEs to prevent missed communications at a primary UE operating in DSDS mode is shown.

[0014] Figure 6 A method of a master UE according to an embodiment of this document is shown.

[0015] Figure 7A method of a secondary UE configured with a first SIM and a second SIM of a first DSDS configuration used by a primary UE according to embodiments herein is shown.

[0016] Figure 8 An exemplary architecture of a wireless communication system according to embodiments disclosed herein is shown.

[0017] Fig. 9 A system for performing signaling between a wireless device and a network device according to embodiments disclosed herein is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The embodiments are described with respect to a UE. However, reference to a UE is provided for illustrative purposes only. The exemplary embodiments may be used with any electronic component that can establish a connection with a network and is configured with hardware, software, and / or firmware for exchanging information and data with the network. Therefore, a UE as described herein is used to represent any suitable electronic component.

[0019] Embodiments herein relate to using multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) at each UE in a pair of UEs. The SIM of a UE identifies the UE as owned by an entity (e.g., a user of the UE) that subscribes to a wireless communication system (e.g., operated by a particular wireless communication system operator) for the SIM. In some cases, the SIM may be removably stored at the UE (e.g., stored on a SIM card inserted into the UE). In other cases, the SIM may be stored on the UE in a non-removable manner.

[0020] Embodiments herein relate to a multi-SIM (MSIM) scenario, in which a UE includes two SIMs (e.g., such that the UE is ultimately allowed to access each of two wireless communication systems corresponding to the two SIMs). Such a UE may operate in a dual-SIM dual-standby (DSDS) mode, in which each of the two SIMs is in a standby state (e.g., a radio resource control (RRC) idle state) in which paging may be received, while no active mode network communications (e.g., phone calls, short message service (SMS) messages, etc.) occur with respect to a connection represented by / corresponding to either of the SIMs.

[0021] Then, in DSDS mode, to perform active mode network communications on a first SIM of the two SIMs, the UE may use the first SIM as an "active SIM" (e.g., associate it with the UE's modem hardware during periods of active use of active mode network communications on the first SIM). During periods when the first SIM is active (e.g., in an RRC connected state), according to the DSDS mode, network communications according to a second SIM of the two SIMs are not possible at the UE (the SIM may be referred to as an "inactive SIM").

[0022] During such periods, any network communications (e.g., calls, SMS, etc.) occurring on the inactive SIM are missed at the UE. Note that in at least some such cases, notifications and / or reminders of missed communications are not even communicated to the user of the UE.

[0023] The omission of network communications on an inactive SIM may be undesirable for various reasons. For example, consider a scenario where the UE operates according to the DSDS mechanism and where a first SIM is associated with using the UE for business purposes and a second SIM is associated with using the UE for personal purposes. In such a scenario, a user making a business call through the first SIM may wish to use an SMS One Time Password (SMS-OTP) to complete some business-related transaction (such as banking, session authentication of a user profile, call authentication, etc.), but is unable to do so because the relevant notification from the remote system is sent to the user of the personal SIM (and is therefore missed).

[0024] As another scenario, a user may be on a business call on a first (business) SIM, and during this period, miss a high priority call on a second (personal) SIM.

[0025] It has been determined that these (and other) problematic scenarios regarding missing network communications on an inactive SIM while another SIM is active at the UE can be mitigated by coordination with a second UE paired with a first UE. It will be appreciated that a first of these UEs is a primary UE that operates in accordance with the DSDS mode and correspondingly activates the first SIM when active mode network communications occur on the first SIM. Additionally, a second of these UEs is a secondary UE that is capable of dynamically switching its active SIM based on, for example, the active SIM of the primary UE.

[0026] In such a case, when the primary UE activates the first SIM, it can check the default SIM of the secondary UE, and when the default SIM is not the second SIM, the secondary UE can be switched to the inactive SIM. The secondary UE can then provide continuity of service on the second SIM during the period when the primary UE is performing active mode network communications on the first SIM.

[0027] In such cases, it should be understood that the term "inactive SIM" as used herein refers to the inactive state of the SIM relative to the primary UE. As should be understood in the context, such "inactive SIM" may be activated / active at the secondary UE, as will be discussed.

[0028] Thus, it should be understood that each of the two DSDS SIMs for the primary UE is also configured on the secondary UE (so that dynamic switching of the SIM on the secondary UE between the two SIMs is possible based on the inactive SIM on the primary UE). Note that in some cases, the secondary UE may also be a DSDS device (so the configuration of the first SIM and the second SIM at the secondary UE may be according to the DSDS configuration), but this is not required.

[0029] In some cases, it may be appreciated that the primary UE is, for example, a smartphone carried by a user, while the secondary UE is a smartwatch equipped with a modem worn by the user. Note, however, that this is just one possible example - it is contemplated that in general, UEs of arbitrary form factors may be coordinated with each other and then used according to the mechanisms discussed herein.

[0030] As described herein, the primary UE and the secondary UE may communicate with each other via a communication channel that does not (necessarily) travel back through their respective wireless communication networks associated with the SIM. For example, such a communication channel may be Channel, channel, or some other type of channel suitable for communication between two devices within some local proximity of each other.

[0031] Figure 1 A flow chart 100 of a method of using coordinated UEs to prevent missed communications at a primary UE operating in DSDS mode is shown. Flow chart 100 relates to a case where the primary UE is a smart phone (or "phone") and the secondary UE is a smartwatch (or "watch") and where (at least) the primary UE operates in DSDS mode (but note that any other form factor UE may be used instead of a phone or watch).

[0032] First, at block 102, a profile of each of a first SIM ("SIM-A") and a second SIM ("SIM-B") is configured at the watch for each of the phones. Note that in some figures and / or disclosures provided herein, a SIM may be equivalently referred to as a "SIM profile".

[0033] Then, at block 104, a default SIM of the watch is configured from one of the first SIM and the second SIM. In various embodiments, the default SIM of the watch is configured to be the same as the default SIM of the phone.

[0034] Then, checks are performed for various conditions for moving the watch from the default SIM to the other of the two SIMs. At block 106, a first check is performed whether the phone and watch are within proximity of each other. The proximity may be a predetermined value that has been selected to correspond to circumstances where it is reasonable to infer that a single user is currently carrying both a phone and a watch. If the phone and watch are not within proximity, the watch remains on the default SIM, as shown in block 108.

[0035] If the phone and watch are within proximity, then a check is made to see if the active SIM at the watch is the same SIM that is actively used at the UE for calls (or for some other active mode network communications). If this is not the case, the watch remains on the default SIM, as shown in block 108.

[0036] If the default SIM at the watch is the same as the SIM actively used for calls (or other active mode network communications) at the phone, the watch modem is restored (activated), the watch's SIM is switched to the profile of the inactive SIM at the phone, and any stack corresponding to the inactive SIM at the phone is transferred to the watch, as shown in box 112.

[0037] Proceeding to block 114, the watch is now ready to serve the inactive SIM on the standalone watch modem (e.g., ready to perform (second) active mode network communications on the inactive SIM) during the period when a call / active mode network communication on the active SIM is occurring on the phone. As shown in block 116, the watch uses the inactive SIM in a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode ("IDLE") and may, for example, read and / or respond to paging in a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle for one or more of mobile terminated (MT) calls and SMS, etc. The secondary UE may further alert the user, for example, via a user interface of the watch, that such a call / SMS / etc. has been received, and / or provide the user with one or more options for responding / reacting to the call / SMS / etc.

[0038] Then, a check is performed for various conditions for moving the watch back to the default SIM. As shown in boxes 118 and 120, while a call / active mode network communication on the phone's active SIM remains in progress on the phone, the watch remains on the inactive SIM. In addition, as shown in boxes 122 and 120, if the inactive SIM is not in idle mode at the watch (meaning there is still an ongoing active mode network communication to the watch on the inactive SIM), the watch is kept on the inactive SIM. Once the call / active mode network communication on the active SIM on the phone ends and the RRC state of the inactive SIM on the watch drops to IDLE, the watch modem is suspended and the watch's SIM returns to the default SIM of the watch.

[0039] The watch then remains on the default SIM until the checks represented in blocks 106 and 110 are passed again (eg, a subsequent call / active mode network communication occurs at the primary UE on the default SIM used by the watch).

[0040] Figure 2 A flow chart 200 of a method of using coordinated UEs to prevent missed communications at a primary UE operating in DSDS mode is shown. Flow chart 200 relates to a case where the primary UE is a smart phone (or "phone") and the secondary UE is a smartwatch (or "watch") and where (at least) the primary UE operates in DSDS mode (but note that any other form factor UE may be used instead of a phone or watch).

[0041] Flowchart 200 illustrates an embodiment of the communication between the phone's all-phone MSIM modem 202 and phone application processor (AP) 204 and the watch's watch AP 206 and watch modem 208. The phone MSIM modem 202 operates in accordance with DSDS operations and is configured to have a first modem ("Modem 0") for use with a first SIM ("SIM 0") and a second modem ("Modem 1") for use with a second SIM ("SIM 1"), as shown.

[0042] The phone AP 204 then configures 210 each of the first SIM and the second SIM to the watch AP 206. The watch AP 206 then configures 212 each of the first SIM and the second SIM to the watch modem 208. As shown, according to this configuration, the watch modem 208 uses "SIM 0" as its default SIM.

[0043] Then, notification 214 of an active call / other active mode network communication arrives from phone AP 204 to phone MSIM modem 202. In response, phone MSIM modem 202 notifies phone AP 204 that it has activated "Modem 0" for active mode network communications and has suspended "Modem 1".

[0044] In response, the phone AP 204 checks 218 whether the phone and the watch are within proximity of each other. The proximity may be a predetermined value that has been selected to correspond to circumstances where it is reasonable to infer that a single user is currently carrying both a phone and a watch.

[0045] If it is determined that the phone and the watch are within proximity of each other, the phone AP 204 sends 220 an instruction to the watch AP 206 to wake up the watch modem and set the inactive SIM as the current watch SIM. In response, the watch AP 206 sends 222 an instruction to the watch modem 208 to switch the watch profile from the default SIM to the inactive SIM at the phone. Thus, "SIM 1" is used as the current SIM at the watch. As shown, the watch modem 208 is operable to register with the network regarding "SIM 1".

[0046] After the watch switches to “SIM 1” (and as previously described, while active mode communications were already occurring on the phone on “SIM 0”), an MT call / SMS / some other active mode communication may be received at the watch modem 208, which sends 224 the same notification to the watch AP 206. This notification may cause the watch to present a notification to the user, via some user interface (e.g., the watch's screen, a tone played by the watch's speaker, etc.), regarding the active mode network communication on “SIM 1”.

[0047] In some embodiments, the watch AP 206 may further notify the phone AP 204 of the MT call / SMS / other active mode communication received on "SIM 1". In some such cases, the watch AP 206 may instruct 226 the phone AP 204 to present (visually, using audio, etc.) a notification that there is an active mode communication occurring on the watch on "SIM 1". This instruction may be sent via, for example, Or some other communication channel that exists between the phone and the watch, as described herein. In some of these cases, the phone may present the user with the option of maintaining the current active mode communication on "SIM 0" and receiving active mode communication on "SIM 1" via the watch modem 208 and the communication channel between the watch and the phone.

[0048] Some time later, active mode network communications on "SIM 1" end, and watch modem 208 notifies 228 watch AP 206 that this has occurred. Watch AP 206 in turn notifies 230 phone AP 204 that active mode network communications on "SIM 1" at the watch have ended.

[0049] Then, in active mode communication on "SIM 0" at the phone end, the phone MSIM modem 202 sends 232 a message to the phone AP 204 that this has occurred. As shown, "Modem 0" and "Modem 1" are idle at the phone MSIM modem 202, respectively.

[0050] After determining that all previous active mode network communications on the phone and watch (as described) have ended, the phone AP 204 sends 234 to the watch AP 206 an instruction to the watch modem 208 to switch to the default SIM of the watch and enter sleep mode. In response, the watch AP 206 sends 236 to the watch modem 208 an instruction to switch the SIM of the watch. As shown, the watch can then be understood to be using "SIM 0" (which can be understood to have returned to the default SIM of the watch).

[0051] Figure 3 A flow chart 300 of a method of using coordinated UEs to prevent missed communications at a primary UE operating in DSDS mode is shown. The flow chart 300 relates to a case where the primary UE is a smart phone (or "phone") 304 and the secondary UE is a smartwatch (or "watch") 302 and where (at least) the primary UE operates in DSDS mode (but note that any other form factor UE may be used instead of a phone or watch). The phone 304 is shown in the flow chart 300 with its core phone functionality 306 and its baseband functionality 308.

[0052] As shown, watch 302 and phone 304 are each configured with two SIMs each, one for a first network ("NW1") operated by a first network operator profile and one for a second network ("NW2") operated by a second network operator.

[0053] The SIM of NW1 is enabled 310 (eg, by default) at the watch 302. The core phone functionality 306 is configured with a DSDS configuration, with the SIM of each of NW1 and NW2 being online 312.

[0054] Active mode network communication from NW1 (on Figure 3 In the particular embodiment shown in , a call) arrives at the baseband function 308 of the phone 304, which notifies 314 the core phone function 306 of the phone 304 about this communication. The user accepts 316 the call, which causes the SIM of NW2 to go offline 318 at the phone 304 (e.g., into a suspended state).

[0055] The core phone functionality 306 then determines 320 whether the watch 302 is actually paired with the phone 304. As part of this determination, the core phone functionality 306 may analyze whether the watch 302 and the phone 304 are within a given proximity of each other. In the embodiment of the flowchart 300, the watch 302 and the phone 304 are paired and within a given proximity of each other.

[0056] Then, the core phone function 306 instructs 322 the watch 302 to enable the SIM of NW2. In addition, the core phone function 306 may instruct 324 the watch 302 to bring its baseband online. As described herein, communication between the phone 304 and the watch 302 may be via Or some other communication channel exists between the phone and the watch.

[0057] In response, watch 302 brings NW2's SIM online so that it can receive / process any active mode network communications of NW2 during the period when phone 304 is operating a call on NW1.

[0058] The call on NW1 then ends 326, and the core telephony functionality 306 notifies 328 the baseband functionality 308 that this has occurred. Because there is no longer an active call on "SIM 1" at the phone 304, the SIMs for each of NW1 and NW2 come back online 330 at the core telephony functionality 306 of the watch 302 in accordance with the DSDS mode operated by the phone 304 (e.g., the phone 304 may again monitor RRC idle mode network communications on each of the SIMs for each of NW1 and NW2).

[0059] The core phone function 306 may then instruct 332 the watch 302 to take its baseband offline. In addition, the core phone function 306 then instructs 334 the watch 302 to enable the SIM of NW1. In response, the watch 302 enables the SIM of NW1 (e.g., returns to the default SIM of the watch 302).

[0060] Figure 4 A flow chart 400 of a method of using coordinated UEs to prevent missed communications at a primary UE operating in DSDS mode is shown. The flow chart 400 relates to a case where the primary UE is a smart phone (or "phone") 404 and the secondary UE is a smartwatch (or "watch") 402 and where (at least) the primary UE operates in DSDS mode (but note that any other form factor of UE may be used instead of a phone or watch). The phone 404 is shown in the flow chart 400 with its RemotePlanController function 406, its CellularPlanController function 408, its CallController function 410, and its baseband function 412, while the watch 402 is shown with its VinylController function 414 and its CellularPlanController function 416.

[0061] For communication between the phone 404 and the watch 402, the RemotePlanController function 406 of the phone 404 and the CellularPlanController function 416 of the watch 402 can communicate with each other using a communication channel, as generally shown in the flowchart 400. As described herein, these communications can be via Or some other communication channel exists between the phone 404 and the watch 402.

[0062] As shown, within the phone 404, a GetRemoteDevicePlans request is sent 418 from the CellularPlanController function 408 to the RemotePlanController function 406, which communicates 420 the request to the watch 402. In response, the watch 402 implements 422 GetProfileList messaging between its VinylController function 414 and the CellularPlanController function 406 to retrieve the SIM used at the watch and communicates that information back 420 to the RemotePlanController function 416 of the phone 404. These communications inform the phone 404 of the two SIMs used at the watch.

[0063] A first of the two SIMs is for a first network ("NW1") operated by a first network operator, and a second of the two SIMs is for a second network ("NW2") operated by a second network operator.

[0064] In some embodiments, NW1 may be the default SIM for the watch 402. In at least some embodiments, this may be set at the watch 402 by the phone 404 during and / or in response to the communications 418, 420, 422, such as Figure 4 as shown in .

[0065] Active mode network communication on NW1 (on Figure 4 In the particular embodiment shown in FIG, a call) arrives at the baseband function 412 of the phone 404, which notifies 424 the CallController function 410 of the phone 404 about this communication. The CallController function 410 forwards 426 the indication to the CellularPlanController function 408 of the phone 404.

[0066] Based on the active call on NW1's SIM card, the CellularPlanController function 408 of the phone 404 determines to switch 428 the current subscription of the remote device (watch 402). Therefore, the CellularPlanController function 408 instructs 430 the RemotePlanController function 406 to enable NW2's SIM on the watch 402. The RemotePlanController function 406 then transmits 432 the instruction to the CellularPlanController function 416 of the watch 402 via the communication channel between the phone 404 and the watch 402. The CellularPlanController function 416 then instructs 434 the VinylController function 414 to enable NW1's SIM.

[0067] In addition, CellularPlanController function 408 instructs 436 RemotePlanController function 406 to put watch 402 on its baseband online. RemotePlanController function 406 then transmits 438 the instruction to CellularPlanController function 416 of watch 402 via the communication channel between phone 404 and watch 402. CellularPlanController function 416 then instructs 440 VinylController function 414 to put its baseband online.

[0068] In this state, watch 402 can receive / process any active mode network communications of NW2 during the period when phone 404 is operating a call on NW1.

[0069] The call on NW1 on phone 404 then ends. CallController function 410 notifies 442 that the call has ended and further indicates 444 to CellularPlanController function 408 that there are no active calls.

[0070] Based on the fact that there is no active call, the CellularPlanController function 408 of the phone 404 determines to switch 428 the current subscription of the remote device (watch 402) to NW2. Therefore, the CellularPlanController function 408 instructs 446 the RemotePlanController function 406 to enable the SIM of NW2 on the watch 402. The RemotePlanController function 406 then transmits 448 the instruction to the CellularPlanController function 416 of the watch 402 via the communication channel between the phone 404 and the watch 402. Then, the CellularPlanController function 416 instructs 450 the VinylController function 414 to enable the SIM of NW2.

[0071] In addition, CellularPlanController function 408 instructs 452 RemotePlanController function 406 to take watch 402 offline for its baseband. RemotePlanController function 406 then transmits 454 the instruction to CellularPlanController function 416 of watch 402 via the communication channel between phone 404 and watch 402. CellularPlanController function 416 then instructs 450 VinylController function 414 to take its baseband offline.

[0072] Figure 5 A flow chart 500 of a method of using coordinated UEs to prevent missed communications at a primary UE operating in DSDS mode is shown. Flow chart 500 relates to a case where the primary UE is a smart phone (or "phone") and the secondary UE is a smart watch (or "watch") and where (at least) the primary UE operates in DSDS mode (but note that any other form factor of UE may be used instead of a phone or watch). The DSDS configuration of the phone may use a first SIM of a first network ("NW1") and a second SIM of a second network ("NW2"). ​​Each of these SIMs may be configured at each of the phone and the watch.

[0073] The flow chart 500 is shown in terms of watch baseband functions 502 and watch core phone functions 504 of the watch, phone core phone functions 506 and phone baseband functionality 508 of the phone, and network functions 510 associated with NW2.

[0074] Telephone baseband function 508 includes a first modem ("Modem1") 512 associated with NW1, a second modem ("Modem2") 514 associated with NW2. "Modem1" 512 operates a first non-access stratum (NAS) layer ("NAS1") 516 and a first access stratum (AS) layer ("AS1") 518 relative to NW1. In addition, "Modem2" 514 operates a second NAS layer ("NAS2") 520 and a second AS layer ("AS2") 522 relative to NW2.

[0075] First, active mode communications on the first SIM are established 524 with respect to the first SIM on "Modem 1" 512. This places the second SIM / second modem on the phone out of service (OOS) as shown.

[0076] In some embodiments, a master UE operating in DSDS mode with respect to a first SIM and a second SIM may be able to receive paging messages on the second SIM during active mode network communications on the first SIM. The embodiment represented in flowchart 500 corresponds to a case where the phone is able to use a DSDS configuration in dual receive (DR) mode ("DR-DSDS" mode). In DR-DSDS mode, each of "Modem 1" 512 and "Modem 2" 514 may be associated with / access the air interface of its corresponding network via an independent receive (Rx) path. In this case, there are no inherent radio frequency (RF) coexistence issues for the first SIM of NW1 and the second SIM of NW2 on "Modem 1" 512 (e.g., the first SIM and the second SIM do not conflict at the RF front end of the phone). In this case, the DR-DSDS mode may (simultaneously) support an RRC connected state on the first SIM (so that active mode network communications through the first SIM may be utilized) and an RRC idle state on the second SIM (so that paging messages may still be received on the second SIM when active mode network communications occur on the first SIM).

[0077] Flowchart 500 shows that during the active mode communication of the phone on the first SIM, NW2 sends 526 a paging message to the phone. At this time, according to the DR-DSDS mode of the phone, the paging message is successfully received at AS2 522 of "Modem 2" 514 of the phone.

[0078] AS2 522 then indicates 528 to the phone's NAS2 520 that a page has been received. NAS2 520 then notifies 530 the phone's phone core telephony functionality 506 that a page has been received for the phone's inactive modem ("Modem 2" 514).

[0079] In response, the phone core phone function 506 then instructs 532 the watch core phone function 504 to perform a profile switch to the inactive SIM (the second SIM). Communication between the phone and the watch may be via Or some other communication channel exists between the phone and the watch.

[0080] Then, the watch core phone function 504 works with the watch baseband function 502 to switch 534 the watch's current subscription from the first SIM corresponding to NW1 (which may be the default SIM of the watch) to the second SIM, which is enabled at the watch instead. In addition, the watch core phone function 504 instructs 532 the watch baseband function 502 to bring the watch's baseband online.

[0081] The watch is thus enabled to handle active mode communications on the second SIM (eg corresponding to a paging message for the second SIM which is first received at the phone and then indicated to the watch).

[0082] therefore, Figure 5 Flowchart 500 shows the case where a switch of the watch's SIM to the second SIM is performed only when active mode communication on the second SIM is needed during active mode communication on the first SIM by the phone (e.g., when ultimately triggered by a paging message from the second SIM). In this way, network resources (signaling, processing) can be saved by always instructing the switch of the watch's SIM in response to all instances of active mode communication on the first SIM by the phone.

[0083] Figure 6 A method 600 of a primary UE according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The method 600 includes: activating 602 a first SIM configured with DSDS used by the primary UE to perform active mode network communications on the first SIM. The method 600 also includes: in response to activating the first SIM configured with DSDS used by the primary UE, sending 604 a first indication to activate a second SIM configured with DSDS at the secondary UE to the secondary UE.

[0084] In some embodiments, the method 600 further includes: determining that active mode network communications on the first SIM end; and sending a second indication of the first SIM to activate the DSDS configuration at the secondary UE to the secondary UE in response to determining that active mode network communications on the first SIM end.

[0085] In some embodiments, the method 600 further comprises: sending configuration information of the first SIM and the second SIM including the DSDS configuration to the secondary UE.

[0086] In some embodiments, the method 600 further includes sending a second indication to the secondary UE that the first SIM of the DSDS configuration is a default SIM of the secondary UE.

[0087] In some embodiments, the method 600 further includes determining that the secondary UE is within the proximity of the primary UE, wherein the first indication is further sent to the secondary UE in response to determining that the secondary UE is within the proximity of the primary UE.

[0088] In some embodiments, the method 600 further includes: receiving a paging message corresponding to the DSDS-configured second SIM during active mode network communications on the first SIM, wherein the first indication is further sent to the secondary UE in response to receipt of the paging message.

[0089] In some embodiments, the method 600 further includes receiving a notification from the secondary UE that active mode network communications on the second SIM are available to the primary UE through the secondary UE.

[0090] In some methods of method 600, the primary UE and the secondary UE are connected via Connect to communicate.

[0091] Figure 7 A method 700 of a secondary UE configured with a first SIM and a second SIM of a first DSDS configuration used by a primary UE according to embodiments herein is shown. The method 700 includes: receiving 702 a first indication from the primary UE to activate 704 a second SIM of the first DSDS configuration used by the primary UE at the secondary UE. The method 700 also includes: activating 704 the second SIM for use by the secondary UE in response to receiving the first indication.

[0092] In some embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: deactivating the first SIM at the secondary UE in response to receiving the first indication.

[0093] In some embodiments, method 700 further includes performing active mode network communications on the second SIM.

[0094] In some embodiments, the method 700 further includes sending a notification to the primary UE that active mode network communications on the second SIM are available to the primary UE via the secondary UE.

[0095] In some embodiments, method 700 also includes: after receiving the first indication, receiving a second indication from the primary UE to activate the first SIM of the first DSDS configuration at the secondary UE; and in response to receiving the second indication, deactivating the second SIM at the secondary UE and activating the first SIM at the secondary UE.

[0096] In some embodiments, the method 700 further includes receiving configuration information of the first SIM and the second SIM including the first DSDS configuration from the master UE.

[0097] In some embodiments, the method 700 further includes receiving, from the primary UE, a second indication that the first SIM of the first DSDS configuration is a default SIM of the secondary UE.

[0098] In some embodiments of method 700, the primary UE and the secondary UE communicate via Connect to communicate.

[0099] In some embodiments of the method 700, the first SIM and the second SIM are configured in a second DSDS configuration for use by the secondary UE.

[0100] Figure 8 An exemplary architecture of a wireless communication system 800 according to an embodiment disclosed herein is shown. The description provided below is for an exemplary wireless communication system 800 operating in conjunction with the LTE system standard and / or the 5G or NR system standard provided in the 3GPP technical specifications.

[0101] like Figure 8 As shown, the wireless communication system 800 includes UE 802 and UE 804 (however, any number of UEs may be used). In this example, UE 802 and UE 804 are shown as smartphones (e.g., handheld touch screen mobile computing devices capable of connecting to one or more cellular networks), but may also include any mobile or non-mobile computing device configured for wireless communication.

[0102] UE 802 and UE 804 may be configured to be communicatively coupled to RAN 806. In an embodiment, RAN 806 may be NG-RAN, E-UTRAN, etc. UE 802 and UE 804 utilize connections (or channels) (shown as connection 808 and connection 810, respectively) with RAN 806, where each connection (or channel) includes a physical communication interface. RAN 806 may include one or more base stations (such as base station 812 and base station 814) that implement connection 808 and connection 810.

[0103] In this example, connection 808 and connection 810 are air interfaces that enable such communicative coupling and may conform to the RAT used by RAN 806 , such as LTE and / or NR.

[0104] In some embodiments, UE 802 and UE 804 may also directly exchange communication data via interface 816. In some embodiments, interface 816 may be a sidelink interface. In some embodiments, interface 816 may represent a communication interface for communicating via Or some other communication channel for communicating between UE 802 and UE 804, as described herein with respect to inactive SIM services.

[0105] UE 804 is shown as being configured to access an access point (shown as access point 818) via connection 820. By way of example, connection 820 may include a local wireless connection, such as a connection conforming to any IEEE 802.11 protocol, wherein access point 818 may include In this example, access point 818 may not be connected to another network (eg, the Internet) through CN 824.

[0106] In an embodiment, UE 802 and UE 804 may be configured to communicate with each other or with base station 812 and / or base station 814 over a multi-carrier communication channel using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals according to various communication techniques, such as, but not limited to, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication techniques (e.g., for downlink communication) or single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication techniques (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink communication), although the scope of the embodiment is not limited in this respect. The OFDM signal may include multiple orthogonal subcarriers.

[0107] In some embodiments, all or part of the base station 812 or the base station 814 may be implemented as one or more software entities running on a server computer as part of a virtual network. In addition, or in other embodiments, the base station 812 or the base station 814 may be configured to communicate with each other via the interface 822. In an embodiment where the wireless communication system 800 is an LTE system (e.g., when the CN 824 is an EPC), the interface 822 may be an X2 interface. The X2 interface may be defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more eNBs, etc.) connected to the EPC and / or between two eNBs connected to the EPC. In an embodiment where the wireless communication system 800 is an NR system (e.g., when the CN 824 is a 5GC), the interface 822 may be an Xn interface. The Xn interface is defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more gNBs, etc.) connected to the 5GC, between the base station 812 (e.g., gNB) and the eNB connected to the 5GC, and / or between two eNBs connected to the 5GC (e.g., CN 824).

[0108] The RAN 806 is shown communicatively coupled to the CN 824. The CN 824 may include one or more network elements 826 configured to provide various data and telecommunication services to customers / subscribers (e.g., UE 802 and users of UE 804) connected to the CN 824 via the RAN 806. The components of the CN 824 may be implemented in one physical device or separate physical devices including components for reading and executing instructions from a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium).

[0109] In an embodiment, CN 824 may be an EPC, and RAN 806 may be connected to CN 824 via an S1 interface 828. In an embodiment, S1 interface 828 may be divided into two parts: an S1 user plane (S1-U) interface, which carries traffic data between base station 812 or base station 814 and a serving gateway (S-GW); and an S1-MME interface, which is a signaling interface between base station 812 or base station 814 and a mobility management entity (MME).

[0110] In an embodiment, CN 824 may be a 5GC, and RAN 806 may be connected to CN 824 via an NG interface 828. In an embodiment, NG interface 828 may be divided into two parts: an NG user plane (NG-U) interface, which carries traffic data between base station 812 or base station 814 and a user plane function (UPF); and an S1 control plane (NG-C) interface, which is a signaling interface between base station 812 or base station 814 and an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0111] In general, the application server 830 may be an element that provides applications that use Internet Protocol (IP) bearer resources with the CN 824 (e.g., packet-switched data services). The application server 830 may also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., VoIP sessions, group communication sessions, etc.) for the UE 802 and UE 804 via the CN 824. The application server 830 may communicate with the CN 824 via an IP communication interface 832.

[0112] Fig. 9 A system 900 for performing signaling 932 between a wireless device 902 and a network device 918 according to embodiments disclosed herein is shown. The system 900 may be part of a wireless communication system as described herein. The wireless device 902 may be, for example, a UE of a wireless communication system. The network device 918 may be, for example, a base station (e.g., an eNB or a gNB) of a wireless communication system.

[0113] The wireless device 902 may include one or more processors 904. The processor 904 may execute instructions to perform various operations of the wireless device 902 as described herein. The processor 904 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a controller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0114] The wireless device 902 may include a memory 906. The memory 906 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions 908 (which may include, for example, instructions executed by the processor 904). The instructions 908 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory 906 may also store data used by the processor 904 and results calculated by the processor.

[0115] The wireless device 902 may include one or more transceivers 910, which may include radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuitry and / or receiver circuitry that uses an antenna 912 of the wireless device 902 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 932) transmitted or received by the wireless device 902 to or from other devices (e.g., network device 918) according to a corresponding RAT.

[0116] The wireless device 902 may include one or more antennas 912 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). For implementations with multiple antennas 912, the wireless device 902 may take full advantage of the spatial diversity of these multiple antennas 912 to send and / or receive multiple different data streams on the same time-frequency resources. This approach may be referred to as, for example, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) approach (referring to multiple antennas used on the transmitting device and the receiving device side to implement this aspect, respectively). The MIMO transmission performed by the wireless device 902 may be implemented based on precoding (or digital beamforming) applied to the wireless device 902, and the wireless device 902 multiplexes the data streams between the antennas 912 based on known or assumed channel characteristics, so that each data stream is received with appropriate signal strength relative to other streams and at a desired location in the spatial domain (e.g., the location of the receiver associated with the data stream). Certain implementations may use a single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) approach (where data streams are all directed to a single receiver) and / or a multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) approach (where individual data streams may be directed to individual (different) receivers at different locations in the spatial domain).

[0117] In certain embodiments with multiple antennas, the wireless device 902 may implement analog beamforming techniques whereby the phases of the signals transmitted by the antennas 912 are adjusted relative to each other so that the (joint) transmissions of the antennas 912 are directional (this is sometimes referred to as beam steering).

[0118] The wireless device 902 may include one or more interfaces 914. The interface 914 may be used to provide input or output to the wireless device 902. For example, a wireless device 902 that is a UE may include an interface 914, such as a microphone, a speaker, a touch screen, buttons, etc., to allow a user of the UE to input and / or output to the UE. Other interfaces of such a UE may be composed of transmitters, receivers, and other circuits (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 910 / antenna 912 described above), which allow the UE to communicate with other devices and may communicate according to known protocols (e.g., etc.) to perform the operation.

[0119] The wireless device 902 may include an inactive SIM service module 916. The inactive SIM service module 916 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the inactive SIM service module 916 may be implemented as a processor, circuit, and / or instructions 908 stored in the memory 906 and executed by the processor 904. In some examples, the inactive SIM service module 916 may be integrated within the processor 904 and / or the transceiver 910. For example, the inactive SIM service module 916 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or a general purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuits) within the processor 904 or the transceiver 910.

[0120] The inactive SIM service module 916 may be used in various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, Figures 1 to 7Aspects of. The inactive SIM service module 916 may be configured to cause the wireless device 902 to act as a primary UE, as described herein. For example, the inactive SIM service module 916 may configure the wireless device 902 to activate a first SIM configured for DSDS used by the wireless device 902 to perform active mode network communications on the first SIM, and in response to activating the first SIM configured for DSDS used by the wireless device 902, further send a first indication to the secondary UE to activate a second SIM configured for DSDS at the secondary UE. Additionally or alternatively, the inactive SIM service module 916 may be configured to cause the wireless device 902 to act as a secondary UE, as described herein. For example, the inactive SIM service module 916 may configure the wireless device 902 to receive an indication from a primary UE to activate a second SIM configured for DSDS used by the primary UE at the wireless device 902, the primary UE having a first SIM and a second SIM configured (also) at the wireless device 902, and in response to receiving the indication, activate the second SIM for use by the secondary UE.

[0121] The network device 918 may include one or more processors 920. The processor 920 may execute instructions to perform various operations of the network device 918, as described herein. The processor 920 may include one or more baseband processors implemented using, for example, a CPU, a DSP, an ASIC, a controller, an FPGA device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0122] The network device 918 may include a memory 922. The memory 922 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 924 (which may include, for example, instructions executed by the processor 920). The instructions 924 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. The memory 922 may also store data used by the processor 920 and results calculated by the processor.

[0123] The network device 918 may include one or more transceivers 926, which may include RF transmitter circuitry and / or receiver circuitry that uses an antenna 928 of the network device 918 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 932) transmitted or received by the network device 918 with other devices (e.g., wireless device 902) according to a corresponding RAT.

[0124] The network device 918 may include one or more antennas 928 (e.g., one, two, four, or more). In embodiments with multiple antennas 928, the network device 918 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam steering, etc. as described above.

[0125] The network device 918 may include one or more interfaces 930. The interface 930 may be used to provide input to or output from the network device 918. For example, the network device 918 as a base station may include an interface 930 composed of a transmitter, a receiver and other circuits (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 926 / antenna 928 described above), which enables the base station to communicate with other equipment in the core network and / or enables the base station to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, etc., in order to achieve the purpose of performing operations, management and maintenance of the base station or other equipment operably connected thereto.

[0126] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising means for performing one or more elements of either method 600 or method 700. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus that is a UE (such as wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0127] Embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions for causing the electronic device to perform one or more elements of either method 600 or method 700 when one or more processors of the electronic device execute the instructions. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, a memory of a UE (such as memory 906 of a wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0128] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logical components, modules, or circuits for performing one or more elements of either method 600 or method 700. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0129] Embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of either method 600 or method 700. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0130] Embodiments contemplated herein include a signal as described in or in connection with one or more elements of either method 600 or method 700 .

[0131] Embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product including instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processor causes the processor to perform one or more elements of any of the methods 600 or 700. The processor may be a processor of a UE (such as the processor 904 of the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein). These instructions may be located, for example, in a processor of the UE and / or on a memory (such as the memory 906 of the wireless device 902 as a UE, as described herein).

[0132] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components shown in one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes and / or methods as described herein. For example, the baseband processor described herein in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples described herein. For another example, the circuits associated with the UE, base station, network element, etc. described above in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples shown herein.

[0133] Unless otherwise expressly stated, any of the above embodiments may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments). The foregoing description of one or more specific implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. In view of the above teachings, modifications and variations are possible or can be obtained from the practice of various embodiments.

[0134] Embodiments and implementations of the systems and methods described herein may include various operations that may be embodied in machine executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. A computer system may include one or more general or special purpose computers (or other electronic devices). A computer system may include hardware components that include specific logic components for performing operations, or may include a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware.

[0135] It should be appreciated that the systems described herein include descriptions of specific embodiments. These embodiments may be combined into a single system, partially incorporated into other systems, separated into multiple systems, or otherwise divided or combined. In addition, it is contemplated that parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of one embodiment may be used in another embodiment. For clarity, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. are described only in one or more embodiments, and it should be appreciated that unless otherwise stated herein, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. may be combined with or substituted for parameters, attributes, aspects, etc. of another embodiment.

[0136] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of the authorized use should be clearly stated to users.

[0137] Although the foregoing has been described in considerable detail for the sake of clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles of the invention. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways to implement both the processes and the apparatus described herein. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and the specification is not limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of a primary user equipment (UE), the method comprising: activating a first SIM of a dual subscriber identity module (SIM) dual standby (DSDS) configuration used by the primary UE to perform active mode network communications on the first SIM; In response to activating the first SIM of the DSDS configuration used by the primary UE, a first indication is sent to a secondary UE to activate a second SIM of the DSDS configuration at the secondary UE.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining that the active mode network communication on the first SIM is ended; as well as In response to determining that the active mode network communication on the first SIM ends, a second indication of the first SIM is sent to the secondary UE to activate the DSDS configuration at the secondary UE.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: and sending configuration information of the first SIM and the second SIM including the DSDS configuration to the secondary UE.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A second indication that the first SIM of the DSDS configuration is a default SIM of the secondary UE is sent to the secondary UE.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: It is determined that the secondary UE is within a proximity of the primary UE, wherein the first indication is further sent to the secondary UE in response to determining that the secondary UE is within the proximity of the primary UE.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: During the active mode network communication on the first SIM, a paging message corresponding to the second SIM of the DSDS configuration is received, wherein the first indication is further sent to the secondary UE in response to receiving the paging message.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A notification is received from the secondary UE that active mode network communications on the second SIM are available to the primary UE through the secondary UE.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the primary UE and the secondary UE are connected via Connect to communicate.

9. A method of a secondary user equipment (UE), the secondary user equipment (UE) being configured with a first SIM and a second SIM of a first dual subscriber identity module (SIM) dual standby (DSDS) configuration used by a primary UE, the method comprising: receiving, from a primary UE, a first indication to activate, at the secondary UE, the second SIM of the first DSDS configuration used by the primary UE; as well as The second SIM is activated for use by the secondary UE in response to receiving the first indication.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: The first SIM is deactivated at the secondary UE in response to receiving the first indication.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: Active mode network communications are performed on the second SIM.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: A notification is sent to the primary UE that active mode network communications on the second SIM are available to the primary UE through the secondary UE.

13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: After receiving the first indication, receiving, from the primary UE, a second indication of activating the first SIM of the first DSDS configuration at the secondary UE; as well as The second SIM is deactivated at the secondary UE and the first SIM is activated at the secondary UE in response to receiving the second indication.

14. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: Configuration information of the first SIM and the second SIM including the first DSDS configuration is received from the master UE.

15. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: A second indication is received from the primary UE that the first SIM of the first DSDS configuration is a default SIM for the secondary UE.

16. The method according to claim 9, wherein the primary UE and the secondary UE are connected via Connect to communicate.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the first SIM and the second SIM are configured in a second DSDS configuration used by the secondary UE.

18. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

20. An apparatus comprising logic components, modules or circuits for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

21. A baseband processor for a primary user equipment (UE), the baseband processor being configured to cause the primary UE to execute one or more elements according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

22. A baseband processor for a secondary user equipment (UE), the baseband processor being configured to cause the secondary UE to perform one or more elements according to any one of claims 9 to 17.

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