Automatic SIM Card Selection for Dual Mode Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual mode terminals with multiple SIM cards require manual switching between master and slave SIM cards when the primary SIM card cannot access a reliable network, leading to service disruptions and user inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method for automatically selecting a SIM card based on network conditions, using a control unit to switch settings between a first modem for a master network and a second modem for a slave network when predefined conditions are met, such as low signal quality or service unavailability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual SIM card switching is used, then device complexity is reduced, but service continuity and user convenience deteriorate when the master SIM card cannot access a reliable network

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidautomatic switching mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring network conditions and preparing alternative SIM card configurations in advance. When the master SIM card's network becomes unreliable, the system has already identified and prepared the slave SIM card as a backup, enabling seamless switching without user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where network condition information continuously flows back to the control unit. Based on this feedback about network quality, the system automatically adjusts SIM card selection and switching decisions, ensuring service continuity when the master network deteriorates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed master/slave SIM card setting is used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different network environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork environment adaptationVSAvoidmanual switching requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system transforms the static master/slave SIM card configuration into a dynamic one. The control unit continuously evaluates network conditions and automatically adjusts which SIM card serves as master and which as slave, allowing the system to adapt to changing network environments without requiring user reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring its own network conditions and making intelligent decisions about SIM card switching. The control unit independently evaluates network quality and executes switching operations without user intervention, enabling the device to serve itself across different network environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8750931B2Apparatus and method for automatic SIM card selection according to network environment in dual mode

Publication Date: 2014.06.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A dual mode terminal including two Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards and a method for automatically selecting a SIM card according to network environment in the dual mode terminal is provided. The method includes switching a master/slave setting when a SIM card setting change condition is met in a standby state, and setting a network of a switched SIM card as a master network.