WO2017136959A1

WO2017136959A1 - Multi-subscriber identity module (sim) connection sharing

Info

Publication number: WO2017136959A1
Application number: PCT/CN2016/073735
Authority: WO
Inventors: Huichun LIU; MingKai Nan; Xipeng Zhu; Reza Shahidi; Jilei Hou
Original assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
Priority date: 2016-02-09
Filing date: 2016-02-09
Publication date: 2017-08-17

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for a wireless communication device having a first Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) and a second SIM to manage communication via the first SIM and the second SIM, the method includes, but not limited to, setting up an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Packet Data Network (PDN) connection over the first SIM, registering at least the second SIM to the IMS via the IMS PDN connection set up over the first SIM, and setting up communications for at least the second SIM over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM. The IMS PDN connection comprises a default Evolved Packet-Switched System (EPS) bearer set up over the first SIM and an IP Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session set up over the first SIM

Description

MULTI-SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULE (SIM) CONNECTION SHARING

BACKGROUND

A wireless communication device, such as a mobile phone device or a smart phone, may include two or more Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) . Each SIM may enable at least one subscription via a Radio Access Technology (RAT) . Such a wireless communication device may be a multi-SIM wireless communication device. In a Multi-SIM-Multi-Active (MSMA) wireless communication device, all SIMs may be active at the same time. In a Multi-SIM-Multi-Standby (MSMS) wireless communication device, if any one SIM is active, then the rest of the SIM (s) may be in a standby mode. The RATs may include, but are not limited to, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) , Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) , Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) (particularly, Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO) ) , Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS) (particularly, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) , Long Term Evolution (LTE) , High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) , and the like) , Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) , Code Division Multiple Access 1x Radio Transmission Technology (1x) , General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) , Wi-Fi, Personal Communications Service (PCS) , and other protocols that may be used in a wireless communications network or a data communications network.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein relate to multi-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) connection sharing for a wireless communication device. Multi-SIM-Multi-Active (MSMA) experience may be provided for a Multi-SIM-Multi-Standby (MSMS) wireless communication device via Packet Switching (PS) connection sharing according to various embodiments. A MSMS wireless communication device may have a first SIM enabling a first Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) subscription and a second SIM enabling a second IMS subscription.

The MSMS wireless communication device may set up or otherwise initiate an IMS Packet Data Network (PDN) connection over the first SIM (i.e., for the first IMS subscription) . The first SIM may be registered to the IMS through the IMS PDN connection initiated for the first SIM. The first SIM may enable PS voice and/or data services. The second SIM may be registered to the IMS through the IMS PDN connection initiated for the first SIM. The second SIM may enable PS voice services. Accordingly, the PS voice and/or data subscription (e.g., the first IMS subscription associated with the first SIM) and the PS voice subscription (e.g., the second IMS subscription associated with the second SIM) may be concurrently enabled, thus providing the MSMA (e.g., Dual-SIM-Dual-Active (DSDA) ) experience for the MSMS (e.g., Dual-SIM-Dual-Standby (DSDS) ) wireless communication device.

In some embodiments, a method for a wireless communication device having a first SIM and a second SIM to manage communications over the first SIM and the second SIM includes setting up an Internet Protocol (IP) IMSPDN connection over the first SIM, wherein the IMS PDN connection includes a default Evolved Packet-Switched System (EPS) bearer set up over the first SIM and an IP Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session set up over the first SIM, registering at least the second SIM to the IMS via the IMS PDN connection set up over the first SIM, and setting up communications for at least the second SIM over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM. An IP-CAN is an access network which provides connectivity to the IP. The IP-CAN is typically used in the cellular context and usually refers to General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) , Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS or EDGE) , or other 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access networks. However, the IP-CAN may also be used when referring to Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) networks. It is a generic term introduced in 3GPP IMS standards used to refer to any kind of IP-based access network.

In some embodiments, registering at least the second SIM to the IMS via the IMS PDN connection set up over the first SIM includes registering the second SIM to the IMS via the default EPS bearer set up over the first SIM and the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM. EPS is a connection-oriented transmission network. The EPS establishes a “virtual” connection between two endpoints (e.g. a wireless communication device and a PDN-Gateway (GW) ) before any traffic can be sent therebetween. The EPS bearer is the name for the virtual connection. A bearer establishes a virtual connection between the two endpoints so that traffic can be sent therebetween. The bearer acts as a pipeline between the two endpoints. A default bearer is typically is established during attachment and maintained throughout the lifetime of the connection.

In various embodiments, the method further includes assigning a first User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port to the first SIM, assigning a second UDP port to the second SIM, and registering the second SIM to the IMS based on the second UDP port and security attributes for the second SIM. The UDP is a method wherein data packages are sent into the network with the hopes that the data packages will arrive at an intended destination, because the UDP does not connect directly to the destination like Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) does. Instead, the UDP sends the data packages out and relies on devices in between the sending apparatus and the receiving apparatus to properly deliver the data packages. There is no guarantee that the transmitted data packages will ever reach the intended destination. However, the UDP has very low overhead.

In various embodiments, the method further includes registering first SIM to the IMS based on the first UDP port and security attributes for the first SIM.

In various embodiments, the first UDP port and the second UDP port are different.

In various embodiments, the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM is associated with an IP address and the second SIM is associated with the same IP address for registering to the IMS via the IMS PDN connection set up over the first SIM and setting up communications over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.

In some embodiments, setting up communications for at least the second SIM over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM includes setting up a first dedicated EPS bearer for the second SIM via the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM. A dedicated bearer is used if the end-user requires connectivity to a different PDN to that provided by the default bearer, or if the end-user uses a different Quality of Service (QoS) to that offered by the default bearer. Dedicated bearers are configured to run in parallel to the existing default bearer.

In various embodiments, the method further includes assigning a third UDP port the first dedicated EPS bearer and setting up the first dedicated EPS bearer based on the third UDP port.

In some embodiments, the first dedicated EPS bearer is associated with a first QCI.

In some embodiments, the first dedicated EPS bearer is associated with IMS voice traffic.

In some embodiments, the default EPS bearer is associated with IMS signaling for at least the second SIM.

In various embodiments, the method further includes registering the first SIM to the IMS via the IMS PDN connection set up over the first SIM and setting up communications for the first SIM over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.

In some embodiments, registering the first SIM to the IMS via the IMS PDN connection set up over the first SIM includes registering the first SIM to the IMS via the default EPS bearer set up over the first SIM and the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.

In some embodiments, setting up communications for the first SIM over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM includes setting up a second dedicated EPS bearer for the first SIM via the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.

In various embodiments, the method further includes assigning a fourth UDP port to the second dedicated EPS bearer.

In various embodiments, the second dedicated EPS bearer is associated with IMS voice and IMS data traffic.

In some embodiments, the first SIM is associated with a first VoLTE subscription. The second SIM is associated with a second VoLTE subscription.

In some embodiments, the first SIM is associated with PS voice and data services. The second SIM is associated with PS voice services.

In various embodiments, the method further includes disabling a policy of Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) that prohibits establishing any dedicated EPS bearer for the second SIM on the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.

In some embodiments, a wireless communication device includes at least one Radio Frequency (RF) resource, a memory, and a processor coupled to the at least one RF resource, configured to connect to a first SIM associated with a first IMS subscription and to a second SIM associated with a second IMS subscription, and configured to set up an IMS PDN connection over the first SIM, wherein the IMS PDN connection includes a default EPS bearer set up over the first SIM and an IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM, register at least the second SIM to the IMS via the IMS PDN connection set up over the first SIM, and set up communications for at least the second SIM over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to set up communications for the first SIM over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.

In some embodiments, the communications for the first SIM include PS voice and data services based on the first SIM and the communications for the second SIM include PS voice services based on the second SIM.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to enable concurrent PS voice and data services based on the first SIM and PS voice services based on the second SIM.

In some embodiments, a method for a wireless communication device having a first SIM and a second SIM to manage communications over the first SIM and the second SIM includes setting up a default EPS bearer over the first SIM, setting up an IP-CAN session over the first SIM, the IP-CAN session being associated with an IP address, registering the first SIM and the second SIM to the IMS, setting up communications for the first SIM and the second SIM using the IP address, and communicating via concurrent PS voice and data services based on the first SIM and PS voice services based on the second SIM.

In some embodiments, the first SIM is associated with a first IMS Voice over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) subscription. The second SIM is associated with a second IMS VoLTE subscription.

In some embodiments, setting up communications for the first SIM and the second SIM using an IP address includes setting up a first dedicated Evolved Packet-Switched System (EPS) bearer for the second SIM using the same IP address, setting up a second dedicated EPS bearer for the first SIM using the same IP address.

In some embodiments, the method further includes assigning to the first dedicated EPS bearer at least one UDP port and assigning to the second dedicated EPS bearer at least one separate UDP port.

According to some embodiments, a method for a wireless communication device having a first SIM and a second SIM to manage communications over the first SIM and the second SIM includes setting up a session with a network based on the first SIM, the session associated with an IP address, setting up communications associated with the first SIM and the second SIM based on the IP address, and communicating via services corresponding to the first SIM and the second SIM concurrently.

In some embodiments, the services corresponding to the first SIM include PS voice and data services and the services corresponding to the second SIM include Packet Switching (PS) voice services.

In some embodiments, the first SIM and the second SIM are associated with a same default EPS bearer set up over the first SIM. The session is an IP-CAN session.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the various embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a component block diagram of an example of a wireless communication device according to various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a process flowchart diagram illustrating an example of a connection-sharing method according to various embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of IMS PDN connection setup according to various embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of IMS registration according to various embodiments.

FIG. 4C is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a call setup for a second SIM according to various embodiments.

FIG. 4D is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a call setup for a second SIM according to various embodiments.

FIG. 4E is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a call setup or a first SIM according to various embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating an example of a connection-sharing method according to various embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating an example of a connection-sharing method according to various embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a component block diagram of a wireless communication device suitable for use with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers may be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Different reference numbers may be used to refer to different, same, or similar parts. References made to particular examples and implementations are for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or the claims.

Some modern communication devices, referred to herein as a wireless communication device, User Equipment (UE) , or Mobile Station (MS) , may include any one or all of cellular telephones, smart phones, personal or mobile multi-media players, personal data assistants, laptop computers, personal computers, tablet computers, smart books, palm-top computers, wireless electronic mail receivers, multimedia Internet-enabled cellular telephones, wireless gaming controllers, and similar personal electronic devices. Such a wireless communication device may include at least one Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) , a programmable processor, memory, and circuitry for connecting to two or more mobile communication networks.

A wireless communication device may include one or more SIMs that provide users of the wireless communication devices with access to one or multiple separate mobile communication networks. The mobile communication networks may be supported by Radio Access Technologies (RATs) . The wireless communication device may be configured to connect to one or more base stations via one or more RATs. Examples of RATs may include, but not limited to, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) , Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) , Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) (particularly, Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO) ) , Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS) (particularly, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) , Long Term Evolution (LTE) , High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) , and the like) , Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) , Code Division Multiple Access 1x Radio Transmission Technology (1x) , General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) , Wi-Fi, Personal Communications Service (PCS) , and other protocols that may be used in a wireless communications network or a data communications network. Each RAT may be associated with at least one subscription or SIM.

A wireless communication device provided with a plurality of SIMs and connected to two or more separate (or same) subscriptions or networks with one subscription or network being active at a given time is a Multi-SIM-Multi-Standby (MSMS) communication device. In one example, the MSMS communication device may be a Dual-SIM-Dual-Standby (DSDS) communication device, which may include two SIMs that may both be active on standby, but one is deactivated when the other one is in use. In another example, the MSMS communication device may be a Triple-SIM-Triple-Standby (TSTS) communication device, which includes three SIMs that may all be active on standby, where two may be deactivated when the third one is in use. In other examples, the MSMS communication device may be other suitable multi-SIM communication devices, with, for example, four or more SIMs, such that when one is in use, the others may be deactivated.

On the other hand, a wireless communication device that includes a plurality of SIMs and connects to two or more separate (or same) subscriptions or networks with two or more subscriptions or networks being active at a given time may be a MSMA communication device. An example MSMA communication device may be a Dual-SIM-Dual-Active (DSDA) communication device, which may include two SIM. Both SIMs may remain active. In another example, the MSMA device may be a Triple-SIM-Triple-Active (TSTA) communication device, which may include three SIM. All three SIMs may remain active. In other examples, the MSMA communication device may be other suitable multi-SIM communication devices with four or more SIMs, all of which may be active.

Generally, embodiments described herein may be applicable to a MSMS wireless communication device having at least a first SIM and a second SIM. Illustrating with a non-limiting example, the first SIM may be associated with a first Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) subscription, and the second SIM may be associated with a second IMS subscription. In some embodiments, the first IMS subscription may be a first Voice over LTE (VoLTE) subscription, and the second IMS subscription may be a second VoLTE subscription.

As used herein, the terms “SIM, ” “SIM card, ” and “subscriber identification module” may be used interchangeably to refer to a memory that may be an integrated circuit or embedded into a removable card, and that stores an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) , related key, and/or other information used to identify and/or authenticate a wireless device on a network and enable communication services with the network. Because the information stored in a SIM may be the wireless device to establish a communication link for a particular communication service with a particular network, the term “SIM” may also be used herein as a shorthand reference to the communication service (e.g., the networks, the subscriptions, the services, and/or the like) associated with and enabled by the information (e.g., in the form of various parameters) stored in a particular SIM as the SIM and the communication network, as well as the services and RATs supported by that network, correlate to one another.

Embodiments described herein relate to providing MSMA (e.g., DSDA, TSTA, and/or the like) user experience for a MSMS (e.g., DSDS, TSTS, and/or the like) wireless communication device, by Packet Switching (PS) connection sharing for two or more SIMs of the MSMS wireless communication device. Illustrating with a non-limiting example, a DSDS wireless communication device having a first SIM and a second SIM may be configured for concurrent voice/data services enabled by the first SIM and voice services enabled by the second SIM.

Embodiments may include: 1) setting up an IMS Packet Data Network (PDN) connection (including a default bearer and an Internet Protocol (IP) Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session) for the first SIM； 2) performing IMS registrations for both the first SIM and the second SIM via the IMS PDN connection set up over the first SIM； and 3) setting up a call (e.g., a VoLTEcall) for the first SIM and a call (e.g., a VoLTE call) for the second SIM using the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.

First, the wireless communication device (e.g., a DSDS wireless communication device) may set up an IMS PDN connection for the first SIM (represented by an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) ) . The IMS PDN connection may include the default bearer set up over the first SIM and the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM. The IMS may be a framework for delivery of multimedia data over IP. The IMS PDN may be a network that the wireless communication device connects to for various types of communications, including at least, but not limited to, data and voice services. During the setup of the IMS PDN connection over the first SIM, the wireless communication device may receive an IP address sent and assigned by a PDN Gateway (P-GW) . The P-GW is a gateway connecting an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) with an extended (external) IP network (e.g., the IMS PDN) . The P-GW may send a Credit Control (CC) request to obtain Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rules from Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) during the IP-CAN session establishment over the first SIM. The CC request may include a subscribed Quality of Service (QoS) and the assigned IP address. A default bearer maybe set up over the first SIM.

Next, both the first SIM and the second SIM may be registered to the IMS via the default bearer set up over the first SIM and the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM. For example, both the first SIM and the second SIM may use the same IP address included in the CC request used in the IP-CAN session establishment for the first SIM. The first SIM and the second SIM may each associate with a different User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port for the IMS registration. The first SIM may be authenticated for IMS registration based on security attributes of the first SIM. The second SIM may be authenticated for IMS registration based on security attributes of the second SIM. Accordingly, both the first SIM and the second SIM may be IMS-registered with the Serving Call Session Control Function (CSCF) (S-CSCF) via the default bearer associated with the first SIM. The Proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) may be assigned as a result.

After the second SIM is registered to the IMS, the call setup for the second SIM may be executed over the IP-CAN session set up for the first SIM. Particularly, the PCRF may use the IP address in an Authorization and Accounting Request (AAR) to identify the IP-CAN session. The IMSI or a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory number (MSISDN) may be optionally present in the AAR for identification purpose and other suitable purposes. The current 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards in relation to the field network do not utilize binding check for the IP address and identity associated with the wireless communication device. The binding check functionality can be disabled by the operator if needed. A Re-Authentication Request (RAR) command may include identifiers for traffic, such as Quality of Service (QoS) Class of Identifiers (QCIs) . Based on the QCIs, dedicated bearers for the second SIM may be established for the second IMS subscription (e.g., activities of the second VoLTE subscription) . Each dedicated bearer for the second SIM may be associated with a different User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port (as defined by the UDP port number) than that associated with the dedicated bearers for the first SIM. The dedicated bearers associated with the first and second SIM use a same IP address (e.g., the same IP address associated with the IP-CAN of the first SIM) . Dedicated bearers for the first SIM may be set up in a similar manner via the IP-CAN session set up for the first SIM.

Such PS connection sharing can be supported by disabling PCRF dedicated bearer establishment policy, which forbids establishing dedicated bearer for VoLTE for the second SIM on the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM. Otherwise, the PS connection sharing can be implemented without any impact to the current 3GPP standards and without any dependency network.

Various embodiments may be implemented within a communication system 100, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, a first mobile network 102 and a second mobile network 104 may each associate with a plurality of cellular base stations (e.g., a first base station 130 and a second base station 140, respectively) . The first base station 130 may broadcast the first mobile network 102 in a first serving cell 150. The second base station 140 may broadcast the second mobile network 104 in a second serving cell 160. Illustrating with a non-limiting example, each of the first mobile network 102 and the second mobile network 104 may be an IMS core network (provided by an operator IP/IMS core 430 of FIGS. 4A-4E) . A wireless communication device 110 may be associated with (within effective boundaries of) both the first serving cell 150 and the second serving cell 160.

The wireless communication device 110 may be in communication with the first mobile network 102 through a first cellular connection 132 to the first base station 130. The first cellular connection 132 may correspond to the first RAT of the wireless communication device 110. The wireless communication device 110 may also be in communication with the second mobile network 104 through a second cellular connection 142 to the second base station 140. The second cellular connection 142 may correspond to the second RAT of the wireless communication device 110, as in a multi-SIM context. The first base station 130 may be in communication with the first mobile network 102 over a wired or wireless connection 134. The second base station 140 may be in communication with the second mobile network 104 over a wired or wireless connection 144.

The first cellular connection 132 and the second cellular connection 142 may be made through two-way wireless communication links. Each of the wireless communication links may be enable by any suitable protocol including, but not limited to, FDMA, TDMA, CDMA (e.g., EVDO) , UMTS (e.g., WCDMA, LTE, HSDPA, or the like) , GSM, 1x, GPRS, Wi-Fi, PCS, and/or another protocol used in a wireless communications network or a data communications network. By way of illustrating with a non-limiting example, the first cellular connection 132 may be an LTE connection. The second cellular connection 142 may be an LTE connection. Other RATs (such as, but not limited to, WCDMA, HSDPA, EVDO, and the like) may be implemented in a similar manner.

Each of the first base station 130 and the second base station 140 may include at least one antenna group or transmission station located in the same or different areas. The at least one antenna group or transmission station may be associated with signal transmission and reception. Each of the first base station 130 and the second base station 140 may include one or more processors, modulators, multiplexers, demodulators, demultiplexers, antennas, and the like for performing the functions described herein. In some embodiments, the first base station 130 and the second base station 140 may be an access point, Node B, evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB) , base transceiver station (BTS) , or the like.

In various embodiments, the wireless communication device 110 may be configured to access the first mobile network 102 and the second mobile network 104 by virtue of the multi-SIM and/or the multi-mode SIM configuration of the wireless communication device 110 (e.g., via the first cellular connection 132 and the second cellular connection 142) . When a SIM corresponding to a RAT is inserted, the wireless communication device 110 may access the mobile communication network associated with that RAT based on the information stored on the SIM through registrations and call setups, as described herein.

While the wireless communication device 110 is shown connected to the

mobile networks

102 and 104 via two cellular connections, in other embodiments (not shown) , the wireless communication device 110 may establish additional network connections using at least one additional RAT.

In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 110 may establish a wireless connection with a peripheral device (not shown) used in connection with the wireless communication device 110. For example, the wireless communication device 110 may communicate over a

link with a Bluetooth-enabled personal computing device (e.g., a “smart watch” ) . In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 110 may establish a wireless connection with a wireless access point (not shown) , such as over a Wi-Fi connection. The wireless access point may be configured to connect to the Internet or another network over a wired connection.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a wireless communication device 200 suitable for implementing various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the wireless communication device 200 may be the wireless communication device 110 as described with reference to FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the wireless communication device 200 may include a first SIM interface 202a, which may receive a first identity module SIM-1 204a that is associated with the first IMS subscription (corresponding to the first mobile network 102) . The wireless communication device 200 may also include a second SIM interface 202b, which may receive a second identity module SIM-2 204b that is associated with the second IMS subscription (corresponding to the second mobile network 104) .

A SIM (e.g., SIM-1 204a, SIM-2 204b, and/or the like) in various embodiments may be a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) that is configured with SIM and/or Universal SIM (USIM) applications, enabling access to GSM and/or UMTS networks. The UICC may also provide storage for a phone book and other applications. Alternatively, in a CDMA network, a SIM may be a UICC removable user identity module (R-UIM) or a CDMA Subscriber Identity Module (CSIM) on a card. A SIM card may have a Central Processing Unit (CPU) , Read Only Memory (ROM) , Random Access Memory (RAM) , Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) and Input/Output (I/O) circuits. An Integrated Circuit Card Identity (ICCID) SIM serial number may be printed on the SIM card for identification. However, a SIM may be implemented within a portion of memory of the wireless communication device 200, and thus need not be a separate or removable circuit, chip, or card.

A SIM used in various embodiments may store user account information, an IMSI, a set of SIM Application Toolkit (SAT) commands, and other network provisioning information, as well as provide storage space for phone book database of the user’s contacts. As part of the network provisioning information, a SIM may store home identifiers (e.g., a System Identification Number (SID) /Network Identification Number (NID) pair, a Home PLMN (HPLMN) code, etc. ) to indicate the SIM card network operator provider.

The wireless communication device 200 may include at least one controller, such as a general-purpose processor 206, which may be coupled to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 208. The CODEC 208 may in turn be coupled to a speaker 210 and a microphone 212. The general-purpose processor 206 may also be coupled to at least one memory 214. The general-purpose processor 206 may include any suitable data processing device, such as a microprocessor. In the alternative, the general-purpose processor 206 may be any suitable electronic processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The general-purpose processor 206 may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, at least one microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration) .

The memory 214 may be a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium that stores processor-executable instructions. For example, the instructions may include routing communication data relating to the first or second subscription though a corresponding baseband-RF resource chain. The memory 214 may include any suitable internal or external device for storing software and data. Examples of the memory 214 may include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, floppy disks, hard disks, dongles or other Recomp Sensor Board (RSB) connected memory devices, or the like. The memory 214 may store an Operating System (OS) , user application software, and/or executable instructions. The memory 214 may also store application data, such as an array data structure.

The general-purpose processor 206 and the memory 214 may each be coupled to baseband modem processor 216. The SIMs (e.g., the SIM-1 204a, the SIM-2 204b, and/or the like) in the wireless communication device 200 may be associated with at least one baseband-RF resource chain. A baseband-RF resource chain may include the baseband modem processor 216, which may perform baseband/modem functions for communications on the SIMs. The baseband modem processor 216 may include one or more amplifiers and radios, referred to generally herein as a RF resource 218 or RF chain.

The embodiments described herein may be applicable to wireless communication devices in which the

SIMs

204a and 204b share a common set of RF resource (particularly, the RF resource 218) . Embodiments described herein may also be applicable to wireless communication devices in which each of the

SIMs

204a and 204b has a separate RF resource, but activities of one of the

SIMs

204a and 204b may be deactivated while the other one of the

SIMs

204a and 204b is active.

The RF resource 218 may include at least one transceiver that perform transmit/receive functions for the associated

SIMs

204a and 204b of the wireless communication device 200. The RF resource 218 may include separate transmit and receive circuitry, or may include a transceiver that combines transmitter and receiver functions. The RF resource 218 may be coupled to a wireless antenna 220. The RF resource 218 may also be coupled to the baseband modem processor 216.

In some embodiments, the general-purpose processor 206, the memory 214, the baseband modem processor 216, and the RF resource 218 may be included in the wireless communication device 200 as a system-on-chip. In some embodiments, the

SIMs

204a and 204b and their

corresponding interfaces

202a, 202b may be external to the system-on-chip. Further, various input and output devices may be coupled to components on the system-on-chip, such as interfaces or controllers. Example user input components suitable for use in the wireless communication device 200 may include, but are not limited to, a keypad 224, a touchscreen display 226, and the microphone 212.

In some embodiments, the keypad 224, the touchscreen display 226, the microphone 212, or a combination thereof, may perform the function of receiving a request to initiate an outgoing call. For example, the touchscreen display 226 may receive a selection of a contact from a contact list or receive a telephone number. In another example, either or both of the touchscreen display 226 and the microphone 212 may perform the function of receiving a request to initiate an outgoing call. For example, the touchscreen display 226 may receive a selection of a contact from a contact list or to receive a telephone number. As another example, the request to initiate the outgoing call may be in the form of a voice command received via the microphone 212. Interfaces may be provided between the various software modules and functions in the wireless communication device 200 to enable communication between them.

The wireless communication device 200 may include a connection-sharing module 230 configured to set up the IMS PDN connection over SIM-1 204a (a first SIM) , register both SIM-1 204a and SIM-2 204b (a second SIM) , set up calls for both SIM-1 204a and SIM-2 204b, and the like.

In some embodiments, the connection-sharing module 230 may be implemented within the general-purpose processor 206. For example, the connection-sharing module 230 may be implemented as a software application stored within the memory 214 and executed by the general-purpose processor 206. Accordingly, such embodiments can be implemented with minimal additional hardware costs. However, other embodiments relate to systems and processes implemented with dedicated hardware specifically configured for performing operations described herein with respect to the connection-sharing module 230. For example, the connection-sharing module 230 may be implemented as a separate processing component (i.e., separate from the general-purpose processor 206) . The connection-sharing module 230 may be coupled to the memory 214, the general processor 206, the baseband processor 216, and/or the RF resource 218 for performing the function described herein.

Hardware and/or software for the functions may be incorporated in the wireless communication device 200 during manufacturing, for example, as a part of a configuration of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the wireless communication device 200. In further embodiments, such hardware and/or software may be added to the wireless communication device 200 post-manufacture, such as by installing one or more hardware devices and/or software applications onto the wireless communication device 200.

In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 200 may include, among other things, additional SIM cards, SIM interfaces, at least another RF resource associated with the additional SIM cards, and additional antennas for connecting to additional mobile networks.

FIG. 3 is a process flowchart diagram illustrating an example of a connection-sharing method 300 according to various embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in some embodiments, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may set up an IMS PDN connection over a first SIM (e.g., SIM-1 204a) , at block B310. The IMS PDN connection may include a default bearer set up over the first SIM and an IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.

In some embodiments, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may register both the first SIM and a second SIM (e.g., SIM-2 204b) to IMS via the IMS PDN connection set up for the first SIM, at block B320.

In some embodiments, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may set up communications for both the first SIM and the second SIM over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM, at block B330. For example, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may set up a call (e.g., a VoLTE call) for the first SIM and/or set up a call (e.g., a VoLTE call) for the second SIM using the IP-CAN session associated with the first SIM.

FIG. 4A is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of an IMS PDN connection setup according to various embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1-4A, the IMS PDN connection setup illustrated in FIG. 4A may correspond to setting up the IMS PDN connection at block B310. In some embodiments, a wireless communication device 400 may be a device such as, but not limited to, the

wireless communication devices

110 and 200. The wireless communication device 400 may be a MSMS device. The wireless communication device 400 may have a first SIM 401 (corresponding to SIM-1 204a) and a second SIM 402 (corresponding to SIM-2 204b) .

The wireless communication device 400 may be in communication with a base station 405. The base station 405 may be one or more of the first base station 130 and/orthe second base station 140. The wireless communication device 400 may be connected to the base station 405 via one or more of the first cellular connection 132 (e.g., LTE) and/or the second cellular connection 142 (e.g., LTE) .

The base station 405 may interface or be in communication with a Mobility Management Entity (MME) and/or a Serving Gateway (S-GW) , collectively referred to as a MME/S-GW 410. The MME may authenticate the wireless communication device 400. The S-GW may provide a point of communication between the base station 405 and the EPC. The base station 405 may interface or be in communication with the MME/S-GW 410 via an S1 signaling protocol.

The MME/S-GW 410 may interface or be in communication with a P-GW 415 via anS5 signaling protocol, which may manage tunneling between the MME/S-GW 410 and the P-GW 415. The P-GW 415may connect the EPC with an operator IP/IMS core 430. The P-GW 415 may interface or be in communication with a PCRF 420 via a Gx signaling protocol for obtaining the QoS policy and the charging rules from the PCRF 420.

The PCRF 420 may interface or be in communication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) and/or a Sub-Profiles Repository (SPR) , collectively referred to as HSS/SPR 425. An HSS contains subscription-related information such as profiles of subscribers. In addition it performs authorization and authentication of the user. Also, the HSS may provide information about a subscriber's location and IP information. The HSS may support call/session setup and authorize access. The HSS may support call/session setup and authorize access. The SPR may store user/subscriber information. The PCRF 420 may interface with the HSS/SPR 425 via a Sp signaling protocol. The HSS/SPR 425 may interface or be in communication with the MME/S-GW 410 via an S6a signaling protocol.

The EPC may include at least the MME/S-GW 410, P-GW 415, PCRF 420, and HSS/SPR 425 in some embodiments. The extended IP network may be enabled by the operator IP/IMS core 430. The operator IP/IMS core 430 may be associated with the first IMS (e.g., VoLTE) subscription and/or the second IMS (e.g., VoLTE) subscription. The operator IP/IMS core 430 may include at least a P-CSCF 431 and an S-CSCF 432.

At signaling block 440a, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 of the wireless communication device 400 may authenticate the first SIM 401 with the MME/S-GW 410 based on a subscriber Identification (ID) (e.g., IMSI) associated with the first SIM 401. The first SIM 401 of the wireless communication device 400 may be identified by the subscriber ID IMSI 1. The authentication at the signaling block B440a may include Non-Access Stratum (NAS) security setup between the NAS layer of the wireless communication device 400 (managed by the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206) and the MME/S-GW 410.

At signaling block 442a, the MME/S-GW 410 may authenticate the first SIM 401 (as identified by IMSI 1) with the HSS/SPR 425. The HSS/SPR 425 may determine subscription data associated with IMSI 1 and allow the MME/S-GW 410 to download subscription data associated with the first SIM 401 (IMSI 1) from SPR of the HSS/SPR 425. At signaling block 444a, the MME/S-GW 410 may send a create session request to the P-GW 415 in response to completing the authentication and subscriber data download at signaling block 442a. The create session request may include an Access Point Name (APN) identifying a certain extended (external) IP network and/or operator (e.g., the operator IP/IMS core 430) .

At signaling block 446a, the P-GW 415 may send a CC request to the PCRF 420 in response to receiving the create session request from the MME/S-GW 410. The CC request may include, but not limited to, a session ID, request type (e.g., in this case, an initial request) , subscriber ID (e.g., IMSI 1) , framed IP address, QoS associated with a default Evolved Packet-Switched System (EPS) bearer, and the like. Specifically, the P-GW 415 may assign an IP address (e.g., the framed IP address) to the subscriber ID (e.g., IMSI 1) associated with the first SIM 401. At signaling block 448a, the PCRF 420 may request a QoS profile from the HSS/SPR 425. The PCRF 420 may download the QoS profile from the HSS/SPR 425. The QoS profile may include at least control information related to QoS usage associated with the subscriber ID of the first SIM 401.

At signaling block 450a, the PCRF 420 may send a CC answer to the P-GW 415 in response to completing downloading the QoS profile. The CC answer may be a response to the CC request. At signaling block 452a, the P-GW 415 may send a create session response to the MME/S-GW 410 after receiving the CC answer from the PCRF 420. The MME/S-GW 410 may determine parameters such as, but not limited to, an EPS bearer ID, bearer QoS level, charging ID, and/or the like based on the create session response received from the P-GW 415.

At signaling block 454a, the MME/S-GW 410 may send an initial context setup request to the base station 405. The initial context setup request may include, but not limited to, the EPS bearer ID, the bearer QoS level, and the like. In response to receiving the initial context setup request, the base station 405 may activate Access Stratum (AS) security configurations with the wireless communication device 400 (e.g., the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206) at signaling block 456a in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may configure the wireless communication device 400 to perform Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection reconfiguration with the base station 405 at signaling block 458a. The connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may configure, through the RRC layer of the wireless communication device 400, the RF resource 218 of the wireless communication device 400 based on the configuration parameters obtained through the RRC connection reconfiguration.

In response to completing the RRC connection reconfiguration at signaling block 458a, the base station 405 may send a context setup response to the MME/S-GW 410 at signaling block 460a. The context setup response at signaling block 460a may be a response to the initial context setup request at signaling block 454a. The context setup response may indicate to MME/S-GW 410 that the configurations (e.g., signaling

blocks

456a and 458a) between the wireless communication device 400 (with respect to the first SIM 401) and the base station 405 are successful.

Accordingly, a default EPS bearer 470a set up over with the first SIM 401 may be created based on the signaling blocks 440a-460a. The default EPS bearer 470a set up over the first SIM 401 may enable communications between the wireless communication device 400 (e.g., for communications associated with the first SIM 401) on one end and the P-GW 415 on the other end.

An IP-CAN session 480a set up over the first SIM 401 may be created based on the signaling blocks 440a-460a. The IP-CAN session 480a set up over the first SIM 401 may enable communications between the P-GW 415 (gateway of the EPC) on one end and the operator IP/IMS core 430 (particularly, the S-CSCF 432) on the other end. According, using the default EPS bearer 470a set up over the first SIM 401 and the IP- CAN session set up over the first SIM 401, the wireless communication device 400 may communicate with the operator IP/IMS core 430 for communications based on the first SIM 401 (and the first IMS subscription corresponding to the first SIM 401) .

The IP-CAN session 480a set up over the first SIM 401 may be identified and set up based on the IP address assigned by the P-GW 415, for instance, at signaling block 446a. As described, the P-GW 415 may send the CC request to obtain PCC rules from the PCRF 420. The assigned IP address (e.g., the framed IP address) as well as the QoS associated with the default EPS bearer 470a may be included in the CC request.

The default EPS bearer 470a set up over the first SIM 401 and the IP-CAN session 480a set up over the first SIM 401 may be collectively referred to as the IMS PDN connection associated with (and set up over) the first SIM 401.

FIG. 4B is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of an IMS registration according to various embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1-4B, in response to the IMS PDN connection associated with the first SIM 401 being set up, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may register (e.g., IMS-register, performing IMS registration, and/or the like) each of the first SIM 401 and the second SIM 402 over the IMS PDN connection associated with the first SIM 401 in a manner such as, but not limited to, described with respect to block B320.

For example, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may assign a first UDP port 401b to the first SIM 401. In other words, the first SIM 401 may be identified by the first UDP port 401b. The connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may initiate the IMS registration for the first SIM 401 (e.g., first SIM IMS registration 490b) over the IMS PDN connection associated with (set up over) the first SIM 401. In some embodiments, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may configure the wireless communication device 400 to IMS-register the first SIM 401 with the S-CSCF 432 via the default EPS bearer 470a set up over the first SIM 401 and the IP-CAN session 480a set up over the first SIM 401. The P-CSCF 431 may be assigned as a result of the IMS registration for the first SIM 401. The connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may configure the wireless communication device 400 to query the P-GW 415 or another suitable entity for the IP address of the P-CSCF 431after the IP-CAN session 480a has been established. The IMS authentication for the first SIM 401 may be based on security attributes associated with the first SIM 401.

In some embodiments, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may assign a second UDP port 402b to the second SIM 402. In other words, the second SIM 402 may be identified by the second UDP port 402b. The connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may initiate the IMS registration for the second SIM 402 (e.g., second SIM IMS registration 492b) over the IMS PDN connection associated with (set up over) the first SIM 401. In some embodiments, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may configure the wireless communication device 400 to IMS-register the second SIM 402with the S-CSCF 432 via the default EPS bearer 470a set up over the first SIM 401 and the IP-CAN session 480a set up over the first SIM 401. The P-CSCF 431 may be assigned as a result of the IMS registration for the second SIM 402. IMS authentication for the second SIM 402 may be based on security attributes associated with the second SIM 402.

Accordingly, both the first SIM 401 and the second SIM 402 may be associated with the same IP address (e.g., the framed IP address) that is assigned based on the subscriber ID (IMSI 1) corresponding to the first SIM 401. In some embodiments, the

SIMs

401 and 402 may be associated with

different UDP ports

401b and 402b, respectively, to distinguish the first SIM 401 from the second SIM 402. In other words, the IP address set up over the first SIM 401 and the first UDP port 401b may be used for the first SIM IMS registration 490b. The IP address set up over the first SIM 401 and the second UDP port 402b may be used for the second SIM IMS registration 492b.

FIG. 4C is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a call setup for the second SIM 402 according to various embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1-4C, in response to IMS-registering at least the second SIM 402, a call for the second SIM 402 may be set up. As described, the second SIM 402 may be identified via the second UDP port 402b. A SIP: INVITE 490c for the second SIM 402 (based on the second UDP port 402b) may be received by the wireless communication device 400 from the S-CSCF 432 via the default EPS bearer 470a set up for the first SIM 401 and the IP-CAN session 480a set up over the first SIM 401. The SIP: INVITE 490c may be a message signal inviting the second SIM 402 for a call (e.g., a VoLTE call via the second IMS (VoLTE) subscription) . The SIP: INVITE 490c may originate from another device or server associated with the S-CSCF 432. The IMS may the SIP to set up communication sessions. The SIP may be a popular application protocols for establishing and terminating communication sessions over the Internet.

In response to the SIP: INVITE 490c, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may configure the wireless communication device 400 to send a session progress message 492c associated with the second SIM 402 via the default EPS bearer 470a set up over first SIM 401 and the IP-CAN session 480a set up over the first SIM 401. The session progress message may report information and statusregarding the session associated with the SIP: INVITE 490c to the S-CSCF 432 or the another device/server connected thereto.

The P-CSCF 431 may send an AAR request command at signaling block 494c via the IP-CAN session 480a associated with the first SIM 401. The AAR request command may include the IP address (e.g., the framed IP address) . The PCRF 420 may use the IP address included in the AAR request command to identify the IP-CAN session 480a set up over the first SIM 401. A subscriber ID such as the IMSI and the MSISDN (associated with the second SIM 402) may be present in the AAR to identify the wireless communication device 400, in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the IMSI and the MSISDN may not be present in the AAR. The current field network may not check the binding of the IP address and the subscriber ID.

The PCRF 420 may send a RAR command at signaling block 496c to the P-GW 415 in response to receiving the AAR command at signaling block 494c. The RAR command may include, but not limited to, the IP address (e.g., the framed IP address assigned at signaling block 446a) , first QCI (e.g., QCI 1) for IMS traffic, and second QCI (e.g., QCI 5) for IMS signaling. The P-GW 415 may allocate resources for the dedicated bearers associated with the second SIM 402 corresponding to the first QCI and second QCI.

FIG. 4D is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a call setup for the second SIM 402 according to various embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1-4D, the call setup as illustrated in FIG. 4D may follow the call setup signaling diagram of FIG. 4C. In some embodiments, in response to allocating the resources for the dedicated bearers associated with the second SIM 402 (e.g., after the P-GW 415 receiving the RAR command at signaling block 496c) , the P-GW 415 may send a create bearer request to the MME/S-GW 410 at signaling block 440d. The create bearer request may include an ID for the default EPS bearer 470a set up over the first SIM 401 and any bearer context.

In response to receiving and processing the create bearer request received at signaling block 440d, the MME/S-GW 410 may send a bearer setup request to the base station 405 at signaling block 442d. As a result of processing the bearer setup request by the base station 405, the base station 405 and the MME/S-GW 410 may allocate resources for the dedicated bearers associated with the second SIM 402.

In response to the base station 405 having completed allocating the resources, the base station 405 may communicate with the wireless communication device 400 for paging and RRC setup at signaling block 444d according to some embodiments. The paging and RRC setup may refer to allocating resources between the base station 405 and the wireless communication device 400 (e.g., via the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206) for the dedicated bearers associated with the second SIM 402.

In response to the base station 405 detecting that resource allocation between the wireless communication device 400 and the base station 405 has been completed, the base station 405 may send a bearer setup response to the MME/S-GW 410 at signaling block 446d. The bearer setup response may indicate successful resource allocation and setup. The bearer setup response may be a response to the bearer setup request received by the base station 405 at signaling block 442d.

In response to receiving the bearer setup response by the MME/S-GW 410 at signaling block 446d, the MME/S-GW 410 may send a create bearer response at signaling block 448d to the P-GW 415 indicating successful resource allocation and setup. The create bearer response may be a response to the create bearer request received by the MME/S-GW 410 at signaling block 440d.

In response to receiving the create bearer response by the P-GW 415 at signaling block 448d, the P-GW 415 may send a RAR response at signaling block 450d to the PCRF 420 indicating successful resource allocation and setup. The RAR response may be a response to the RAR command received by the P-GW 415 at signaling block 496c.

Based on signaling

blocks

494c, 496c, and 440d-450d, a first dedicated EPS bearer 460d for the second SIM 402 and a first additional dedicated EPS bearer 465d for the second SIM 402 may be established. While the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 is communicating with the base station 405 during the paging and RRC setup at signal block 444d, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may allocate or associate at least one UDP port (e.g., a third UDP port 403b) with one or more of the

dedicated EPS bearers

460d and 465d. Illustrating with a non-limiting example, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 the third UDP port 403b may associate the third UDP port 403b with one or both of the first dedicated EPS bearer 460d and the first additional dedicated EPS bearer 465d. A separate UDP port may be assigned to the first additional dedicated EPS bearer 465d.

Illustrating with a non-limiting example, the first dedicated EPS bearer 460d may be associated with the first QCI (e.g., QCI 1) , which indicates that the first dedicated EPS bearer 460d may be used by the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 for IMS traffic (e.g., IMS PS voice traffic) associated with the second SIM 402. Illustrating with another non-limiting example, the first additional dedicated EPS bearer 465d may be associated with the second QCI (e.g., QCI 5) , which indicates that the first additional dedicated EPS bearer 465d may be used by the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 for IMS signaling associated with the second SIM 402. Accordingly, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may communicate (e.g., PS voice) with the operator IP/IMS core 430 with respect to the second SIM 402 via the

dedicated EPS bearers

460d and 465d, and the IP-CAN session 480a.

Each of the

dedicated EPS bearers

460d and 465d associated with the second SIM 402 may be set up over the IP-CAN session 480a set up for the first SIM 401. In other words, each of the

dedicated EPS bearers

460d and 465d may be associated with the IP address (e.g., the framed IP address) set up for the first SIM 401.

FIG. 4E is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a call setup for the first SIM 401 according to various embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1-4E, dedicated EPS bearers (e.g., a second dedicated EPS bearer 460e and second additional dedicated EPS bearer 465e) may be set up for the first SIM 401 over the IP-CAN session 480a set up over the first SIM 401 in a manner similar to described with respect to the dedicated EPS bearers (e.g., the first dedicated EPS bearer 460d and the first additional dedicated EPS bearer 465d) for the second SIM 402.

In some embodiments, signaling messages similar to signaling

blocks

494c, 496c, and 440d-450d may be used to set up the

dedicated EPS bearers

460e and 465e for the first SIM 401. In some embodiments, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may assign a fourth UDP port 404b to one or more of the second dedicated EPS bearer 460e and second additional dedicated EPS bearer 465e associated with the first SIM 401. A separate UDP port may be assigned to the second additional dedicated EPS bearer 465e.

Illustrating with a non-limiting example, the second dedicated EPS bearer 460e may be associated with a third QCI that indicates that the second dedicated EPS bearer 460e may be used by the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 for IMS traffic (e.g., IMS PS voice and data traffic) associated with the first SIM 401. Illustrating with another non-limiting example, the second additional dedicated EPS bearer 465e may be associated with a fourth QCI that indicates that the second additional dedicated EPS bearer 465e may be used by the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 for IMS signaling associated with the first SIM 401. Accordingly, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may communicate (e.g., PS voice and data) with the operator IP/IMS core 430 with respect to the first SIM 401 via the

dedicated EPS bearers

460e and 465e, and the IP-CAN session 480a.

Accordingly, the

dedicated EPS bearers

460d, 465d, 460e, 465e and the default EPS bearer 470a may be associated with the same IP-CAN session 480a (e.g., may be associated with the IP address of the IP-CAN session 480a) set up for the first SIM 401. The IP address of the IP-CAN session 480a may be used in one or more of the signaling blocks 494c, 496c, and 440d-450d for the second SIM 402, corresponding signaling blocks for the first SIM 401, and any communication occurring via any of

EPS bearers

470a, 460d, 465d, 460e, 465e to identify the IP-CAN session 480.

The PCRF 420 may have a dedicated bearer establishment policy that forbids establishing any dedicated bearer (e.g., the first dedicated EPS bearer 460d and the first additional dedicated EPS bearer 465d) for the second SIM 402 via the IP-CAN session 480a established over the first SIM. The connection-sharing module 230 or the general- purpose processor 206 of the wireless communication device 400, or any network entity in control of the PCRF 420, may be configured to disable such policy so that the

dedicated EPS bearers

460d and 465d can be established. Otherwise, the PS connection sharing as described herein may conform to the current 3GPP standards without any dependency network.

FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating an example of a connection-sharing method according to various embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1-5, one or more of blocks B510-B550 may correspond to one or more blocks B310-B330. At block B510, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may initiate setting up the default EPS bearer 470a over the first SIM 401 according to some embodiments. At block B520, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may initiate setting up the IP-CAN session 480a over the first SIM 401 according to some embodiments. The IP-CAN session 480a may be associated with an IP address (e.g., the framed IP address assigned by the P-GW 415 for the first SIM 401.

At block B530, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may register the first SIM 401 and the second SIM 402 to the IMS in some embodiments as described. The IMS may be supported by the operator IP/IMS core 430. The first SIM 401 and the second SIM 402 may be registered in any sequential order or simultaneously.

At block B540, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may set up communications for the first SIM 401 and the second SIM 402 using the IP address associated with the IP-CAN session 480a that is set up over the first SIM 401. For example, setting up communications for the second SIM 402 may refer to the call setup for the second SIM 402 as described with respect to FIGS. 4C-4D. Setting up communications for the first SIM 401 may refer to the call setup for the first SIM 401 as described with respect to FIG. 4E.

At block B550, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may configure the wireless communication device 400 to communicate (through the IMS) via concurrent PS voice and data services based on the first SIM 401 and PS voice services based on the second SIM 402. For instance, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may configure the wireless communication device 400 to communicate via the

dedicated EPS bearers

460d, 465d, 460e, and 465e as well as the IP-CAN session 480a.

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating an example of a connection-sharing method according to various embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 1-6, one or more of blocks B610-B630 may correspond to one or more blocks B310-B330 and/or one or more blocks B510-B550. At block B610, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may set up a session (e.g., the IP-CAN 480a) with a network (e.g., the IMS network provided by the operator IP/IMS core 430) based on the first SIM 401. At block B620, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may set up communications associated with the first SIM 401 and the second SIM 402 based on the IP address (e.g., using the IP-CAN session 480a) in the manner described. At block B630, the connection-sharing module 230 or the general-purpose processor 206 may communicate via services corresponding to the first SIM 401 and the second SIM 402 concurrently, thus providing the MSMA experience to the MSMS wireless communication device 400. For instance, IMS PS voice and data traffic enabled by the first SIM 401 and IMS PS voice traffic enabled by the second SIM 402 may be concurrently active based on the

dedicated bearers

460d, 465d, 460e, and 465e.

In some embodiments, the default EPS bearer 470a (instead of the first additional dedicated EPS bearer 465d) may be used for IMS signaling for the second SIM 402. In this case, the first additional dedicated EPS bearer 465d may not be needed for the IMS signaling for the second SIM 402. In some embodiments, the default EPS bearer 470a (instead of the second additional dedicated EPS bearer 465e) may be used for IMS signaling for the first SIM 401. In this case, the second additional dedicated EPS bearer 465e may not be needed for the IMS signaling for the first SIM 401.

The various embodiments may be implemented in any of a variety of wireless communication devices110, 200, and 400, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 7, as wireless communication device 700. As such, the wireless communication device 700 may implement the process and/or the apparatus of FIGS. 1-6, as described herein.

With reference to FIGS. 1-7, the wireless communication device 700 may include a processor 702 coupled to a touchscreen controller 704 and an internal memory 706. The processor 702 may be one or more multi-core integrated circuits designated for general or specific processing tasks. The memory 706 may be volatile or non-volatile memory, and may also be secure and/or encrypted memory, or unsecure and/or unencrypted memory, or any combination thereof. The touchscreen controller 704 and the processor 702 may also be coupled to a touchscreen panel 712, such as a resistive-sensing touchscreen, capacitive-sensing touchscreen, infrared sensing touchscreen, etc. Additionally, the display of the wireless communication device 700 need not have touch screen capability.

The wireless communication device 700 may have one or more

cellular network transceivers

708a, 708b coupled to the processor 702 and to at least one antenna 710 and configured for sending and receiving cellular communications. The

transceivers

708a, 708b and antenna 710 may be used with the above-mentioned circuitry to implement the various embodiment methods. The

cellular network transceivers

708a, 708b may be the RF resource 218. The antenna 710 may be the antenna 220. The wireless communication device 700 may include two or

more SIM cards

716a, 716b, corresponding to SIM-1 204a (first SIM 401) and SIM-2 204b (second SIM 402) , coupled to the

transceivers

708a, 708b and/or the processor 702. The wireless communication device 700 may include a cellular network wireless modem chip 711 (e.g., the baseband modem processor 216) that enables communication via at least one cellular network and is coupled to the processor 702.

The wireless communication device 700 may include a peripheral device connection interface 718 coupled to the processor 702. The peripheral device connection interface 718 may be singularly configured to accept one type of connection, or multiply configured to accept various types of physical and communication connections, common or proprietary, such as USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, or PCIe. The peripheral device connection interface 718 may also be coupled to a similarly configured peripheral device connection port (not shown) .

The wireless communication device 700 may also include speakers 714 for providing audio outputs. The wireless communication device 700 may also include a housing 720, constructed of a plastic, metal, or a combination of materials, for containing all or some of the components discussed herein. The wireless communication device 700 may include a power source 722 coupled to the processor 702, such as a disposable or rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery may also be coupled to a peripheral device connection port (not shown) to receive a charging current from a source external to the wireless communication device 700. The wireless communication device 700 may also include a physical button 724 for receiving user inputs. The wireless communication device 700 may also include a power button 726 for turning the wireless communication device 700 on and off.

The various embodiments illustrated and described are provided merely as examples to illustrate various features of the claims. However, features shown and described with respect to any given embodiment are not necessarily limited to the associated embodiment and may be used or combined with other embodiments that are shown and described. Further, the claims are not intended to be limited by any one example embodiment.

The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams are provided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that the steps of various embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art the order of steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order. Words such as “thereafter, ” “then, ” “next, ” etc. are not intended to limit the order of the steps； these words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the methods. Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a, ” “an” or “the” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

The hardware used to implement the various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP) , an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Alternatively, some steps or methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function.

In some exemplary embodiments, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or non-transitory processor-readable storage medium. The steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be embodied in a processor-executable software module which may reside on a non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable storage medium. Non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable storage media may be any storage media that may be accessed by a computer or a processor. By way of example but not limitation, such non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable storage media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD) , laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD) , floppy disk, and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of non-transitory computer-readable and processor-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/or instructions on a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium and/or computer-readable storage medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to some embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

A method for a wireless communication device having a first Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) and a second SIM to manage communications over the first SIM and the second SIM, the method comprising:

setting up an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Packet Data Network (PDN) connection over the first SIM, wherein the IMS PDN connection comprises a default Evolved Packet-Switched System (EPS) bearer set up over the first SIM and an IP Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session set up over the first SIM；

registering at least the second SIM to the IMS via the IMS PDN connection set up over the first SIM； and

setting up communications for at least the second SIM over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.
The method of claim 1, wherein registering at least the second SIM to the IMS via the IMS PDN connection set up over the first SIM comprises registering the second SIM to the IMS via the default EPS bearer set up over the first SIM and the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.
The method of claim 2, further comprising:

assigning a first User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port to the first SIM；

assigning a second UDP port to the second SIM； and

registering the second SIM to the IMS based on the second UDP port and security attributes for the second SIM.
The method of claim 3, further comprising registering first SIM to the IMS based on the first UDP port and security attributes for the first SIM.
The method of claim 3, wherein the first UDP port and the second UDP port are different.
The method of claim 1, wherein:

the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM is associated with an IP address； and

the second SIM is associated with the IP address for registering to the IMS via the IMS PDN connection set up over the first SIM and setting up communications over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.
The method of claim 1, wherein setting up communications for at least the second SIM over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM comprises setting up a first dedicated EPS bearer for the second SIM via the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.
The method of claim 7, further comprising:

assigning a third UDP port the first dedicated EPS bearer； and

setting up the first dedicated EPS bearer based on the third UDP port.
The method of claim 8, wherein the first dedicated EPS bearer is associated with a first QCI.
The method of claim 8, wherein the first dedicated EPS bearer is associated with IMS voice traffic.
The method of claim 1, wherein the default EPS bearer is associated with IMS signaling for at least the second SIM.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

registering the first SIM to the IMS via the IMS PDN connection set up over the first SIM； and

setting up communications for the first SIM over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.
The method of claim 12, wherein registering the first SIM to the IMS via the IMS PDN connection set up over the first SIM comprises registering the first SIM to the IMS via the default EPS bearer set up over the first SIM and the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.
The method of claim 12, wherein setting up communications for the first SIM over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM comprises setting up a second dedicated EPS bearer for the first SIM via the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.
The method of claim 14, further comprising assigning a fourth UDP port to the second dedicated EPS bearer.
The method of claim 14, wherein the second dedicated EPS bearer is associated with IMS voice and IMS data traffic.
The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first SIM is associated with a first VoLTE subscription； and

the second SIM is associated with a second VoLTE subscription.
The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first SIM is associated with Packet Switching (PS) voice and data services； and

the second SIM is associated with PS voice services.
The method of claim 1, further comprising disabling a policy of Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) that prohibits establishing any dedicated EPS bearer for the second SIM on the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.
A wireless communication device, comprising:

at least one radio frequency (RF) resource；

a processor coupled to the at least one RF resource, configured to connect to a first Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) associated with a first Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) subscription and to a second SIM associated with a second IMS subscription, and configured to:

set up an IMS Packet Data Network (PDN) connection over the first SIM, wherein the IMS PDN connection comprises a default Packet-Switched System (EPS) bearer set up over the first SIM and an IP Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session set up over the first SIM；

register at least the second SIM to the IMS via the IMS PDN connection set up over the first SIM； and

set up communications for at least the second SIM over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM； and

a memory.
The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to set up communications for the first SIM over the IP-CAN session set up over the first SIM.
The wireless communication device of claim 21, wherein:

the communications for the first SIM comprise Packet Switching (PS) voice and data services based on the first SIM； and

the communications for the second SIM comprise PS voice services based on the second SIM.
The wireless communication device of claim 22, wherein the processor is further configured to enable concurrent PS voice and data services based on the first SIM and PS voice services based on the second SIM.
A method for a wireless communication device having a first Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) and a second SIM to manage communications over the first SIM and the second SIM, the method comprising:

setting up a default Packet-Switched System (EPS) bearer over the first SIM；

setting up an Internet Protocol (IP) Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session over the first SIM, the IP-CAN session being associated with an IP address；

registering the first SIM and the second SIM to the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) ；

setting up communications for the first SIM and the second SIM using the IP address； and

communicating via concurrent Packet Switching (PS) voice and data services based on the first SIM and PS voice services based on the second SIM.
The method of claim 24, wherein:

the first SIM is associated with a first IMS Voice over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) subscription；

the second SIM is associated with a second IMS VoLTE subscription.
The method of claim 24, wherein setting up communications for the first SIM and the second SIM using the IP address comprises:

setting up a first dedicated Evolved Packet-Switched System (EPS) bearer for the second SIM using the IP address； and

setting up a second dedicated EPS bearer for the first SIM using the IP address.
The method of claim 26, further comprising

assigning to the first dedicated EPS bearer at least one User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port； and

assigning to the second dedicated EPS bearer at least one separate UDP port.
A method for a wireless communication device having a first Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) and a second SIM to manage communications over the first SIM and the second SIM, the method comprising:

setting up a session with a network based on the first SIM, the session associated with an IP address；

setting up communications associated with the first SIM and the second SIM based on the IP address； and

communicating via services corresponding to the first SIM and the second SIM concurrently.
The method of claim 28, wherein:

the services corresponding to the first SIM comprise PS voice and data services； and

the services corresponding to the second SIM comprise Packet Switching (PS) voice services.
The method of claim 28, wherein:

the first SIM and the second SIM are associated with a same default Packet-Switched System (EPS) bearer set up over the first SIM； and

the session is an Internet Protocol (IP) Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session.