Single Transceiver Time Slot Allocation for Multi-SIM Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication devices typically require multiple SIM cards and transceivers to support different telephone numbers, which is inconvenient and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines if a terminal device supports multiple subscriber identities and allocates recurrent time slots for each identity within a single transceiver, enabling wireless communications for multiple numbers using a single transceiver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple SIM cards and transceivers are used to support different telephone numbers, then multiple subscriber identities can be supported, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple subscriber identitiesVSAvoidnumber of transceivers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple transceiver functions into a single transceiver by implementing time-division multiplexing. The single transceiver shares the communication channel among multiple subscriber identities through time slots, eliminating the need for separate transceivers for each SIM card while maintaining the ability to support multiple subscriber identities simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the communication channel into multiple time slots, where each time slot is dedicated to a specific subscriber identity. This temporal segmentation allows the single transceiver to serve multiple subscriber identities sequentially without interference, resolving the contradiction between supporting multiple identities and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transceivers are provided for each SIM card, then wireless communications for multiple numbers are enabled, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple telephone numbersVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple transceiver operations into a single transceiver managed by the terminal device. The system automatically manages time slot allocation and switching between different subscriber identities, eliminating the need for users to manually configure or switch between multiple transceivers, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining multi-number support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single transceiver is used for multiple subscriber identities, then device complexity is reduced, but communication channel interference may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of transceiversVSAvoidcommunication quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication channel into distinct time slots assigned to different subscriber identities. By ensuring that only one subscriber identity transmits at a time within its allocated time slot, the system prevents inter-subscriber interference and maintains communication reliability while using a single transceiver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic time-division multiplexing where each subscriber identity is allocated specific periodic time slots for transmission. This periodic allocation ensures that communication channels are accessed in a structured, interference-free manner, maintaining reliable communication while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8874171B2Supporting multiple subscriber identities in a portable device using a single transceiver

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for enabling wireless communications for multiple numbers or subscriber identities using a single transceiver is disclosed. The method includes, for a terminal device including a transceiver for wireless communications, determining whether the terminal device supports a plurality of subscriber identities. The method also includes, responsive to determining that the terminal device supports a plurality of subscriber identities, creating a plurality of recurrent time slots for a communication channel of the terminal device, allocating for each subscriber identity a respective time slot, and enabling wireless communications for the plurality of subscriber identities using the respective time slots via the transceiver.