AU2021101069A4 - Intelligent-SIM: multiple company mobile number installed in single SIM - Google Patents

Abstract

Our Invention Intelligent-SIM: multiple company mobile number installed in single SIM is a method and apparatus for a Multiple IMSI Multiple/Single MSISDN (MIMM/MISM) on Multiple SIMs service for a single mobile communications network operator. The invention is also a system includes a Signaling Gateway that includes a MIMM/MISM application and a set of subscriber identity modules (SIMs) for a subscriber, wherein the set of SIMs is registered to the subscriber. The invention is the set of SIMs comprises multiple SIMs, each of which is useable in one or more mobile communication devices, and each of which comprises a different international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and also include configuring the set of SIMs and the network such that the subscriber presents a uniform appearance to entities communicating with the subscriber regardless of which SIM is used for the communication, wherein the subscriber can simultaneously carry on a voice call on one SIM and carry on a data session on another SIM. The invented Techniques are relating to operating multi-SIM mobile devices and a UE comprises at least first and second SIMs where the first SIM is configured to communications via a home network or one or roaming networks and the second SIM is configurable for communications via local networks other than the home network. The invented technique also UE is configured the more the one number installed the single SIM to execute a first protocol stack for communications using the first SIM via a home network or a roaming network. The invented technique is the UE is further configured to search for available networks for the second SIM using the first protocol stack and select an available local network for the second SIM using the first protocol stack. This may reduce power consumption and improve communication quality during the search, in some embodiments. 19 106 12 16 FIG. 1 illustrates an example user equipment (UE) according to some embodiments.

Description

12

16

FIG. 1 illustrates an example user equipment (UE) according to some embodiments.

Intelligent-SIM: multiple company mobile number installed in single SIM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Our invention is related to an Intelligent-SIM: multiple company mobile number installed in single SIM and also relates to wireless devices, and more particularly to techniques for operating a wireless device such as a Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS) wireless device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile communications device users are increasing dependent on the ability to use their mobile communications devices in every aspect of their lives. The addition of data services, such as for example SMS, to traditional voice services has made mobile communication devices even more useful for private and business use. Many operators have rolled out general packet radio service (GPRS) service hoping to enhance revenue by offering data services. In particular, multimedia messaging service (MMS) messaging on top of GPRS bearer has been introduced in hopes of imitating the success of SMS. Unfortunately, today's handsets generally do not allow a subscriber to simultaneously send a picture or download an email, and make or receive calls.

GPRS and MMS services have also led to the introduction of more powerful handsets that are bigger and more complex than legacy handsets. While many people desire these new handsets, they also feel that it is sometimes a good idea to carry the old handsets. Unfortunately, these handsets do not have the capability of sharing a single phone number. Call forwarding can help, but it is not automatic and requires constant change of the forward setting. Furthermore, forwarding of SMSs among these different handsets is still not solved. There are some SMS forwarding approaches, but they only partially solve the problem delivering an SMS to a reachable handset of a group of handsets. However, if none of the handsets are reachable, it is very difficult to automatically detect which handset is on in order for SMS to be resent. Many operators, e.g. China Mobile, separate prepaid IMSI/MSISDN and postpaid IMSI/MSISDN ranges.

This creates a problem when postpaid and prepaid subscribers want to switch statuses. For example, subscriber users must get a new SIM with a new IMSI and MSISDN, and forward calls from the old phone to the new phone. However, this call forwarding does not support SMS forwarding. Furthermore, if the subscriber still carries the old handset in addition to the new handset, the old handset will not be able to pick up the call. Some operators currently offer services that involve multiple IMSIs and a single MSISDN. Current services, however, have several disadvantages. For example, and individual SIM shows its own caller ID, rather than a common caller ID in MO call and SMS to the outside world. Another disadvantage is that call hunting occurs among all handsets, rather than only registered handsets, and call hunting cannot be based on the last registered handset first. Current services do not offer SMS hunting or SMS broadcasting, and cannot identify which number was originally SMS ed.

Current services allow multiple handsets simultaneous actions, in particular, multiple local calls, multiple roaming, some local and some roaming; but current services cannot disallow handsets because of other handsets' actions. Yet another disadvantage of current services is that billing cannot be easily related because no IMSIs or MSISDNs are special. Today, customer care and tech support staff are typically equipped with mobile phones. When a staff member is called, and that staff member is busy, the call is typically forwarded to another available staff member.

Call forwarding works for voice calls, but not for SMS because SMS cannot be forwarded. Furthermore, setting up call forwarding is a manual process, which is inconvenient. A complicating factor is that the forwarding process could go through all handsets rather than starting from one available handset. For example, assume A forwards to B, B to C and C to D. Consider a situation in which a caller calls A, but only D is available. The call is forwarded to A first, then B, then C and finally to D. Therefore, it is desirable to have a method and apparatus that overcomes the disadvantages stated of currently available multiple phone number and/or multiple phone service.

A mobile terminal can be configured to perform various functions. Example of such various functions may include a data and voice communication function, a function of capturing still or moving images through a camera, a voice storage function, a function of reproducing music files through a speaker system, a function of displaying image of video files. Some mobile terminals may include an additional function for playing games, and some other mobile terminals may be implemented as a multimedia player. Moreover, new mobile terminals can receive broadcast or multicast signals, allowing the user to view video or TV programs.

Furthermore, the efforts for supporting and enhancing the function of the mobile terminal have been continued. The above efforts include addition and improvement of software or hardware as well as change and improvement of structural constituent elements constituting a mobile terminal.

Among them, the touch function of a mobile terminal allows even users who are unskilled in a button/key input using a touch screen to conveniently perform the operation of a terminal. In recent years, it has settled down as a key function of the terminal along with a user UI in addition to a simple input.

In general, mobile terminals perform wireless communication using a single baseband chipset (controller or processor) and a radio frequency (RF) unit. The aforementioned structure is beneficial to miniaturization and light weight of mobile terminals. However, in case where one RF unit is used in the foregoing single baseband structure, it has a drawback incapable of paging another channel while performing a phone call. In other words, in case of using a single RF chipset, only a standby or transmission/reception for one channel (single standby) can be made (single talk), but a concurrent standby or transmission/reception for another channel (double standby) cannot be made (double talk) during the same timeslot. As a result, the user has nothing to do but receive a limited level of communication quality or communication services in the existing signal baseband structure.

On the other hand, various identification modules, such as, user identity module (UIM), subscriber identity module (SIM), universal subscriber identity module (USIM), and the like, are used to authenticate the user's usage authority. The identification module is connected to a mobile terminal through a port. Among them, for the SIM, there are a single SIM and a dual SIM as a device for storing personal information to provide various services such as authentication, pricing, security, and other functions.

In a terminal employing the single SIM, there is used one SIM, which is connected to one processor. In a terminal employing the dual SIM, there are included a primary SIM (SIM A) and a secondary SIM (SIM B), and the primary SIM is connected to a first processor, and the secondary SIM is connected to a second processor.

However, SIM switching between processors cannot be implemented in mobile terminals having a conventional dual SIM structure. For example, in case where the first processor connected to the primary SIM supports both circuit switched (CS) and packet switched (PS) services but the second processor connected to the secondary SIM supports only CS services, then the second process supports only CS services even though the user wants to use packet services (for example, WAP, MMS, etc.) with a SIM connected to the second processor and thus the user cannot use his or her desired packet services. In this case, the user should manually change a configuration setting between the first and second SIMs and perform a power cycle to use packet services with the secondary SIM.

PRIOR ART SEARCH

US20040131023A1*2003-01-032004-07-080tso Uterine Communications system and method US7154901B2*2003-02-072006-12-26Mobile 365, Inc. Intermediary network system and method for facilitating message exchange between wireless networks US7356337B2*2004-03-232008-04-08Starhome Gmbh Dialing services on a mobile handset and remote provisioning therefor DE602004010447T2*2003-03-242008-11-13Star Home Gmbh Preferred network selection US6885872B2*2003-05-092005-04-26TekelecMethods and systems for providing short message gateway functionality in a telecommunications network US7157057B2 *2003-07-032007-01-02Givaudan Sa Apparatus for positioning a wick in a dispenser for a volatile liquid US7505769B2 *2003-08-132009-03-17Roamware Inc. Signalling gateway with multiple IMSI with multiple MSISDN (MIMM) service in a single SIM for multiple roaming partners US20050064883A1*2003-09-222005-03-24Heck John Frederick Unified messaging server and method bridges multimedia messaging service functions with legacy handsets US20060009204A1*2003-11-032006-01-12Starhome Gmbh Telephone functionality for generic applications in a mobile handset DE602005002159T2*2004-02-132008-01-24Star Home Gmbh Monitor and manage roaming users W02005084065A1*2004-02-182005-09-09Megasoft, Ltd. Network-based system and method for global roaming

GB2411318B *2004-02-232009-07-01Ford Global Tech Lic Driver assistance system W02005081962A2*2004-02-232005-09-09Roamware, Inc. INTEGRATED CELLULAR VoIP FOR CALL REROUTING EP1622403A1 *2004-07-282006-02-01Star Home GmbH Cellular network infrastructure as support for inbound roaming users EP1795034A2*2004-09-072007-06-13Starhome GmbH Roaming presence and context management

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

1. The objective of the invention is to method and apparatus for a Multiple IMSI Multiple/Single MSISDN (MIMM/MISM) on Multiple SIMs service for a single mobile communications network operator. 2. The other objective of the invention is to system including a Signaling Gateway that includes a MIMM/MISM application and a set of subscriber identity modules (SIMs) for a subscriber, wherein the set of SIMs is registered to the subscriber? 3. The other objective of the invention is to the set of SIMs comprises multiple SIMs, each of which is useable in one or more mobile communication devices, and each of which comprises a different international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and also include configuring the set of SIMs and the network such that the subscriber presents a uniform appearance to entities communicating with the subscriber regardless of which SIM is used for the communication, wherein the subscriber can simultaneously carry on a voice call on one SIM and carry on a data session on another SIM. 4. The other objective of the invention is to techniques are relating to operating multi-SIM mobile devices and a UE comprises at least first and second SIMs where the first SIM is configured to communications via a home network or one or roaming networks and the second SIM is configurable for communications via local networks other than the home network. 5. The other objective of the invention is to configured the more the one number installed the single SIM to execute a first protocol stack for communications using the first SIM via a home network or a roaming network. 6. The other objective of the invention is to the invented technique is the UE is further configured to search for available networks for the second SIM using the first protocol stack and select an available local network for the second SIM using the first protocol stack and this may reduce power consumption and improve communication quality during the search, in some embodiments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described herein relate to a user equipment device (UE) and associated methods for operating dual-SIM devices.

In some embodiments, a UE comprises at least one antenna, at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, first and second SIMs, and one or more processors. In these embodiments, the first SIM is configured to communications via a home network or one or roaming networks and the second SIM is configurable for communications via local networks other than the home network. In these embodiments, the UE is configured to execute a first protocol stack for communications using the first SIM via a home network or a roaming network. In these embodiments, the UE is further configured to search for available networks for the second SIM using the first protocol stack and select an available local network for the second SIM using the first protocol stack. In these embodiments, the UE is configured to communicate via the home network or a roaming network using the first SIM and communicate via the selected local network using the second SIM.

In some embodiments, the UE is configured to activate, subsequent to selecting the available local network for the second SIM, a second protocol stack for communications using the second SIM via the local network. In some embodiments, the first protocol stack is a full multi-mode protocol stack, the second protocol stack is not a full multi-mode protocol stack, and the one or more processors are configured to execute at most one full multi-mode protocol stack at a time.

In some embodiments, a method includes executing a first protocol stack for communications using a first SIM via a home network or a roaming network. In these embodiments, the method further includes searching, for available networks for a second SIM using the first protocol stack, and the second SIM is configurable for communications via local networks other than the home network. In these embodiments, the method further includes selecting an available local network for the second SIM and communicating via the home network or a roaming network using the first SIM and the first protocol stack and communicating via the selected local network using the second SIM and a second protocol stack.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instruction that are executable by a computing device to perform various operations. In these embodiments, the operations include executing a first protocol stack for communications using a first SIM, searching for available networks for a second SIM using the first protocol stack where the second SIM is configurable for communications via local networks, selecting an available local network for the second SIM, communicating via using the first SIM and the first protocol stack, and communicating via the selected local network using the second SIM and a second protocol stack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAM

FIG. 1 illustrates an example user equipment (UE) according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example wireless communication system in which a UE communicates with two base stations.

FIG. 3 is an example block diagram of a base station, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is an example block diagram of a UE, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an example block diagram of wireless communication circuitry in the UE, according to some embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure initially lists relevant acronyms and a glossary. It then describes, with reference to FIGS. 1-5, an exemplary mobile device configured to communicate using multiple Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) and different radio access technologies (RATs). Exemplary methods for communicating using multiple SIMs (including at least one configurable SIM) are shown in FIGS. 6-7. In some embodiments, a mobile device is configured to use a protocol stack for one SIM to perform network search/selection procedures for another SIM. For example, a protocol stack executing for a home SIM may be used to perform PLMN selection for a configurable SIM. In some embodiments, this may reduce power consumption and/or allow the protocol stack to remain in a multi-RAT mode, which may improve users' communication experience.

Acronyms

The following acronyms are used in the present disclosure.

o 3GPP: Third Generation Partnership Project o 3GPP2: Third Generation Partnership Project 2 o CDMA: Code Division Multiple Access o DSDA: Dual SIM Dual Active o DSDS: Dual SIM Dual Standby o GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications o LTE: Long Term Evolution o PLMN: Public Land Mobile Network o RAT: Radio Access Technology o RX: Receive o SIM: Subscriber Identity Module o TX: Transmit o UE: User Equipment o UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

Terms

The following is a glossary of terms used in the present application:

Memory Medium-Any of various types of memory devices or storage devices. The term "memory medium" is intended to include an installation medium, e.g., a CD-ROM, floppy disks, or tape device; a computer system memory or random access memory such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; a nonvolatile memory such as a Flash, magnetic media, e.g., a hard drive, or optical storage; registers, or other similar types of memory elements, etc. The memory medium may include other types of memory as well or combinations thereof. In addition, the memory medium may be located in a first computer system in which the programs are executed, or may be located in a second different computer system which connects to the first computer system over a network, such as the Internet. In the latter instance, the second computer system may provide program instructions to the first computer for execution.

The term "memory medium" may include two or more memory mediums which may reside in different locations, e.g., in different computer systems that are connected over a network. The memory medium may store program instructions (e.g., embodied as computer programs) that may be executed by one or more processors. Carrier Medium a memory medium as described above, as well as a physical transmission medium, such as a bus, network, and/or other physical transmission medium that conveys signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals.

Computer System-any of various types of computing or processing systems, including a personal computer system (PC), mainframe computer system, workstation, network appliance, Internet appliance, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal communication device, smart phone, television system, grid computing system, or other device or combinations of devices. In general, the term "computer system" can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.

User Equipment (UE) (or "UE Device")-any of various types of computer systems devices which are mobile or portable and which performs wireless communications. Examples of UE devices include mobile telephones or smart phones (e.g., iPhone", Android"-based phones), portable gaming devices (e.g., Nintendo DS", PlayStation Portable", Gameboy Advance", iPhoneT"), laptops, PDAs, portable Internet devices, music players, data storage devices, other handheld devices, as well as wearable devices such as wrist-watches, headphones, pendants, earpieces, etc. In general, the term "UE" or "UE device" can be broadly defined to encompass any electronic, computing, and/or telecommunications device (or combination of devices) which is easily transported by a user and capable of wireless communication.

Base Station-The term "Base Station" has the full breadth of its ordinary meaning, and at least includes a wireless communication station installed at a fixed location and used to communicate as part of a wireless telephone system or radio system.

Processing Element-refers to various elements or combinations of elements. Processing elements include, for example, circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), portions or circuits of individual processor cores, entire processor cores, individual processors, programmable hardware devices such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or larger portions of systems that include multiple processors.

Automatically-refers to an action or operation performed by a computer system (e.g., software executed by the computer system) or device (e.g., circuitry, programmable hardware elements, ASICs, etc.), without user input directly specifying or performing the action or operation. Thus the term "automatically" is in contrast to an operation being manually performed or specified by the user, where the user provides input to directly perform the operation. An automatic procedure may be initiated by input provided by the user, but the subsequent actions that are performed "automatically" are not specified by the user, i.e., are not performed "manually", where the user specifies each action to perform. For example, a user filling out an electronic form by selecting each field and providing input specifying information (e.g., by typing information, selecting check boxes, radio selections, etc.) is filling out the form manually, even though the computer system must update the form in response to the user actions.

The form may be automatically filled out by the computer system where the computer system (e.g., software executing on the computer system) analyzes the fields of the form and fills in the form without any user input specifying the answers to the fields. As indicated above, the user may invoke the automatic filling of the form, but is not involved in the actual filling of the form (e.g., the user is not manually specifying answers to fields but rather they are being automatically completed). The present specification provides various examples of operations being automatically performed in response to actions the user has taken.

FIG. 1-User Equipment

FIG. 1 illustrates an example user equipment (UE) 106 according to some embodiments. The term UE 106 may be any of various devices as defined above. UE device 106 may include a housing 12 which may be constructed from any of various materials. UE 106 may have a display 14, which may be a touch screen that incorporates capacitive touch electrodes. Display 14 may be based on any of various display technologies. The housing 12 of the UE 106 may contain or comprise openings for any of various elements, such as home button 16, speaker port 18, and other elements (not shown), such as microphone, data port, and possibly various other types of buttons, e.g., volume buttons, ringer button, etc.

The UE 106 may support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). For example, UE 106 may be configured to communicate using any of various RATs such as two or more of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) (e.g., CDMA2000 1xRTT or other CDMA radio access technologies), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced (LTE-A), and/or other RATs. For example, the UE 106 may support at least two radio access technologies such as LTE and GSM. Various different or other RATs may be supported as desired.

The UE 106 may comprise at least two antennas. The UE 106 may also comprise any of various radio configurations, such as various combinations of one or more transmitter chains (TX chains) and two or more receiver chains (RX chains). For example, the UE 106 may comprise two radios that may each support one or more RATs. The two radios may each comprise a single TX (transmit) chain and a single RX (receive) chain. Alternatively, the two radios may each comprise an RX chain and may share a single TX chain.

In the embodiment described herein, the UE 106 comprises two antennas, which communicate using two or more RATs. For example, the UE 106 may have a pair of cellular telephone antennas, where each antenna is coupled to a respective single radio. Where two radios share a single TX chain, the antennas may be coupled to the shared portions of the radios (shared wireless communication circuitry) using switching circuits and other radio-frequency front-end circuitry.

For example, the UE 106 may have a first antenna that is coupled to a transceiver or radio, i.e., a first antenna that is coupled to a transmitter chain (TX chain) for transmission and which is coupled to a first receiver chain (RX chain) for receiving. The UE 106 may also comprise a second antenna that is coupled to a second RX chain. The second antenna may also be coupled to the first TX chain. The first and second receiver chains may be independent in frequency to allow for simultaneous voice calls on each of the two radios. The first and second receiver chains may additionally share a common local oscillator, which means that both of the first and second receiver chains are capable of turning to the same frequency.

In some embodiments, each radio may time multiplex among two or more RATs, such as LTE and one or more other RATs such as GSM or CDMA1x. In the primary embodiment described herein the UE 106 comprises one transmitter chain and two receiver chains.

Each antenna may receive a wide range of frequencies such as from 600 MHz up to 3 GHz. Thus, for example, the local oscillator of one receiver chain may tune to a specific frequency such as an LTE frequency band. The wireless circuitry in the UE 106 can be configured in real time depending on the desired mode of operation for the UE 106. In the example embodiment described herein, the UE 106 is configured to support LTE, W CDMA (W), TDS-CDMA (T) and GSM (G) radio access technologies. In some embodiments, the UE 106 comprises two or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), which each support one or more RATs.

FIG. 2-Communication System

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary (and simplified) wireless communication system. It is noted that the system of FIG. 2 is merely one example of a possible system, and embodiments may be implemented in any of various systems, as desired.

As shown, the exemplary wireless communication system includes base stations 102A and 102B which communicate over a transmission medium with one or more user equipment (UE) devices, represented as UE 106. The base stations 102 may be base transceiver stations (BTS) or cell sites, and may include hardware that enables wireless communication with the UE 106. Each base station 102 may also be equipped to communicate with a core network 100. For example, base station 102A may be coupled to core network 100A, while base station 102B may be coupled to core network 100B. Each core network 100 may also be coupled to one or more external networks (such as external network 108), which may include the Internet, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and/or any other network. Thus, the base stations 102 may facilitate communication between the UE devices 106 and/or between the UE devices 106 and the networks 100A, 100B, and 108.

The base stations 102 and the UEs 106 may be configured to communicate over the transmission medium using any of various RATs (also referred to as wireless communication technologies or telecommunication standards), such as LTE, W-CDMA, TDS-CDMA, and GSM, among possible others such as UMTS, LTE-A, CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), etc.

Base station 102A and core network 100A may operate according to a first RAT (e.g., LTE) while base station 102B and core network 100B may operate according to the same RAT or a second (e.g., different) RAT (e.g., GSM). The two core networks may be controlled by the same network operator (e.g., cellular service provider or "carrier"), or by different network operators, as desired. In addition, the two core networks may be operated independently of one another (e.g., if they operate according to different RATs), or may be operated in a somewhat coupled or tightly coupled manner.

Base stations 102A and 102B and other base stations operating according to the same or different RATs or cellular communication standards may thus be provided as a network of cells, which may provide continuous or nearly continuous overlapping service to UE 106 and similar devices over a wide geographic area via one or more radio access technologies (RATs).

FIG. 3-Base Station

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a base station 102. It is noted that the base station of FIG. 3 is merely one example of a possible base station. As shown, the base station 102 may include processor(s) 504 which may execute program instructions for the base station 102. The processor(s) 504 may also be coupled to memory management unit (MMU) 540, which may be configured to receive addresses from the processor(s) 504 and translate those addresses to locations in memory (e.g., memory 560 and read only memory (ROM) 550) or to other circuits or devices.

The base station 102 may include at least one network port 570. The network port 570 may be configured to couple to a telephone network and provide a plurality of devices, such as UE devices 106, access to the telephone network as described above.

The network port 570 (or an additional network port) may also or alternatively be configured to couple to a cellular network, e.g., a core network of a cellular service provider. The core network may provide mobility related services and/or other services to a plurality of devices, such as UE devices 106. In some cases, the network port 570 may couple to a telephone network via the core network, and/or the core network may provide a telephone network (e.g., among other UE devices 106 serviced by the cellular service provider).

The base station 102 may include at least one antenna 534. The at least one antenna 534 may be configured to operate as a wireless transceiver and may be further configured to communicate with UE devices 106 via radio 530. The antenna 534 communicates with the radio 530 via communication chain 532. Communication chain 532 may be a receive chain, a transmit chain or both. The radio 530 may be configured to communicate via various RATs, including, but not limited to, LTE, GSM, WCDMA, CDMA2000, etc.

The processor(s) 504 of the base station 102 may be configured to implement part or all of the methods described herein, e.g., by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively, the processor 504 may be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or a combination thereof.

FIG. 4-User Equipment (UE)

FIG. 4 illustrates an example simplified block diagram of a UE 106. As shown, the UE 106 may include a system on chip (SOC) 400, which may include portions for various purposes. The SOC 400 may be coupled to various other circuits of the UE 106. For example, the UE 106 may include various types of memory (e.g., including NAND flash 410), a connector interface 420 (e.g., for coupling to a computer system, dock, charging station, etc.), the display 460, cellular communication circuitry 430 such as for LTE, GSM, etc., and short range wireless communication circuitry 429 (e.g., Bluetooth and WLAN circuitry). The UE 106 may further comprise two or more smart cards 310 that each comprise SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) functionality, such as two or more UICC(s) (Universal Integrated Circuit Card(s)) 310.

The cellular communication circuitry 430 may couple to one or more antennas, preferably two antennas 435 and 436 as shown. The short range wireless communication circuitry 429 may also of couple to one or both of the antennas 435 and 436 (this connectivity is not shown for ease illustration).

As shown, the SOC 400 may include processor(s) 402 which may execute program instructions for the UE 106 and display circuitry 404 which may perform graphics processing and provide display signals to the display 460. The processor(s) 402 may also be coupled to memory management unit (MMU) 440, which may be configured to receive addresses from the processor(s) 402 and translate those addresses to locations in memory (e.g., memory 406, read only memory (ROM) 450, NAND flash memory 410) and/or to other circuits or devices, such as the display circuitry 404, cellular communication circuitry 430, short range wireless communication circuitry 429, connector I/F 420, and/or display 460. The MMU 440 may be configured to perform memory protection and page table translation or set up. In some embodiments, the MMU 440 may be included as a portion of the processor(s) 402.

In some embodiments, as noted above, the UE 106 comprises at least one smart card 310, such as a UICC 310, which executes one or more Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) applications and/or otherwise implements SIM functionality. In some embodiments, UE 106 includes two or more smart cards 310. Each SIM smart card 310 may be embedded, e.g., may be soldered onto a circuit board in the UE 106, or each SIM smart card 310 may be implemented as a removable smart card. Thus the smart card(s) 310 may be removable smart cards (such as UICC cards, which are sometimes referred to as "SIM cards"), and/or the smart card(s) 310 may be embedded cards (such as embedded UICCs (eUICCs), which are sometimes referred to as "eSIMs" or "eSIM cards").

In some embodiments (such as when the smart card(s) 310 include an eUICC), one or more of the SIM(s) 310 may implement embedded SIM (eSIM) functionality. In such embodiments, one of the smart card(s) 310 may execute multiple SIM applications. Each of the smart card(s) 310 may include components such as a processor and a memory. Instructions for performing SIM/eSIM functionality may be stored in the memory and executed by the processor. In some embodiments, the UE 106 may comprise a combination of removable smart cards and fixed/non-removable smart cards (such as one or more eUICC cards that implement eSIM functionality), as desired. For example, the UE 106 may comprise two embedded smart cards 310, two removable smart cards 310, or a combination of one embedded smart card 310 and one removable smart card 310. Various other SIM configurations are also contemplated.

The inclusion of two or more SIM smart cards 310 in embodiments of UE 106 may allow the UE 106 to support two different telephone numbers and may allow the UE 106 to communicate on corresponding two or more respective networks. For example, a first smart card 310 may comprise SIM functionality to support a first telephone number on the UE, and a second smart card 310 may comprise SIM functionality to support a second telephone number on the UE. Where the UE 106 comprises two smart cards 310, the UE 106 may support Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS) functionality. The DSDS functionality may allow the UE 106 to be connected to a first network performing a first active call and to receive a second call at the same time. Thus the DSDS functionality may allow either or both of the two smart cards 310 in the UE 106 to be on standby waiting for a voice call and/or data connection. In some embodiments of DSDS, when a call/data is established on one SIM 310, the other SIM 310 is no longer active.

As noted above, the UE 106 may be configured to communicate wirelessly using multiple radio access technologies (RATs). As further noted above, in such instances, the cellular communication circuitry (radio(s)) 430 may include radio components which are shared between multiple RATs. In some embodiments, the cellular communication circuitry 430 may comprise two distinct radios, each having a receive chain and a transmit chain. In some embodiments, the two radios may support separate RAT stacks. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more of the RAT stacks may be capable of utilizing either radio.

The processor 402 of the UE device 106 may be configured to implement part or all of the features described herein, e.g., by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively, (or in addition), processor 402 may be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Alternatively, (or in addition) the processor 402 of the UE device 106, in conjunction with one or more of the other components 400, 404, 406, 410, 420, 430, 435, 440, 450, 460 may be configured to implement part or all of the features described herein.

FIG. 5-UE Transmit/Receive Logic

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of UE 106 according to some embodiments. As shown, UE 106 may comprise control circuitry 42 that is configured to store and execute control code for implementing control algorithms in the UE 106. Control circuitry 42 may include storage and processing circuitry 28 (e.g., a microprocessor, memory circuits, etc.) and may include baseband processor integrated circuit 58. Baseband processor 58 may form part of wireless circuitry 34 and may include memory and processing circuits (i.e., baseband processor 58 may be considered to form part of the storage and processing circuitry of UE 106). Baseband processor 58 may comprise software and/or logic for handling various different RATs, such as GSM protocol stack 72, LTE protocol stack 74, and/or 1x protocol stack (not shown), among others. In some embodiments, a given protocol stack may be a multi-mode protocol stack configured to handle multiple different RATs.

Baseband processor 58 may provide data to storage and processing circuitry 28 (e.g., a microprocessor, nonvolatile memory, volatile memory, other control circuits, etc.) via path 48. The data on path 48 may include raw and processed data associated with UE cellular communications and operations, such as cellular communication data, wireless (antenna) performance metrics for received signals, information related to tune-away operations, information related to paging operations, etc. This information may be analyzed by storage and processing circuitry 28 and/or baseband processor 58 and, in response, storage and processing circuitry 28 (or, if desired, baseband processor 58) may issue control commands for controlling wireless circuitry 34. For example, storage and processing circuitry 28 may issue control commands on path 52 and path 50 and/or baseband processor 58 may issue commands on path 46 and path 51.

Wireless circuitry 34 may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry such as radio frequency transceiver circuitry 60 and radio-frequency front-end circuitry 62. Radio frequency transceiver circuitry 60 may include one or more radio-frequency transceivers. In the embodiment shown, radio-frequency transceiver circuitry 60 comprises transceiver (TX) chain 59, receiver (RX) chain 61 and RX chain 63. The embodiment shown may be considered to comprise two radios, which share a single TX chain. Other embodiments are of course contemplated.

Overview of Exemplary Dual-SIM Operations

In some dual-SIM embodiments, one SIM is referred to as a "home SIM" while the other SIM is referred to as a "configurable SIM." In some embodiments, one or both of the SIMs are eSIMs. In a UE device with DR-DSDS (Dual RX-Dual SIM Dual Standby) capabilities, circuit-switched (CS) service is typically provided by the network registered with the home SIM. This network (network A) may be either a home network or a roaming network. To communicate via a roaming network, a roaming agreement with the non home network operators may be required so that the visited network recognizes the subscriber's identity and allows roaming to proceed. In these embodiments, packet switched (PS) service may be provided by network A using the home SIM if the configurable SIM is not active or is not registered to a network.

The configurable SIM, in some embodiments, is programmable with subscriber identity information to communicate on local networks other than the home network. For example, a user that is travelling may be presented with the option to purchase service via another carrier, which may allow the user to download subscriber information for the carrier and communicate on the carrier's network as if it was a local network, rather than a roaming network. In these embodiments, if the configurable SIM is activated and registered to another network (network B), then PS service is typically provided by network B while network A provides CS service only. This solution may benefit roaming users (e.g., by reducing fees). Because roaming PS service is typically expensive, the home SIM can use a roaming network for CS service only while the PS service can be provided by a local network using the configurable SIM with a reduced cost.

Note that a network is described as a "local network" when a subscriber identity being used to access the network is associated with the carrier that provides service via the network. Thus, if the configurable SIM is programmed with a subscriber identity associated with a carrier providing service via a network, then that network is a local network for the configurable SIM. If the home SIM's subscriber identity is used to communicate on the same network, the network would be a roaming network from the home SIM's point of view because the home SIM's subscriber information is not associated with the carrier providing the service (assuming that the network is not the "home network," which is a network provided by a carrier associated with the home SIM subscriber identity).

A "roaming network" is a network for which the relevant subscriber identity is not associated with the carrier providing service via the network. Typically, a roaming agreement has been negotiated between the carrier associated with the subscriber identity and the carrier providing service via the roaming network.

Although various embodiments described herein include a home SIM and a configurable SIM, in various other contemplated embodiments both SIMs are configurable SIMs. In these embodiments, activities described herein as performed for the "home SIM" in various disclosed embodiments may be performed for a configurable SIM that is re configurable for communications via different carriers, but is not re-configured during performance of the disclosed techniques.

In one conventional roaming scenario, the home SIM is registered with network A and may operate in conjunction with a multi-mode protocol stack (stack 1) and an independent RF receiver (RX1). In this scenario, if network A is a roaming network, a user may wish to purchase service via a service provider for a local network and perform PS communications using the configurable SIM and the local network while performing CS communications using the home SIM. Traditionally, network search and selection operations, for example, for the configurable SIM would be performed using a second protocol stack (stack 2). These search and selection operations may occur in response to user input (e.g., selecting a local network) or in response to changing conditions for a local network on which the configurable SIM is already communicating (e.g., when deteriorating conditions indicate that a switch to another network and/or RAT should occur). For example, the search may be used to update a PLMN list and the user may be prompted to select a different local network.

Note that different "protocol stacks" (e.g., stack 1 and stack 2) may refer to different instances of the same protocol stack or to different instances of similar protocol stacks. For example, UE 106 may store protocol stack information and use that same information to execute different protocol stack instances. As described in further detail below, in some embodiments a single instance of a protocol stack (e.g., stack 1) is executed to perform at least some operations for multiple SIMs.

Frequent shifts to different PLMNs for the configurable SIM may lead to undesirable DSDS behavior. In some embodiments, hardware performance may be limited, e.g., to conserve battery life. For example, hardware limitations for modem hardware and/or baseband processing elements may impose restrictions on multi-mode protocol stack execution. In some embodiments, at most one protocol stack can operate in full multi-mode (e.g., using ones of GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc.) while other stacks are allowed to operate in only partial multi-mode or in single-mode. "Single-mode" refers a protocol stack mode in which communications are supported using only a single RAT (e.g., only GSM). "Full multi-mode" refers to a protocol stack mode in which an entirety of RATs that protocol stacks of a given UE are configured to support are supported.

"Partial multi-mode" refers to a protocol stack mode in which more than one, but less than an entirety of RATs that protocol stacks of a given UE are configured to support are supported. For example, if a given UE is configured to support GSM, WCDMA, and LTE RATs, then a mode in which a protocol stack is configured to communicate using only GSM and LTE is partial multi-mode and a mode in which a protocol stack is configured to communicate using GSM, WCDMA, and LTE is full multi-mode.

In embodiments which restrict the number of full multi-mode protocol stacks, using stack 2 for PLMN search for the configurable SIM may result in the stack 1 for the home SIM being restricted to partial multi-mode or single-mode operation, which may reduce call quality (e.g., the UE may be unable to relocate to a different RAT, which may cause pages to be missed). Because PLMN selection or reselection may take a substantial amount of time (e.g., a few minutes), connection quality for the home SIM may deteriorate or the connection may even be lost. This may significantly degrade communication quality, especially for mobile terminating (MT) call performance. Further, when PLMN searches are being performed for the configurable SIM using stack 2, stack 1 may be in an idle discontinuous reception (DRX) mode. The PLMN searches may involve waking up hardware (e.g., baseband processing elements and/or RF hardware), which consumes significantly more power than remaining in idle mode. This may be especially problematic when the configurable SIM frequently shifts to different PLMNs for better PS data service, for example.

DRX mode refers to a mode in which at least a portion of UE circuitry is powered down when there is no data (or voice) to be received. In DRX and connected DRX (CRDX) modes, the UE 106 synchronizes with the base station 102 and wakes up at specified times or intervals to listen to the network. DRX is present in several wireless standards such as UMTS, LTE (Long-term evolution), WiMAX, etc. The terms "DRX" and "CDRX" are explicitly intended to at least include the full extent of their ordinary meaning, and are intended to encompass similar types of modes in future standards. Therefore, in some embodiments discussed in further detail below, stack 1 is used to perform PLMN search and/or selection procedures (e.g., using DRX wake-up cycles) using the configurable SIM's IMSI. This may allow stack 1 to remain in full multi-mode and may reduce power consumption for the search/selection for the configurable SIM, in some embodiments.

Claims (7)

WE CLAIM

1. Our Invention Intelligent-SIM: multiple company mobile number installed in single SIM is a method and apparatus for a Multiple IMSI Multiple/Single MSISDN (MIMM/MISM) on Multiple SIMs service for a single mobile communications network operator. The invention is also a system includes a Signaling Gateway that includes a MIMM/MISM application and a set of subscriber identity modules (SIMs) for a subscriber, wherein the set of SIMs is registered to the subscriber. The invention is the set of SIMs comprises multiple SIMs, each of which is useable in one or more mobile communication devices, and each of which comprises a different international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and also include configuring the set of SIMs and the network such that the subscriber presents a uniform appearance to entities communicating with the subscriber regardless of which SIM is used for the communication, wherein the subscriber can simultaneously carry on a voice call on one SIM and carry on a data session on another SIM. The invented Techniques are relating to operating multi-SIM mobile devices and a UE comprises at least first and second SIMs where the first SIM is configured to communications via a home network or one or roaming networks and the second SIM is configurable for communications via local networks other than the home network. The invented technique also UE is configured the more the one number installed the single SIM to execute a first protocol stack for communications using the first SIM via a home network or a roaming network. The invented technique is the UE is further configured to search for available networks for the second SIM using the first protocol stack and select an available local network for the second SIM using the first protocol stack. This may reduce power consumption and improve communication quality during the search, in some embodiments.

2. According to claims# the invention is a method and apparatus for a Multiple IMSI Multiple/Single MSISDN (MIMM/MISM) on Multiple SIMs service for a single mobile communications network operator.

3. According to claiml,2# the invention is a system including a Signaling Gateway that includes a MIMM/MISM application and a set of subscriber identity modules (SIMs) for a subscriber, wherein the set of SIMs is registered to the subscriber?

4. According to claiml,2,3# the invention is a the set of SIMs comprises multiple SIMs, each of which is useable in one or more mobile communication devices, and each of which comprises a different international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and also include configuring the set of SIMs and the network such that the subscriber presents a uniform appearance to entities communicating with the subscriber regardless of which SIM is used for the communication, wherein the subscriber can simultaneously carry on a voice call on one SIM and carry on a data session on another SIM.

5. According to claiml,2,3# the invention is a techniques are relating to operating multi-SIM mobile devices and a UE comprises at least first and second SIMs where the first SIM is configured to communications via a home network or one or roaming networks and the second SIM is configurable for communications via local networks other than the home network.

6. According to claim,2,3,4# the invention is a configured the more the one number installed the single SIM to execute a first protocol stack for communications using the first SIM via a home network or a roaming network.

7. According to claim,2,3,4# the invention is the invented technique is the UE is further configured to search for available networks for the second SIM using the first protocol stack and select an available local network for the second SIM using the first protocol stack and this may reduce power consumption and improve communication quality during the search, in some embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example user equipment (UE) according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example wireless communication system in which a UE communicates with two base stations.

FIG. 3 is an example block diagram of a base station, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is an example block diagram of a UE, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an example block diagram of wireless communication circuitry in the UE, according to some embodiments.