Multi-SIM Interface Time Slot Switching for Registration Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dual SIM communication devices face challenges in efficiently managing the sharing of a communication interface between multiple SIMs, particularly in scenarios where one SIM is active, preventing the other SIM from monitoring paging indicators or performing periodic registration updates without disrupting the active connection.

Innovation Solution

A system with controller logic that identifies transition times to switch the communication interface between SIMs, allowing the inactive SIM to monitor paging indicators or perform registration updates by configuring registration timers and determining transition durations based on the active SIM's connection type, ensuring minimal disruption to the active connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the communication interface is dedicated to one active SIM, then the active SIM maintains stable connection and high throughput, but the inactive SIM cannot perform periodic registration updates or monitor paging indicators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidmulti-SIM functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communication interface is segmented into time slots, with specific transition times allocated for switching between SIMs. This allows the interface to serve multiple SIMs sequentially while maintaining dedicated connection periods for each, resolving the conflict between stable active connection and multi-SIM functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic switching between SIMs at predetermined transition times. The inactive SIM is periodically granted access to perform registration updates and monitor paging indicators, while the active SIM resumes control after the transition period, enabling both SIMs to maintain network connectivity periodically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the communication interface transitions to the inactive SIM for registration updates, then the inactive SIM maintains network connectivity, but the active SIM connection experiences disruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoiduser equipment throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs registration updates and paging monitoring during brief transition periods between active SIM connections. By scheduling these maintenance operations at predetermined transition times rather than interrupting active data transmission, the system maintains network connectivity for both SIMs while minimizing impact on active throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If multiple SIMs share a single communication interface, then device complexity is reduced, but time management and scheduling between SIMs becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication interface structureVSAvoidinterface sharing control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches the communication interface between SIMs based on predetermined transition times and connection states. The interface allocation changes from static to dynamic time-sharing, allowing efficient resource utilization while maintaining simplified hardware architecture through automated switching logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2605561B1Periodic registration updates for multiple SIM user equipment
Publication Date: 2014.11.05 BROADCOM INC
  • EP2605561B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2605561B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2605561B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods are presented to support operation of a multiple subscriber identity module (SIM) device. A first SIM may perform a data transfer or voice call. During the first SIM's data transfer or voice call, transition times are identified to transition communication resources to a second SIM for use in performing a registration update communication with a network controller that supports the second SIM. The registration update communication may include a periodic location update, a periodic routing update, or a periodic tracking update. The multiple SIM device may identify the transition time by obtaining periodic registration timing information from the network controller, configuring a periodic registration timer based on the periodic registration timing information, and setting the transition time as an expiration time of the periodic registration timer.