IP Library Granted Patent US 12,520,121
Granted Patent B2
US 12,520,121 · App. 18/084,038 · Granted Jan 6, 2026

Method and apparatus in which UE supporting multiple USIMS transmits UE assistance information in wireless communication system

Inventors: Sangyeob Jung (Suwon-si, KR); Anil Agiwal (Suwon-si, KR); Seungri Jin (Suwon-si, KR)
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
H04W8/183H04W36/08H04W76/20
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,520,121
App. No.
18/084,038
Granted
Jan 6, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The disclosure relates to a 5 th generation (5G) or 6 th generation (6G) communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) supporting multi-universal subscriber identity module (MUSIM), in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes receiving, from a base station, configuration information on a MUSIM operation, transmitting, to the base station, an UE assistance information message, in case that the UE need to leave from a radio resource control (RRC) connected state connected using a first universal subscriber identity module (USIM) and a timer for transitioning state is not running, and starting the timer for transitioning state based on the configuration information on the MUSIM operation.

Claims (52)

1 . A method performed by a user equipment (UE) supporting multi-universal subscriber identity module (MUSIM), in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

receiving, from a base station, configuration information on a MUSIM operation;

transmitting, to the base station, a UE assistance information message, in case that the UE needs to leave from a radio resource control (RRC) connected state and a timer for transitioning state is not running; and

starting the timer for transitioning state based on the configuration information on the MUSIM operation,

wherein the configuration information on the MUSIM operation includes a parameter regarding the timer for transitioning state and a parameter regarding a timer for prohibiting sending preferred switching gap configuration information.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

leaving from the RRC connected state based on a response not being received from the base station until the timer for transitioning state expires, after the UE assistance information message is transmitted.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the UE assistance information message includes information on a preference RRC state of the UE.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

performing a handover process;

transmitting, to a target base station of the handover process, the UE assistance information message based on a reconfiguration WithSync parameter being included in the configuration information for the handover process, the UE assistance information message being transmitted to a base station over a source base station of the handover process within a predetermined time, and the UE assistance information message being configured to be transmitted to the target base station of the handover process; and

starting or restarting the timer for transitioning state.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

performing a handover process;

transmitting, to a target base station of the handover process, the UE assistance information message based on a reconfiguration WithSync parameter being included in the configuration information for the handover process, a RRCReconfiguration message being applied due to a conditional reconfiguration execution, the UE assistance information message being configured to be transmitted to the target base station of the handover process, and the UE having initiated a transmission of the UE assistance information message to the target base station; and

starting or restarting the timer for transitioning state.

6 . The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the transmitted UE assistance information message includes first preference MUSIM gap configuration information of the UE, and

wherein the method further comprises:

transmitting a UE assistance information message including a second preferred MUSIM gap configuration information currently preferred by the UE, based on the first preferred MUSIM gap configuration information and the second preferred MUSIM gap configuration information being different and the timer for prohibiting sending preferred switching gap configuration information not running, and

starting or restarting the timer for prohibiting sending the preferred switching gap configuration information.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the transmission of the UE assistance information message including the second preferred MUSIM gap configuration information is not performed, based on the second preferred MUSIM gap configuration information being information excluding only aperiodic MUSIM gap configuration information among the first preferred MUSIM gap configuration information.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, from the base station, an RRC Reestablishment message; and

releasing the MUSIM gap configuration information configured based on the configuration information.

9 . A user equipment (UE) supporting multi-universal subscriber identity module (MUSIM), the UE comprising:

transceiver; and

at least one processor coupled with the transceiver and configured to:

receive, from a base station, configuration information on a MUSIM operation,

transmit, to the base station, a UE assistance information message, in case that the UE needs to leave from a radio resource control (RRC) connected state and a timer for transitioning state is not running, and

start the timer for transitioning state based on the configuration information on the MUSIM operation,

wherein the configuration information on the MUSIM operation includes a parameter regarding the timer for transitioning state and a parameter regarding a timer for prohibiting sending preferred switching gap configuration information.

10 . The UE of claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

leave from the RRC connected state based on a response not being received from the base station until the timer for transitioning state expires, after the UE assistance information message is transmitted.

11 . The UE of claim 9 , wherein the UE assistance information message includes information on a preference RRC state of the UE.

12 . The UE of claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

perform a handover process;

transmit, to a target base station of the handover process, the UE assistance information message based on a reconfiguration WithSync parameter being included in the configuration information for the handover process, the UE assistance information message being transmitted to a base station over a source base station of the handover process within a predetermined time, and the UE assistance information message being configured to be transmitted to the target base station of the handover process; and

start or restart the timer for transitioning state.

13 . The UE of claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

perform a handover process;

transmit, to a target base station of the handover process, the UE assistance information message based on a reconfiguration WithSync parameter being included in the configuration information for the handover process, a RRCReconfiguration message being applied due to a conditional reconfiguration execution, the UE assistance information message being configured to be transmitted to the target base station of the handover process, and the UE having initiated a transmission of the UE assistance information message to the target base station; and

start or restart the timer for transitioning state.

14 . The UE of claim 9 ,

wherein the transmitted UE assistance information message includes first preference MUSIM gap configuration information of the UE, and

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

transmit a UE assistance information message including a second preferred MUSIM gap configuration information currently preferred by the UE, based on the first preferred MUSIM gap configuration information and the second preferred MUSIM gap configuration information being different and the timer for prohibiting sending preferred switching gap configuration information not running, and

start or restart the timer for prohibiting sending preferred switching gap configuration information.

15 . The UE of claim 14 , wherein the transmission of the UE assistance information message including the second preferred MUSIM gap configuration information is not performed, based on the second preferred MUSIM gap configuration information being information excluding only aperiodic MUSIM gap configuration information among the first preferred MUSIM gap configuration information.

16 . The UE of claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive, from the base station, an RRC Reestablishment message; and

release the MUSIM gap configuration information configured based on the configuration information.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2022
From: JUNG, SANGYEOB; AGIWAL, ANIL; JIN, SEUNGRI
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 062144/0273 →
Priority Claims (2)
KR 10-2021-0185981 · Dec 23, 2021 · national
KR 10-2022-0017990 · Feb 11, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230209331A1 · Jun 29, 2023
References Cited (44)
US 20160242079A1 · Islam · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20210136658A1 · Rönneke · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210227616A1 · Lee et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20220104163A1 · Kim · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20220174599A1 · Kuang · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20220279469A1 · Ingale · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20220338074A1 · Hu · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20220369172A1 · Hwang et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20230047213A1 · Chen · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20230080113A1 · Hong · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230127705A1 · Ozturk · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20230180148A1 · Kung · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20230254918A1 · Gurumoorthy · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20230262706A1 · Li · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20230389119A1 · Araujo · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20240032131A1 · Niu · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20240107409A1 · Da Silva · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20240260133A1 · Kim · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20240267814A1 · Kim · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20240267837A1 · Liu · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20240422640A1 · Wu · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20250031120A1 · Xiao · 2025 [cited by examiner]
CA 3232057A1 · 2023 [cited by examiner]
CN 116017331A · 2023 [cited by examiner]
CN 116261157A · 2023 [cited by examiner]
CN 117880919A · 2024 [cited by examiner]
KR 1020220134365A · 2022 [cited by applicant]
WO 2021066567A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2021113581A1 · 2021 [cited by examiner]
WO 2021153927A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2021236917A2 · 2021 [cited by examiner]
WO WO2022084949A1 · 2022 [cited by examiner]
WO WO2022130273A1 · 2022 [cited by examiner]
VIVO; Running NR RRC CR for MUSIM; 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #116-e; R2-2111602; Electronic Meeting; Nov. 1-12, 2021. [cited by applicant]
QUALCOMM Incorporated; Correction to re-sending UEAssistanceInformation upon reconfiguration w/ sync; 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #110-e; R2-2006374; Jun. 1-12, 2020. [cited by applicant]
Ericcson; Discussion on switchover procedure without leaving RRC_CONNECTED state; 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 #116-e; Tdoc TR2-2110775; Revision of R2-2107973; Electronic Meeting; Nov. 1-12, 2021. [cited by applicant]
Ericcson; Discussion on switchover procedure without leaving RRC_CONNECTED state; 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 #116e-bis; Tdoc R2-2201482; Revision of R2-2110775; Electronic Meeting; Jan. 17-25, 2022. [cited by applicant]
Extended European Search Report dated Nov. 6, 2024; European Appln. No. 22911828.6-1215 / 4285688 PCT/KR2022020760. [cited by applicant]
Samsung, “Open issues on network switching for Multi-USIM devices,” 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #114-e R2-2105437, Online, May 17-May 29, 2021. [cited by applicant]
ZTE Corporation, Sanechips, “Consideration on the Switching Notification Procedure,” 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #114-e R2-2105165 Online, May 19-May 27, 2021. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and written opinion dated Mar. 22, 2023, issued in International Application No. PCT/KR2022/020760. [cited by applicant]
Nokia et al.; Further analysis on the signalling message contents for switching notification; 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #116 Electronic; R2-2110144; Online; Nov. 1-12, 2021. [cited by applicant]
Samsung; Finalizing NW switching with leaving from RRC_CONNECTED; 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #117-e; R2-2202240; Online; Feb. 21-Mar. 3, 2022. [cited by applicant]
Partial Supplementary European Search Report dated Jul. 17, 2024; European Appln. No. 22911828.6-1215 / 4285688 PCT/KR2022020760. [cited by applicant]