Dual-SIM Proxy Subscription Mode for Lower Idle Power

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in managing multiple subscriptions of a user equipment (UE) in idle mode, particularly when different subscriptions are associated with the same or different network operators, leading to suboptimal resource utilization and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A proxy subscription mode is activated for a first subscription to perform idle mode operations on behalf of a second subscription, enabling the UE to share network information and measurements, thereby optimizing operations and reducing unnecessary measurements and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE performs idle mode operations for both subscriptions simultaneously, then connectivity for both subscriptions is maintained, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the idle mode operation tasks between two processing components: a first processor dedicated to handling idle mode operations for a first subscription, and a second processor for handling idle mode operations for a second subscription. This segmentation allows the system to distribute the power consumption burden and enables selective activation of processors based on which subscription requires idle mode operations, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining connectivity for both subscriptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the UE uses separate processors for each subscription's idle mode operations, then connectivity reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidprocessor configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing the second processor to handle idle mode operations for the second subscription, while the first processor can serve dual purposes: handling idle mode operations for the first subscription and also assisting with active mode operations for the second subscription. This multi-functional design allows the system to achieve reliable connectivity for both subscriptions without requiring completely separate dedicated processors for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4005259B1Techniques for using a first subscription of a user equipment to perform idle mode operations for a second subscription of the user equipment
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4005259B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4005259B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4005259B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may determine that a first subscription of the UE and a second subscription of the UE are associated with a same cell and are being used for a same radio access technology (RAT). The UE may activate a proxy subscription mode for the first subscription based at least in part on the determination that the first subscription of the UE and the second subscription of the UE are associated with the same cell and are being used for the same RAT, wherein the proxy subscription mode enables the UE to use the first subscription to perform one or more idle mode operations for the second subscription while the second subscription is in an idle mode. Numerous other aspects are provided.