Time Multiplexing for Dual SIM Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile devices cannot simultaneously use multiple cellular accounts or cards, such as SIM cards, from different regions or for personal and business use, leading to the need for carrying multiple phones or frequently switching cards.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that allows a mobile device to simultaneously use multiple cards by time multiplexing and determining compatible communication parameters for each card, enabling simultaneous connection to a base station using a single transmitter/receiver, while minimizing power consumption and collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cards are used in a mobile device, then the ability to manage multiple cellular accounts is improved, but power consumption increases due to simultaneous operation of multiple modules

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to manage multiple cellular accountsVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements time multiplexing where the single transmitter/receiver is activated periodically for different time slots to serve different cards. Each card is assigned specific time slots for communication with the base station, allowing multiple accounts to be managed while the transmitter/receiver is turned off during idle periods to conserve power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically allocates time slots and activates the transmitter/receiver only when needed for specific cards. The base station and mobile device negotiate and adjust time slot assignments dynamically based on communication requirements, enabling adaptive power management while supporting multiple cards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cards are used simultaneously, then the functionality for multiple accounts is improved, but signal collisions occur between different modules

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality for multiple accountsVSAvoidsignal collision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent assigns different time slots to different cards for communication with the base station. By periodic activation of the transmitter/receiver in dedicated time slots for each card, signal collisions are avoided while maintaining the ability to use multiple cards simultaneously for different purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the communication time into distinct time slots, with each card assigned to specific slots. This temporal segmentation separates the communication streams of different cards, eliminating signal collisions while preserving multi-card functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single transmitter/receiver is used for multiple cards, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to maintain simultaneous connections is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of transmitters/receiversVSAvoidsimultaneous connection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a single transmitter/receiver that is periodically activated in different time slots to serve different cards. This periodic operation creates the effect of simultaneous connections through time division multiplexing, maintaining reliability while reducing hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The single transmitter/receiver is designed to be universal and multi-functional, capable of serving multiple cards by switching between them in different time slots. This multi-functionality allows one hardware component to replace what would traditionally require multiple dedicated transmitters/receivers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8565196B2Simultaneous use of multiple phone numbers in mobile device by sharing hardware

Publication Date: 2013.10.22 VIA TECH INC

AI summary

Determining and simultaneously using a base station coupled to a mobile device, the base station comprising a detector for receiving a first identification signal corresponding to a first module and a second identification signal corresponding to a second module from the mobile device. A transmitter for sending a plurality of signals to the mobile device, said plurality of signals is configured to set up communication between the mobile device and the base station. A receiver for receiving a plurality of parameters for determining whether the second module is able to attach to the base station; and a processor for connecting the first and second module in the mobile device to the base station simultaneously in response to a plurality of slots by time multiplexing and the plurality of parameters when the second module is acceptable by the base station, wherein said plurality of slots are determined by the base station.