Multi-SIM Device Cell Search Sharing for Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-SIM mobile communication devices, existing processes for cell measurement and network searches are inefficient, leading to redundant searches and increased power consumption as each SIM performs independent cell searches, even when some SIMs are in standby mode.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where one SIM (active SUB) conducts cell searches and shares the results with another SIM (passive SUB), allowing the passive SUB to skip its own searches and reduce power consumption by proactive or reactive sharing of measurement results across subscriptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If each SIM performs independent cell searches to ensure complete network coverage, then measurement accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cell search operations of multiple SIMs into a single coordinated search. The first SIM performs the cell search and shares results with the second SIM, eliminating redundant searches while maintaining measurement accuracy for both subscriptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cell search results obtained by one SIM are made universally applicable to multiple SIMs. The measurement information serves multiple purposes and multiple subscriptions simultaneously, reducing the total energy expenditure while maintaining comprehensive network awareness.

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

2Reliability

If each SIM performs independent cell searches to ensure complete network coverage, then network search completeness is improved, but search time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork search completenessVSAvoidsearch time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cell search operations of multiple SIMs into a single coordinated search process. The first SIM performs the search and shares results with the second SIM, eliminating redundant searches while maintaining network search completeness for both subscriptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The first SIM performs the cell search in advance, and the results are subsequently shared with the second SIM. This preliminary action by one SIM eliminates the need for the second SIM to perform the same search, reducing total search time while maintaining completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple measurement configuration messages are processed separately for each SIM, then measurement coverage is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the processing of measurement configuration messages for multiple SIMs. When the first SIM receives measurement configuration, it performs measurements and shares results with the second SIM, eliminating redundant processing while maintaining comprehensive measurement coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement results obtained by one SIM are made universally applicable to multiple SIMs. A single measurement process serves multiple subscriptions, reducing processing complexity while maintaining comprehensive network measurement coverage.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3508005B1System and method for sharing measurement results in multi-SIM devices
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3508005B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3508005B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3508005B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for reducing power consumption in a mobile communication device is disclosed. The device may have multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs), wherein each SIM is associated with a subscription. The method may include measuring received signal strengths from one or more cells for use with a first subscription. The method may also include sharing the search results for use with a second subscription. The first subscription and the second subscription may be associated with the same or difference cells and radio access technologies. The method may also include refraining from measuring the received signal strengths of the one or more cells for use with the second subscription, based on the search results.