# US 12,604,177 B2 · Configuring multiple subscriber operation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,604,177 B2 - Document ID: US12604177B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/362,844 - Filed: 2023-07-31 - Published: 2024-02-08 - Granted: 2026-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2022-08-05 - Assignees: Vodafone Group Services Limited - Applicants: Vodafone Group Services Limited - Inventors: Chandrika Worrall; Alexey Kulakov - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12604177B2 ## CPC - H04W 8/183: {Processing at user equipment or user record carrier} - H04W 76/15: Setup of multiple wireless link connections - H04W 72/51: based on terminal or device properties - H04W 88/06: adapted for operation in multiple networks {or having at least two operational modes}, e.g. multi-mode terminals - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract The disclosure concerns configuring operation of a User Equipment (UE) with a first cellular network as a first subscriber, the UE simultaneously operating with a second cellular network as a second, different subscriber. At a network entity of the first cellular network, information on a communication activity pattern for the UE with the second cellular network is received. Operation of the UE with the first cellular network is configured based on the received communication activity pattern. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for configuring operation of a User Equipment, UE, with a first cellular network as a first subscriber, the UE simultaneously operating with a second cellular network as a second, different subscriber, the method comprising: receiving, at a network entity of the first cellular network, information on a communication activity pattern for the UE with the second cellular network, wherein the communication activity pattern is defined for a period of time; and configuring operation of the UE with the first cellular network based on the received communication activity pattern. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the UE is configured for simultaneous operation with the first cellular network using both a master or primary cell and a secondary cell and wherein the step of configuring operation of the UE with the first cellular network comprises controlling activation and/or deactivation of the secondary cell with the UE based on the received communication activity pattern. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the UE is configured for dual connectivity operation with the first cellular network using both a Master Cell Group, MCG, and a Secondary Cell Group, SCG, and wherein the step of controlling activation and/or deactivation of the SCG with the UE based on the received communication activity pattern comprises communicating a Radio Resource Control, RRC, signalling. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the UE is configured for carrier aggregation operation with the first cellular network using both a primary cell, PCell, and a secondary cell, SCell, and wherein the step of controlling activation and/or deactivation of the SCell with the UE based on the received communication activity pattern comprises communicating a Medium Access Control, MAC, Control Element, CE. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the MAC CE further includes Tracking Reference Signal, TRS, data and/or wherein the MAC CE comprises an extended Logical Channel ID, eLCID, portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the step of controlling activation and/or deactivation of the secondary cell of the first cellular network with the UE based on the received communication activity pattern comprises deactivating the secondary cell in response to user data for transmission to the UE arriving at the second cellular network. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the information on the communication activity pattern for the UE with the second cellular network is communicated from a network entity of the second cellular network to the network entity of the first cellular network. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the information on the communication activity pattern for the UE is communicated from the UE to the network entity of the first cellular network. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the information on the communication activity pattern for the UE is communicated from the UE to the network entity of the first cellular network in a form of a UE preference for temporary capability limitation on the first cellular network. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A network entity of a cellular network, configured to perform the method of claim 1. ### Claim 11 A method for configuring operation of a User Equipment, UE, with a first cellular network as a first subscriber, the UE simultaneously operating with a second cellular network as a second, different subscriber, the method comprising: communicating from the UE or from a network entity of the second cellular network to a network entity of the first cellular network, information on a communication activity pattern for the UE with the second cellular network, in order to allow the network entity of the first cellular network to configure operation of the UE with the first cellular network, wherein the communication activity pattern is defined for a period of time. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: identifying that user data for transmission to the UE has arrived at the second cellular network and communicating the information on the communication activity pattern for the UE in response to the identification. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the identifying comprises receiving the user data at the UE. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the defined period of time is a radio frame or a group of radio frames. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A User Equipment, UE, configured for operating with a first cellular network as a first subscriber and simultaneously with a second cellular network as a second, different subscriber, the UE being further configured to perform the method of claim 11. ### Claim 16 A network entity of a first cellular network, said network entity comprising: one or more processors; and one or more hardware storage devices that store instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to cause the network entity to: receive information on a communication activity pattern for a user equipment (UE) with a second cellular network, wherein the communication activity pattern is defined for a period of time; and configure operation of the UE with the first cellular network based on the received communication activity pattern.