Shared-SIM Communication Relay for Poor Cellular Signal Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Poor cellular signal reception due to factors like poor base station distribution, interference, and building obstructions leads to weak signal strength, causing issues such as voice choppiness, video freezing, and call interruptions in cellular communication services.

Innovation Solution

A communication system comprising a first electronic device with a good cellular signal acting as a relay to assist a second electronic device with a poor signal, enabling it to access a network side device using a shared SIM card, thereby improving communication quality and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the second electronic device directly communicates with the network side device using its own SIM card, then the device can independently access cellular services, but the communication quality deteriorates due to poor cellular signal reception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidsignal strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a relay device as an intermediary between the second electronic device and the network side device. The relay device receives cellular signals from the network side device and forwards them to the second electronic device via a different communication interface (e.g., Wi-Fi), thereby mediating the communication and overcoming the poor cellular signal reception at the second device's location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the direct cellular communication mechanism (radio frequency interface) with an alternative communication path using a different technical domain (e.g., Wi-Fi networking). Instead of relying on the second electronic device's cellular radio to communicate directly with the base station, the system substitutes this with a relay-based approach using the first electronic device's cellular connection and a local wireless network for data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a relay device is introduced to improve communication quality, then packet loss and jitter are reduced, but the system complexity increases due to additional devices and communication paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device performs multiple functions: it maintains a cellular connection to the network side device, receives data packets, and simultaneously provides wireless internet access to the second electronic device. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining communication stability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The relay device autonomously manages the communication relay process without requiring complex configuration or intervention. It automatically establishes and maintains the cellular connection, manages data packet routing between the network side device and the second electronic device, and handles the wireless communication interface, thereby simplifying the system's operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4294063B1Communication system, first electronic device and second electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4294063B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4294063B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4294063B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a communication system, a first electronic device, and a second electronic device, and relate to the field of communication technologies. The communication system includes the first electronic device and the second electronic device. A first SIM card is installed on the second electronic device, and the first SIM card stores first SIM card information. After establishing a connection to the second electronic device, the first electronic device obtains the first SIM card information, and establishes a connection to a network side device based on the first SIM card information, so that the second electronic device enters a relay mode. In the relay mode, the first electronic device assists the second electronic device in performing a cellular communication service related to the first SIM card. According to the technical solutions provided in embodiments, when a cellular signal of the first electronic device is relatively poor, the second electronic device with a relatively good cellular signal may be selected to assist the first electronic device in accessing the network side device. This improves cellular communication quality of the second electronic device.