WO2021007696A1

WO2021007696A1 - Multi subscriber identity module user equipment and method for operating same

Info

Publication number: WO2021007696A1
Application number: PCT/CN2019/095758
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chenho Chin; Yang Xu; Shukun Wang; Jianhua Liu
Original assignee: Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd.
Priority date: 2019-07-12
Filing date: 2019-07-12
Publication date: 2021-01-21
Also published as: CN113348726B; CN113348726A

Abstract

A multi subscriber identity module (SIM) user equipment (UE) and methods for operating same are provided. The multi SIM UE includes a first SIM associated with a first network and a second SIM associated with a second network. The multi SIM UE is configured to communicate with the first network using the first SIM and to communicate with the second network using the second SIM. The methods include negotiating a proper time to allow the multi SIM UE to leave to the second SIM to communicate with the second network.

Description

MULTI SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULE USER EQUIPMENT AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME

BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE

1. Field of Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to the field of communication systems, and more particularly, to a multi subscriber identity module (SIM) user equipment (UE) and a method for operating same.

2. Description of Related Art

Wireless communication systems are rapidly growing in usage. Further, wireless communication technologies have evolved from voice-only communications to also include transmission of data, such as internet and multimedia content. In certain scenarios, a wireless device may include or be capable of utilizing multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) .

Multi SIM devices have been in market for several years. Most such devices have shared baseband, RF antennas, and other hardware components between two SIMs. 3GPP has not standardized this type of multi SIM UEs. Therefore, both networks and UEs suffered performance degradation when both SIMs independently operate in their own networks. A few examples are as follows:

1. When both SIMs are in idle mode, the both SIMs need to monitor their paging message on its own paging occasion (PO) . PO is calculated based on a UE identity (ID) . Since two SIMs are independent, it’s possible their calculated POs will collide to each other (on time domain) . It is note that UE IDs are fixed, therefore when the collision happens, it will be permanent. In this case, clearly one or both UEs may miss paging message from the network.

2. When one SIM is actively communicating with its network, e.g. the SIM is in a packet switched (PS) call, another SIM may need to perform system information reading, cell reselection, or other UE procedures. Due to shared hardware components, when a second SIM of the two SIMs performs one procedure, a first SIM of the two SIMs may lose communication to its network (e.g., a first network) . This type of behavior is tune-away. During a period of tune-away, the first network is not aware of the UE leaving the system. This may cause in-efficient scheduling behavior and server data throughput loss.

3. When both SIMs attempts to perform their own procedures, e.g. one SIM attempts to perform paging monitor and another SIM attempts to perform cell reselection. It’s not clear which service can get higher priority. In this example, one may easily argue that the SIM to do paging monitor is more important, but a counter argument would say paging message will be repeatedly sent by the network, therefore, cell reselection can get higher priority. As for today, priority handling is UE implementation dependent and the network does not have any control of it.

Mobile phones allow human users to insert more than one subscriber identity module (SIM) , most common of which allows two SIMs, also known as dual SIM phones. Collectively, in 3GPP circles such phones with more than one SIM are mentioned as Multi-SIM phones. Some embodiments discuss dual SIM cases. But while this is so, all that is described herein applies equally to multi SIM cases. Along with such Multi-SIM discussions in 3GPP circles, there is recognition that such Multi SIM devices can be single radio, i.e. single downlink (DL) , single uplink (UL) , more than one radio, e.g. dual radio, a mix of single and dual radio depending on uplink or downlink, e.g. dual DL –single uplink (UL) , e.g. single DL –dual uplink (UL) . While such dual SIM mobile phones have been around for many years, there is nothing in 3GPP specifications that standardize their workings and interactions with 3GPP specified systems. All these dual SIM handsets work to 3GPP standards as if they are two separate single SIM phones and its "dual-ness" and their connections to the networks and public land mobile networks (PLMNs) are entirely up to implementation and not standardized up to now.

For instance, consider that a dual SIM phone has SIM-1 and SIM-2 and these SIMs belong to different operators (e.g. SIM-1 is a subscription with Vodafone and SIM-2 is a subscription with China Mobile) . Therefore, what is to be done for SIM-2 when user wants to make an outgoing call using SIM-1 subscription? And when SIM-1 is in a call, what would happen if the network (NW) SIM-2 is registered to has an incoming call for SIM-2? Should actions/reactions of the dual SIM phone depend on whether it is has single transmit but dual receiver functions? and vice-versa? Even when both SIM-1 and SIM-2 are in IDLE, how should the mobile "tune" to each of the two NWs the two SIMs are registered to, to e.g. listen for paging, is implementation specific. Hence as such dual SIM phones become more and more popular, there is a keenness on 3GPP's part to establish some standardized behaviors of such dual SIM phones.

With increased complexity of 5G-capable UEs and with growing demand for multi SIM devices in the market, it becomes urgent to consider system enhancements that would allow for more cost-efficient implementations in such devices. Determining how to operate effectively and efficiently with multi SIM capability may be a challenging problem. Thus, improvements in the field are desired. Therefore, there is a need for a multi subscriber identity module (SIM) user equipment (UE) and a method for operating same.

SUMMARY

An object of the present disclosure is to propose a multi subscriber identity module (SIM) user equipment (UE) and a method for operating same capable of operating effectively and efficiently with multi SIM capability.

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a multi SIM UE includes a first SIM associated with a first network, a second SIM associated with a second network, a memory, a transceiver configured to communicate with the first network using the first SIM and to communicate with the second network using the second SIM, and a processor coupled to the memory, the transceiver, the first SIM, and the second SIM. The processor is configured to negotiate a proper time to allow the multi SIM UE to leave to the second SIM to communicate with the second network.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operating a multi SIM UE is provided. The multi SIM UE includes a first SIM associated with a first network and a second SIM associated with a second network. The multi SIM UE is configured to communicate with the first network using the first SIM and to communicate with the second network using the second SIM. The method includes negotiating a proper time to allow the multi SIM UE to leave to the second SIM to communicate with the second network.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium has stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the above method.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal device includes a processor and a memory configured to store a computer program. The processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory to perform the above method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure or related art, the following figures will be described in the embodiments are briefly introduced. It is obvious that the drawings are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure, a person having ordinary skill in this field can obtain other figures according to these figures without paying the premise.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi subscriber identity module (SIM) user equipment (UE) in a communication network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a multi SIM UE and a network node in a communication network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a multi SIM UE and a network node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating frames/slots making up a logical channel/signalling channel of a public land mobile network (PLMN) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a steal time of a logical channel/signalling channel of a PLMN according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a multi subscriber identity module (SIM) user equipment (UE) in a communication network system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating dedicated time/frames/timeslots/signaling channels/associated channels/logical channels of a PLMN according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a paging processing duration of a multi SIM UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a format of a frame pattern according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating using a starting time, period, and/or offset to indicate an allowed time according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating using a procedure for operating a multi SIM UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating using a procedure for operating a multi SIM UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating using a procedure for operating a multi SIM UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific time of the multi SIM UE being connected to the first network and a specific time of the multi SIM UE being connected to the second network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific time of the multi SIM UE being connected to the first network and a specific time of the multi SIM UE being connected to the second network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a multi SIM UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a system for wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with the technical matters, structural features, achieved objects, and effects with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows. Specifically, the terminologies in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely for describing the purpose of the certain embodiment, and does not limit the disclosure.

In some embodiments, dual multi subscriber identity module (SIM) and multi SIM devices with an objective to standardize are as follows. A mechanism for delivering paging destined to a USIM B while a user equipment (UE) is actively communicating with a USIM A is provided. A mechanism allowing for suspension (or release) and resumption of an ongoing connection in a 3GPP system associated with the USIM A, so that the UE can temporarily leave to the 3GPP system associated with USIM B, and then return to the 3GPP system in a network-controlled manner is provided. The disclosure determines how a network handles MT data or MT control-plane activity occurrence on a suspended connection. A mechanism for avoidance of paging collisions occurring in the UE between the USIM A and the USIM B is provided. Handling of calls and sessions are provided. Handling of service prioritization i.e. the disclosure determines whether the UE behavior upon reception of paging information is driven by a USIM configuration or user preferences or both is provided. In some embodiments, it should be also noted that the scope of this disclosure limits the kind of multi SIM devices to single receive (Rx) (respect to radio antenna characteristics) /single transmit (Tx) (respect to radio antenna characteristics) and dual Rx /single Tx UE implementations. It should be further understood that other than a dual-SIM handset that is dual Rx /dual Tx (i.e. dual DL /dual UL) , a dual-SIM device at any one time can be in connection or in communication with only one of the PLMNs the two SIMs are registered to. The reason being with dual Rx /Dual Tx, the dual-SIM handset can effectively be working as two handsets. Naturally, if a multi-SIM device host more than two SIMs, even a dual Rx /Dual Tx handset could not simultaneously be in connection and communication to more than two PLMNs. Therefore, with single Rx /single Tx or even with dual Rx /single Tx, a dual SIM handset can only at any one time be in connection or in communication with one of the two PLMNs that the two SIMs are registered to.

It is understood that, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, multi-SIM applies even though descriptions and discussions might in main be on dual SIM. That is, whilst some embodiments of the present disclosure in main discusses dual SIM handsets, the issues, and solutions and methods herein discussed and described extends also to the cases of multi-SIM handsets.

FIG. 1 illustrates that, in some embodiments, with single Rx /single Tx or even with dual Rx /single Tx, a dual SIM handset can only at any one time be in connection or in communication with one of the two PLMNs that the two SIMs are registered to, illustrated in FIG. 1, where a PLMN_A is a registered PLMN (RPLMN) of a SIM 1 while a PLMN_B is a RPLMN of a SIM 2. To ease further discussion, with FIG. 1, one can consider that the SIM 1 is an active SIM in a dual-SIM handset and a serving PLMN is the PLMN A, with the SIM 2 being passive (or even inactive) and the PLMN_B can be seen as a non-serving PLMN even though the PLMN_B is the RPLMN of the SIM2. Therefore, unless the PLMN_A and the PLMN_B belong to the same operator or maybe are equivalent PLMNs or have some special arrangements to the extent that these PLMNs and the dual-SIM handsets are in collaboration, it becomes obvious that the SIM 1 –PLMN_A relationship is oblivious to SIM 2 –PLMN_B relationship, or PLMN_A and PLMN_B do not have any collaboration. Therefore, if the SIM 1 is in connection or in communication with the PLMN_A and a terminating call/service arrives at the PLMN_B for the SIM 2 which the PLMN_B duly pages the mobile, presently there is no standardized way for the dual-SIM handset to know of this incoming page. Presently, for a dual-SIM handset, when one SIM is in connection or in communication with its RPLMN, how the handset manages the other SIM and its relationship with the other RPLMN is left to implementation. Some embodiments of the present disclosure can solve the above issues.

FIG. 1 also illustrates that, in some embodiments, one rather common and simple implementation amongst present dual-SIM handsets that when the SIM 1 and the PLMN_A are in connection or in communication, the SIM 2 is essentially suspended from and contact with its registered PLMN (PLMN_B) . This effective "suspend" would in fact present to the PLMN_B that the handset with the SIM 2 is out of coverage and if the SIM 2 does not provide its regular periodic registration update, the PLMN_B could in effect place the SIM 2 as de-registered. It will then be up to the SIM 2 to re-register itself (or performed the missed periodic registration) when time away from the SIM 1 can be found. Another problem is even if during an ongoing communication between the SIM 1 and the PLMN_A, time is found for the SIM 2 to check with the PLMN_B, that time away from the SIM 1 and the PLMN_A does mean that the PLMN_A sends downlink data to the SIM 1, the dual-SIM handset would not be able to interact for the SIM 1. In particular, if the check on the PLMN_B results in the SIM 2 going into connection or into communication with the PLMN_B, the PLMN_A would then be in the reverse situation that it will not know what has happened to mobile with the SIM 1. For instance, when the dual-SIM UE is active on the SIM 1 for critical service e.g. voice, the dual-SIM UE will not listen to paging of the SIM 2 until the voice is finished. And even if the dual-SIM UE listens in for paging for the SIM 2, the dual-SIM UE cannot respond to check or accept that page –perhaps the incoming page is much more important to the user than the current communication on the SIM 1 and at least if such incoming service is presented to the human user, the user can make his/her choice. As a matter of simplification, for dual-SIM handsets, the communication of one of the SIMs to its respective RPLMN is done totally uncoordinated with the other SIM and that RPLMN such that interactions and paging from one of the other PLMNs to the intended SIMs of the Dual-SIM handset could be lost or at best unpredictable. What problems here above discussed for dual-SIMs apply equally if not more for multi-SIM handsets that host more than two SIMs. Some embodiments of the present disclosure can solve the above issues.

In some embodiments, regarding calculation of paging occasion (PO) and discontinuous reception (DRX) for paging, the UE may use discontinuous reception (DRX) in RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE state in order to reduce power consumption. The UE monitors one paging occasion (PO) or some POs per DRX cycle. A PO is a set of physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring occasions and can consist of multiple time slots (e.g. subframe or orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol) where paging downlink control information (DCI) can be sent. One paging frame (PF) is one radio frame and may contain one or multiple POs or starting point of a PO.

In the case of long term evolution (LTE) , calculation time for PF and PO is as follows. PF is given by the following equation. SFN mod T= (T div N) * (UE_ID mod N) . Index i_spointing to PO from subframe pattern will be derived from the following calculation. i_s= floor (UE_ID/N) mod Ns.

In the case of new radio (NR) , the calculation of PF and PO of LTE is as follows. Compared with LTE, the PF_offset parameter is added. This parameter is introduced because the paging message is included in the PDCCH, not every wireless frame will contain PDCCH information. The PF and PO for paging are determined by the following formulae. SFN for the PF is determined by: (SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N) * (UE_ID mod N) . Index (i_s) , indicating the index of the PO is determined by: i_s= floor (UE_ID/N) mod Ns.

The parameters in the above LTE and NR calculations are specifically explained as follows. There are three types of DRX ( "T" in the formula) parameters. Cell-level DRX (DRX pre-configured at a base station is sent to all UEs in a cell through broadcast messages) . UE-level DRX (for the calculation of PF and PO by the UE in the RRC_IDLE state, the DRX is sent by the core network MME/AMF to the base station, and the base station is further transmitted the DRX to the UE) . RAN-level DRX (for the calculation of PF and PO by the UE in the RRC_INACTIVE state, the DRX is also sent by the core network to the base station, and the base station further transmits the DRX to the UE) . For, UE-ID parameters, in 4G, the UE-ID is IMSI mod 1024. In 5G, the UE-ID is 5G-S-TMSI mod 1024. The remaining parameters, including "N" , "Ns" , and "PF_offset" are system broadcast parameters, that is, the UE obtains the remaining parameters through cell broadcast, and the parameter values of different UEs are generally the same.

The above two sets of formulas are the calculation methods of PF and PO for LTE and NR respectively. Here is a second set of NR calculation formula as an example, where the first formula (SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N) *(UE_ID mod N) , PF_offset and N are both obtained in the cell broadcast information, and T is the DRX period sent by the core network or the period pre-configured on the base station side (if there are two or three possible DRX values, then the minimum value of DRX is used) . The UE_ID is 5G-S-TMSI (part of 5G-GUTI) . Therefore, it can be seen that only SFN is unknown in this equation, and the specific value of SFN can be obtained. SFN determines the PF value.

Looking at the second formula i_s= floor (UE_ID/N) mod Ns, i_scan be calculated. This parameter is used to indicate the index value of the PO. After the UE calculates its i_snumber for a USIM, it broadcasts through the system. The message can obtain the listening time information (such as a subframe or an OFDM symbol) in the detailed radio frame corresponding to the i_snumber, so that the UE can listen to the paging message according to the specified time after entering the RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE states, and there is no need to listen at other times.

In multi-beam operations, the length of one PO is one period of beam sweeping and the UE can assume that the same paging message is repeated in all beams of the sweeping pattern and thus the selection of the beam (s) for the reception of the paging message is up to UE implementation. The paging message is same for both RAN initiated paging and core network (CN) initiated paging. The UE initiates RRC connection resume procedure upon receiving RAN paging. If the UE receives a CN initiated paging in RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE moves to RRC_IDLE and informs NAS. PF and PO are determined by the following formulae as illustrated in a table 1.

Table 1

In LTE, PO is calculated in a similar way. As illustrated in the below table 2.

Table 2

Please see the description in TS 38.304 (as illustrated in the below table 3) .

Table 3

FIG. 2 illustrates that, in some embodiments, a multi subscriber identity module (SIM) user equipment (UE) 10 and a network node (such as a first network 20 and a second network 30) in a communication network system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are provided. The communication network system 1 includes the multi SIM UE 10, the first network 20, and the second network 30. The multi SIM UE 10 may include a first SIM 11 associated with the first network 20, a second SIM 12 associated with the second network 30, a memory 13, a transceiver 14 configured to communicate with the first network 20 using the first SIM 11 and to communicate with the second network 30 using the second SIM 12, and a processor 15 coupled to the memory 13, the transceiver 14, the first SIM 11, and the second SIM 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates that, in some embodiments, a multi SIM UE 10 and a network node 40 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The network node 40 may include a processor 41, a memory 42 and a transceiver 43. The

processor

15 or 41 may be configured to implement proposed functions, procedures and/or methods described in this description. Layers of radio interface protocol may be implemented in the

processor

15 or 41. The

memory

13 or 42 is operatively coupled with the

processor

15 or 41 and stores a variety of information to operate the

processor

15 or 41. The

transceiver

14 or 43 is operatively coupled with the

processor

15 or 41, and the

transceiver

14 or 43 transmits and/or receives a radio signal.

The

processor

15 or 41 may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , other chipsets, logic circuit and/or data processing devices. The

memory

13 or 42 may include a read-only memory (ROM) , a random access memory (RAM) , a flash memory, a memory card, a storage medium and/or other storage devices. The

transceiver

14 or 43 may include baseband circuitry to process radio frequency signals. When the embodiments are implemented in software, the techniques described herein can be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. The modules can be stored in the

memory

13 or 42 and executed by the

processor

15 or 41. The

memory

13 or 42 can be implemented within the

processor

15 or 41 or external to the

processor

15 or 41, in which those can be communicatively coupled to the

processor

15 or 41 via various means are known in the art.

In some embodiments, the processor 15 is configured to negotiate a proper time to allow the multi SIM UE 10 to leave to the second SIM 12 to communicate with the second network 30.

In some embodiments, the communication with the second network 30 is to listen to a paging from the second network 30, and the processor 15 is configured to tune into a paging channel of the second network 30 to check the paging for the second SIM 12 in the proper time. In some embodiments, the negotiation of the proper time is to keep connection to both the first network 20 and the second network 30 by switching to different networks depending on the negotiated proper time. In some embodiments, the processor 15 is configured to generate a steal time based on the parameters for communication scheduling from at least one of the first network 20 and the second network 30 when the processor 15 is switched to communicate to the second network 30 according to the first information. In some embodiments, it is to be understood that, connection can be that a UE and a network side have an active context in a non-access-stratum (NAS) layer and/or an access stratum (AS) layer. In some embodiments, it is to be understood that, it may be also clarified that the connection can be that the UE sends data to the network side in an expiry certain AS or NAS layer timer. In other words, it is to be understood that maintaining connection also can be that the UE sends data before the timer of the AS or NAS layer expires.

In some embodiments, the processor 15 is configured to negotiate a proper time to allow the multi SIM UE 10 to use the second SIM 12 to listen to a paging from the second network 30 when the multi SIM UE 10 has a connection, such as a dedicated channel, to the first network 20, and the negotiation is performed at any time during a connection between the first SIM 11 and the first network 20. The processor 15 is also configured to tune into a paging channel of the second network 30 to check the paging for the second SIM 12 in the proper time.

In some embodiments, the processor 15 is configured to register to the second network 30 using the second SIM 12 and acquire parameters and information from the second network 30. In some embodiments, the processor 15 is configured to calculate paging occasions (POs) of the second SIM 12 for listening to the paging from the second network 30 according to the parameters and information from the second network 30. In some embodiments, the processor 15 is configured to generate a first information associated with a steal time based on the calculated POs, wherein the first information indicates the steal time to tell the first network 20 when the processor 15 is switched to listening to the paging from the second network 30. In some embodiments, the steal time is defined by time that the processor 15 steals time from a plurality dedicated channels of the first network 20. In some embodiments, the proper time is determined according to the steal time, and the processor 15 is configured to tune into the paging channel of the second network 30 to check the paging for the second SIM 12 in the steal time.

In some embodiments, the transceiver 14 is configured to send, to the first network 20, the first information in a signaling message, such as (but not limited to) a radio resource control (RRC) message. In some embodiments, the first information includes a PO information directly or some change information according to the PO information. In some embodiments, the first information may also include the paging duration time. In some embodiments, the steal time is a paging processing duration comprising the PO for listening to the paging from the second network 30 and a switching time that the processor 15 is configured to prepare for listening to the paging from the second network 30 and/or the processor 15 is invoked to perform listening to the paging from the second network 30. In some embodiments, the transceiver 14 is configured to receive a frame pattern from the first network 20 in a signaling message, such as (but not limited to) an RRC message, and the frame pattern is generated according to the first information. In some embodiments, the frame pattern is configured to tell the processor 15 when the processor 15 is allowed to leave the first network 20. In some embodiments, when the processor 15 leaves the first network 20, the processor 15 switches the second SIM 12 to listening to the paging from the second network 30. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a radio resource control (RRC) signaling message. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a signaling message at non access stratum (NAS) level. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a piece of data within a signaled message. In details, the piece of data is data provisioned over a control plane or a data plane. In details, data provisioned methods of 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) are used to provision the piece of data.

In some embodiments, a format of the frame pattern is an index indicating which subframe, timeslot, and/or symbol is an allowed time for the processor 15 to leave the first network 20. In some embodiments, the processor 15 is configured to determine a starting time, period, and/or offset to indicate an allowed time for the processor 15 to leave the first network 20. In some embodiments, the processor 15 is configured to generate a second information according to the frame pattern, and the second information indicates an available time for the processor 15 to leave the first network 20. In some embodiments, the transceiver 14 is configured to send, to the second network 30, the second information in a signaling message, such as (but not limited to) an RRC message. In some embodiments, the transceiver 14 is configured to receive adjusted parameters from the second network 30 and recalculate the POs which fulfill the available time for the processor 15 to leave the first network 20. In some embodiments, the adjusted parameters are adjusted according to the frame pattern. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a radio resource control (RRC) signaling message. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a signaling message at non access stratum (NAS) level. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a piece of data within a signaled message. In details, the piece of data is data provisioned over a control plane or a data plane. In details, data provisioned methods of 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) are used to provision the piece of data.

In some embodiments, the multi SIM UE is a dual SIM dual active (DSDA) UE. In some embodiments, the processor 15 is configured to register to the first network 20 and the second network 30 via the first SIM 11 and the second SIM 12 separately and acquire parameters for communication scheduling. In some embodiments, the processor 15 is configured to generate a first information associated with a steal time, in which the processor 15 leaves from the first SIM 11 to the second SIM 12. In some embodiments, the transceiver 14 is configured to send the first information to the first network 20 in a signaling message, such as (but not limited to) an RRC message. In some embodiments, the transceiver 14 is configured to receive a frame pattern associated with the first information from the first network 11 in a signaling message, such as (but not limited to) an RRC message. In some embodiments, the processor 15 is configured to keep active to both of the first network 20 and the second network 30 simultaneously by switching to a different network from a current network depending on a negotiated frame pattern. In some embodiments, the processor 15 is configured to send the first information to negotiate the frame pattern which makes the processor 15 to be connected to the first network for a specific time while the processor 15 is connected to the second work for a specific time. In some embodiments, the specific time of the processor 15 being connected to the first network 20 is different from the specific time of the processor 15 being connected to the second network 30. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a radio resource control (RRC) signaling message. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a signaling message at non access stratum (NAS) level. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a piece of data within a signaled message. In details, the piece of data is data provisioned over a control plane or a data plane. In details, data provisioned methods of 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) are used to provision the piece of data. In some embodiments, the first network 20 can be RAN or Core network. In some embodiments, “keep active” can be the AS and/or NAS context in UE and NW sides are nor deleted.

FIG. 4 illustrates that, in some embodiments, at the highest level, a proposed solution is the standardization/specification of logical radio channels (or associate channels) that given those radio channels are standardized, lets the network and the dual-SIM UE know when the dual-SIM UE can steal time off whilst in connection/in communication with a PLMN (e.g. a PLMN_A) through one SIM (e.g. a SIM 1) to check on or even communicate with the other PLMN (e.g. a PLMN_B) for the other SIM (e.g. a SIM 2) . This highest level of description of the solution is illustrated by the following diagrams and figures. Consider that the PLMN_Ahas assigned dedicated channels (i.e. frames or timeslots) for the SIM 1 to communicate with itself.

FIG. 5 illustrates that, in some embodiments, consider that for allocated time frames, both known to the network and the dual-SIM UE, there specific, predictable times that the UE can steal away to do something else and yet not lose connection and communication with the PLMN_A.

FIG. 6 illustrates that, in some embodiments, a method of a solution is that with the "stolen time" (or steal time) off SIM 1 –PLMN_A, the dual-SIM handset could tune into the paging channel of the PLMN_B to check for paging for the SIM 2. And because the stolen time (or steal time) is specific and predictable, the PLMN_B would know of when it would be possible for the dual-SIM UE to be listening into the paging channel, whilst on the UE side, there is the practicability that pages for the SIM 2 might appear and not be lost.

FIG. 7 illustrates that, in some embodiments, a further method of a solution, is that with the specific, predictable time off SIM 1 –PLMN_A, the UE could be assigned dedicated time /frames /timeslots /signaling channels /associated channels /logical channels in the PLMN_B, by the PLMN_B, whereby the UE could do signaling exchanges with the PLMN_B for the SIM 2, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

In some embodiments, separately or in combination, the methods provide solutions that allow pre-determine /pre-assigned short time bursts within a dedicated channel (DCH) of one network, where in those time bursts, UE can switch radio connection from one network to tune into radio of another network. Further the solutions provide the use of a standardized logical channel of the other network –which can be a fast short burst channel –to send signaling messages to the other network. In a matter of terminology, these methods allow standardized way of stealing time out of dedicated channels assigned to the UE. In a matter of terminology, the logical channel (of the other network) is a standardized associated channel and as it is for short fast bursts of signaling payload, which one might even call as a fast associated channel or fast associated control channel.

FIG. 8 illustrates that, in some embodiments, to realize the “stolen time” (or steal time) mentioned in previous embodiments, there are new things to be introduced. “The first information” which is used to indicate the available or suggested time by UE to tell the network when the USIM should be switched to listening to paging from another network. Specifically, “the first information” is generated based on the paging occasion (PO) which can be calculated using the method described above. In fact, the first information may contain the paging occasion information directly or some changed information based on paging occasion (e.g. the paging processing duration as illustrated in FIG. 8) . The paging processing duration (that is steal time) contains not only the paging occasion for listening the paging from network, but also the switching time that UE prepares for the listening and/or invokes the device to perform the listening.

FIG. 9 illustrates that, in some embodiments, “frame pattern” which is used to tell UE when it is allowed to leave the current network. And by leaving the current network, UE may switch USIM to listening to the paging from another network. The “frame pattern” is generated based on “the first information” . For example, by setting the time suggested in “the first information” to the allowed time for the UE to leave the current network. The format of “frame pattern” can be an index indicating which subframe, timeslot, symbol is the allowed time. For example, as there are 10 subframes in one radio frame and the network may set index 0001000000 as a frame pattern to indicate the left fourth subframe is allowed for UE to leave the network, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 illustrates that, in some embodiments, another example is to use a starting time, period, and offset to indicate the allowed time. The starting time is optional, which may be calculated by the UE, so that no need to transmit it by a network.

FIG. 11 illustrates that, in some embodiments, a UE can negotiate a proper time to leave a network node (such as RAN Node-A, also refer to NW-A) to another network node (such as RAN Node-B, also refer to NW-B) for listening to paging by using two parameters above. The procedure is illustrated as below. At an operation, the UE is registered to the NW-B via a USIM-2 and acquires parameters and information for paging monitoring. At an operation, in a step 1, based on the information and parameters from the NW-B, the UE calculated the POs for listening the paging from the NW-B. At an operation, in a step 2, the UE may generate the “first information” for the “stolen time” (or steal time) based on the calculated POs in the step 1. At an operation, in a step 3, the UE sends the “first information” to the NW-A in a signaling message, such as (but not limited to) an RRC message. At an operation, in a step 4, based on the first information, the RAN Node-Agenerates the “frame pattern” . At an operation, the NW-A sends the “frame pattern” to the UE in a signaling message, such as (but not limited to) an RRC message. The negotiation may be performed at any time during the connection between the UE (that is USIM-1) and the NW-A. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a radio resource control (RRC) signaling message. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a signaling message at non access stratum (NAS) level. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a piece of data within a signaled message. In details, the piece of data is data provisioned over a control plane or a data plane. In details, data provisioned methods of 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) are used to provision the piece of data.

FIG. 12 illustrates that, in some embodiments, alternatively, there can be a reverse way to realize this negotiation. Assuming the UE keeps the connection to the NW-A and acquires the frame pattern which allowed the UE to leave the network at a given period, then the UE may tell the available time for listening paging (named “the second information” ) for the NW-B. Based on the second information, the NW-B may change the parameters (e.g. DRX, S-TMSI) related to the derivation of paging occasion to make the paging occasion used for the UE to fulfill the available time. At an operation, in a step 1, the NW-A sends a frame pattern to the UE in a signaling message, such as (but not limited to) an RRC message e.g. during the RRC connection setup. At an operation, in a step 2, the UE may generate the “second information” indicating the available time for the UE to leave the NW-A, based on the “frame pattern” . At an operation, in a step 3, the UE sends the “second information” to the NW-B in a signaling message, such as (but not limited to) an RRC message. At an operation, in a step 4, based on the second information, the NW-B may adjust the parameters for PO calculation and send the parameters to the UE. At an operation, in a step 5, the UE receives the adjusted parameters and recalculate the POs which fulfills the available time for the UE to leave the NW-A. This alternative method might be more difficult to realize “stolen time” (or steal time) compared to the first solution. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a radio resource control (RRC) signaling message. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a signaling message at non access stratum (NAS) level. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a piece of data within a signaled message. In details, the piece of data is data provisioned over a control plane or a data plane. In details, data provisioned methods of 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) are used to provision the piece of data.

FIG. 13 illustrates that, a mechanism of some embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a dual SIM dual active (DSDA) scenario. In some embodiments, at an operation, a UE registers to a NW-A and a NW-B via a USIM-1 and a USIM-2 separately and acquires parameters for communication scheduling, and the operation is optionally. The NW-A and the NW-B are such as a RAN Node-A and a RAN Node-B. At an operation, in a step 1, the UE may generate a first information for a steal time, in which the UE can leave to another USIM such as the USIM-2. At an operation, in a step 2, the UE sends the first information to the NW-A in a signalling message, such as (but not limited to) an RRC message. At an operation, in a step 3, based on the first information, the RAN Node-Agenerates a frame pattern. At an operation, in a step 4, the NW-A sends the frame pattern to the UE in a signalling message, such as (but not limited to) an RRC message. At an operation, the UE can keep active to both of the NW-A and the NW-B simultaneously by switching to a different network (NW) from a current network depending on a negotiated frame pattern. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a radio resource control (RRC) signaling message. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a signaling message at non access stratum (NAS) level. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a piece of data within a signaled message. In details, the piece of data is data provisioned over a control plane or a data plane. In details, data provisioned methods of 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) are used to provision the piece of data. In some embodiments, “keep active” can be the AS and/or NAS context in UE and NW sides are nor deleted.

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 illustrate that, in some embodiments, according to the call flow as illustrated in FIG. 13, the UE may send the “first information” to negotiate a frame pattern which makes the UE to be connected to the NW-A for a specific time while the UE is connected to the NW-B for a specific time as illustrated in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. The above both specific times may be different.

FIG. 16 illustrates a method 200 for operating a multi SIM UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The multi SIM UE includes a first SIM and a second SIM. The method 200 includes: a block 202, negotiate a proper time to allow the multi SIM UE to leave to the second SIM to communicate with the second network.

In some embodiments, the communication with the second network is to listen to a paging from the second network, and the multi SIM UE is configured to tune into a paging channel of the second network to check the paging for the second SIM in the proper time. In some embodiments, the negotiation of the proper time is to keep connection to both the first network and the second network by switching to different networks depending on the negotiated proper time. In some embodiments, the multi SIM UE is configured to generate a steal time based on the parameters for communication scheduling from at least one of the first network and the second network when the multi SIM UE is switched to communicate to the second network according to the first information. In some embodiments, it is to be understood that, connection can be that a UE and a network side have an active context in a non-access-stratum (NAS) layer and/or an access stratum (AS) layer. In some embodiments, it is to be understood that, it may be also clarified that the connection can be that the UE sends data to the network side in an expiry certain AS or NAS layer timer. In other words, it is to be understood that maintaining connection also can be that the UE sends data before the timer of the AS or NAS layer expires.

In some embodiments, the method includes negotiating a proper time to allow the multi SIM UE 10 to use the second SIM to listen to a paging from the second network when the multi SIM UE has a connection, such as a dedicated channel, to the first network, and the negotiation is performed at any time during a connection between the first SIM and the first network, and the method includes tuning into a paging channel of the second network to check the paging for the second SIM in the proper time.

In some embodiments, the method further includes registering to the second network using the second SIM and acquiring parameters and information from the second network. In some embodiments, the method further includes calculating paging occasions (POs) of the second SIM for listening to the paging from the second network according to the parameters and information from the second network. In some embodiments, the method further includes generating a first information associated with a steal time based on the calculated POs, wherein the first information indicates the steal time to tell the first network when the multi SIM UE is switched to listening to the paging from the second network. In some embodiments, the steal time is defined by time that the multi SIM UE steals time from a plurality dedicated channels of the first network. In some embodiments, the proper time is determined according to the steal time, and the method further includes tuning into the paging channel of the second network to check the paging for the second SIM in the steal time.

In some embodiments, the method further includes sending, to the first network, the first information in a signaling message, such as (but not limited to) a radio resource control (RRC) message. In some embodiments, the first information includes a PO information directly or some change information according to the PO information. In some embodiments, the first information may also include the paging duration time. In some embodiments, a paging processing duration (that is steal time) includes the PO for listening to the paging from the second network and a switching time that the multi SIM UE is configured to prepare for listening to the paging from the second network and/or the multi SIM UE is invoked to perform listening to the paging from the second network. In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving a frame pattern from the first network in a signaling message, such as (but not limited to) an RRC message, and the frame pattern is generated according to the first information. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a radio resource control (RRC) signaling message. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a signaling message at non access stratum (NAS) level. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a piece of data within a signaled message. In details, the piece of data is data provisioned over a control plane or a data plane. In details, data provisioned methods of 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) are used to provision the piece of data.

In some embodiments, the frame pattern is configured to tell the multi SIM UE when the multi SIM UE is allowed to leave the first network. In some embodiments, when the multi SIM UE leaves the first network, the multi SIM UE switches the second SIM to listening to the paging from the second network. In some embodiments, a format of the frame pattern is an index indicating which subframe, timeslot, and/or symbol is an allowed time for the multi SIM UE to leave the first network. In some embodiments, the method further includes determining a starting time, period, and/or offset to indicate an allowed time for the multi SIM UE to leave the first network.

In some embodiments, the method further includes generating a second information according to the frame pattern, and the second information indicates an available time for the multi SIM UE to leave the first network. In some embodiments, the method further includes sending, to the second network, the second information in a signaling message, such as (but not limited to) an RRC message. In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving adjusted parameters from the second network and recalculating the POs which fulfill the available time for the multi SIM UE to leave the first network. In some embodiments, the adjusted parameters are adjusted according to the frame pattern. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a radio resource control (RRC) signaling message. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a signaling message at non access stratum (NAS) level. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a piece of data within a signaled message. In details, the piece of data is data provisioned over a control plane or a data plane. In details, data provisioned methods of 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) are used to provision the piece of data.

In some embodiments, the multi SIM UE is a dual SIM dual active (DSDA) UE. In some embodiments, the method further includes registering to the first network and the second network via the first SIM and the second SIM separately and acquiring parameters for communication scheduling. In some embodiments, the method further includes generating a first information associated with a steal time, in which the multi SIM UE leaves from the first SIM to the second SIM. In some embodiments, the method further includes sending the first information to the first network in a signaling message, such as (but not limited to) an RRC message. In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving a frame pattern associated with the first information from the first network in a signaling message, such as (but not limited to) an RRC message. In some embodiments, the method further includes keeping connection to both of the first network and the second network simultaneously by switching to a different network from a current network depending on a negotiated frame pattern. In some embodiments, the method further includes sending the first information to negotiate the frame pattern which makes the multi SIM UE to be connected to the first network for a specific time while the multi SIM UE is connected to the second work for a specific time. In some embodiments, the specific time of the multi SIM UE being connected to the first network is different from the specific time of the multi SIM UE being connected to the second network. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a radio resource control (RRC) signaling message. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a signaling message at non access stratum (NAS) level. In some embodiments, the signaling message is a piece of data within a signaled message. In details, the piece of data is data provisioned over a control plane or a data plane. In details, data provisioned methods of 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) are used to provision the piece of data. In some embodiments, the first network can be RAN or Core network.

In following, whatever is ascribed to multi-SIM handsets/mobiles/UEs equally applies to dual-SIM handsets/mobiles/UEs and vice versa. In summary, some embodiments of the present disclosure include the flowing technical features and technical solutions.

A method that current serving network allows the multi-SIM UE predictable occurrences and times to check for paging in other non-serving networks. A method that other (non-serving) network knowing multi-SIM handsets have or are assigned or allowed predictable occurrences and times away from serving networks, able to provide paging offering terminating services to other SIM or SIMs of that multi-SIM handset matching with the times away. A solution that provides a distinct means for UE to signal to second or other NWs that is offering a terminating service. This is to indicate decline or acceptance of that offered terminating service. Methods where non-serving networks allocate logical channels, signaling channels, associated channels for use by multi-SIM handsets to signal on or exchange signaling with the non-serving PLMN with regards to the non-active SIM. Methods provide a distinct means for UE to signal to second or other NWs that is offering a terminating service to UE of the UE's (or user's ) reaction /response to the offered service, e.g. the user declines that terminating service.

In part or in whole or a combination of above methods, some embodiments of the present disclosure allow for a standardized way the multi-SIM mobile can predictably take time away from its current communication/connection with current serving PLMN. These above methods in part or in whole, further allow a predictable behavior of the multi-SIM handset towards the other non-serving PLMN (s) for the other SIM (s) hosted by the multi-SIM mobile. Further these methods provide the non-serving PLMNs to assign logical channels /signaling channels /associated channels for interacting with the non-serving PLMN in support of the other passive or inactive SIM. Such methods allow the PLMN offering the terminating services to be informed by the paged SIM, what the paged SIM's response is to the offered terminating service. In the event that the paged SIM's declines the offered terminating service, knowing this will allow saving of radio resources and internal network resources of the network offering the terminating service. This would further allow the network offering the terminating service to inform the calling side i.e. the caller, calling application, originating party. Such awareness at the originating side will further save resources by not repeating the call.

In some embodiments, as used herein, the term “steal time” is equivalent to the term “stolen time” , and can be a “paging processing duration. ”

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of an example system 700 for wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Embodiments described herein may be implemented into the system using any suitably configured hardware and/or software. FIG. 17 illustrates the system 700 including a radio frequency (RF) circuitry 710, a baseband circuitry 720, an application circuitry 730, a memory/storage 740, a display 750, a camera 760, a sensor 770, and an input/output (I/O) interface 780, coupled with each other at least as illustrated.

The application circuitry 730 may include a circuitry, such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processors may include any combinations of general-purpose processors and dedicated processors, such as graphics processors and application processors. The processors may be coupled with the memory/storage and configured to execute instructions stored in the memory/storage to enable various applications and/or operating systems running on the system.

The baseband circuitry 720 may include a circuitry, such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processors may include a baseband processor. The baseband circuitry may handle various radio control functions that enable communication with one or more radio networks via the RF circuitry. The radio control functions may include, but are not limited to, signal modulation, encoding, decoding, radio frequency shifting, etc. In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry may provide for communication compatible with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry may support communication with an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN) and/or other wireless metropolitan area networks (WMAN) , a wireless local area network (WLAN) , a wireless personal area network (WPAN) . Embodiments in which the baseband circuitry is configured to support radio communications of more than one wireless protocol may be referred to as multi-mode baseband circuitry.

In various embodiments, the baseband circuitry 720 may include circuitry to operate with signals that are not strictly considered as being in a baseband frequency. For example, in some embodiments, baseband circuitry may include circuitry to operate with signals having an intermediate frequency, which is between a baseband frequency and a radio frequency.

The RF circuitry 710 may enable communication with wireless networks using modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. In various embodiments, the RF circuitry may include switches, filters, amplifiers, etc. to facilitate the communication with the wireless network.

In various embodiments, the RF circuitry 710 may include circuitry to operate with signals that are not strictly considered as being in a radio frequency. For example, in some embodiments, RF circuitry may include circuitry to operate with signals having an intermediate frequency, which is between a baseband frequency and a radio frequency.

In various embodiments, the transmitter circuitry, control circuitry, or receiver circuitry discussed above with respect to the user equipment, eNB, or gNB may be embodied in whole or in part in one or more of the RF circuitry, the baseband circuitry, and/or the application circuitry. As used herein, “circuitry” may refer to, be part of, or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) , an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) , and/or a memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality. In some embodiments, the electronic device circuitry may be implemented in, or functions associated with the circuitry may be implemented by, one or more software or firmware modules.

In some embodiments, some or all of the constituent components of the baseband circuitry, the application circuitry, and/or the memory/storage may be implemented together on a system on a chip (SOC) .

The memory/storage 740 may be used to load and store data and/or instructions, for example, for system. The memory/storage for one embodiment may include any combination of suitable volatile memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) ) , and/or non-volatile memory, such as flash memory.

In various embodiments, the I/O interface 780 may include one or more user interfaces designed to enable user interaction with the system and/or peripheral component interfaces designed to enable peripheral component interaction with the system. User interfaces may include, but are not limited to a physical keyboard or keypad, a touchpad, a speaker, a microphone, etc. Peripheral component interfaces may include, but are not limited to, a non-volatile memory port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an audio jack, and a power supply interface.

In various embodiments, the sensor 770 may include one or more sensing devices to determine environmental conditions and/or location information related to the system. In some embodiments, the sensors may include, but are not limited to, a gyro sensor, an accelerometer, a proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, and a positioning unit. The positioning unit may also be part of, or interact with, the baseband circuitry and/or RF circuitry to communicate with components of a positioning network, e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) satellite.

In various embodiments, the display 750 may include a display, such as a liquid crystal display and a touch screen display. In various embodiments, the system 700 may be a mobile computing device such as, but not limited to, a laptop computing device, a tablet computing device, a netbook, an ultrabook, a smartphone, etc. In various embodiments, system may have more or less components, and/or different architectures. Where appropriate, methods described herein may be implemented as a computer program. The computer program may be stored on a storage medium, such as a non-transitory storage medium.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a multi subscriber identity module (SIM) user equipment (UE) , and a method for operating same capable of operating effectively and efficiently with multi SIM capability are provided. The embodiment of the present disclosure is a combination of techniques/processes that can be adopted in 3GPP specification to create an end product.

A person having ordinary skill in the art understands that each of the units, algorithm, and steps described and disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure are realized using electronic hardware or combinations of software for computers and electronic hardware. Whether the functions run in hardware or software depends on the condition of application and design requirement for a technical plan. A person having ordinary skill in the art can use different ways to realize the function for each specific application while such realizations should not go beyond the scope of the present disclosure. It is understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art that he/she can refer to the working processes of the system, device, and unit in the above-mentioned embodiment since the working processes of the above-mentioned system, device, and unit are basically the same. For easy description and simplicity, these working processes will not be detailed.

It is understood that the disclosed system, device, and method in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be realized with other ways. The above-mentioned embodiments are exemplary only. The division of the units is merely based on logical functions while other divisions exist in realization. It is possible that a plurality of units or components are combined or integrated in another system. It is also possible that some characteristics are omitted or skipped. On the other hand, the displayed or discussed mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communicative coupling operate through some ports, devices, or units whether indirectly or communicatively by ways of electrical, mechanical, or other kinds of forms.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements made without departing from the scope of the broadest interpretation of the appended claims.

The units as separating components for explanation are or are not physically separated. The units for display are or are not physical units, that is, located in one place or distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units are used according to the purposes of the embodiments. Moreover, each of the functional units in each of the embodiments can be integrated in one processing unit, physically independent, or integrated in one processing unit with two or more than two units. If the software function unit is realized and used and sold as a product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium in a computer. Based on this understanding, the technical plan proposed by the present disclosure can be essentially or partially realized as the form of a software product. Or, one part of the technical plan beneficial to the conventional technology can be realized as the form of a software product. The software product in the computer is stored in a storage medium, including a plurality of commands for a computational device (such as a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to run all or some of the steps disclosed by the embodiments of the present disclosure. The storage medium includes a USB disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM) , a random access memory (RAM) , a floppy disk, or other kinds of media capable of storing program codes.

Claims

A multi subscriber identity module (SIM) user equipment (UE) , comprising:

a first SIM associated with a first network;

a second SIM associated with a second network;

a memory;

a transceiver configured to communicate with the first network using the first SIM and to communicate with the second network using the second SIM; and

a processor coupled to the memory, the transceiver, the first SIM, and the second SIM;

wherein the processor is configured to:

negotiate a proper time to allow the multi SIM UE to leave to the second SIM to communicate with the second network.
The multi-SIM UE of claim 1, wherein the communication with the second network is to listen to a paging from the second network, and the processor is configured to tune into a paging channel of the second network to check the paging for the second SIM in the proper time.
The multi-SIM UE of claim 1 or 2, wherein the negotiation of the proper time is to keep connection to both the first network and the second network by switching to different networks depending on the negotiated proper time.
The multi SIM UE of claim 1 or 2, wherein the negotiation is performed at any time during a connection between the first SIM and the first network.
The multi SIM UE of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processor is configured to register to the second network using the second SIM and acquire parameters and information from the second network.
The multi SIM UE of claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to calculate paging occasions (POs) of the second SIM for listening to the paging from the second network according to the parameters and information from the second network.
The multi SIM UE of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to generate a first information associated with a steal time based on the calculated POs and to tell the first network when the processor is switched to listening to the paging from the second network according to the first information.or the processor is configured to generate a steal time based on the parameters for communication scheduling from at least one of the first network and the second network when the processor is switched to communicate to the second network according to the first information.
The multi SIM UE of claim 7, wherein the steal time is defined by time that the processor steals time from dedicated channels of the first network.
The multi SIM UE of claim 8, wherein the proper time is determined according to the steal time, and the processor is configured to tune into a paging channel of the second network to check the paging for the second SIM in the steal time.
The multi SIM UE of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the transceiver is configured to send, to the first network, the first information in a signaling message.
The multi SIM UE of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the first information comprises a PO information directly or some change information according to the PO information.
The multi SIM UE of any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the steal time comprises the PO for listening to the paging from the second network and a switching time that the processor is configured to prepare for listening to the paging from the second network and/or the processor is invoked to perform listening to the paging from the second network.
The multi SIM UE of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive a frame pattern from the first network in a signaling message, and the frame pattern is generated according to the first information.
The multi SIM UE of claim 13, wherein the frame pattern is configured to tell the processor when the processor is allowed to leave the first network.
The multi SIM UE of claim 14, wherein when the processor leaves the first network, the processor switches the second SIM to listening to the paging from the second network.
The multi SIM UE of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein a format of the frame pattern is an index indicating at least one of which subframe, timeslot, and symbol is an allowed time for the processor to leave the first network.
The multi SIM UE of any one of claims 13to 15, wherein the processor is configured to determine at least one of a starting time, period, and offset to indicate an allowed time for the processor to leave the first network.
The multi SIM UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to generate a second information according to a frame pattern, and the second information indicates an available time for the processor to leave the first network.
The multi SIM UE of claim 18, wherein the transceiver is configured to send, to the second network, the second information in a signaling message.
The multi SIM UE of claim 19, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive adjusted parameters from the second network and recalculate the PO which fulfills the available time for the processor to leave the first network.
The multi SIM UE of claim 20, wherein the adjusted parameters are adjusted according to the frame pattern.
The multi SIM UE of claim 1, wherein the multi SIM UE is a dual SIM dual active (DSDA) UE.
The multi SIM UE of claim 22, wherein the processor is configured to register to the first network and the second network via the first SIM and the second SIM separately and acquire parameters for communication scheduling.
The multi SIM UE of claim 22 or 23, wherein the processor is configured to generate a first information associated with a steal time, in which the processor leaves from the first SIM to the second SIM.
The multi SIM UE of claim 24, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive a frame pattern associated with the first information from the first network in a signaling message.
The multi SIM UE of claim 25, wherein the processor is configured to keep active to both of the first network and the second network simultaneously by switching to a different network from a current network depending on a negotiated frame pattern.
The multi SIM UE of claim 25 or 26, wherein the processor is configured to send the first information to negotiate the frame pattern which makes the processor to be connected to the first network for a specific time while the processor is connected to the second work for a specific time.
The multi SIM UE of claim 27, wherein the specific time of the processor being connected to the first network is different from the specific time of the processor being connected to the second network.
The multi SIM UE of claim 10, 13, 19, or 25, wherein the signaling message is one of a radio resource control (RRC) signaling message, a signaling message at non access stratum (NAS) level, and a piece of data within a signaled message.
The multi SIM UE of claim 29, wherein the piece of data is data provisioned over a control plane or a data plane, and data provisioned methods of 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) are used to provision the piece of data.
A method for operating a multi subscriber identity module (SIM) user equipment (UE) comprising a first SIM associated with a first network and a second SIM associated with a second network, the multi SIM UE configured to communicate with the first network using the first SIM and to communicate with the second network using the second SIM, the method comprising:

negotiating a proper time to allow the multi SIM UE to leave to the second SIM to communicate with the second network.
The method of claim 31, wherein the communication with the second network is to listen to a paging from the second network, and the method further comprises tuning into a paging channel of the second network to check the paging for the second SIM in the proper time.
The method of claim 31 or 32, wherein the negotiation of the proper time is to keep connection to both the first network and the second network by switching to different networks depending on the negotiated proper time.
The method of claim 31 or 32, wherein the negotiation is performed at any time during a connection between the first SIM and the first network.
The method of any one of claims 31 to 34, further comprising registering to the second network using the second SIM and acquire parameters and information from the second network.
The method of claim 35, further comprising calculating paging occasions (POs) of the second SIM for listening to the paging from the second network according to the parameters and information from the second network.
The method of claim 36, further comprising generating a first information associated with a steal time based on the calculated POs and to tell the first network when the multi SIM UE is switched to listening to the paging from the second network according to the first information or comprising generating a steal time based on the parameters for communication scheduling from at least one of the first network and the second network when the multi SIM UE is switched to communicate to the second network according to the first information.
The method of claim 37, wherein the steal time is defined by time that the multi SIM UE steals time from a plurality dedicated channels of the first network.
The method of claim 38, wherein the proper time is determined according to the steal time, and the method further comprising tuning into the paging channel of the second network to check the paging for the second SIM in the steal time.
The method of any one of claims 37 to 39, further comprising sending, to the first network, the first information in a signaling message.
The method of any one of claims 37 to 39, wherein the first information comprises a PO information directly or some change information according to the PO information.
The method of any one of claims 37 to 41, wherein the steal time comprises the PO for listening to the paging from the second network and a switching time that the multi SIM UE is configured to prepare for listening to the paging from the second network and/or the multi SIM UE is invoked to perform listening to the paging from the second network.
The method of any one of claims 38 to 42, further comprising receiving a frame pattern from the first network in a signaling message, and the frame pattern is generated according to the first information.
The method of claim 43, wherein the frame pattern is configured to tell the multi SIM UE when the multi SIM UE is allowed to leave the first network.
The method of claim 44, wherein when the multi SIM UE leaves the first network, the multi SIM UE switches the second SIM to listening to the paging from the second network.
The method of any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein a format of the frame pattern is an index indicating at least one of which subframe, timeslot, and symbol is an allowed time for the multi SIM UE to leave the first network.
The method of any one of claims 43 to 45, further comprising determining at least one of a starting time, period, and offset to indicate an allowed time for the multi SIM UE to leave the first network.
The method of claim 31, further comprising generating a second information according to the frame pattern, and the second information indicates an available time for the multi SIM UE to leave the first network.
The method of claim 48, further comprising sending, to the second network, the second information in a signaling message.
The method of claim 49, further comprising receiving adjusted parameters from the second network and recalculating the POs which fulfill the available time for the multi SIM UE to leave the first network.
The method of claim 50, wherein the adjusted parameters are adjusted according to the frame pattern.
The method of claim 31, wherein the multi SIM UE is a dual SIM dual active (DSDA) UE.
The method of claim 52, further comprising registering to the first network and the second network via the first SIM and the second SIM separately and acquiring parameters for communication scheduling.
The method of claim 52 or 53, further comprising generating a first information associated with a steal time, in which the multi SIM UE leaves from the first SIM to the second SIM.
The method of claim 54, further comprising receiving a frame pattern associated with the first information from the first network in a signaling message.
The method of claim 50, further comprising keeping active to both of the first network and the second network simultaneously by switching to a different network from a current network depending on a negotiated frame pattern.
The method of claim 49 or 56, further comprising sending the first information to negotiate the frame pattern which makes the multi SIM UE to be connected to the first network for a specific time while the multi SIM UE is connected to the second work for a specific time.
The method of claim 57, wherein the specific time of the multi SIM UE being connected to the first network is different from the specific time of the multi SIM UE being connected to the second network.
The method of claim 40, 43, 49, or 55, wherein the signaling message is one of a radio resource control (RRC) signaling message, a signaling message at non access stratum (NAS) level, and a piece of data within a signaled message.
The method of claim 59, wherein the piece of data is data provisioned over a control plane or a data plane, and data provisioned methods of 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) are used to provision the piece of data.
A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 31 to 60.
A terminal device, comprising: a processor and a memory configured to store a computer program, the processor configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method of any one of claims 31 to 60.