Multi-SIM User Equipment Signaling for Standardized Network Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-SIM devices operate in an implementation-specific manner without standardized support, leading to increased complexity for UE vendors and network operators, and result in unpredictable UE behavior and degraded user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method for multi-SIM user equipment (UE) to inform the network about its capability, architecture, and mode of operation, allowing it to request network switches and provide status updates, thereby standardizing multi-SIM UE behavior and ensuring predictable network interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multi-SIM devices operate in an implementation-specific manner without standardized support, then device functionality is enhanced, but system complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces standardized parameters and information elements (IEs) to describe multi-SIM device capabilities, architecture, and operational status. By changing the parameter representation from implementation-specific to standardized, the system achieves consistent interpretation across different vendors and networks, reducing complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments multi-SIM operation information into distinct standardized components: capability indication IE, architecture indication IE, and status update IE. This segmentation allows the network to process and manage each aspect separately, reducing overall system complexity while supporting diverse multi-SIM implementations
2Adaptability or versatility
If multi-SIM devices operate in an implementation-specific manner without standardized support, then device functionality is enhanced, but operational predictability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms unpredictable implementation-specific behavior into predictable standardized operations by defining explicit parameters for capability indication, architecture description, and status reporting. These standardized parameters ensure consistent UE behavior across different implementations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where UEs report their multi-SIM status and capability information to the network using standardized IEs. The network can then provide appropriate responses and configurations, creating a closed-loop system that ensures predictable and reliable operation
3Ease of manufacture
If multi-SIM devices operate in an implementation-specific manner without standardized support, then vendor flexibility is maintained, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal standardized information elements that can represent various multi-SIM implementations (different architectures, different numbers of SIMs, different operational modes) through a common framework. This universality simplifies network management while allowing vendors to implement diverse solutions
Data Source
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AI summary
A user equipment and a method for multi-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) operation are provided. The method includes transmitting, to a first network associated with a first Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), a first indication indicating that a status of a multiple Subscriber Identity Modules (multi-SIM) operation is active; receiving, from the first network, a second indication indicating that the UE is allowed to transmit a network switch request message; transmitting, to the first network, the network switch request message that indicates switching from the first network to a second network associated with a second USIM; and receiving, from the first network, a response message in response to the network switch request message, the response message indicating whether the first network accepts or rejects the network switch request message.