FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The embodiments herein generally relates to multiple Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) in an electronic device, and more particularly to a method and system for automatic selection of SIM for radio communication.
BACKGROUND
[002] Dual SIM technology allows users of electronic devices to be served by two carrier network providers. The usage of dual SIM provides the users with several advantages. The user needs to carry only one electronic device including, for example, a SIM-1 and a SIM-2. The user can make use of the dual SIM to take advantage of different carriers provided by the two carrier network providers. For example, the user can select a SIM-1 for mobile data communication and a SIM-2 for communication purposes. In another example, the user can use the SIM-1 for personal contacts and the SIM-2 for office contacts.
[003] Although useful and convenient, the dual SIM technology has several challenges. Current electronic devices allows the user to enable and disable the SIM’s, but do not allow the users to switch between the SIMs present in the electronic device. For example, if network signal strength of the SIM-1 goes down during a call and the call is disconnected, the user needs to perform manual steps to select the SIM-2 to initiate the call again from the SIM-2. This is time consuming and degrades the user experience when the user needs to perform similar operation multiple times for different contacts. Similarly, when initiating an outgoing call, the user needs to select the desired SIM to initiate the radio communication.
With the development of technology, the electronic devices support multiple SIM’s. As the number of SIM’s supported by the electronic devices increases, there remains a need for a mechanism which allows users to automatically select and switch among the desired SIM’s in an easy manner without degrading the user experience.
OBJECT OF INVENTION
[004] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method and system for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs for a radio communication in an electronic device.
[005] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method and system for associating each ear with a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs.
[006] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method and system for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs for a radio communication based on a motion of the electronic device.
[007] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method and system for automatically dialing a last dialed identifier based on a motion of the electronic device.
[008] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method and system for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs for a radio communication based on an ear in proximity to the electronic device.
[009] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method and system for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs for a radio communication based on an ear-hand pair.
[0010] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method and system for automatically switching a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs for a radio communication based on an ear in proximity to the electronic device.
[0011] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method and system for automatically switching a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs for a radio communication based on an ear-hand pair.
SUMMARY
[0012] Accordingly the embodiments herein provide a method for radio communication using an electronic device including a plurality of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs). The method includes determining an ear corresponding to at least one sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit. The method includes automatically selecting a SIM for the radio communication from the plurality of SIMs corresponding to the determined ear.
[0013] Accordingly the embodiments herein provide a method for radio communication using an electronic device including a plurality of SIMs. The method includes detecting a movement of the electronic device based on a sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit when an event occurs. The method includes automatically selecting a SIM for the radio communication from the plurality of SIMs corresponding to the determined movement.
[0014] Accordingly the embodiments herein provide a method for radio communication using an electronic device including a plurality of SIMs. The method includes detecting a movement of the electronic device using at least one sensor unit when an event occurs. The method includes determining a direction of the movement of the electronic device based on a sensor signal from the at least one sensor unit and determining an ear corresponding to the direction of the movement. Further, the method includes automatically selecting a SIM for the radio communication from the plurality of SIMs, corresponding to the determined ear.
[0015] Accordingly the embodiments herein provide a method for radio communication using an electronic device including a plurality of SIMs. The method includes determining an ear-hand pair corresponding to at least one sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit and automatically selecting a SIM for the radio communication from a plurality of SIMs corresponding to the determined ear-hand pair.
[0016] Accordingly the embodiments herein provide an electronic device for radio communication including a plurality of SIMs associated with the electronic device. The electronic device includes a controller unit configured to determine an ear corresponding to at least one sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit and automatically select a SIM for the radio communication from the plurality of SIMs corresponding to the determined ear.
[0017] Accordingly the embodiments herein provide an electronic device for radio communication including a plurality of SIMs associated with the electronic device. The electronic device includes a controller unit configured to detect a movement of the electronic device based on a sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit when an event occurs and automatically select a SIM for the radio communication from the plurality of SIMs corresponding to the movement.
[0018] Accordingly the embodiments herein provide an electronic device for radio communication including a plurality of SIMs associated with the electronic device. The electronic device includes a controller unit configured to detect a movement of the electronic device using at least one sensor unit when an event occurs. Further, the electronic device is configured to determine a direction of the movement of the electronic device based on the sensor signal from at least one sensor unit and determine an ear corresponding to the direction of the movement, wherein the ear is one of a right ear and a left ear. Furthermore, the electronic device is configured to automatically select a SIM for the radio communication from the plurality of SIMs, corresponding to the determined ear.
[0019] Accordingly the embodiments herein provide an electronic device for radio communication including a plurality of SIMs associated with the electronic device. The electronic device includes a controller unit configured to determine a ear-hand pair corresponding to at least one sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit and automatically select a SIM for the radio communication from a plurality of SIMs corresponding to the determined ear-hand pair.
[0020] A computer program product comprising a computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable non-transitory storage medium. The computer executable program code when executed causes the product to determine an ear corresponding to at least one sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit and automatically select a SIM for the radio communication from the plurality of SIMs corresponding to the determined ear.
[0021] A computer program product comprising a computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable non-transitory storage medium. The computer executable program code when executed causes the product to detect a movement of the electronic device based on a sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit when an event occurs and automatically select a SIM for the radio communication from the plurality of SIMs corresponding to the determined movement.
[0022] A computer program product comprising a computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable non-transitory storage medium. The computer executable program code when executed causes the product to detect a movement of the electronic device using at least one sensor unit when an event occurs. The computer executable program code when executed causes the product to determine a direction of the movement of the electronic device based on a sensor signal from the at least one sensor unit and determine an ear corresponding to the direction of the movement. Further, the computer executable program code when executed causes the product to automatically select a SIM for the radio communication from the plurality of SIMs, corresponding to the determined ear.
[0023] A computer program product comprising a computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable non-transitory storage medium. The computer executable program code when executed causes the product to determine an ear-hand pair corresponding to at least one sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit and automatically select a SIM for the radio communication from a plurality of SIMs corresponding to the determined ear-hand pair.
[0024] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0025] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0026] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are block diagrams illustrating an electronic device including a plurality of SIMs, according to embodiments disclosed herein;
[0027] FIG. 2 expands the modules of the electronic device used for automatically selecting a SIM, according to embodiments disclosed herein;
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates an example illustration of ear piece being connected to a left ear and a right ear, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0029] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are example illustrations of automatic SIM selection feature configuration for automatic selection of SIM, in accordance to an embodiment disclosed herein;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs based on an ear in proximity to an electronic device, according to embodiments disclosed herein;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs to answer an incoming call based on an ear in proximity to an electronic device, according to embodiments disclosed herein;
[0032] FIGS. 7A and 7B are example illustrations showing a selection of a SIM based on an ear in proximity to an electronic device, according to embodiments disclosed herein;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs based on a movement of an electronic device or ear piece, according to embodiments disclosed herein;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs based on a movement and ear correlation of an electronic device or ear piece, according to embodiments disclosed herein;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for detecting movement of an electronic device or ear piece based on detection of an event, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0036] FIGS. 11A and FIG. 11B illustrates an example curved motion, according to embodiments disclosed herein;
[0037] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs based on an ear-hand pair correlation, according to embodiments disclosed herein;
[0038] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs to answer an incoming call based on an ear-hand pair correlation, according to embodiments disclosed herein;
[0039] FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D are example illustrations showing a selection of a SIM based on an ear-hand pair, according to embodiments disclosed herein; and
[0040] FIG. 15 depicts a computing environment implementing the system and method of selection of a SIM from a plurality of SIMs in the electronic device, according to embodiments disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0041] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments. The term “or” as used herein, refers to a non-exclusive or, unless otherwise indicated. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0042] The embodiments herein achieve a system and method for selecting a Subscriber Identification Modules (SIM) for radio communication using an electronic device including multiple SIMs. The method includes determining an ear corresponding to at least one sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit. The method includes automatically selecting a SIM for the radio communication from the plurality of SIMs corresponding to the determined ear for the radio communication.
[0043] In another embodiment, a system and method for selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs for radio communication based on a motion of electronic device is described. The method includes detecting a movement of the electronic device using at least one sensor unit when a call drop event occurs. The method includes determining a direction of the movement of the electronic device based on a sensor signal from the at least one sensor unit and determining an ear corresponding to the direction of the movement. Further, the method includes automatically selecting a SIM for the radio communication from the plurality of SIMs, corresponding to the determined ear for the radio communication.
[0044] In yet another embodiment, a system and method for selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs for radio communication based on an ear-hand pair is described. The method includes determining an ear-hand pair corresponding to at least one sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit and automatically selecting a SIM for the radio communication from the plurality of SIMs corresponding to the determined ear-hand pair
[0045] Throughout the description the terms “SIM”, “SIM card”, and “SIM device” are used interchangeably.
[0046] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 15, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0047] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are block diagrams illustrating an electronic device 100 including a plurality of SIMs, according to embodiments disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 described herein can be, but are not limited, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, a mobile personal computer, a laptop, a tablet, a phablet, a desktop computer, a communicator, or equivalent thereof.
[0048] The SIM 102 is either a removable smart card or is emulated within the electronic device along with the required information to identify the electronic device. An electronic device 100 can be designed to accommodate multiple SIM.
[0049] As shown in the FIG.1A the electronic device 100 includes multiple SIM’s (102a, 102b, 102c….102n) a controller, module 104, and a SIM unit 106. The controller unit 104 can be configured to select the SIM102 using the SIM Unit 106. Each SIM 102 has its own RF transceiver (108a, 108b, 108c…..108n). The SIM unit 106 can be configured to automatically select and switch between the available SIM’s in the electronic device 100.
[0050] FIG.1B illustrates a pair of ear piece worn by a user (not shown) connected to the electronic device 100 containing multiple SIM’s (102a, 102b, 102c….102n). In an embodiment, a radio communication is established by the electronic device 100 by associating an ear (a left ear or a right ear) with the SIM’s 102 available in the electronic device 100. A plurality of sensor units on the ear piece or the electronic device 100 can be configured to send sensor signals to the controller unit 104, such as to identify an ear piece or ear to establish the radio communication. Based on the received sensor signal, the controller unit 104 can be configured to automatically select a SIM 102 for the radio communication. Examples of radio communication established using the electronic device 100, can include, but are not limited to, a voice call signal, a video call signal, or various types of data according to text or multimedia message transmission. Details of the operations performed for the SIM selection are explained in conjunction with the FIG.5.
[0051] Consider an example, when a user of the electronic device wants to initiate a call. The user may insert the ear piece in the left ear. On receiving the sensor signal, the controller 108 can determine the left ear and select the corresponding SIM 102 for establishing the radio communication. Details of the various types of sensors are given in the FIG.2.
[0052] The FIGS. 1A and 1B show a limited overview of the electronic device 100 but, it is to be understood that other embodiments are not limited thereto. Further, the electronic device 100 can communicate with internal or external network elements for establishing the radio communication using the selected SIM along with other hardware or software components to communicate with each other. For example, the component can be, but not limited to, a process running in the controller or processor, an object, an executable process, a thread of execution, a program, or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a device and the device itself can be a component.
[0053] FIG. 2 expands the modules of the electronic device 100 used for automatically selecting a SIM, according to embodiments disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 can be configured to include the controller unit 104, the SIM unit 106, a display unit 202, a sensor unit 206, a radio communication unit 208, and a storage unit 204.
[0054] In an embodiment, the sensor unit 206 can be configured to sense the motion or orientation of the electronic device 100. The sensor unit 206 described herein can include or emulate one or more sensors to detect the motion, orientation, and direction and the like parameters. Examples of sensor unit 206 can include for example, but are not limited to accelerometer, a gyroscope, compass, a shock sensor, a tilt sensor, altimeter, a gravity sensor, proximity sensor, touch sensor and the like or any combination thereof. The sensor unit 206 can be configured to combine the detected motion and orientation data provided by the accelerometer, gyroscope and compass for determining the movement of the electronic device 100. The movement or orientation of the information is passed to the electronic device 100 in the form of one or more sensor signal, such as to determine the direction of the motion or the proximity of the electronic device 100 to one of a right ear and a left ear.
[0055] In an embodiment, the controller unit 104 can be configured to identify the direction of the movement of the electronic device 100 based on the sensor signals received from the sensor unit 206, such as to select a SIM from the plurality of SIMs for radio communication. The determination of direction of the motion of the electronic device 100 and selection of the SIM 102 is explained in detail in conjunction with the FIG. 8.
[0056] In an embodiment, the controller unit 104 can be configured to determine one of the left ear and the right ear in proximity to the electronic device based on the sensor signals received from the sensor unit 206, such as to select a SIM from the plurality of SIMs for radio communication. The various operations performed for determining the ear and corresponding SIM selection are described in detail in conjunction with the FIG. 5.
[0057] Further, the controller unit104 can be configured to select the corresponding SIM from among the plurality of SIMs 102 based on the automatic SIM selection feature configured by the user using the SIM Unit 106. The SIM Unit 106 is configured to manage the plurality of SIMs 102 of the electronic device 100 and allow the user to configure the desired SIM to at least one ear using the automatic SIM selection feature. The SIM’s102 present on the electronic device 100 are selectively connected to the controller unit 104 using the SIM unit 106. The controller unit 104 can be configured to select a SIM from the plurality of SIMs 102 to be used based on the detection of the ear or the motion.
[0058] For example, when the SIM (SIM-1 102a) is configured to be associated with the left ear determination and a SIM (SIM-2 102b) is configured to be associated with the right ear determination. Based on the signals received from the sensor unit 206, the controller 104 can determine the ear (i.e., the left ear or the right ear) and select the SIM corresponding to the determined ear. In case the user moves the electronic device 100 to the left ear when receiving an incoming call, the controller module 102 can be configured to select the SIM -1 102a associated with the determination of the left ear.
[0059] In another example, if network signal strength of an active SIM (SIM-1 102a associated with left ear) goes low and leads dropping of a call in progress, the user can move the electronic device 100 or the ear piece connected to the left ear towards the right ear for selection of an alternate SIM. The controller unit104 can be configured to switch to an alternate SIM (SIM-2102b) based on the movement of the electronic device or the ear piece to establish the call using the SIM-2 102b which has better network signal strength.
[0060] Further, the radio communication unit 208 can be configured to establish and maintain the radio communication in the electronic device 100 based on the selected SIM. In an embodiment, based on selection of SIM by the controller unit 104, the SIM unit 106 can be configured to connect the selected SIM to the controller unit 104 or the radio communication unit 208 for establishment of the radio communication. The SIM unit 202 can be configured to switch among the plurality of SIMs on the electronic device 100 based on instructions received from the controller 104. A switch present in the electronic device 100 can be used for selecting and switching between the SIMs 102 present in the electronic device 100.
[0061] The display unit 202 can be configured to provide a User Interface (UI) to configure the automatic SIM selection feature. Additionally, the display unit 202 can be configured to perform sufficient operations to display the various actions related to the radio communication. Further, the details of the automatic SIM configuration and selection features are described in conjunction with the FIG. 4.
[0062] The storage unit 204 can be configured to store the automatic SIM selection feature configuration data for selecting the SIM from the plurality of SIMs of the electronic device 100 in accordance to the detected ear or motion.
[0063] The FIG. 2 illustrates a limited overview of the modules 200 of the electronic device 100 but, it is to be understood that other embodiments are not limited thereto. Further, the electronic device 100 can include any number of module communications locally or remotely with one or more components for automatically selecting the SIM based on at least one of a motion, an ear, and an ear-hand pair along with other hardware or software components to communicate with each other. For example, the component can be, but not limited to, a process running in the controller or processor, an object, an executable process, a thread of execution, a program, or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a device and the device itself can be a component.
[0064] FIG. 3 illustrates an example illustration of ear piece being connected to a left ear and a right ear, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The ear piece is plugged in through the audio jack of the electronic device 100. Based on the sensor signals received from the sensor unit 206, the controller unit104 can be configured to determine the ear corresponding to the sensor signal received. Each ear of the user can be associated with a SIM present in the electronic device. In an embodiment, the determination of ear associated with the ear piece can be done either by the controller unit 104 or the sensor unit 206.
[0065] In an embodiment, the sensor unit 206 located on the ear piece and the electronic device 100 can be configured to send sensor signals to determine the ear in which the ear piece in placed. Based on the determined ear, the controller unit 104 establishes the radio communication session using the selected SIM corresponding to the determined ear.
[0066] In an embodiment, based on the identification of ear (the left ear or the right ear), and irrespective of the right ear piece or left ear piece, the controller unit 104 can be configured to select the corresponding SIM 102 based on the automatic SIM selection feature configured by the user .
[0067] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are example illustrations of automatic SIM selection feature configuration for automatic selection of SIM 102, in accordance to an embodiment disclosed herein.
Example automatic SIM selection feature configuration for Dual SIM
[0068] In the FIG.4A, a pairing of an ear and the SIM can be used for enabling the automatic SIM selection feature configuration. In an embodiment, based on determination of the ear with ear piece, a configuration of an Ear-SIM pair can be set. The controller module 104 can be configured to detect an ear and an active SIM to form the ear-SIM pair. The SIM unit 206 can be configured to provide the UI for configuring the desired ear-SIM pair by the user. For example, as shown in the FIG. 4A, when the user inserts the left ear piece in the left ear and selects SIM-1 102a on the UI of the electronic device 100, the SIM1-left ear pair configuration is stored in the storage unit 204. Similarly, when the user inserts the right ear piece in the right ear and selects SIM-2 102b on the UI of the electronic device 100, the SIM2-right ear pair configuration is stored in the storage unit 204. In another embodiment, the user can directly perform the desired SIM configuration for the corresponding ear directly from the UI as shown in the FIG. 4.
[0069] The use of the automatic SIM selection feature configuration allows the user to select and switch between the SIM’s 102 effortlessly. For example, a left ear may be associated with SIM-1 102a and the right ear can be associated with SIM-2 102b. When the user wishes to initiate a call from the SIM-1, the user connects the ear piece only to the left ear.
Example automatic SIM selection feature configuration for Multiple SIM
[0070] In the FIG.4B, a correlation between detected ear and detected hand is used for enabling the automatic SIM selection feature configuration for selecting the SIM’s 102 present in the electronic device 100. The controller unit 104 can be configured to detect an ear-hand pair for selecting the corresponding SIM for establishing the radio communication.
[0071] For example, when the user holds the electronic device in proximity of the right ear using the right hand and selects the SIM-1 102a on the UI of the electronic device 100, a right ear-right hand pair configuration corresponding to the SIM1 is stored in the storage unit 204. Similarly, when the user holds the electronic device 100 in proximity of the right ear using the left hand and selects SIM-3 102c on the UI, a right ear-left hand pair configuration corresponding to the SIM3 is stored in the storage unit 204. Similarly, when the user holds the electronic device 100 in proximity of the left ear using the left hand and selects SIM-2 102b on the UI, a left ear-left hand pair configuration corresponding to the SIM2 is stored in the storage unit 204. Similarly, when the user holds the electronic device 100 in proximity of the left ear using the right hand and selects SIM-4 102d on the UI, a left ear-right hand pair configuration corresponding to the SIM4 is stored in the storage unit 204.
[0072] It is to be understood that the ear-SIM paring and the ear-hand pairing corresponding to a SIM described with respect to the FIG. 4 is only for illustrative purpose and does not limit the scope of the invention. The user can use the proposed system and method to configure any number SIMs based using same or similar modifications of the pairs without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0073] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method 500 for automatically selecting a SIM 102 from among a plurality of SIMs 102 based on an ear in proximity to an electronic device 100, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The various steps of the method 500 are summarized into individual blocks where some of the steps are performed by the electronic device 100, the user of the electronic device 100, and a combination thereof. The method 500 and other description described herein provide a basis for a control program, which can be implemented using a microcontroller, microprocessor, or an equivalent thereof.
[0074] In an embodiment, at step 502, the method 500 includes receiving at least one sensor signal from the sensor unit 206. The sensor unit 206 can be configured to sense and send the sensor signals to the controller unit 104.
[0075] At step 504, the method 500 includes determining whether an ear piece is connected with the electronic device 100. Based on the sensor signals, the method 500 allows the controller unit 104 to identity whether the ear piece is connected to the electronic device 100.
[0076] At step 506a, the method 500 includes determining the presence of an ear piece in one of the left ear and the right ear based on from the sensor signal in response to detecting that the ear piece is connected to the electronic device 100. When the ear piece is connected to the ear, the method 500 allows the controller unit 104 to determine the presence of the ear piece in one of the left ear and the right ear.
[0077] At step 506b, the method 500 includes determining one of the left ear and the right ear in proximity to the electronic device 100 from the received sensor signal in response to determining that the ear piece is not connected to the electronic device 100. Based on the sensor signals received from the sensor unit 206 present on the electronic device 100, the method 500 allows the controller unit 104 to determine one of the left ear and the right ear.
[0078] At step 508, the method 500 includes automatically selecting a SIM from the plurality of SIMs 102 for the radio communication corresponding to the determined ear. For example, based on the automatic SIM selection configuration stored in the storage unit 204, the controller unit 104 can be configured to select the SIM-1 102a when the left ear is detected. Similarly, the controller unit 104 selects the SIM-2 102b when the right ear is detected.
[0079] At step 510, the method 500 includes establishing the radio communication with an identifier using the selected SIM. In an embodiment, the method 500 allows the radio communication unit 208 to automatically place an outgoing call to establish the radio communication with an identifier using the selected SIM 102. Examples of identifiers can include, but is not limited to, last dialed numbers, a contact number stored in the phone or SIM, a VoIP calling ID, and the like. In an embodiment, the method 500 allows the radio communication unit 208 to automatically answer an incoming call to establish the radio communication using the selected SIM.
[0080] In an embodiment, the selected SIM can be used to establish the radio communication as per user preferences. Consider an example of an email radio communication. The user of the electronic device 100 may prefer using SIM-2 102b as the carrier network provider provides better rates for data communication. The SIM-2 102b may be associated with left ear. After composing the email, the user can connect the ear piece to one of the left ear or the right ear. Based on the received sensor signal and the determination of left ear, and the automatic SIM selection feature configured for the electronic device 100, the controller unit 104 can select the SIM-2 for sending the email.
[0081] The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like in method 500 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, and the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0082] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 600 for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs to answer an incoming call based on an ear in proximity to an electronic device, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The various steps of the method 600 are summarized into individual blocks where some of the steps are performed by the electronic device 100, the user of the electronic device 100, and a combination thereof. The method 600 and other description described herein provide a basis for a control program, which can be implemented using a microcontroller, microprocessor, or an equivalent thereof.
[0083] In an embodiment, at 602, the method 600 includes receiving an incoming call and detecting the SIM 102 corresponding to the incoming call. When the electronic device 100 receives an incoming call on one of the SIMs 102 associated with the electronic device 100, the controller unit 104 can be configured to identify the SIM 102 on which the call is being received.
[0084] At step 604, the method 600 includes determining whether an ear piece is connected with the electronic device 100. Based on the sensor signals, the method 600 allows the controller unit 104 to identity whether the ear piece is connected to the electronic device 100.
[0085] At step 606a, the method 600 includes determining the presence of an ear piece in one of the left ear and the right ear based on from the sensor signal in response to detecting that the ear piece is connected to the electronic device 100. When the ear piece is connected to the ear, the method 600 allows the controller unit 104 to determine the presence of the ear piece in one of the left ear and the right ear.
[0086] At step 606b, the method 600 includes determining one of the left ear and the right ear in proximity to the electronic device 100 from the received sensor signal in response to determining that the ear piece is not connected to the electronic device 100. Based on the sensor signals received from the sensor unit 206 present on the electronic device 100, the method 600 allows the controller unit 104 to determine one of the left ear and the right ear.
[0087] At step 608, the method 600 includes determining whether determined ear (selected SIM) is different from the SIM to which incoming call is being received. Based on the automatic SIM selection feature configured for the electronic device 100, the controller unit 104 can determine if the selected SIM is different from the one on which the call is being received.
[0088] In an embodiment, the user can select the SIM using the electronic device 100 or an ear piece connected to the electronic device100. Based on presence of the ear piece connected to an ear or the promixinity of the electronic device to an ear, the controller unit can determine the ear SIM pair selected by the user.
[0089] At step 610, the method 600 includes determining if the ear is associated with the SIM 102. Based on the ear determined by the controller unit 104 and the detected SIM 102 on which the call is being received, the controller unit 108 can be configured to determine if the selected SIM 102 and the SIM 102 corresponding to the incoming call is different.
[0090] At step 612, the method 600 includes automatically answering the call on the SIM 102 corresponding to the incoming call, when selected SIM 102 by the user and the SIM 102 corresponding to the incoming call is being received are same.
[0091] If the determined ear and the incoming call are associated with the same SIM 102, the controller unit 104 can be configured to use the automatic SIM selection feature configured for the electronic device 100 to automatically select the SIM 102 on which the incoming call is being received for radio communication using the automatic SIM selection feature.
[0092] Consider an example, when a user is receiving a call on SIM-1 102a associated with left ear. If the user moves the electronic device 100 towards the left ear, the controller unit104 can recognize the movement of the electronic device 100 and the proximity of the electronic device 100 to the left ear. Based on the received sensor signals and the determination that the left ear is configured for SIM-1 in the automatic SIM selection feature configured for the electronic device 100 to and the incoming call is detected on SIM-1 102a, the call is answered by the user and a radio communication is established between a caller and the user (callee) of the electronic device 100.
[0093] At step 614, the method 600 includes providing an alert message to the user and initiating a timer associated with the alert message, when the selected SIM 102 by the user and the SIM 102 corresponding to the incoming call is different.
Example steps for selection of alternate SIM for an incoming call
[0094] The alert message indicates to the user that a wrong ear has been selected by the user for answering the incoming call. The alert message, can include, but is not limited to, a unique vibration pattern, a pre-defined flashing of screen, and any other haptic feedback signal.
[0095] At 616, the method 600 includes determining if any input is received before the timer expires. The use of the alert message and the timer provides an opportunity to the user to reselect the SIM.
[0096] At 618, if an input is received, the method 600 includes detecting a movement of the electronic device 100 towards the ear associated with SIM 102 on which the incoming call is being received. If the movement followed by the electronic device 100 is a curved motion associated with a direction, it can easily be detected that the user is moving the electronic device 100 to ear corresponding to SIM 102 on which the incoming call is received. The incoming call is then automatically answered on the SIM 102 corresponding to the incoming call.
[0097] At step 620, if there is no input from the user, the method 600 includes automatically switching the incoming call received on a SIM 102 to the user selected SIM 102 corresponding to the determined ear. The controller unit 104 can be configured to determine that the user wishes to take the call on an alternate SIM 102, when no input is received till the timer expires. In another embodiment, if there is no input from the user, the method 600 includes sending a notification message to the caller. The notification message can request the caller to contact the callee on a number associated with the user based on the automatic SIM selection configuration data.
[0098] At 622, the method 600 includes establishing a radio communication using the selected SIM. For example, when the user has two SIM’s 102 in the electronic device 100. The SIM-1 102a is currently on roaming. To avoid roaming charges, the user may wish to take the incoming call on the SIM-2 102b. If the call is received on a SIM-1 102a( associated with the right ear), and the user selects a SIM-2 102b (associated with the left are), the controller unit 104 provides an alert message to the user indicating the wrong ear, i.e. wrong SIM is being selected by the user. When there is no input from the user for the alert within a pre-defined time period, the controller unit 104 can determine that the user wishes to use the selected SIM-2 102b for receiving the call.
[0099] In an embodiment, the incoming call on the SIM 102 is disconnected and a forward indication is sent to the carrier provider network. The forward indication includes the SIM 102 information of the user selected SIM 102. The carrier provider network receives the indication to forward the call to the user in real time. The call is established between the caller and callee using the SIM selected by the user.
[00100] In an embodiment, a voice confirmation informing that the alternate SIM is active can be broadcasted to the user before establishing connection with the user selected SIM.
[00101] In an embodiment, a user setting allows the user to configure call forward settings. For example, when roaming the user may prefer using an alternate SIM to receive calls. The setting may be displayed on user interface while configuring the SIM selection feature.
[00102] Unlike conventional methods, which include the steps of user disconnecting the call, enabling the alternate SIM and initiating the radio communication, the present method 600 allows the user to easily select the SIM 102 for receiving the call.
[00103] The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like in method 600 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, and the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
[00104] FIG. 7A and 7B are example illustration of an electronic device associated with an ear, according to embodiments disclosed herein. In an embodiment, when the user of the electronic device 100 brings the electronic device 100 in proximity of the right ear (as shown in FIG.7A), the automatic SIM selection feature configured for the electronic device 100 can identify that the SIM-2 102b is associated with the right ear and the controller unit 104 can identify that the user prefers to communicate using the SIM-2 102b. Accordingly, the controller unit 104 selects the SIM-2 for establishing the radio communication.
[00105] Similarly, when the user of the electronic device 100 brings the electronic device 100 in proximity of the left ear (as shown in FIG.7B), the automatic SIM selection feature configured for the electronic device 100 can identify that the SIM -1 102a is associated with the left ear and the controller unit can identify that the user prefers to communicate using the SIM1 102a. Accordingly, the controller unit 104 selects the SIM-1 for establishing the radio communication.
Detecting the movement of the electronic device/earpiece from one ear to other ear
[00106] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method 800 for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs based on a movement of an electronic device or ear piece, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The various steps of the method 800 are summarized into individual blocks where some of the steps are performed by the electronic device 100, the user of the electronic device 100, and a combination thereof. The method 800 and other description described herein provide a basis for a control program, which can be implemented using a microcontroller, microprocessor, or an equivalent thereof.
[00107] In an embodiment, at step 802, the method 800 includes detecting a movement of the electronic device 100 using the sensor unit 206 when an event occurs. In an embodiment, the event can be a call in progress which gets disconnected. The reason for disconnection may be insufficient signal strength received on a caller side or a callee side to maintain an established radio communication, and the carrier provider network problems like extreme cell traffic on either one of base stations associated with the caller or the callee, glitches in the backend software, power outages, and more.
[00108] At step 804, the method 800 includes determining if a curved motion associated with a direction is detected. The curved motion can be identified by the controller unit104 based on the sensor signals received from the sensing unit 206. The curved motion detection is done to enable quick selection of an alternate SIM 102 in case of an event. The detection of movement of the electronic device only on the detection of event ensures that if the user moves the electronic device from one ear from other ear during a communication session, there is no change in the selected SIM.
[00109] At step 806, the method 800 includes automatically selecting a SIM for radio communication from a plurality of SIM corresponding to the detection of the curved motion of the electronic device 100 or the curved motion of the ear piece. The controller unit selects the SIM 102 for the radio communication using the automatic SIM selection feature configured for the electronic device 100. Based on the direction of the curved movement, the method 800 allows the controller unit 104 to determine the ear towards which the curved motion is performed and the SIM 102 associated with the ear. At step 808, the method 800 includes automatically placing an outgoing call to establish the radio communication with an identifier using the selected SIM102. The identifier may be a last dialed number.
[00110] For example, when a call in progress gets disconnected due to insufficient credit in the SIM-1 102a. When the call gets disconnected, the user can moves the electronic device 100 from one ear (associated with SIM-1 102a) to the other ear (associated with SIM-2 102b) to place the call on the last dialed number using SIM-2 102b. The controller unit 104 can identify the user selected SIM- 102b based on the curved movement detection.
[00111] The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like in method 800 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, and the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
[00112] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method 900 for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs based on a movement and ear correlation of an electronic device or ear piece, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The various steps of the method 900 are summarized into individual blocks where some of the steps are performed by the electronic device 100, the user of the electronic device 100, and a combination thereof. The method 900 and other description described herein provide a basis for a control program, which can be implemented using a microcontroller, microprocessor, or an equivalent thereof.
[00113] In an embodiment, at step 902, the method 900 includes detecting a movement of the electronic device 100 using the sensor unit 206 when an event occurs. The event described herein can be a call drop event.
[00114] At step 904, the method 900 includes determining a direction of the movement of the electronic device 100 based on the sensor signal from the sensor unit 206. The direction of the movement of the electronic device 100 or the ear piece can be monitored using sensor unit 206. The sensor unit 206 for determining the direction of movement can be embedded within the electronic device 100 or the ear piece. Based on the detection the movement pattern can be matched with a predefined movement pattern representing a curved motion.
[00115] At 906, the method 900 includes determining an ear corresponding to the direction of the curved motion, wherein the ear is one of a right ear and a left ear. The method 900 allows the controller unit 104 to determine the ear corresponding to the curved motion based on the received sensor signals from the sensor unit and previous state provides information of the electronic device 100. The previous state provides information of the electronic device 100 which allows the controller unit 104 to determine the ear selected by the user with accuracy. The previous state information can include the SIM which is currently active, the last dialed number, the loss of connectivity and the like.
[00116] At step 908, the method 900 includes automatically selecting a SIM for radio communication from the plurality of SIM’s corresponding to the determined ear. The method 900 allows the controller unit 104 to select the SIM 102 for the radio communication using the automatic SIM selection feature configured for the electronic device 100. Based on the direction of the curved movement, the controller unit 104 can be configured to determine the ear towards which the curved motion is performed and the SIM 102 associated with the ear. The controller unit 104 dynamically configures the selection of the SIM 102 from the plurality of SIMs 102 corresponding to one of the left ear and the right ear based the direction of the movement.
[00117] At step 908, the method 800 includes automatically placing an outgoing call to establish the radio communication with the last dialed identifier using the selected SIM102. For example, when a call in progress gets disconnected due to insufficient credit in the SIM-1 102a, the user can move the electronic device 100 from one ear (associated with the SIM-1 102a) to the other ear (associated with the SIM-2 102b) to place the call on the last dialed number using the SIM-2 102b. The controller unit 104 can identify the user selected SIM- 102b based on the curved motion detection.
[00118] The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like in method 900 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, and the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
[00119] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1000 for detecting movement of an electronic device 100 or ear piece based on detection of an event, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The various steps of the method 1000 are summarized into individual blocks where some of the steps are performed by the electronic device 100, the user of the electronic device 100, and a combination thereof. The method 1000 and other description described herein provide a basis for a control program, which can be implemented using a microcontroller, microprocessor, or an equivalent thereof.
[00120] In an embodiment, at step 1002, the method 1000 includes detecting an event when the electronic device 100 has established a radio communication.
[00121] At step 1004, the method 1000 includes determining if any event has occurred. If no event is detected, the method 1000 allows the controller unit 104 to continue monitoring the established radio communication session to detect an event in the electronic device 100.
[00122] At step 1006, the method 1000 includes detecting a movement of the electronic device 100 using the sensor unit 206 when an event occurs.
[00123] At step 1008, the method 1000 includes determining if the movement is directional movement. On detecting the movement of the electronic device 100 after detection of event, the method 1000 allows the controller unit 104 to determine whether the movement is directional.
[00124] At step 1010, the method 1000 includes determining a direction of the movement of the electronic device 100 based on the sensor signal from the sensor unit 206. The direction of the movement of the electronic device 100 or the ear piece can be monitored using the sensor unit 206.
[00125] At 1012, the method 1000 includes determining an ear corresponding to the direction of the curved motion, wherein the ear is one of a right ear and a left ear. The method 1000 allows the controller unit 104 to determine the ear corresponding to the curved motion based on the received sensor signals and the previous state of the electronic device 100. The previous state provides information of the electronic device 100, which allows the controller unit 104 to determine the ear selected by the user with accuracy. The previous state information can include the SIM which is currently active, the last dialed number, the loss of connectivity and the like.
[00126] At step 1016, the method 1000 includes automatically selecting a SIM for radio communication from a plurality of SIM corresponding to the determined ear. The method 1000 allows the controller unit 104 to select the SIM 102 for the radio communication using the automatic SIM selection feature configured for identifying the SIM corresponding to the determined ear. Based on the direction of the curved movement, the controller unit 104 determines the ear and the associated SIM 102.
[00127] The controller unit 104 dynamically configures the selection of the SIM 102 from the plurality of SIMs 102 corresponding to one of the left ear and the right ear based the direction of the movement.
[00128] At step 1018, the method 10000 includes automatically placing an outgoing call to establish the radio communication with the last dialed identifier using the selected SIM102. For example, when the user has established a VoIP call using a VoIP messenger application in the electronic device 100, and the radio communication is established using the SIM-1 102a associated with the right ear. If the VoIP call gets dropped or disconnected, an event gets detected at the controller unit 1104. The call may get disconnected due to reasons like data communication capacity provided by the carrier provider network is exhausted or the channel conditions are poor. If the user moves the electronic device 100, the sensing unit 206 can sends the received sensor signals to the controller unit 104. Based on the movement performed, the controller unit 104 determines based if the movement was a directional curved motion. The controller unit 104 can identify that the user has moved the electronic device 100 from right ear to the left ear. Further, based on the state of the device and the curved motion, the controller unit 104 can identify that the user wishes initiate the VoIP call using the alternate SIM present in the electronic device 100. A radio communication is established for the VoIP call using the SIM-2 102b associated with the left ear.
[00129] The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like in method 1000 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, and the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
[00130] FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are example illustration of a curved motion, according to embodiments disclosed herein. In the FIG. 11A, the curved motion of the electronic device 100 moving from the right ear 1102 to the left ear 1104 and vice versa. The right ear 1102 may be associated with a SIM-1 102a and the left ear with SIM-2 102b. Consider an example, when the user is talking with a friend on a call received through the SIM-1 102a and the user is at a remote location (in which the signal strength of received by SIM-1 102a is low) then there is possibility of the call getting dropped. When the call gets dropped, the user can move the electronic device 100 from the right ear to the left ear to automatically select the SIM and place the call again using the selected SIM.
[00131] In the FIG.11B, a compass used for sensing the direction 1106 and the various measurements 1108 taken by the sensor unit 206 to detect the curved motion is shown. The measurements plotted to form the movement pattern observed when the electronic device is movement after detection of the event. The movement pattern is plotted using multiple sensors like the accelerometer, the gyroscope, the compass and the like The accelerometer is a sensor that measures physical acceleration, usually used for measuring small movements. The gravity defines the Z vector (up/down) and, when combined with the X vector (east/west) and the Y vector (north/south), it provides a 3D orientation coordinate system. The gyroscope is a sensor for measuring orientation, based on the principles of angular momentum. A gyroscope measures changes in orientation and changes in rotational velocity (rotation rate). The compass makes use of the Earth’s magnetic field to determine absolute orientation in the NESW plane.
[00132] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1200 for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs based on an ear-hand pair correlation, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The various steps of the method 1200 are summarized into individual blocks where some of the steps are performed by the electronic device 100, the user of the electronic device 100, and a combination thereof. The method 1200 and other description described herein provide a basis for a control program, which can be implemented using a microcontroller, microprocessor, or an equivalent thereof.
[00133] The method 1200 and other description described herein provide a basis for a control program, which can be implemented using a microcontroller, microprocessor, or an equivalent thereof.
[00134] In an embodiment, at step 1202, the method 1200 includes receiving at least one sensor signal from a sensor unit 206. The sensor unit 206 can be configured to send the sensor signals received from plurality of sensors present on the ear piece or the electronic device 100.
[00135] At step 1204, the method 1200 includes detecting an ear in proximity to the electronic device 100. Based on the sensor signals received from the sensor unit 206, the method 1200 allows the controller unit 104 to determine one of the left ear and the right ear.
[00136] At 1206, the method 1200 includes detecting a hand. Based on the sensors signals received from the sensing unit 206, the hand holding the electronic device 100 can be determined.
[00137] In an embodiment, a plurality of capacitive sensors at certain locations of the electronic device 100 can be configured to detect the hand holding the electronic device 100. . Based on the senor signals received, the controller unit 104 can be configured to determine the hand holding the electronic device 100. Further, in some embodiments, conventional techniques for detecting a hand can be utilized by the controller unit 104 to detect the hand.
[00138] At step 1208, the method 1200 includes computing a correlation between the detected ear and the detected hand to determine the ear-hand pair. The correlation of ear-hand can be used for configuring multiple SIM’s102. The various combinations of determined ear- detected hand can be configured (as shown in the FIG.4B) for selection of the multiple SIM present in the electronic device 100.
[00139] The SIM-1 102a (406) is selected when the electronic device 100 is held on the right hand and the electronic device 100 is in proximity to the right ear. The SIM-3 102c (408) is selected when the electronic device 100 is held on the right hand and the electronic device 100 is in proximity to the left ear. The SIM-2 102b (410) is selected when the electronic device 100 is held on the left hand and the electronic device 100 is in proximity to the left ear. The SIM-4 102d (412) is selected when the electronic device 100 is held on the right hand and the electronic device 100 is in proximity to the left ear.
[00140] At step 1210, the method 1200 includes automatically selecting a SIM from the plurality of SIMs 102 for radio communication based on the correlation between the ear-hand pair. The controller unit selects the SIM 102 for the radio communication using the automatic SIM selection feature configured for identifying the SIM corresponding to the determined ear-hand pair. Based on the determined ear–hand pair and corresponding SIM available in the automatic SIM selection feature configured by the user, the SIM for the radio communication is selected.
[00141] For example, if the ear-hand pair corresponds to the SIM-3 102c the call is received on SIM-3 102c. The electronic device 100 uses the automatic SIM selection feature controlled by the controller unit 104 for establishing the radio communication. The user of the electronic device can enable or disable the automatic SIM selection feature as per preferences.
[00142] At step 1212, the method 1200 includes establishing the radio communication with an identifier using the selected SIM.
[00143] In an embodiment, at step 1210, the method 1200 includes automatically placing an outgoing call to establish the radio communication with an identifier using the selected SIM 102. The identified can be the last dialed number.
[00144] In an embodiment, at step 1210, the method 1200 includes include automatically answering an incoming call to establish the radio communication using the selected SIM. Examples of identifiers can include, but is not limited to last dialed numbers, a contact number stored in the phone or SIM, a VoIP calling ID and the like.
[00145] The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like in method 1200 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, and the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
[00146] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 1300 for automatically selecting a SIM from among a plurality of SIMs to answer an incoming call based on an ear-hand pair correlation, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The various steps of the method 1300 are summarized into individual blocks where some of the steps are performed by the electronic device 100, the user of the electronic device 100, and a combination thereof. The method 1300 and other description described herein provide a basis for a control program, which can be implemented using a microcontroller, microprocessor, or an equivalent thereof.
[00147] In an embodiment, at 1302, the method 1300 includes receiving an incoming call and detecting the SIM 102 corresponding to the incoming call. When the electronic device 100 receives an incoming call on one of the multiple SIM’s 102 associated with the electronic device 100, the controller unit 104 can be configured to identify the SIM 102 on which the call is being received.
[00148] At step 1304, the method 1300 includes detecting an ear in proximity to the electronic device 100. Based on the sensor signals received from the sensors unit 206, the controller unit 104 can be configured to determine one of the left ear and the right ear.
[00149] At 1306, the method 1300 includes detecting a hand. Based on the sensors signals received from the sensing unit 206, the hand holding the electronic device 100 can be determined.
[00150] At step 1308, the method 1300 includes computing a correlation between the detected ear and the detected hand to determine the ear-hand pair. The correlation of ear-hand can be used for configuring multiple SIM’s102. The various combinations of ear-hand are described in the FIG. 4B
[00151] At step 1310, the method 1300 includes determining if the determined ear-hand pair is associated with the SIM 102 on which the call is being received. Based on ear-hand pair determined by the controller unit 104 and the detected SIM 102 on which the call is being received, the controller unit 104 can be configured to determine determining if the selected SIM 102 and the SIM 102 corresponding to the incoming call is different.
[00152] At step 1312, the method 1300 includes automatically answering the call on the SIM corresponding to the incoming call, when the selected SIM 102 by the user and the SIM 102 corresponding to the incoming call are same. If the determined ear-hand pair and the incoming call are associated with the same SIM, the controller unit 104 can be configured to automatically select a SIM 102 for the radio communication from the plurality of SIM corresponding to the determined ear using the automatic SIM selection feature.
[00153] Consider another example, when a user is receiving a call on theSIM-1 102a associated with the left ear-left hand combination. If the user electronic device is held by the user on the left hand and in proximity to left ear, the controller unit 104 can identify that the computed ear-hand combination is related to the SIM-1 102a. The call is answered by the user using the SIM-1 102c and a radio communication is established between a caller and the user (callee) of the electronic device 100.
[00154] Consider another example, when a user is receiving a call on the SIM-2 102b associated with the left ear-left hand combination. If the user moves the electronic device 100 towards the right ear with the left hand and the controller unit 104 can recomputed the correlation between the detected ear-hand to the controller unit 104 can identify that the computed ear-hand combination is related to the SIM-3 102c using the automatic SIM selection feature configured by the user . The call is answered by the user using SIM-3 102c and the radio communication is established between a caller and the user (callee) of the electronic device 100.
[00155] At step 1316, the method 1300 includes providing an alert message to the user and initiating a timer associated with the alert message, when the selected SIM by the user (using the ear-hand and the SIM corresponding to the incoming call is different.
[00156] The alert message indicates to the user that a wrong ear-hand combination, i.e. a wrong SIM 102 has been selected by the user for answering the incoming call. The alert message, can include, but is not limited to, a unique vibration pattern, a pre-defined flashing of screen, or any other haptic feedback signal.
[00157] At 1316, the method 1300 includes determining if any input is received before the timer expires. The use of alert message and the timer provides an opportunity to the user to reselect the SIM.
[00158] At 1318, if an input is received, the method 1300 includes detecting a movement of the electronic device 100 towards the ear associated with SIM 102 on which the incoming call is being received.
[00159] At 1320, if there is no input from the user, the method 1300 includes automatically switching the incoming call received on a SIM 102 to the user selected SIM 102 corresponding to the computed ear-hand combination. The controller unit 104 can be configured to determine that the user wishes to take the call on another SIM 102, when no input is received till the timer expired.
[00160] In an embodiment, at step 1318, if there is no input from the user, the method 1300 includes sending an SMS to the caller. The SMS can request the caller to contact the callee on a number associated with the user selected SIM.
[00161] At 1322, the method 1300 includes establishing a radio communication using the selected SIM.
[00162] The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like in method 1300 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions, acts, blocks, steps, and the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, and the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
[00163] FIGS. 14A, 14B. 14C and 14D are example illustration of an electronic device associated with an ear-hand pair, according to embodiments disclosed herein. When the user of the electronic device 100 brings the electronic device 100 in proximity of the right ear using the right hand (as shown in the FIG.14A), the controller units identifies the right ear- right hand pair based on the sensor signals received from the sensor unit 206. The automatic SIM selection feature configured for the electronic device 100 is used to identify that the SIM-2 102b is associated with the right ear- right hand pair. Accordingly, the controller unit 104 selects the SIM-2 for establishing the radio communication.
[00164] Similarly, when the user of the electronic device 100 brings the electronic device 100 in proximity of the right ear using the left hand (as shown in the FIG.14B), the controller units identifies the right ear-left hand pair based on the sensor signals received from the sensor unit 206. The automatic SIM selection feature configured for the electronic device 100 can identify that the SIM -3 102c is associated with the right ear–left hand pair. Accordingly, the controller unit 104 selects the SIM-3 for establishing the radio communication.
[00165] Similarly, when the user of the electronic device 100 brings the electronic device 100 in proximity of the left ear using the left hand (as shown in the FIG.14C), the automatic SIM selection feature configured for the electronic device 100 can identify that SIM-1 102a is associated with the left ear and the controller unit 104 can identify that the user prefers to communicate using SIM-1 102a. Accordingly, the controller unit 104 selects the SIM-1 for establishing the radio communication.
[00166] Similarly, when the user of the electronic device 100 brings the electronic device 100 in proximity of the left ear using the right hand (as shown in the FIG.14D), the automatic SIM selection feature configured for the electronic device 100 can identify that SIM-4 102d is associated with the left ear and the controller unit 104 can identify that the user prefers to communicate using the SIM-4 102d. Accordingly, the controller unit 104 selects the SIM-4 for establishing the radio communication.
[00167] FIG. 15 depicts a computing environment implementing the method of selection of SIM 102 in the electronic device 100 including pluralities of SIMs, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. As depicted, the computing environment 1502 comprises at least one processing unit 1004 that is equipped with a control unit 1006 and an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) 1008, a memory 1010 a storage unit 1012, a clock chip 1014, plurality of networking devices 1016, and a plurality Input output (I/O) devices 1518. The processing unit 1504 is responsible for processing the instructions of the algorithm. The processing unit 1504 receives commands from the control unit 1506 in order to perform its processing. Further, any logical and arithmetic operations involved in the execution of the instructions are computed with the help of the ALU 1508.
[001] The overall computing environment 1502 can be composed of multiple homogeneous or heterogeneous cores, multiple CPUs of different kinds, special media and other accelerators. The processing unit 1504 is responsible for processing the instructions of the algorithm. The processing unit 1504 receives commands from the control unit 1506 in order to perform its processing. Further, any logical and arithmetic operations involved in the execution of the instructions are computed with the help of the ALU 1508. Further, the plurality of process units may be located on a single chip or over multiple chips.
[002] The algorithm comprising of instructions and codes required for the implementation are stored in either the memory unit 1510 or the storage 1512 or both. At the time of execution, the instructions may be fetched from the corresponding memory 1510 or storage 1512, and executed by the processing unit 1504. The processing unit 1504 synchronizes the operations and executes the instructions based on the timing signals generated by the clock chip 1514. The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the elements. The elements shown in the FIGS. 1-3 include various units, blocks, modules, or steps described in relation with methods, processes, algorithms, or systems of the present invention, which can be implemented using any general purpose processor and any combination of programming language, application, and embedded processor.
[003] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS:What is claimed is:
1. A method for radio communication using an electronic device including a plurality of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs), the method comprising:
determining an ear corresponding to at least one sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit; and
automatically selecting a SIM for said radio communication from said plurality of SIMs corresponding to said determined ear.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said method further comprises automatically placing, by said electronic device, an outgoing call, to establish said radio communication with an identifier using said selected SIM, wherein said identifier is a last dialed identifier.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:
detecting a SIM, from said plurality of SIMs, corresponding to an incoming call;
determining whether said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different; and
automatically switching and answering said incoming call to establish said radio communication using said selected SIM in response to determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein automatically switching and answering said incoming call to establish said radio communication using said selected SIM in response to determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different comprises:
sending an alert message to a user of said electronic device in response to determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different, wherein said alert message is associated with a timer eliciting an input data from said user; and
automatically switching and answering said incoming call to establish said radio communication using said selected SIM in response to receiving said input data from said user prior to said timer expires.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said input data comprises a movement of said electronic device, wherein said movement is a curved movement associated with a direction.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:
detecting a SIM, from said plurality of SIMs, corresponding to an incoming call;
determining whether said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different; and
sending a notification message to a caller in response determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different, wherein said notification message includes an identifier associated with said selected SIM.
7. The method of claim 7, wherein sending said notification message to said caller in response determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different comprises:
sending an alert message to a user of said electronic device in response to determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different, wherein said alert message is associated with a timer eliciting an input data from said user; and
sending said notification message to said caller after said timer expires.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining said ear corresponding to said at least one sensor signal received from said at least one sensor unit comprises:
receiving said at least one sensor signal from said at least one sensor unit; and
determining from said at least one sensor signal one of said left ear and said right ear in proximity to said electronic device.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining said ear corresponding to said at least one sensor signal received from said at least one sensor unit comprises:
receiving said at least one sensor signal from said at least one sensor unit; and
determining from said at least one sensor signal presence of an ear piece in said ear, wherein said ear is one of a left ear and a right ear.
10. A method for radio communication using an electronic device including a plurality of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs), the method comprising:
detecting a movement of said electronic device based on a sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit when an event occurs; and
automatically selecting a SIM for said radio communication from said plurality of SIMs corresponding to said movement.
11. The method of claim 14, wherein said method further comprises automatically placing, by said electronic device, an outgoing call, to establish said radio communication with a identifier using said selected SIM, wherein said identifier is a last dialed identifier.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein said movement is a curved movement associated with a direction.
13. A method for radio communication using an electronic device including a plurality of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs), the method comprising:
detecting a movement of said electronic device using at least one sensor unit when an event occurs;
determining a direction of said movement of said electronic device based on a sensor signal from said at least one sensor unit;
determining an ear corresponding to said direction of said movement, wherein said ear is one of a right ear and a left ear; and
automatically selecting a SIM for said radio communication, from said plurality of SIMs, corresponding to said determined ear.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said method further comprises automatically placing, by said electronic device, an outgoing call, to establish said radio communication with an identifier using said selected SIM, wherein said identifier is a last dialed identifier.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein said method further comprises dynamically configuring said selection of said SIM from said plurality of SIMs corresponding to one of said left ear and said right ear based said direction of said movement.
16. A method for radio communication using an electronic device including a plurality of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs), the method comprising:
determining a ear-hand pair corresponding to at least one sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit; and
automatically selecting a SIM for said radio communication from said a plurality of SIMs corresponding to said determined ear-hand pair.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said method further comprises automatically placing, by said electronic device, an outgoing call, to establish said radio communication with a identifier using said selected SIM, wherein said identifier is a last dialed identifier.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein said method further comprises:
detecting a SIM corresponding to an incoming from said plurality of SIMs;
determining whether said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different;
sending an alert message to a user of said electronic device in response to determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different, wherein said alert message is associated with a timer eliciting an input data from said user; and
automatically switching and answering said incoming call to establish said radio communication using said selected SIM in response to receiving said input data from said user prior to said timer expires.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said input data comprises a movement of said electronic device, wherein said movement is a curved movement associated with a direction.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein said method further comprises:
detecting a SIM, from said plurality of SIMs, corresponding to an incoming call;
determining whether said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different;
sending an alert message to a user of said electronic device in response to determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different, wherein said alert message is associated with a timer eliciting an input data from said user; and
sending a notification message to a caller after said timer expires, wherein said notification message includes an identifier associated with said selected SIM.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein determining said ear-hand pair corresponding to said at least one sensor signal received from said at least one sensor unit comprising:
receiving said at least one sensor signal from said at least one sensor unit;
detecting said ear in proximity to said electronic device from said at least one sensor signal, wherein said ear is one of a right ear and a left ear;
detecting a hand from said at least one sensor signal, wherein said hand is one of a right hand and a left hand; and
computing a correlation between said detected ear and said detected hand to determine said ear-hand pair, wherein said ear-hand pair comprises one of said right ear-said right hand pair, said left ear-said left hand pair, said left ear-said right hand pair, and said right ear-said left hand pair.
22. The method of claim 16, wherein determining said ear-hand pair corresponding to said at least one sensor signal received from said at least one sensor unit comprising:
receiving said at least one sensor signal from said at least one sensor unit;
detecting presence of an ear piece in said ear from said at least one sensor signal, wherein said ear is one of a right ear and a left ear;
detecting a hand from said at least one sensor signal, wherein said hand is one of a right hand and a left hand; and
computing a correlation between said detected ear and said detected hand to determine said ear-hand pair, wherein said ear-hand pair comprises one of said right ear-said right hand pair, said left ear-said left hand pair, said left ear-said right hand pair, and said right ear-said left hand pair.
23. An electronic device including a plurality of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) for radio communication, the electronic device comprising a controller unit configured to:
determine an ear corresponding to at least one sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit; and
automatically select a SIM for said radio communication from said plurality of SIMs corresponding to said determined ear.
24. The electronic device of claim 23, wherein said controller unit is further configured to automatically place an outgoing call to establish said radio communication with an identifier using said selected SIM, wherein said identifier is a last dialed identifier.
25. The electronic device of claim 23, wherein said controller unit is further configured to:
detect a SIM, from said plurality of SIMs, corresponding to an incoming call;
determine whether said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different; and
automatically switch and answer said incoming call to establish said radio communication using said selected SIM in response to determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different.
26. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein automatically switch and answer said incoming call to establish said radio communication using said selected SIM in response determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different comprises:
send an alert message to a user of said electronic device in response to determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different, wherein said alert message is associated with a timer eliciting an input data from said user; and
automatically switch and answer said incoming call to establish said radio communication using said selected SIM in response to receiving said input data from said user prior to said timer expires.
27. The electronic device of claim 23, wherein said input data comprises a movement of said electronic device, wherein said movement is a curved movement associated with a direction.
28. The electronic device of claim 23, wherein said controller unit is further configured to:
detect a SIM, from said plurality of SIMs, corresponding to an incoming call;
determine whether said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different; and
send a notification message to a caller in response determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different, wherein said notification message includes an identifier associated with said selected SIM.
29. The electronic device of claim 28, wherein send said notification message to said caller in response determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different comprises:
send an alert message to a user of said electronic device in response to determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different, wherein said alert message is associated with a timer eliciting an input data from said user; and
send said notification message to said caller after said timer expires.
30. The electronic device of claim 23, wherein determine said ear corresponding to said at least one sensor signal received from said at least one sensor unit comprises:
receive said at least one sensor signal from said at least one sensor unit; and
determine from said at least one sensor signal one of said left ear and said right ear in proximity to said electronic device.
31. The electronic device of claim 23, wherein determine said ear corresponding to said at least one sensor signal received from said at least one sensor unit comprises:
receive said at least one sensor signal from said at least one sensor unit; and
determine from said at least one sensor signal presence of an ear piece in said ear, wherein said ear is one of a left ear and a right ear.
32. An electronic device including a plurality of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs)for radio communication, the electronic device comprising a controller unit configured to:
detect a movement of said electronic device based on a sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit when an event occurs; and
automatically select a SIM for said radio communication from said plurality of SIMs corresponding to said movement.
33. The electronic device of claim 32, wherein said controller unit is further configured to automatically place an outgoing call to establish said radio communication with an identifier using said selected SIM, wherein said identifier is a last dialed identifier.
34. The electronic device of claim 32, wherein said movement is a curved movement associated with a direction.
35. An electronic device including a plurality of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) for radio communication, the electronic device comprising a controller unit configured to:
detect a movement of said electronic device using at least one sensor unit when an event occurs;
determine a direction of said movement of said electronic device based on a sensor signal from said at least one sensor unit;
determine an ear corresponding to said direction of said movement, wherein said ear is one of a right ear and a left ear; and
automatically select a SIM for said radio communication, from said plurality of SIMs, corresponding to said determined ear.
36. The electronic device of claim 35, wherein said controller unit is further configured to automatically place an outgoing call to establish said radio communication with an identifier using said selected SIM, wherein said identifier is a last dialed identifier.
37. The electronic device of claim 35, wherein said controller unit is further configured to dynamically configure said selection of said SIM from said plurality of SIMs corresponding to one of said left ear and said right ear based said direction of said movement.
38. An electronic device including a plurality of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs)for radio communication, the electronic device comprising a controller unit configured to:
determine a ear-hand pair corresponding to at least one sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit; and
automatically select a SIM for said radio communication from said a plurality of SIMs corresponding to said determined ear-hand pair.
39. The electronic device of claim 38, wherein said controller unit is further configured to automatically place an outgoing call to establish said radio communication with an identifier using said selected SIM, wherein said identifier is a last dialed identifier.
40. The electronic device of claim 38, wherein said controller unit is further configured to:
detect a SIM corresponding to an incoming from said plurality of SIMs;
determine whether said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different;
send an alert message to a user of said electronic device in response to determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different, wherein said alert message is associated with a timer eliciting an input data from said user; and
automatically switch and answer said incoming call to establish said radio communication using said selected SIM in response to receiving said input data from said user prior to said timer expires.
41. The electronic device of claim 40, wherein said input data comprises a movement of said electronic device, wherein said movement is a curved movement associated with a direction.
42. The electronic device of claim 38, wherein said controller unit is further configured to:
detect a SIM, from said plurality of SIMs, corresponding to an incoming call;
determine whether said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different;
send an alert message to a user of said electronic device in response to determining that said selected SIM and said SIM corresponding to said incoming call is different, wherein said alert message is associated with a timer eliciting an input data from said user; and
send a notification message to a caller after said timer expires, wherein said notification message includes an identifier associated with said selected SIM.
43. The electronic device of claim 38, wherein determine said ear-hand pair corresponding to said at least one sensor signal received from said at least one sensor unit comprising:
receive said at least one sensor signal from said at least one sensor unit;
detect said ear in proximity to said electronic device from said at least one sensor signal, wherein said ear is one of a right ear and a left ear;
detect a hand from said at least one sensor signal, wherein said hand is one of a right hand and a left hand; and
compute a correlation between said detected ear and said detected hand to determine said ear-hand pair, wherein said ear-hand pair comprises one of said right ear-said right hand pair, said left ear-said left hand pair, said left ear-said right hand pair, and said right ear-said left hand pair.
44. The electronic device of claim 38, wherein determine said ear-hand pair corresponding to said at least one sensor signal received from said at least one sensor unit comprising:
receive said at least one sensor signal from said at least one sensor unit;
detect presence of an ear piece in said ear from said at least one sensor signal, wherein said ear is one of a right ear and a left ear;
detect a hand from said at least one sensor signal, wherein said hand is one of a right hand and a left hand; and
compute a correlation between said detected ear and said detected hand to determine said ear-hand pair, wherein said ear-hand pair comprises one of said right ear-said right hand pair, said left ear-said left hand pair, said left ear-said right hand pair, and said right ear-said left hand pair.
45. A computer program product comprising a computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable non-transitory storage medium, wherein said computer executable program code when executed causing the actions:
determining an ear corresponding to at least one sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit; and
automatically selecting a SIM for said radio communication from said plurality of SIMs corresponding to said determined ear.
46. A computer program product comprising a computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable non-transitory storage medium, wherein said computer executable program code when executed causing the actions:
detecting a movement of said electronic device based on a sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit when an event occurs; and
automatically selecting a SIM for said radio communication from said plurality of SIMs corresponding to said movement.
47. A computer program product comprising a computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable non-transitory storage medium, wherein said computer executable program code when executed causing the actions:
detecting a movement of said electronic device using at least one sensor unit when an event occurs;
determining a direction of said movement of said electronic device based on a sensor signal from said at least one sensor unit;
determining an ear corresponding to said direction of said movement, wherein said ear is one of a right ear and a left ear; and
automatically selecting a SIM for said radio communication, from said plurality of SIMs, corresponding to said determined ear.
48. A computer program product comprising a computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable non-transitory storage medium, wherein said computer executable program code when executed causing the actions:
determining a ear-hand pair corresponding to at least one sensor signal received from at least one sensor unit; and
automatically selecting a SIM for said radio communication from said a plurality of SIMs corresponding to said determined ear-hand pair.