Dual-SIM Downlink Handling During Mobile Network Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices equipped with multiple subscriber identities for different mobile networks face challenges in managing downlink data when transitioning between networks, as they cannot simultaneously exchange data with both networks.
Innovation Solution
The device determines its preference for how the mobile network should process downlink data during transitions, indicating this preference to the network to manage pending and arriving data accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UE connects to multiple mobile networks simultaneously using multiple subscriber identities, then the UE can access services from different networks, but the UE cannot exchange user-plane data with both networks at the same time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data handling process by separating the control plane (which can interact with multiple networks) from the user plane (which handles data transmission). When the UE transitions to another network, the first network's core network element is notified to suspend or discard downlink data, allowing the UE to switch networks without data loss or conflict, thus enabling multi-network connectivity while maintaining clear data exchange protocols.
2Reliability
If the first mobile network continues receiving downlink data for the UE while the UE transitions to another network, then data delivery is maintained, but data loss or delivery conflicts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE notify the first network's core network element before transitioning to another network. The notification includes an indication that triggers the network to suspend or discard downlink data in advance. This prevents data loss by ensuring the network stops sending data before the UE actually switches, maintaining reliability while avoiding information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE provides feedback to the first network's core network element about its network transition status. This feedback mechanism allows the network to adjust data delivery behavior accordingly, suspending or discarding downlink data when the UE is away, thus preventing data loss while maintaining the ability to resume data delivery when the UE returns.
3Productivity
If the UE notifies the first network of its preference for handling downlink data, then data management efficiency improves, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the UE's preference indication multi-functional by embedding it within existing network signaling protocols rather than creating separate dedicated signaling messages. The preference indication can be included in various types of messages (e.g., registration updates, service requests), allowing a single signaling mechanism to serve multiple purposes: network registration, service management, and data delivery preference communication. This reduces overall signaling overhead while maintaining data management efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a user equipment (UE) having a first subscriber identity module for connecting to a first mobile network according to a first subscription and a second subscriber identity module for connecting to the first mobile network or a second mobile network according to a first second includes determining, by processing hardware, a preference of how the first mobile network is to process downlink data for the UE when the UE transitions from the first subscription to the second subscription (1102); and transmitting, by the processing hardware and to the first mobile network, an indication of the preference, to cause the first mobile network to process the downlink data for the UE based at least in part on the preference (1104).