Multi-USIM Gateway Access for Seamless Dual-Network Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-USIM devices experience service interruptions and resource inefficiencies when communicating with multiple cellular networks, as existing methods require direct radio interface connections, leading to unnecessary messaging and resource expenditure.
Innovation Solution
A UE registers with first and second cellular networks using corresponding USIMs, connecting to a second network via the radio interface of the first network and a gateway, allowing the first network to manage Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, and selecting the connection type based on signal strength and quality, thereby bypassing direct radio interface communication with the second network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multi-USIM device communicates with each PLMN over respective radio interfaces, then the device can access services of both networks, but service interruptions and additional messaging occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary component that enables the UE to access services of the second PLMN through the first PLMN's core network infrastructure. The gateway acts as a mediator between the UE and the second PLMN's services, allowing communication without direct radio interface connection to the second PLMN, thereby eliminating service interruptions associated with switching between radio interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables a single radio interface connection to the first PLMN to serve multiple functions: accessing services of the first PLMN directly and accessing services of the second PLMN through the gateway. This multi-functionality allows the UE to communicate with both networks through one radio interface, eliminating the need to switch radio interfaces and preventing service interruptions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-USIM device maintains connections to multiple PLMNs, then service access is enabled, but resource expenditure and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as an intermediary that simplifies connection management by handling the complexity of accessing the second PLMN's services through the first PLMN's infrastructure. The UE only needs to manage a single radio interface connection to the first PLMN, while the gateway manages the backend connectivity to the second PLMN, reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complexity of managing multiple radio interface connections from the UE by moving it to the network side through the gateway. The UE's responsibility is reduced to maintaining a single radio interface connection, while the gateway handles the extraction and management of multiple network access requirements, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Productivity
If a multi-USIM device uses dual receivers, then simultaneous reception from two RANs is enabled, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single receiver to perform multiple functions by allowing it to receive traffic from the first RAN while the gateway handles traffic from the second RAN. This multi-functionality of the single receiver eliminates the need for a second receiver, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to access both networks simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as an intermediary that receives and forwards traffic between the networks, allowing the UE's single receiver to focus only on receiving from the first RAN. The gateway handles the reception and transmission of traffic to the second RAN, eliminating the need for the UE to have a second receiver and reducing its power consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
A user device (UE) equipped with a first universal subscriber identity module (USIM) for communicating with a first cellular network and a second USIM for communicating with a second cellular network, wherein the first cellular network includes a first radio access network (RAN) and the second cellular network includes a second RAN, determines whether the first cellular network supports access to a gateway of the second cellular network (402), and when the first cellular network supports the access: (i) connects to the second cellular network via the first RAN and the gateway (408), and (ii) prevents the second cellular network from transmitting information to the UE via the second RAN (410).