Managing paging conflicts between communication networks

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed. In an example, a method is disclosed for a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) to manage paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks. Each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks is associated with a respective first universal subscriber identity module (USIM) of the plurality of USIMs, the USIM, and the one or more second USIMs. The method includes receiving, from a first communication network, a first paging configuration message indicating a first upcoming paging occasion, and receiving, from one or more second communication networks, one or more second paging configuration messages indicating a second upcoming paging occasion. The method further includes, when a first number of paging occasion conflicts between the first upcoming paging occasion and the second upcoming paging occasion and / or a second number of paging occasion non-conflicts between the first upcoming paging occasion and the second upcoming paging occasion satisfy a paging occasion condition, determining that the paging occasion is not conflicted between the first upcoming paging occasion and the second upcoming paging occasion. A procedure is triggered with at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks for reducing paging occasion conflicts. Each of one or more paging occasion conflicts between a first upcoming paging occasion and a second upcoming paging occasion includes a first duration of a paging occasion associated with a first communication network and a second duration of a paging occasion associated with one or more second communication networks that are not temporally flushed the time period between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than a switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to one of the one or more second USIMs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The examples in this disclosure generally relate to the field of wireless communications. More specifically, the examples in this disclosure relate to managing paging conflicts between communication networks in wireless communication devices equipped with multiple USIMs. Background Technology

[0002] Multiple USIM (Multiple Universal Subscriber Identity Modules) or MUSIM is a term used to describe the feature that multiple USIMs (Universal Subscriber Identity Modules) can be used in a single user equipment (UE), such as a single smartphone. The MUSIM feature has been commercialized for over 10 years and is available from all major smartphone brands globally. Since its introduction, it has achieved great success in some markets (e.g., China). It has since become a common feature supported by many major smartphone brands worldwide. For example, the Apple iPhone 12 supports MUSIM with two physical SIM cards in China, while in all other regions it supports one physical SIM and one embedded SIM (eSIM). In this disclosure, the terms MUSIM, multiple USIM, and multiple SIM are used interchangeably. Similarly, the terms USIM and SIM are used interchangeably. Furthermore, in this disclosure, the terms terminal, communication device, and UE are used interchangeably.

[0003] The MUSIM function allows a UE to connect to several different network operators, each network / operator associated with a corresponding USIM for the UE. Therefore, a UE with multiple valid USIMs can use the identities and certificates associated with these USIMs to access the network via 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), initiate and maintain separate registration states simultaneously with (multiple) PLMNs, and support one or more of the following: NAS signaling connection release, paging indication for voice services, paging request rejection, paging restrictions, and paging timing conflict control.

[0004] Typically, when a UE registers with the network, the network configures a paging opportunity (PO) for the UE, indicating when the network can page the UE, i.e., when the UE needs to monitor paging messages sent by the network. Therefore, a UE configured in RRC_IDLE and / or RRC_INACTIVE states can enter sleep mode between POs to conserve battery power. Paging configurations typically describe (at least) the following characteristics: when (in time) a PO occurs; the periodicity of PO recurrence; and the duration of the PO (e.g., one subframe in 1ms).

[0005] When a terminal / UE uses multiple USIMs, it should be able to communicate with each network associated with the respective USIM, even if the network is generally unaware that the UE is equipped with a USIM from another PLMN. Typically, if a UE is equipped with two USIMs, the idle UE receives paging configuration in the first PLMN, enabling it to calculate multiple Points of Interest (POs) for the PLMN associated with the first USIM, and also receives paging configuration in the second PLMN, enabling it to calculate multiple POs for the PLMN associated with the second USIM. Since the 3GPP standard does not define any coordination to support MUSIM operation, PO overlap may occur between the two networks. The terms "PO conflict" and "PO overlap" are used interchangeably in this disclosure.

[0006] Paging point (PO) overlap can cause several problems, such as the UE being unable to detect the PO in the first PLMN when it attempts to contact the UE. This results in the network (in this case, the first PLMN) being unable to contact the UE. When the UE fails to receive the paging message, paging escalation occurs, meaning the paging message may be repeated several times until paging stops. This results in what is known as a paging failure. Paging failures can also occur for other reasons, such as poor network planning, which operators often do not know what caused the failure. Therefore, the number of paging failures is one of the metrics that network operators want to minimize. Furthermore, it is also desirable to minimize the number of paging failures caused by conditions beyond the operator's control. More seriously, operators may not even be able to easily perform root cause analysis to understand why paging failures occur because the first PLMN cannot control UE actions with respect to the second PLMN or is unaware of the UE configuration associated with the second PLMN.

[0007] Another issue is that sending paging messages multiple times consumes radio resources, reducing the amount of radio resources available to other UEs. Furthermore, repeated paging also increases network-side power consumption.

[0008] Even if the UE eventually responds to subsequent paging, another problem arises: delays due to being forced to repeat paging several times, such as session setup delays. If paging escalation fails, this can also lead to session setup failure. Both session setup delays and session setup failures are important metrics (Key Performance Indicators, KPIs) that network operators want to optimize. In other words, operators may want to minimize or maximize certain KPIs.

[0009] To reduce or avoid PO overlap, when a UE uses two (or more) USIMs, namely physical SIM cards and / or eSIMs, the Rel-17 Multi-SIM Work Item (WI) standardizes support for better coordinated multi-SIM operation of MUSIM UEs with UE assistance.

[0010] An example of this assistance is paging timing conflict control. To minimize potential paging timing conflicts and increase the likelihood of successful paging reception across different networks, multi-USIM UEs can provide a determined request for an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset value for paging timing against at least one USIM. After receiving the requested IMSI offset value from the UE in an attach request or tracking area update request, the Mobility Management Entity (MME) supports providing the UE with an accepted IMSI offset value in the attach accept or tracking area update accept message, confirming its support for the feature and providing the accepted value. The accepted IMSI offset value may differ from the requested IMSI offset provided by the UE. The UE and the network use the accepted IMSI offset to determine the paging timing for that network.

[0011] For UEs in 4G (i.e. connected to the evolved packet system (EPS) core network (CN)), the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specification defines a signaling mechanism that the UE can use to indicate to the network a requested IMSI offset value for calculating the paging timing. This offset value can be used to avoid possible PO conflicts and increase the likelihood that different PLMNs associated with different USIMs will successfully receive paging.

[0012] For a UE in a 5G CN, the UE can perform a new Non-Access Stratum (NAS) mobility registration to receive a new 5G Globally Unique Temporary Identifier (5G-GUTI) to update the PO for that network. In this case, the UE cannot send the requested IMSI offset; instead, the newly assigned 5G-GUTI is different in each NAS mobility registration procedure, so the new procedure may result in a new 5G-GUTI, thus resolving PO overlap.

[0013] Patent application US 2015 / 0163827 A1 describes a solution for detecting paging timing overlap under various conditions, taking into account paging repetition time, for monitoring paging of two USIMs with specific priorities. Various procedures for changing paging when a paging collision is detected are also described. However, attempting to change the paging timing whenever overlap / collision is detected may not always be beneficial, as this can lead to significant signaling overhead without improving actual performance.

[0014] Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus for managing paging conflicts between POs associated with multiple USIMs in a single UE. Summary of the Invention

[0015] It should be emphasized that the term "including / comprises" used in this specification is used to specify the presence of the said feature, integer, step or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0016] Some embodiments aim to eliminate at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide methods and apparatus for managing paging conflicts in wireless communication devices such as UEs.

[0017] One aspect of this disclosure provides a method for managing paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks for a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs). Each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks is associated with a corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, and one or more second USIMs in the plurality of USIMs. The method includes receiving a first paging configuration message from the first communication network indicating a first upcoming paging timing, and receiving one or more second paging configuration messages from the one or more second communication networks indicating a second upcoming paging timing. The method further includes triggering a procedure with at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks to reduce paging timing conflicts when a first number of paging timing conflicts between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing and / or a second number of non-conflicting paging timings between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing satisfy a paging timing condition. Each of one or more paging timing conflicts between a first upcoming paging opportunity and a second upcoming paging opportunity includes a time when the first duration of the paging opportunity associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging opportunity associated with one or more second communication networks do not overlap in time, and the time interval between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to one or more second USIMs. Additionally, or alternatively, each of one or more non-conflicting paging timings between a first upcoming paging opportunity and a second upcoming paging opportunity includes a time when the first duration of the paging opportunity associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging opportunity associated with one or more second communication networks do not overlap in time, and the time interval between the first duration and the second duration is greater than or equal to the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to one or more second USIMs.

[0018] Another aspect of this disclosure provides a method for a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) to manage paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks. Each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks is associated with a corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, and one or more second USIMs in the plurality of USIMs. The method includes receiving a first paging configuration message from the first communication network indicating a first upcoming paging timing, and receiving one or more second paging configuration messages from the one or more second communication networks indicating a second upcoming paging timing. The method further includes triggering a procedure with at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks when a first number of paging timing overlaps between the first and second upcoming paging timings and / or a second number of non-overlapping paging timings between the first and second upcoming paging timings satisfy a paging timing condition.

[0019] Another aspect of this disclosure provides a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computer program including program instructions stored thereon. The computer program is configured to be loaded into a data processing unit, the data processing unit including a processor and memory associated with or integrated with the data processing unit. When loaded into the data processing unit, the computer program is configured to be stored in memory, wherein when loaded into the processor and executed by the processor, the computer program is configured to cause the processor to perform the method steps according to the above aspects.

[0020] Another aspect of this disclosure provides an apparatus for managing paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks in a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs). Each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks is associated with a corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, and one or more second USIMs in the plurality of USIMs. The apparatus includes control circuitry configured to receive a first paging configuration message indicating a first upcoming paging timing from the first communication network; receive one or more second paging configuration messages indicating a second upcoming paging timing from the one or more second communication networks; and trigger a procedure with at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks to reduce paging timing conflicts when a first number of paging timing conflicts between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing and / or a second number of non-conflicting paging timings between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing satisfy a paging timing condition. Each of one or more paging timing conflicts between a first upcoming paging opportunity and a second upcoming paging opportunity includes a time when the first duration of the paging opportunity associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging opportunity associated with one or more second communication networks do not overlap in time, and the time interval between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to one or more second USIMs. Additionally, or alternatively, each of one or more non-conflicting paging timings between a first upcoming paging opportunity and a second upcoming paging opportunity includes a time when the first duration of the paging opportunity associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging opportunity associated with one or more second communication networks do not overlap in time, and the time interval between the first duration and the second duration is greater than or equal to the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to one or more second USIMs.

[0021] Another aspect of this disclosure provides an apparatus for managing paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks in a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs). Each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks is associated with a corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, and one or more second USIMs in the plurality of USIMs. The apparatus includes control circuitry configured to receive a first paging configuration message indicating a first upcoming paging timing from the first communication network, receive one or more second paging configuration messages indicating a second upcoming paging timing from the one or more second communication networks, and trigger a procedure with at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks when a first number of paging timing overlaps between the first and second upcoming paging timings and / or a second number of paging timings that do not overlap between the first and second upcoming paging timings satisfy a paging timing condition.

[0022] Advantages of some embodiments may include reducing or avoiding paging timing conflicts between networks in the UE and / or increasing the likelihood of successful paging reception for different USIMs in the UE. Another advantage of some embodiments may include reducing signaling in the communication network, which can lead to, for example, improved network efficiency and / or improved power consumption for the UE or the network. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Further objects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and the focus is on illustrating exemplary embodiments.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating example method steps according to some embodiments; Figure 2a , 2b 2c is a schematic diagram illustrating an example paging configuration according to some embodiments; Figure 3a , 3b 3c is a schematic diagram illustrating an example paging configuration according to some embodiments; Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating example method steps according to some embodiments; Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus according to some embodiments; Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating an example computer program product according to some embodiments; Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating example method steps according to some embodiments; Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus according to some embodiments; and Figure 9 This is a block diagram illustrating an example computer program product according to some embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described and illustrated more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the solutions disclosed herein can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0026] In the following, embodiments will be described in which conditions are determined for when to trigger procedures with one or more networks to avoid paging timing conflicts associated with one or more networks.

[0027] Generally, it should be noted that in this disclosure, the terms wireless network, wireless communication network, (communication) network, (network) operator, and PLMN are used interchangeably. In some examples, the network may also be a private network, a non-public network, or a non-public land mobile network (NPLMN).

[0028] Similarly, the terms terminal, UE, (wireless) device, and (wireless) communication device are used interchangeably in this document.

[0029] The embodiments described herein are applicable in a typical scenario where a communication device is equipped with multiple USIMs (e.g., two or more). Each USIM is associated with a corresponding network. The communication device typically receives paging configurations from each network, where the paging configurations indicate to the wireless communication device when a paging opportunity (PO) can be expected, and therefore it should listen for paging from each network.

[0030] Figure 1 An example method 100 according to some embodiments is illustrated. Method 100 is used for a wireless communication device (e.g., a UE) equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs). The method is generally used to manage paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks, wherein each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks is associated with a corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, and one or more second Universal Subscriber Identity Modules, USIMs, among a plurality of USIMs.

[0031] Method 100 begins in step 110 by receiving a first paging configuration message from a first communication network that indicates an upcoming paging opportunity.

[0032] Then, in step 120, method 100 includes receiving one or more second paging configuration messages from one or more second communication networks indicating an upcoming paging timing. Typically, in some examples, method 100 may include receiving paging configurations from each network (including a first network and one or more second networks) associated with a USIM included in the communication device. For example, if the communication device is equipped with four USIMs, it can receive four paging configuration messages, each from a network associated with each USIM. In other words, the communication device can receive paging configuration messages from the network for each USIM equipped with the communication device.

[0033] It should be noted that steps 110 and 120 can occur in any order, and the terms “first” and “one or more second” paging configuration messages used herein do not refer to the order in which the wireless communication device receives the paging configuration messages.

[0034] Next, in step 130, method 100 includes triggering a procedure with at least one of a first communication network and one or more second communication networks to reduce paging timing conflicts when a first number of paging timing overlaps between a first upcoming paging timing and a second upcoming paging timing and / or a second number of paging timings that do not overlap between a first upcoming paging timing and a second upcoming paging timing satisfies a paging timing condition.

[0035] Therefore, method 100 may include, for example, a wireless communication device collecting paging configurations from a network associated with the equipped USIM. The device can then compare the paging configurations to determine whether one or more paging configurations should be attempted by triggering one or more procedures associated with one or more networks (thereby reducing or avoiding paging timing conflicts). In some examples, simply detecting paging conflicts may not be sufficient; instead, the procedure may be triggered based on other factors, such as the number of non-conflicting paging opportunities (i.e., the number of non-overlapping post-ops).

[0036] In some examples, triggering the procedure in step 130 includes performing a non-access stratum (NAS) mobility registration with a 5G core network (5G CN) associated with a first communication network or one or more second communication networks. This is typically applicable when the PLMN triggering the procedure is a 5G network. For example, this could result in the UE obtaining a new 5G Globally Unique Temporary Identifier (5G-GUTI) for that network, which can then be used to determine different POs for that network. This could result in a reduction in the number of PO overlaps between that network and one or more other networks. If this is not the case in some examples, the procedure can be repeated to obtain another new 5G-GUTI, or the UE can try changing the PO configuration for different networks.

[0037] In some examples, triggering the procedure involves performing a non-access stratum (NAS) mobility registration.

[0038] In some examples, triggering the procedure involves sending a requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset to the Evolved Packet System Core Network (EPS CN) associated with at least one communication network, such as in an attach request or tracking area update (TAU) request sent to the EPS CN. This is typically applicable when the PLMN triggering the procedure is an LTE network.

[0039] In some examples, triggering the program involves requesting changes to the paging configuration.

[0040] Therefore, in some examples, if the communication device triggers a procedure with the first network, in response, it can receive a reconfiguration of the first paging configuration from the first network associated with the first USIM. If the communication device triggers a procedure with the second network, in response, it can receive a reconfiguration of the second paging configuration from the second PLMN associated with the second USIM. Therefore, triggering the procedure in step 130 can result in a change in the network paging timing. Based on the response from the network and the reconfigured paging timing, PO overlap can be reduced and / or avoided.

[0041] The paging timing is usually located in the paging frame and is identified by the sequence frame number (SFN, i.e., radio frame number) and index i_s, as specified in 3GPP TS 36.304 V17.0.0 (2022-03) and 3GPP TS 38.304 V17.0.0.

[0042] The wireless communication device can derive the SFN and index i_s from the received paging configuration. Based on this configuration, the communication device can calculate when the paging opportunity will occur; for example, there might be a location on the PDCCH where a P-RNTI is sent for the wireless communication device.

[0043] Paging timing can typically have a duration or correspond to a time-domain unit, and in some embodiments, includes paging timing configured by the network. In some examples, the duration / time-domain unit can be a subframe, time slot, radio frame, etc. In some examples, paging timing can be used by the network to send a paging message that includes an identifier, such as a Paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (P-RNTI) sent on a control channel (such as CORESET and / or Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH)), to address the communication device. In some examples, the network may not send a paging message to the communication device in each PO configured for that network within the communication device.

[0044] In some examples, each paging timing overlap between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing includes one of the following: Full paging timing overlap occurs when the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network completely overlaps temporally with the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks; partial paging timing overlap occurs when the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network partially overlaps temporally with the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks; or near paging timing overlap occurs when the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network and the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks do not overlap temporally, and the time interval between the first and second durations is shorter than the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from a first USIM to a second USIM to receive paging. In some examples, paging timings may experience full paging timing overlap with time-aligned POs (Positions) of other networks. This may occur, for example, when multiple PLMNs are synchronized in the time domain and have a time alignment structure for overlapping POs (Positions), such as two overlapping subframes (1 ms) in the time domain. Therefore, for example, full paging timing overlap between two paging timings may mean that the two paging timings start and end simultaneously.

[0045] Examples of overlapping paging times are provided by Figure 2a As shown, the horizontal axis represents time. Figure 2a In the diagram, a first paging configuration 210 indicating a first paging timing 211 associated with a first communication network and a second paging configuration 220 indicating two paging timings 221 and 222 associated with a second communication network are shown together. Paging timings 211 and 221 completely overlap. That is, the start times of paging timings 211 and 221 are aligned, and the end times of paging timings 211 and 221 are also aligned.

[0046] Figure 2a Further illustrating the near overlap of paging timings, which in some examples might be considered a paging timing conflict. The paging timing 222 of the second paging configuration 220 does not actually overlap with paging timing 211 in time. However, various factors can affect the time required for the communication device to switch between different USIMS and networks to monitor paging timings between different networks. This switching time 230 is as follows... Figure 2aAs shown. The start of the paging timing 222 of the second paging configuration 220 is scheduled within the switching time of the paging timing 211 of the first paging configuration 210. Therefore, the time period 232 between the first duration and the second duration (i.e., between the end of PO 211 and the start of PO 222) is shorter than the switching time 230 for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to the second USIM to receive paging. Therefore, for example, if the communication device is monitoring the paging timing 211 of the first network, it will not be able to switch to the second USIM in time to monitor the entire paging timing 222 of the second network.

[0047] Therefore, in some examples, the handover time, characterized as the time required for a wireless communication device to switch from one network to another, can be added to the network's post-transfer (PO) duration. This can be considered when determining whether the PO overlaps with another, because in some cases, such as... Figure 2a As shown, two or more Paging Points (POs) from a first network and a second network (or more) may not overlap during their PO durations. However, if the end of a PO from the first network is too close in time to the start of a second paging timing from the second network, the communication device may not have enough time to switch from the PO from the first network to the PO from the second network. Therefore, in some examples of this disclosure, for the purpose of triggering the procedure in step 130 of method 100, paging timing overlap is considered to include close paging timing overlaps, such as the case between POs 211 and 222.

[0048] In some examples, when two networks use the same frequency or are in the same frequency band, or use adjacent carriers in the same frequency band, the handover time may be very small, such as less than one OFDM symbol, or at least less than 1 ms. When two networks are in the same frequency range, such as frequency range 1 (FR1), depending on the frequency band class (e.g., low band <1 GHz, mid band 2.4 GHz, or mid-high frequency band 3.5 GHz), the handover time in some examples may depend on the receiver architecture of the wireless communication device, such as whether the same RF transceiver can support both networks. However, between the low-frequency band and the mid-frequency band or the high-frequency band, the handover time may be >1 ms or 2-3 ms. When two networks are not in the same frequency range, for example, one in FR1 and one in FR2, then different RF transceivers are expected to be used for the two different networks. In these examples, the handover time can be, for example, 3-10 ms.

[0049] In some examples, a large overlap (e.g., more than 25%, more than 40%, more than 50%, or any other significant overlap) of POs with approximate durations (e.g., all 1 ms) can be represented by the time between the start times of two subframes. Therefore, in some embodiments, a communication device considers POs to overlap when the duration of the time difference (e.g., in seconds, milliseconds, etc.) between the end of a PO in the first network and the start of a PO in the second network is shorter than the handover time, i.e., shorter than the time required for the communication device to switch networks. If this time difference is shorter than the handover time, in practice, although the PO durations are not actually overlapping, the effect is the same as if they overlap, because the communication device does not have time to switch between the POs in different networks.

[0050] Furthermore, in some embodiments, paging timing may experience partial PO overlap with time-aligned POs from other networks. For example, when a communication device is configured with paging timings from multiple PLMNs, partial PO overlap may occur, where two (or more) POs from different networks only partially overlap in the time domain, for example, by a certain percentage. In some embodiments, the term "partial" refers to a percentage, where if the percentage is 100%, it can be a complete overlap, and if the overlap is less than 100%, it is a partial overlap. Therefore, it can be noted that in some embodiments, partial overlap can be considered as complete overlap. That is, for example, the UE's "partial" overlap count can include complete overlap where the percentage of "partial" overlap is 100%.

[0051] Examples of overlapping paging timings are in Figure 2b The graph is shown in the image, where the horizontal axis represents time. (And...) Figure 2a similar, Figure 2b A first paging configuration 210 is shown associated with a first network that indicates the first paging timing 211. Figure 2b A second paging configuration 220 associated with a second network indicating a second paging timing 221 is further illustrated. Partial paging timing overlap is illustrated by a first paging timing 211 of the first network and a second paging timing 221 of the second network, wherein the duration of the first paging timing 211 partially overlaps in time with the duration of the second paging timing 221. Therefore, in some examples, partial paging timing overlap can be defined as when the first duration of a paging timing associated with the first communication network partially overlaps in time with the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks.

[0052] In some embodiments, PO overlap may be referred to as lack of time alignment. For example, a temporal unit of a PO configured for a first network (associated with a first USIM), such as subframe A, may partially overlap but not completely overlap with a temporal unit of a PO configured for a second network (associated with a second USIM), such as subframe B. Even if they are not time aligned, the POs of the first PLMN and the POs of the second PLMN may still have similar temporal units and similar extensions; for example, the PO may be a 1ms subframe.

[0053] In some embodiments, non-overlapping paging timings may include a first duration of paging timings associated with a first communication network and a second duration of paging timings associated with one or more second communication networks that do not overlap in time, and in some examples, the time interval between the first duration and the second duration is at least as long as the switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from a first USIM to a second USIM to receive (or at least monitor) paging.

[0054] Figure 2c An example of a scenario in which both partial and complete paging timing overlap occurs is shown, where the horizontal axis represents time. Figure 2c A first paging configuration 210 associated with a first network and indicating a first paging timing 211 is shown. A second paging configuration 220 associated with a second network and indicating a second paging timing 221 is also shown. From the perspective of the first network, the first paging timing 211 and the second paging timing 221 partially overlap. From the perspective of the second network, the second paging timing 211 and the first paging timing 221 completely overlap. In either case, paging timing overlap occurs, and the communication device will be unable to monitor the full duration of both timings, or even any part of at least one timing.

[0055] Therefore, in some embodiments, PO overlap is considered to exist when there is partial PO overlap for the first network and possible complete PO overlap for the second network, provided that the duration of one PO is shorter than that of another PO and it is within the other PO. In these examples, multiple networks can have different PO durations(s). For example, the first network has a PO duration of 1 ms, while the second network has a PO duration of 0.5 ms. This results in the second PO falling entirely within the first PO in the time domain.

[0056] It should be noted that Figure 2a , 2b2c is purely an illustrative example, and the definitions provided for various types of overlapping and non-overlapping paging timings can be extended to situations involving more than two USIMs and networks. Therefore, when more than two USIMs, networks, and paging configurations are involved, a paging timing for a first network might overlap with a third network but not with a second network, or overlap with POs for multiple networks, etc. Similarly, different networks may have different frequencies of PO scheduling, meaning that within a given time period, there may be more POs for one network than for another.

[0057] In some cases, two or more networks are not time-aligned, resulting in misaligned frames between networks and completely independent SFNs from the networks. Even if the two networks are time-aligned, their SFNs may still be time-misaligned. In this situation, the SFN value is insufficient to indicate whether POs overlap. In some examples, the communication device can temporally correlate the SFNs of the networks to determine whether the POs overlap (or partially overlap), or whether they are non-overlapping but within each other's transmission time (i.e., nearly overlapping). In some examples, the communication device can convert the SFN associated with the PO to a corresponding absolute time relative to the communication device. For example, the absolute time could be the number of subframes or seconds since the UE was powered on. By comparing the absolute time values, the communication device can determine in advance whether the POs overlap, partially overlap, or nearly overlap (e.g., non-overlapping but within each other's transmission time).

[0058] In some examples, a communication device may attempt to use a receiver to monitor paging when a Page Request (PO) occurs on a network. If the receiver is "busy," for example because it is already being used to monitor paging on another network, this indicates that the two POs overlap (or partially overlap) or are close to overlapping.

[0059] Existing technology solutions focus on detecting paging timing conflicts (e.g., US 2015 / 0163827A1 mentioned earlier) and applying adversarial procedures to reduce or eliminate the conflicts. However, in existing technologies, countermeasures are taken immediately once a conflict is detected. This may not always be beneficial, as it can lead to unnecessary signaling overhead and potentially increase energy consumption in the network, and in some cases, increase latency and negatively impact network performance.

[0060] Therefore, the examples described in this disclosure focus on triggering countermeasures based on whether the number of overlapping and / or non-overlapping paging times derived for various networks satisfies paging timing conditions. Thus, unnecessary triggering of various procedures for changing the paging configuration of one or more networks can be avoided.

[0061] In some examples, the paging timing condition is satisfied when at least one of the following applies within a time period: a first number of overlapping paging times between a first upcoming paging time and a second upcoming paging time and / or a second number of non-overlapping paging times between a first upcoming paging time and a second upcoming paging time: For more than half of the first communication networks and each of one or more second communication networks, an upcoming paging opportunity overlaps with one or more paging opportunities for at least one other communication network; for more than half of the first communication networks and each of one or more second communication networks, more than half of the upcoming paging opportunities overlap with one or more paging opportunities for at least one other communication network; the number of overlapping paging opportunities for at least one of the first communication networks and one or more second communication networks exceeds an overlap threshold; the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities for at least one of the first communication networks and one or more second communication networks is less than a non-overlap threshold; and / or the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities is zero. In some examples, when the wireless communication is in an idle or inactive mode, such as RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE mode, or in a disconnected mode, such as a mode other than RRC_CONNECTED, the time period is at least one paging cycle or discontinuous reception, DRX, cycle of the wireless communication device.

[0062] In some examples, this time period is the first paging cycle (or multiple paging cycles) of the first communication network. The first paging cycle may be longer than the second paging cycle associated with one or more second communication networks.

[0063] In some examples, the time period is a time-domain unit. The time period can be, for example, 1ms, 10ms, 1 second, or any other time period suitable for the communication system.

[0064] As described above, in some examples, when a paging configuration message associated with each network has been received, the communication device can determine or calculate that, for more than half of the first communication networks and each of one or more second communication networks, an upcoming paging timing has one or more paging timings overlapping with at least one other communication network, or for more than half of the first communication networks and one or more second communication networks, more than half of the upcoming paging timings overlap with one or more paging timings for at least one other communication network. In these examples, it may be beneficial to trigger procedures with one or more networks to change the paging configuration in an attempt to reduce or completely eliminate paging timing overlap. It may also be that the number of paging timing overlaps configured for most communication networks (e.g., half, more than, all) exceeds an overlap threshold (e.g., half of the paging timings for a network). When more than one or several networks have too much overlap relative to non-overlapping networks, triggering procedures with the networks to reduce paging timing conflicts can be beneficial.

[0065] Therefore, in some examples, the communication device may trigger the procedure in step 130 of method 100 based on the occurrence of multiple PO overlaps, i.e., multiple overlaps of POs among (multiple) POs configured by one or more networks. In this case, it is not sufficient for a single PO overlap to trigger the procedure of the communication device (e.g., a single complete PO overlap and / or a single partial or near-PO overlap) as long as the communication device has at least one non-overlapping PO in at least one network.

[0066] In some examples, the condition may be whether the communication device calculates, determines, or derives, based on the received paging configuration, that the number of paging timing overlaps (e.g., full and / or partial and / or near overlaps) exceeds an overlap threshold. The overlap threshold may, for example, be defined as how many paging timing overlaps the network can accept within a given time period. This threshold can vary, for example, in relation to the total number of paging timings configured for the network within that time period. In this case, the overlap threshold may be expressed as, for example, a percentage or ratio, such as the ratio of overlaps to non-overlaps. In some embodiments, the threshold is a fixed number, but in other examples, the threshold may be a variable number, different for different networks, and / or dynamically adjusted, for example, decreasing for one or more networks as the number of networks increases.

[0067] In some examples, when at least one full paging overlap exists, the wireless communication device triggers the procedure in step 130 of method 100 to communicate with one of multiple networks to reduce paging timing conflicts (and / or increase the probability of successful paging reception by different networks associated with the USIM). One advantage is a reduction in the number of procedure triggers, because, for example, POs that partially overlap with POs of one or more other networks can still be partially monitored by the wireless communication device. Full PO overlap is perhaps the most severe case of overlap because, in some examples, fully overlapping POs are more likely to be missed than partially overlapping POs, and therefore, fully overlapping POs may be given more weight than partially or nearly overlapping POs when determining whether conditions are met (e.g., when calculating paging overlap and non-overlap). This is because the communication device typically needs to monitor the start of the paging timing period to determine if a paging for that device exists within that paging timing. In the case of full overlap, the device typically needs to select a PLMN for monitoring, regardless of whether the selected PLMN's POs contain a paging for that device. Therefore, compared to treating all types of overlap (full, partial, and near overlap) equally, emphasizing full paging overlap associated with non-overlapping or partial / near overlap can lead to a reduction in the number of procedures triggered for paging timing conflicts (e.g., in some embodiments, only full overlap can result in the condition being met), thus resulting in lower signaling overhead and lower power consumption.

[0068] In some embodiments, this condition can be satisfied when the number of overlapping Page Requests (POs) in a time interval (e.g., number of subframes, number of radio frames, time intervals in seconds or milliseconds) for one or more networks is greater than or equal to N1 (where N1 is an integer). In other words, if the number of overlapping POs is not significant (e.g., compared to the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities), the communication device will not trigger the procedure. This can be advantageous because it reflects the fact that despite the presence of overlapping POs, the communication device is still able to switch between networks and monitor at least one PO for each network within a time period or interval (e.g., within a radio frame). As mentioned above, this helps prevent the procedure from being triggered unnecessarily, instead allowing it to be triggered when the probability of a network missing a paging (e.g., multiple iterations over multiple paging opportunities or time periods) is significant.

[0069] In some examples, as described above, a PO can be considered to overlap when there is partial overlap with the aligned PO(s), such as when a communication device is configured with paging timings from multiple networks, where the paging timings are two subframes / slots / frames, and where, for example, 1 ms of the paging timings overlap by at least X% in the time domain. When partial overlap is determined / calculated / detected based on the received configuration, in some embodiments, the wireless communication device can decide to monitor the PO for a first network (e.g., subframe A), and if time permits, switch to monitoring the PO for a second network (e.g., subframe B) when it is determined that no data has arrived at the beginning of subframe A.

[0070] However, by triggering a procedure with one of multiple networks to avoid or reduce PO collisions and to increase the likelihood that different networks will successfully receive paging despite partial overlap, the example embodiments described herein can be considered that large partial overlap can be just as severe as complete overlap. Large overlap (e.g., more than 50% of the PO's duration overlaps) can result in insufficient time for switching between the first and second networks. Conversely, if the overlap is small, such as less than 50%, the communication device can wait a certain amount of time before checking for data in the first network, and only if it is determined that there is no data can the communication device switch to the second network to monitor the PO in the second network. However, if the overlap is large, the amount of time without any overlap in the first network may be too short to sufficiently successfully monitor the PO. Therefore, depending on the size of the partial overlap (in terms of temporal overlap), the communication device can trigger the procedure based on the percentage of partial overlap. In other words, one benefit of some examples is that not all partial PO overlaps trigger the procedure on the network, thereby reducing the number of times the procedure is triggered. Therefore, lower signaling overhead and lower power consumption can be achieved.

[0071] It can be noted that a large overlap for POs with similar durations, such as both being 1 ms, can be represented by the time between the start times of the two subframes. A large overlap (e.g., at least or greater than 50%) can mean a short time between the two subframes, which may not be sufficient for the communication device to switch from the first network to the second network when needed. Therefore, in some examples of this disclosure, when determining whether the conditions for triggering a procedure are met in step 130 of method 100, a short time between subframes can be emphasized, while a long time between subframes may cause the conditions to be unmet, and the wireless device will avoid triggering the procedure and instead rely on its own procedure to perform a switch between (multiple) POs if no data is detected in the PO of the first network.

[0072] In some examples, such as combination Figure 2cThe described overlap can mean that different networks associated with the USIM may have different point-of-care (PO) durations; for example, a PO for the first network might have a duration of 1 ms, while a PO for the second network might have a duration of 0.5 ms. In this case, the PO for the second network could be completely surrounded by the PO for the first network. This allows wireless communication devices to decide whether to monitor the PO for the first network (e.g., ...). Figure 2c PO211), which is a longer PO, and when it is determined that no data has arrived at the beginning of the subframe, switch to monitoring the PO of the second network (e.g., Figure 2c The paging opportunity 221), this is in Figure 2c The shorter PO shown allows time to monitor the entire PO of the second network. Therefore, in some examples, method 100 may include triggering procedures for reducing paging timing conflicts based on paging timing conditions, wherein the conditions for counting overlaps and non-overlaps may depend on different aspects or combinations of the following, for example: a) How much longer is the PO duration of the first network compared to the PO duration of the second network: i.e., how much overlap is there between the paging timings of the first and second networks. In some examples, when there is partial PO overlap in the first network and complete PO overlap in the second network, and the difference in duration is small (e.g., less than 50% or less than 25%) or negligible (e.g., less than 10%), the paging timings can be considered overlapping, as this is almost like a complete overlap of aligned networks. This avoids triggering the procedure when the difference is large (i.e., one duration is much longer than the other), as this can be counted as non-overlapping, reducing signaling overhead and UE power consumption. b) The difference between (multiple) PO start times: i.e., how much time is between the start of the paging timing of the first network and the start of the paging timing of the second network. For example, if the difference is long enough (e.g., longer than the transmission time for switching from one network to another, including the time required to determine that there is no data in the PO of the first network), it can be considered non-overlapping, and the communication device may not need to trigger a procedure to reduce paging timing conflicts, which in turn leads to a reduction or minimization of signaling overhead and UE power consumption. Alternatively, in other words, when the difference between the start times of (multiple) Points of Interest (POs) is insufficient to allow the communication device to switch from the first network to the second network once it detects no paging for the device from the first network, the communication device is allowed to trigger the procedure. In some examples, the procedure may be triggered based on partial PO overlap, where partial PO overlap takes into account the handover time described herein.

[0073] In some embodiments, the transition time or switching time between networks may depend on different factors, which may be compared with the duration of the difference between the end of the PO of the first network and the start of the PO of the second network (e.g., in seconds, milliseconds, etc.).

[0074] Therefore, in some embodiments, the communication device can determine the handover time based on one or more of the following factors: The radio access technology (RAT) associated with one or more networks (e.g., a first network and a second network). For example, if both networks are 4G / LTE networks, handover between these networks may take less time compared to if the two networks use a different communication technology (such as UMTS / 3G). If both networks are 5G NR PLMNs, in some examples, the handover time between these networks may be shorter compared to LTE; whether the different networks associated with (multiple) different USIMs have the same RAT and / or different RATs. In some examples, if multiple networks have different RATs, the required handover time may be longer. For example, a communication device may take longer to switch from LTE to NR than to switch from LTE to LTE; the RRC state of the communication device in the multiple networks associated with (multiple) different USIMs. For example, if the communication device is in an inactive mode instead of an idle mode, the handover time may be longer; whether the UE is in the same state or different states in the multiple networks associated with (multiple) different USIMs. In some examples, handover time may be longer if the UE is inactive in the first network and idle in the second network, compared to if the communication device is inactive in both networks. Other factors include whether the multiple networks associated with different USIMs are networks of different network operators; whether the communication devices have different hardware or receiver implementations, for example, different baseband modem processors may use different mechanisms when switching between monitoring paging for different networks; and the time required to tune the communication device's RF transceiver to monitor different frequencies of different networks. Handover time can be considered when calculating whether paging timings overlap, for example, if paging timings experience near overlap; therefore, handover time can be a parameter for paging timing conditions to trigger based on those conditions.

[0075] Figure 3a , 3b Figures 3 and 3c show some further examples of paging configurations, where the horizontal axis represents time. Figure 3a A first paging configuration 310 associated with a first network is shown, indicating a first paging timing 311, a second paging timing 312, a third paging timing 313, and a fourth paging timing 314 within a time period. Figure 3a A second paging configuration 320 associated with the second network is further shown, which indicates a fifth paging timing 321 and a sixth paging timing 322.

[0076] The communication device is equipped with two USIMs and therefore configured with two PO configurations 310 and 320, one for the first network and one for the second network, shown as a time interval of seven time units marked with dashed lines (e.g., seven subframes of 1ms, where each PO is defined as a 1ms subframe). Within this interval, two paging opportunities overlap (between the first paging opportunity 311 and the fifth paging opportunity 321; and between the fourth paging opportunity 314 and the sixth paging opportunity 322). In an embodiment, a paging opportunity condition is considered satisfied when the number of overlapping paging opportunities is equal to or exceeds (i.e., at least) a threshold number (e.g., three), and at least one paging opportunity is not overlapping. Figure 3a The scenario shown does not cause the wireless communication device to trigger the procedure in step 130 of method 100. This still allows the communication device to monitor paging timings 321 and 322 for the two configurations of the second configuration 320, and allows the device to switch to the first network to monitor the second paging timings 312 and 313 for the first paging configuration 310. Therefore, the communication device does not trigger a procedure to change the paging configuration, but is still able to monitor at least some paging timings for both networks.

[0077] In other words, the communication device can monitor the fifth paging timing 321, then switch to monitoring the second paging timing 312 and the third paging timing 313 of the first network, and then switch back to monitoring the sixth paging timing 322 of the second network.

[0078] The result is that, Figure 3a During the time interval shown, two of the four POPs in the first network will not be monitored by the communication device, while all POPs in the second network will be monitored. In other words, the probability of a missed POP in the first network may be slightly higher, but since there are also more frequent and non-overlapping POPs in the first network, this may not have a significant impact on performance (e.g., there are still POPs for the first network that can be fully and frequently monitored). On the other hand, the communication device will not unnecessarily trigger procedures to change the paging configuration for either network (to reduce paging timing conflicts), thereby saving signaling and power consumption.

[0079] Furthermore, in some examples, it can be considered that a first number of overlapping paging times between a first upcoming paging time and a second upcoming paging time and / or a second number of non-overlapping paging times between a first upcoming paging time and a second upcoming paging time satisfy the paging time condition when at least one of the following applies within the time period: The number of non-overlapping paging opportunities for each of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks is less than a first threshold. This threshold can be dynamically set or fixed. It can depend, for example, on the total number of paging opportunities configured for each network. For at least one of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks, the ratio of non-overlapping paging opportunities to overlapping paging opportunities is defined as less than a second threshold. As mentioned above, in some examples, the ratio of overlapping to non-overlapping paging opportunities may be of interest when determining whether to trigger a procedure to change the paging configuration. Therefore, if the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities is lower than the number of overlapping opportunities in the network, the risk of missing a paging from that network increases. A higher ratio results in a lower risk (i.e., a higher number of non-overlapping opportunities relative to the number of overlapping opportunities). In some embodiments, it may be sufficient for at least one network to experience a non-overlapping to overlapping ratio that satisfies the conditions for the communication device to trigger a procedure for one or more networks (e.g., less than the second threshold). For each of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks, the ratio of non-overlapping paging opportunities to overlapping paging opportunities is defined as less than a third threshold. In some examples, all networks may experience a ratio that satisfies the condition for the procedure to be triggered in step 130 of method 100. It should be noted that the ratio described in the embodiments herein can be defined in reverse, i.e., the ratio of overlapping to non-overlapping numbers. In this case, a high ratio (i.e., a ratio exceeding a threshold) typically triggers the procedure. Within a time period, the number of paging timing conflicts reaches a threshold proportion of the total number of paging timings for at least one of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks. In some examples, it is envisioned that this condition can be based on a ratio (e.g., percentage) of paging timing overlap relative to the total number of paging timings (overlapping and non-overlapping). For example, if the number of overlaps for one or more, or even all, networks exceeds 0.7 (or 70%) of the total number of paging times for one, more, or all networks, triggering the procedure to change the paging configuration in one, more, or all networks may be beneficial. In some examples, if the communication device calculates, detects, determines, or otherwise derives from the received paging configuration that no network (associated with the USIM in the device) will experience non-overlapping paging opportunities, or that there is too little non-overlap for each network, then there may not be a simple way to switch between networks and still monitor a sufficient number of paging opportunities for all networks. The risk of missing a large number of paging opportunities for one or more networks may be considered too high, in which case it is worthwhile to trigger a procedure to change the paging configuration to reduce paging opportunity conflicts for one or more networks.

[0080] Such examples are in Figure 3b It is shown in the middle. For example... Figure 3aThe first paging timing configuration 310 for the first network is shown together with the second paging timing 320 for the second network. The first paging configuration 310 indicates the first paging timing 311 and the second paging timing 312 within a time period. The second paging timing configuration 320 indicates the third paging timing 321 and the fourth paging timing 322 within that time period. Here, two overlapping paging timings (between PO 311 and 321; and between PO 312 and 322) are calculated / detected / determined, and no non-overlapping paging timings are calculated / detected / determined. In this example, the relationship between overlapping and non-overlapping paging timings indicates that the risk of missing a paging is too high (e.g., the ratio of non-overlapping to overlapping for each network is low, or even zero), because the communication device can only monitor one paging timing for each network. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to trigger this procedure to reduce paging timing conflicts.

[0081] However, in some examples, even if there are (multiple) overlapping POs, the communication device may not trigger the procedure if at least one non-overlapping PO exists in one of the multiple networks during the time period. In other words, as long as the communication device has at least one non-overlapping PO in at least one network, the occurrence of a single or even multiple PO overlaps may not be sufficient to trigger the communication device's procedure (e.g., a single complete, partial, or near-overlapping PO).

[0082] Whether a single, non-overlapping paging opportunity for at least one network is sufficient to avoid triggering the procedure can be based on network conditions and / or the total number of USIMs for the communication device. For example, if the communication device is in favorable network conditions, and the probability of receiving a paging from that network while listening on the network is high (e.g., if the device is close to a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, or if there is little traffic at the RAN node), then monitoring only one paging condition and still being able to receive the paging may be sufficient. In less favorable conditions (e.g., if the device is located at the cell edge or far from a network node, or if the cell is heavily congested), the risk of missing a paging may be higher when there is only one paging opportunity to monitor.

[0083] In some embodiments, if there are zero non-overlapping POs within a time interval (e.g., within multiple subframes, multiple radio frames, or time intervals in seconds or milliseconds), i.e., all POs overlap, the communication device triggers the procedure in step 130 of method 100, for example, as follows: Figure 2b , 2c As shown in 3b, when considering the near overlap between PO 211 and 222, it is also as follows Figure 2a As shown.

[0084] In some examples, even if there are zero non-overlapping paging opportunities, as long as enough paging opportunities are configured for each network to allow the communication device to switch between networks to monitor at least one, but preferably more than one, paging opportunity for each network, the conditions for triggering the procedure can be considered unmet. Therefore, in some examples, it is also conceivable to take into account the total number of paging opportunities for each network within a time period. For example, in an example with two networks (or more than two in other examples), where both networks are configured with six paging opportunities and all of these paging opportunities overlap, even if each PO overlaps with a PO of another network, the communication device can determine that three paging opportunities are monitored for each network. Therefore, in these examples, it can be determined that even with 100% paging opportunity conflict, the overlap can be ignored, and the procedure for reducing paging opportunity conflict can be omitted.

[0085] In some examples, a paging timing condition is considered met when the number of (multiple) non-overlapping POs in a time interval (e.g., across multiple subframes, multiple radio frames, or time intervals in seconds or milliseconds) is less than or equal to N2 (where N2 is an integer), and the communication device triggers the procedure in step 130 of method 100. For example, the communication device may trigger the procedure if the number of (multiple) non-overlapping POs is insufficient to have a reasonable probability of successful paging reception. Thus, if multiple non-overlapping POs exist in one network, the UE monitors these POs in that network while simultaneously monitoring (multiple) overlapping POs in another network. Despite the presence of PO overlap, the communication device can still switch between networks and monitor at least one PO in each network within a time period (e.g., within a radio frame). This results in the avoidance of unnecessarily triggering procedures to reduce paging timing conflicts (e.g., by requesting a network to change the paging configuration), while also ensuring that procedures to reduce paging timing conflicts are triggered when the probability of missing a paging is high.

[0086] In some examples, the communication device may trigger the procedure based on (i) the number of (multiple) non-overlapping POs, such as POs in one of multiple PLMNs that do not overlap with any other paging timing, and (ii) the number of (multiple) POs, for example based on the relationship between these numbers (i) and (ii).

[0087] In some examples, when considering one or more received paging configurations, such as within a time period, a paging timing condition is considered met when the number of overlapping POs (Points of Purchase) exceeds the number of non-overlapping POs (Multiple Points of Purchase). The communication device then triggers procedures to reduce paging timing conflicts. (Using...) Figure 3aThe same example shown has two overlapping paging times (between paging times 311 and 321; and between paging times 314 and 322) and two non-overlapping paging times (paging times 312 and 313). Here, it is assumed that the paging conflict condition is not met, and the communication device does not trigger the procedure because, at least for the second network associated with the second configuration 320, there are an equal number of non-overlapping POs and overlapping POs. In this example, the two non-overlapping POs can be used to monitor one network (the first network), while the overlapping POs can be used to monitor another network (the second network). However, in some examples, if there are two overlapping POs and only one non-overlapping PO, the condition will be met, and the procedure will be triggered.

[0088] In some examples, a paging timing condition is considered met when the number of overlapping Page Requests (POs) for at least one communication network exceeds the number of non-overlapping POs (multiple POs), and the communication device triggers the procedure. An example scenario could be that, within a given time period, for a first network, there are two overlapping POs and one non-overlapping PO, while for a second network, there are two overlapping paging times and zero non-overlapping POs. This relationship satisfies the paging timing condition, thus triggering a procedure to reduce paging timing conflicts.

[0089] In some examples, the paging timing condition is considered met when the number of overlapping POs for two (or more) networks exceeds the number of non-overlapping POs, and the communication device triggers the procedure. For example, the procedure is triggered when, within a time period, there are two overlapping POs and one non-overlapping PO for the first network, and two overlapping POs and zero non-overlapping POs for the second network.

[0090] In some examples, a paging timing condition is considered met when, for at least one configured network, the percentage of the number of non-overlapping post locations (POs) divided by the number of overlapping POs is less than or equal to the acceptance percentage, and the communication device triggers a procedure to reduce paging timing conflicts. The acceptance percentage could be, for example, 70%. Using the same example as above as a reference, where there are two overlaps and one non-overlap for a first network, and two overlaps for a second network, the percentage for the first network is 0.5 (50%), and the percentage for the second network is zero. Since at least one percentage is below 70%, the procedure can be triggered.

[0091] In some examples, the communication device triggers the procedure when, for all configured PLMNs, the percentage defined as the number of non-overlapping POs divided by the number of overlapping POs is greater than or equal to the acceptance percentage (e.g., 70%, other percentages such as 60%, 80%, 90%, etc. can be considered). Using the same example as above as a reference, the percentage is 0.5 (50%) for the first network and 0% for the second network. Since both percentages are below 70%, the procedure is triggered.

[0092] It should be noted that the above examples are given as percentages to illustrate the relationship between overlapping and non-overlapping paging times. However, this relationship can also be illustrated by the ratio between overlapping and non-overlapping paging times (as described above in this disclosure).

[0093] Figure 2a , 2b Configurations associated with two networks have been shown in 2c, 3a, and 3b. However, as described herein, the embodiments are applicable to more than two networks. Figure 3c An example with three networks is shown (therefore the communication device is equipped with three USIMs and receives at least three paging timing configurations, one for each network).

[0094] Figure 3c The first paging timing configuration 310 of the first network is shown, indicating the first paging timing 311, the second paging timing 312, the third paging timing 313 and the fourth paging timing 314.

[0095] Figure 3c The second paging timing configuration 320 of the second network is also shown, indicating the fifth paging timing 321 and the sixth paging timing 322.

[0096] Figure 3c The third paging timing configuration 330 of the third network is further shown, indicating the seventh paging timing 331, the eighth paging timing 332 and the ninth paging timing 333.

[0097] As the number of networks and paging configurations increases, in some examples it can be envisioned that the communication devices can form a matrix that includes the number of overlapping and non-overlapping paging times associated with the networks associated with the USIM in the device.

[0098] Table 1 shows the results according to... Figure 3c Example matrix:

[0099] Depending on how the paging timing overlaps and doesn't overlap across different networks, different scenarios can trigger procedures to change the paging configuration.

[0100] In some examples, the conditions that trigger the procedure may depend on the combination of the number of overlapping and non-overlapping elements on each network. For example, a higher number of overlaps may result in a higher probability of triggering the procedure. Alternatively, for example, a higher number of overlaps and a lower number of non-overlapping elements may result in a higher probability of triggering the procedure.

[0101] For example, if N2 is an overlap threshold of 2 (e.g., each network allows at most two overlapping POs), and the non-overlap threshold N3 is 2 (e.g., each network requires at least two non-overlapping POs), then the paging timing condition will be satisfied for all networks, and the device can trigger a procedure to change the paging configuration for all networks (e.g., all networks that violate overlap thresholds N2 and N3, in this example, all networks). In any example of this disclosure, each of N1, N2, and N3 may be an integer selected by the UE or an integer configured by one of the networks.

[0102] In another example, if the threshold number for N2 is set to 3 (e.g., a maximum of three overlapping POs are allowed per network), and the non-overlapping threshold number for N3 is 1 (e.g., at least one non-overlapping PO is required per network), then the condition will be satisfied for the second network 320 and the third network 330 (but not the first network 310). Therefore, the communication device can trigger a procedure for at least one network (e.g., only for the second and third networks).

[0103] If the threshold number for N2 is set to 2 and the threshold number for N3 is 0 (e.g., no non-overlapping PO is required for any network), then the condition will be met only for the third network 330, and the communication device will trigger the procedure to change the paging configuration for at least one network (e.g., only for the third network).

[0104] Therefore, in some examples, it may be advantageous to consider the relationship between paging timing overlap and non-overlapping paging timing among paging configurations received within a time period when determining whether to trigger procedures to reduce paging timing conflicts.

[0105] Figure 3c For example, it can be viewed as a matrix indicating the timing of paging. In some examples, a wireless communication device may, for example, compare received paging configurations from different networks in such a matrix to determine whether it can maintain the received configuration and still receive paging from all networks (according to the embodiments described herein), or whether it should trigger the process to reduce collisions by, for example, requesting a new IMSI offset and / or performing a (new) NAS mobility registration with at least one network.

[0106] In some examples of method 100, the procedure triggering step 130 may include triggering a procedure with the first communication network based on a parameter value used to reconfigure the paging timing with the first communication network to reduce a first number of paging timing overlaps between a first upcoming paging timing and a second upcoming paging timing. That is, for example, the parameter may be used by the wireless communication device to attempt to obtain a reconfigured PO for the first network. The parameter may, for example, have a value that would result in a reduction in the first number of paging timing overlaps (if permitted by the first network). In some examples, the wireless communication device may determine, calculate, or select parameters for reconfiguring the paging timing with the first communication network to reduce the number of paging timing overlaps.

[0107] For example, the parameter value could be a value sent to the first network. The parameter value could be, for example, the requested IMSI offset mentioned above. Therefore, in some examples, method 100 could include receiving the parameter value or an alternative parameter value from the first communication network (e.g., if the first network does not allow the requested parameter value from the device and provides an alternative value, for example, if the requested value would cause a PO conflict on the first network between the device and one or more other devices).

[0108] Method 100 may therefore also include using a reconfigured paging timing for the first communication network based on the parameter value (or alternative parameter values ​​returned by the first network). Here, the first network is mentioned only as an example; the parameter value can be sent to any one network, or a corresponding (different) parameter value can be sent to each of multiple networks. The parameter value can be, for example, the IMSI offset requested above, and the alternative parameter value can be, for example, the IMSI offset accepted above.

[0109] In some examples, parameter values ​​can be based on alternative paging times for a first communication network to reduce the number of paging time overlaps between a first upcoming paging time and a second upcoming paging time. That is, for example, the device can calculate a desired PO and then use that desired PO to calculate a parameter value that, if permitted by the first network, would cause the desired PO to become a reconfigured PO for the first network.

[0110] In some examples, the parameter values ​​differ from one or more of the following: The parameter values ​​currently used by the wireless communication device to ensure, for example, that the reconfigured PO for the first network is different from the already configured PO; parameter values ​​previously received from the first wireless communication network; and / or excluded parameter values, such as one or more parameter values ​​indicated by the first network that the device cannot select. Figure 4An example method 400 according to some embodiments is illustrated. Method 400 is used for a wireless communication device (e.g., a UE) equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs). Method 400 is generally used to manage paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks, wherein each of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks is associated with a corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) and one or more second USIMs in the plurality of USIMs.

[0111] Method 400 begins in step 410 by receiving a first paging configuration message from a first communication network indicating an upcoming paging opportunity.

[0112] Then, in step 420, method 400 includes receiving one or more second paging configuration messages from one or more second communication networks indicating an upcoming paging timing. Typically, in some examples, method 400 may include receiving paging configurations from each network (including a first network and one or more second networks) associated with a USIM included in the communication device. For example, if the communication device is equipped with four USIMs, it can receive four paging configuration messages from the network associated with each USIM. In other words, the communication device can receive paging configuration messages from the network for each USIM equipped with the communication device.

[0113] It should be noted that steps 410 and 420 can occur in any order, and the terms “first” and “one or more second” paging configuration messages used herein do not refer to the order in which the wireless communication devices receive the paging configuration messages.

[0114] Next, in step 430, method 400 includes triggering a procedure with at least one of a first communication network and one or more second communication networks to reduce paging timing conflicts when a first number of paging timing conflicts between a first upcoming paging timing and a second upcoming paging timing and / or a second number of paging timing non-conflicts between a first upcoming paging timing and a second upcoming paging timing meets the paging timing condition.

[0115] In method 400, each of one or more paging timing conflicts between a first upcoming paging timing and a second upcoming paging timing includes a timing in which the first duration of the paging timing associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks do not conflict in time, and the time period between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to one or more second USIMs.

[0116] Additionally or alternatively, in method 400, each of one or more paging time non-conflicts between a first upcoming paging time and a second upcoming paging time includes a time when the first duration of the paging time associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging time associated with one or more second communication networks do not overlap in time, and the time period between the first duration and the second duration is greater than or equal to the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to one or more second USIMs.

[0117] Therefore, in method 400, a conflict can be considered, for example, a conflict or near overlap between POs of different networks, such as... Figure 2a As shown, if the time period 232 between the first PO 211 and the second PO 222 (i.e., between the end of PO 211 and the beginning of PO 222) is shorter than the switching time 230 of the wireless communication device switching from the first USIM to one or more second USIMs, then paging timings 211 and 222 can be considered conflicting.

[0118] Method 400 may therefore include, for example, a wireless communication device collecting paging configurations from a network associated with the equipped USIM. The device can then compare the paging configurations to each other to determine whether one or more paging configurations should be attempted to be changed (and thus reduce or avoid paging timing conflicts) by triggering one or more procedures with one or more networks. In some examples, simply detecting paging conflicts may be insufficient; instead, the procedure may be triggered based on other factors, such as the number of conflict-free paging opportunities (i.e., the number of conflict-free post-ops).

[0119] In some examples, in addition to one or more proximity conflicts, a PO conflict may include one or more overlapping conflicts. Therefore, for example, in some examples, each paging timing conflict, in addition to one or more paging timing conflicts between a first upcoming paging timing and a second upcoming paging timing, may include one of the following: Complete paging timing conflict, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network completely overlaps in time with the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks, for example, as... Figure 2a (PO 211 and 221) or Figure 2b As shown; or partial paging timing conflict, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network partially overlaps in time with the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks, for example, as Figure 2cAs shown. Alternatively, in some examples, one or more paging timing conflicts include all paging timing conflicts, and / or one or more paging timing non-conflicts include all paging timing non-conflicts.

[0120] In some examples, the paging timing condition is satisfied when at least one of the following applies within a time period: a first number of paging timing conflicts between a first upcoming paging timing and a second upcoming paging timing and / or a second number of paging timing non-conflicts between a first upcoming paging timing and a second upcoming paging timing: For more than half of the first communication networks and each of one or more second communication networks, an upcoming paging opportunity conflicts with one or more paging opportunities for at least one other communication network; for more than half of the first communication networks and each of one or more second communication networks, more than half of the upcoming paging opportunities conflict with one or more paging opportunities for at least one other communication network; the number of paging opportunity conflicts for at least one of the first communication networks and one or more second communication networks exceeds a conflict threshold; the number of non-conflicting paging opportunities for at least one of the first communication networks and one or more second communication networks is less than a non-conflicting threshold; and / or the number of non-conflicting paging opportunities is zero. In some examples, a first number of paging opportunity conflicts between a first upcoming paging opportunity and a second upcoming paging opportunity and / or a second number of non-conflicting paging opportunities between a first upcoming paging opportunity and a second upcoming paging opportunity satisfy the paging opportunity condition when at least one of the following applies within a time period: The number of non-collision paging opportunities for each of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks is less than a first threshold; for at least one of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks, the ratio of the number of non-collision paging opportunities to the number of collisions is less than a second threshold; for each of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks, the ratio of the number of non-collision paging opportunities to the number of collisions is less than a third threshold; and / or within a time period, the number of collisions paging opportunities reaches a threshold proportion of the total number of paging opportunities for at least one of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks. In some examples, when the wireless communication is in an idle or inactive mode, such as RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE mode, or in a disconnected mode, such as a mode other than RRC_CONNECTED, the time period is at least one paging cycle or discontinuous reception, DRX, cycle of the wireless communication device.

[0121] In some examples, this time period is the first paging cycle (or multiple paging cycles) of the first communication network. The first paging cycle may be longer than the second paging cycle associated with one or more second communication networks.

[0122] In some examples, the time period is a time-domain unit. The time period can be, for example, 1ms, 10ms, 1 second, or any other time period suitable for a communication system.

[0123] In some examples, the procedure in step 430 of method 400 may include performing a non-access stratum (NAS) mobility registration to a 5G core network (5G CN) associated with a first communication network or one or more second communication networks. Alternatively or additionally, in some examples, triggering the procedure may include sending a requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset to an evolved Packet System core network (EPS CN) associated with at least one communication network. Method 400 may also include, in some examples, sending the requested IMSI offset to the EPS CN in an attach request or tracking area update (TAU) request.

[0124] The first number of paging time conflicts between the first upcoming paging time and the second upcoming paging time, and / or the second number of non-conflicting paging time conflicts between the first upcoming paging time and the second upcoming paging time, may in some examples be within the first time period.

[0125] In some examples, the procedure of step 430 of triggering method 400 may include triggering a procedure with the first communication network based on a parameter value used for reconfiguring the paging timing with respect to the first communication network, to reduce a first number of paging timing conflicts between a first upcoming paging timing and a second upcoming paging timing. That is, for example, the parameter may be used by the wireless communication device to attempt to obtain a reconfigured PO for the first network. The parameter may, for example, have a value that would result in a reduction in the first number of paging timing conflicts (if permitted by the first network). In some examples, the wireless communication device may determine, calculate, or select a parameter for reconfiguring the paging timing with the first communication network to reduce the number of paging timing conflicts.

[0126] Parameter values ​​can be based, for example, on alternative paging times for at least one of a first communication network and one or more second communication networks, to reduce the number of paging time conflicts between a first upcoming paging time and a second upcoming paging time. That is, for example, the device can calculate a desired PO and then use the desired PO to calculate parameter values ​​that, if permitted by the first network, will cause the desired PO to become a reconfigured PO for the first network.

[0127] The parameter value may differ from one or more of the following: a parameter value currently used by the wireless communication device; a parameter value previously received from the first wireless communication network; and / or excluded parameter values. In some examples, method 400 may also include, after triggering the procedure, receiving a parameter value or alternative parameter value from at least one of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks (e.g., if the first network does not allow the requested parameter value from the device and provides an alternative value, e.g., if the requested value would cause a PO conflict on the first network between the device and one or more other devices), and using a reconfigured paging timing for at least one of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks based on the parameter value or alternative parameter value.

[0128] The above text is about Figure 1 The various variations described in method 100 can also be applied individually in some examples, where compatibility is required. Figure 4 Method 400 is shown.

[0129] Figure 5 An example device 500 according to some embodiments is shown. Device 500 may be included in or incorporated into a wireless communication device, for example. In some embodiments, device 500 is a wireless communication device. Device 500 may also be configured to perform coupling. Figure 1 The method 100 described herein and the embodiments described to date.

[0130] Apparatus 500 is used by a wireless communication device equipped with multiple Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) (e.g., USIMs 501, 502, 50N) to manage paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks, each of the first and one or more second communication networks being associated with a corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, and one or more second USIMs among the multiple USIMs. The apparatus includes control circuitry (CNTR) 510 configured to receive a first paging configuration message from the first communication network indicating an upcoming paging timing, and to receive one or more second paging configuration messages from the one or more second communication networks indicating an upcoming paging timing. For this purpose, the apparatus may be connected to or include transceiver circuitry (RX / TX) 520, configured to receive and transmit data.

[0131] The control circuit 510 is also configured to trigger a procedure with at least one of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks to reduce paging timing conflicts. This triggering is based on a first paging configuration message and one or more second paging configuration messages, the paging configuration messages indicating that the relationship between a first number of overlapping paging times derived from the received first paging configuration message and one or more second paging configuration messages and a second number of non-overlapping paging times derived from the received first paging configuration message and one or more second paging configuration messages satisfies a paging timing condition.

[0132] Therefore, in some examples, device 500 may include a determiner (DET) 512 configured to determine parameters for paging timing conditions and to determine whether the paging timing conditions are met.

[0133] The device 500 may also include a computing circuit (CALC) 411 configured to determine paging timing overlap and non-overlap based on the received paging configuration.

[0134] In some examples of device 500, each paging timing overlap between a first upcoming paging timing and a second upcoming paging timing includes one of the following: Complete paging timing overlap, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network and the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks completely overlap in time; partial paging timing overlap, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network and the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks partially overlap in time; or near-overlapping paging timing, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network and the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks do not overlap in time, and the time interval between the first and second durations is shorter than the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to the second USIM to receive paging. In some examples of device 500, non-overlapping paging timing includes the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network and the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks not overlapping in time, and the time interval between the first and second durations is at least as long as the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to the second USIM.

[0135] In some examples of device 500, a first number of overlapping paging times between a first upcoming paging time and a second upcoming paging time and / or a second number of non-overlapping paging times between a first upcoming paging time and a second upcoming paging time satisfy the paging time condition when at least one of the following applies within a time period: For each of more than half of the first communication networks and one or more second communication networks, an upcoming paging opportunity overlaps with one or more paging opportunities for at least one other communication network; for each of more than half of the first communication networks and one or more second communication networks, more than half of the upcoming paging opportunities overlap with one or more paging opportunities for at least one other communication network; the number of overlapping paging opportunities for at least one of the first communication networks and one or more second communication networks exceeds an overlap threshold; the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities for at least one of the first communication networks and one or more second communication networks is less than a non-overlap threshold; and / or the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities is zero. In some examples of device 500, a first number of overlapping paging opportunities between a first upcoming paging opportunity and a second upcoming paging opportunity and / or a second number of non-overlapping paging opportunities between a first upcoming paging opportunity and a second upcoming paging opportunity satisfy the paging opportunity condition when at least one of the following applies within a time period: The number of non-overlapping paging opportunities for each of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks is less than a first threshold; for at least one of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks, the ratio of the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities to the number of overlapping paging opportunities is less than a second threshold; for each of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks, the ratio of the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities to the number of overlapping paging opportunities is less than a third threshold; and / or within a time period, the number of overlapping paging opportunities reaches a threshold proportion of the total number of paging opportunities for at least one of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks. When the wireless communication is in an idle or inactive mode, this time period may, for example, be at least one paging cycle or discontinuous reception, DRX, cycle of the wireless communication device. Alternatively, this time period may, for example, be a first paging cycle of the first communication network, and wherein the first paging cycle is longer than a second paging cycle associated with one or more second communication networks.

[0136] In some examples, device 500 includes control circuitry configured to trigger the procedure by performing non-access stratum (NAS) mobility registration with a 5G core network (5G CN) associated with a first communication network or one or more second communication networks.

[0137] In some examples, device 500 includes control circuitry configured to trigger the procedure by sending a requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset to an Evolved Packet System Core Network (EPS CN) associated with at least one communication network.

[0138] In some examples, device 500 includes control circuitry configured to send the requested IMSI offset to the EPS CN in an attach request or tracking area update (TAU) request.

[0139] In some examples of device 500, a first number of paging times overlapping between a first upcoming paging time and a second upcoming paging time and / or a second number of paging times not overlapping between a first upcoming paging time and a second upcoming paging time are within a first time period.

[0140] In some examples, device 500 includes control circuitry configured to trigger a procedure with the first communication network based on parameter values ​​for reconfiguring paging timings for the first communication network, thereby reducing a first number of paging timing conflicts between a first upcoming paging timing and a second upcoming paging timing. The parameter values ​​may, for example, be based on alternative paging timings for at least one of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks to reduce the number of paging timing conflicts between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing.

[0141] In some examples of device 500, the parameter values ​​differ from one or more of the following: The parameter values ​​currently used by the wireless communication device; parameter values ​​previously received from the first wireless communication network; and / or excluded parameter values. In some examples, the device includes control circuitry configured to, after a triggering procedure, receive parameter values ​​or alternative parameter values ​​from at least one of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks, and, based on the parameter values ​​or alternative parameter values, use a reconfigured paging timing for at least one of the first communication network and one or more second communication networks.

[0142] In some examples, the apparatus 500 according to some embodiments may alternatively be configured to perform a combination. Figure 4 Method 400 and its variations are described. Therefore, in some examples, Figure 6 A computer program product is shown that includes a possible non-transitory computer-readable medium 600 (such as, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, a plug-in card, an embedded driver, or a read-only memory (ROM)). Figure 6A computer-readable medium as an optical disc (CD) ROM is shown. A non-transitory computer-readable medium 600 has a computer program, including program instructions, stored thereon. The computer program is configured to be loaded into a data processing unit 610, which includes a processor (PROC) 620 and a memory (MEM) 630 associated with or integrated with the data processing unit. When loaded into the data processing unit 610 (e.g., included in a wireless communication device and forming part of control circuitry), the computer program is configured to be stored in the memory 630, wherein when the computer program is loaded into and executed by the processor 620, it is configured to cause the processor to... Figure 1 Method 100 or combination described Figure 4 The described method 400 execution steps.

[0143] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating example method steps according to some embodiments. Specifically, Figure 7 An example of a method 700 for managing paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks for a wireless communication device equipped with multiple Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) is shown. Each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks is associated with a corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, and one or more second USIMs in the multiple USIMs. The method includes: Method 700 begins at step 710 by receiving a first paging configuration message from a first communication network indicating a first upcoming paging timing, and at step 720 by receiving one or more second paging configuration messages from one or more second communication networks indicating a second upcoming paging timing. It should be noted that steps 710 and 720 can occur in any order, and the terms "first" and "one or more second" paging configuration messages used herein do not refer to the order in which the wireless communication devices receive the paging configuration messages.

[0144] Method 700 further includes, in step 730, triggering a procedure with the first communication network based on parameter values ​​for reconfiguring paging timing for the first communication network, to reduce the number of paging timing overlaps between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing.

[0145] In other words, for example, this parameter can be used by a wireless communication device to attempt to obtain a PO for reconfiguration with the first network. The first parameter may, for example, have a value that will result in a reduction in the first number of paging timing overlaps (if permitted by the first network). In some examples, the wireless communication device may determine, calculate, or select parameters for reconfiguring paging timings with the first communication network to reduce the number of paging timing overlaps.

[0146] For example, the parameter value could be a value sent to the first network. The parameter value could be, for example, the requested IMSI offset value mentioned above. Therefore, in some examples, method 700 could include receiving the parameter value or an alternative parameter value from the first communication network (e.g., if the first network does not allow the requested parameter value from the device and provides an alternative value, for example, if the requested value would cause a PO conflict on the first network between the device and one or more other devices). Method 700 could therefore include using a reconfigured paging timing for the first wireless communication network based on the parameter value or the alternative parameter value.

[0147] In some examples, the parameter value is based on alternative paging times for a first communication network, wherein the number of paging time overlaps between the alternative upcoming paging time and the second upcoming paging time is less than the number of paging time overlaps between the first paging time and the second upcoming paging time. That is, for example, the device can calculate the desired PO and then use the desired PO to calculate the parameter value, which, if permitted by the first network, will cause the desired PO to become a reconfigured PO for the first network.

[0148] In some examples, the parameter values ​​differ from one or more of the following: The parameter values ​​currently used by the wireless communication device to ensure, for example, that the reconfigured PO for the first network is different from the already configured PO; parameter values ​​previously received from the first wireless communication network; and / or excluded parameter values, such as one or more parameter values ​​indicated by the first network that the device cannot select. Each of the one or more paging timing overlaps may, in some examples, include full, partial, or near-full paging timing overlaps as defined above. Thus, for example, each paging timing overlap may include one of the following: Full paging timing overlap (e.g., as Figure 2a As shown between PO 211 and 221), the first duration of the paging timing associated with the first communication network completely overlaps in time with the second duration of the paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks; partial paging timing overlaps (e.g., as shown between PO 211 and 221). Figure 2b As shown in the diagram), the first duration of the paging timing associated with the first communication network partially overlaps in time with the second duration of the paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks; the paging timing overlap is close to (e.g., as shown in the diagram). Figure 2aAs shown between PO 211 and 222, the first duration of the paging timing associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks do not overlap in time, and the time period between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to the second USIM to receive paging. In some examples of method 700, the procedure in step 730 can be executed when at least one of the following is applied within the time period: For each communication network, the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities is less than a first threshold number; for at least one communication network, it is defined as the ratio of the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities to the number of overlapping paging opportunities being less than a second threshold number; for each communication network, it is defined as the ratio of the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities to the number of overlapping paging opportunities being less than a third threshold number; and / or the number of overlapping paging opportunities reaches a threshold proportion of the total number of paging opportunities configured for the first communication network and one or more second communication networks. When the wireless communication is in an idle or inactive mode, this time period can be, for example, at least one paging cycle or discontinuous reception, DRX, cycle of the wireless communication device. Alternatively, this time period can be, for example, a first paging cycle of the first communication network, wherein the first paging cycle is longer than a second paging cycle associated with one or more second communication networks.

[0149] In some examples, non-overlapping paging timings may include a first duration of paging timings associated with a first communication network and a second duration of paging timings associated with one or more second communication networks that do not overlap in time, and in some examples, the time interval between the first duration and the second duration is at least as long as the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to the second USIM to receive paging.

[0150] In some examples, triggering the procedure may include sending a parameter value to a first communication network or a core network (CN) associated with the first communication network. For example, the parameter value may be a requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset.

[0151] Triggering this process may, in some examples, include performing Non-Access Stratum (NAS) mobility registration on a 5G core network (5GCN) associated with a first communication network. Alternatively, in some examples, triggering the procedure may include sending a requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset to an Evolved Packet System Core Network (EPS CN) associated with at least one communication network. Method 700 may also include sending the requested IMSI offset to the EPS CN in an Attach Request or Tracking Area Update (TAU) request.

[0152] Figure 8An example device 800 according to some embodiments is shown. Device 800 may be included in or incorporated into a wireless communication device, for example. In some embodiments, device 800 is a wireless communication device. Device 800 may also be configured to perform coupling. Figure 7 The method 600 described herein and the embodiments described to date.

[0153] Apparatus 800 is used by a wireless communication device equipped with multiple Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) (e.g., USIM 801, 802, 80N) to manage paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks, each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks being associated with a corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, and one or more second USIMs in the plurality of USIMs. The apparatus includes control circuitry (CNTR) 810 configured to receive a first paging configuration message from the first communication network indicating a first impending paging timing, and to receive one or more second paging configuration messages from the one or more second communication networks indicating a second impending paging timing. For this purpose, the apparatus may be connected to or include transceiver circuitry (RX / TX) 520, which is configured to receive and transmit data.

[0154] The control circuit 810 is also configured to trigger a procedure with the first communication network based on parameter values ​​used to reconfigure the paging timing for the first communication network, so as to reduce the number of paging timing overlaps between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing.

[0155] In some examples of device 800, parameter values ​​may be based on alternative paging times for a first communication network, wherein the number of paging time overlaps between the alternative upcoming paging time and the second upcoming paging time is less than the number of paging time overlaps between the first paging time and the second upcoming paging time.

[0156] In some examples of device 800, the parameter values ​​differ from one or more of the following, as suggested above for methods 100, 400, or 700: The parameter values ​​currently used by the wireless communication device; parameter values ​​previously received from the first wireless communication network; and / or excluded parameter values. In some examples, the device 800 includes control circuitry configured to, after a triggering procedure, cause the receiving of parameter values ​​or alternative parameter values ​​from the first communication network; and cause a reconfigured paging timing to be used for the first communication network based on the parameter values ​​or alternative parameter values.

[0157] In some examples of device 800, each of one or more paging timing overlaps includes one or more of the following, as suggested above for methods 100, 400, or 700: Full paging timing overlap, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network and the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks completely overlap in time; partial paging timing overlap, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network and the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks partially overlap in time; or near paging timing overlap, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network and the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks do not overlap in time, and the time interval between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from a first USIM to a second USIM to receive paging. In some examples of device 800, the triggering procedure, as suggested above for methods 100, 400, or 700, is caused when at least one of the following applies within the time interval: The number of non-overlapping paging opportunities for each communication network is less than a first threshold number; for at least one communication network, it is defined as the ratio of the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities to the number of overlapping paging opportunities being less than a second threshold number; for each communication network, it is defined as the ratio of the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities to the number of overlapping paging opportunities being less than a third threshold number; and / or the number of overlapping paging opportunities reaches a threshold proportion of the total number of paging opportunities configured for the first communication network and one or more second communication networks. When the wireless communication is in an idle or inactive mode, this time period can be, for example, at least one paging cycle or discontinuous reception of the wireless communication device, DRX, period, or alternatively, such as a first paging cycle of the first communication network, wherein the first paging cycle is longer than a second paging cycle associated with one or more second communication networks.

[0158] In some examples of device 800, non-overlapping paging timings may include, for example, a first duration of paging timings associated with a first communication network and a second duration of paging timings associated with one or more second communication networks that do not overlap in time, and the time interval between the first duration and the second duration is at least as long as the switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from a first USIM to a second USIM to receive paging.

[0159] In some examples, device 800 includes control circuitry configured to trigger the procedure by sending parameter values ​​to a first communication network or a core network (CN) associated with the first communication network.

[0160] In some examples, the parameter value includes the requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset.

[0161] In some examples, apparatus 800 includes control circuitry configured to trigger the procedure by performing Non-Access Stratum (NAS) mobility registration with a 5G core network (5G CN) associated with a first communication network or by sending a requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset to an Evolved Packet System Core Network (EPS CN) associated with at least one communication network. Apparatus 800 may also include control circuitry configured to send a requested IMSI offset to the EPS CN in an Attach Request or Tracking Area Update (TAU) request.

[0162] Figure 9 A computer program product is shown that includes a possible non-transitory computer-readable medium 900 (such as, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, a plug-in card, an embedded driver, or a read-only memory (ROM)). Figure 9 A computer-readable medium as an optical disc (CD) ROM is shown. A non-transitory computer-readable medium 900 has a computer program, including program instructions, stored thereon. The computer program is configured to be loaded into a data processing unit 910, which includes a processor (PROC) 920 and a memory (MEM) 930 associated with or integrated with the data processing unit. When loaded into the data processing unit 910 (e.g., included in a wireless communication device and forming part of control circuitry), the computer program is configured to be stored in the memory 930, wherein when the computer program is loaded into and executed by the processor 920, it is configured to cause the processor to... Figure 7 The described method 700 executes the method steps.

[0163] The described embodiments and their equivalents can be implemented in software or hardware or a combination thereof. They can be executed by general-purpose circuitry associated with or integrated into communication devices, such as digital signal processors (DSPs), central processing units (CPUs), coprocessor units, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable hardware, or by special-purpose circuitry such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). All of these forms are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0164] Embodiments may appear within electronic devices (such as wireless communication devices) that include circuitry / logic or methods of execution according to any embodiment. Electronic devices may, for example, be portable or handheld mobile radio communication devices, mobile radio terminals, mobile phones, base stations, base station controllers, pagers, communicators, electronic notebooks, smartphones, computers, laptops, USB memory sticks, insert cards, embedded drives, or mobile gaming devices. It should also be noted that while the methods and apparatus, and corresponding embodiments, are described as being performed by wireless communication devices, these methods and embodiments are also applicable to communication devices connected by cables.

[0165] It should also be noted that some emphasis has been placed on embodiments implemented in 4G or 5G network environments. The embodiments described herein are not limited to 4G and 5G, and can also be applied to other communication technologies such as 6G (or other next-generation), 2G, UMTS, etc.

[0166] According to some embodiments, the computer program product includes a computer-readable medium, such as, for example, a floppy disk or CD-ROM. A computer program including program instructions may be stored on the computer-readable medium. The computer program may be loadable into a data processing unit, which may, for example, be included in a mobile terminal. When loaded into the data processing unit, the computer program may be stored in memory associated with or integrated with the data processing unit. According to some embodiments, when the computer program is loaded into and executed by the data processing unit, it can cause the data processing unit to, for example, [further details needed]. Figure 1 Method 100 shown Figure 4 Method 400 or shown Figure 7 The method shown in step 700 is to execute the method steps.

[0167] This disclosure includes the following exemplary embodiments: Example 1: A method for managing paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks in a wireless communication device equipped with multiple Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs), each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks being associated with a corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, and one or more second USIMs in the multiple USIMs, the method comprising: Receive a first paging configuration message from the first communication network indicating the first upcoming paging opportunity; Receive one or more second paging configuration messages from one or more second communication networks indicating a second upcoming paging opportunity; Based on parameter values ​​used to reconfigure paging timing for the first communication network, a procedure is triggered with the first communication network to reduce the number of paging timing conflicts between a first upcoming paging timing and a second upcoming paging timing.

[0168] Example 2: According to the method of Example 1, wherein the parameter value is based on alternative paging opportunities for the first communication network, and the number of paging opportunity overlaps between the alternative upcoming paging opportunity and the second upcoming paging opportunity is less than the number of paging opportunity overlaps between the first paging opportunity and the second upcoming paging opportunity.

[0169] Example 3: The method according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the parameter values ​​are different from one or more of the following: The parameter values ​​currently used by the wireless communication device; Parameter values ​​previously received from the first wireless communication network; and / or Excluded parameter values.

[0170] Example 4: According to the method described in any of the foregoing embodiments, after the program is triggered, it includes: Receive parameter values ​​or alternative parameter values ​​from the first communication network; and Based on parameter values ​​or alternative parameter values, a reconfigured paging timing is used for the first communication network.

[0171] Example 5: The method according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein each of one or more paging timing overlaps includes at least one of the following: Complete paging timing overlap, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network and the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks completely overlap in time; Partial paging timing overlaps, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network partially overlaps in time with the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks; or The paging timing overlaps, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network and the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks do not overlap in time, and the time interval between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to the second USIM to receive paging.

[0172] Example 6: The method according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the program is triggered to be executed when at least one of the following applies within a time period: The number of non-overlapping paging opportunities for each communication network is less than the first threshold number; For at least one communication network, the ratio of the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities to the number of overlapping paging opportunities is defined as being less than a second threshold number. For each communication network, the ratio of non-overlapping paging opportunities to overlapping paging opportunities is defined as a third threshold number; and / or The number of overlapping paging opportunities reaches a threshold proportion of the total number of paging opportunities configured for the first communication network and one or more second communication networks.

[0173] Example 7: According to the method described in Example 6, when the wireless communication is in an idle or inactive mode, the time period is at least one paging cycle or discontinuous reception, DRX, cycle of the wireless communication device.

[0174] Example 8: The method according to Example 6 or 7, wherein the time period is a first paging cycle of a first communication network, wherein the first paging cycle is longer than a second paging cycle associated with one or more second communication networks.

[0175] Example 9: The method according to any one of Examples 6 to 8, wherein the non-overlapping paging timings include a first duration of paging timings associated with a first communication network and a second duration of paging timings associated with one or more second communication networks that do not overlap in time, and the time interval between the first duration and the second duration is at least as long as the switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from a first USIM to a second USIM to receive paging.

[0176] Example 10: The method according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein triggering the procedure includes sending parameter values ​​to a first communication network or a core network (CN) associated with the first communication network.

[0177] Example 11: The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the parameter value includes the requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset.

[0178] Example 12: The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein triggering the procedure includes performing non-access stratum (NAS) mobility registration on a 5G core network (5G CN) associated with a first communication network, or sending a requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset to an evolved packet system core network (EPS CN) associated with at least one communication network.

[0179] Example 13: The method according to Example 12 further includes sending the requested IMSI offset to the EPS CN in the attachment request or tracking area update (TAU) request.

[0180] Example 14: A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium 700, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium 700 has stored thereon a computer program including program instructions, wherein the computer program is configured to be loaded into a data processing unit 710, the data processing unit 710 including a processor 730 and a memory 720 associated with or integrated with the data processing unit, wherein when loaded into the data processing unit 710, the computer program is configured to be stored in the memory 720, wherein when loaded into the processor 730 and run by the processor 730, the computer program is configured to cause the processor to perform method steps according to any of the embodiments described in conjunction with Examples 1 to 13.

[0181] Example 15: An apparatus for managing paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks in a wireless communication device equipped with multiple Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs), the first communication network and one or more second communication networks being associated with corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Modules, USIMs, and one or more second USIMs in the multiple USIMs, wherein the apparatus includes control circuitry configured such that: Receive a first paging configuration message from the first communication network indicating the first upcoming paging opportunity; Receive one or more second paging configuration messages from one or more second communication networks indicating a second upcoming paging opportunity; Based on parameter values ​​used to reconfigure paging timing for the first communication network, a procedure is triggered with the first communication network to reduce the number of paging timing conflicts between a first upcoming paging timing and a second upcoming paging timing.

[0182] Example 16: The apparatus according to Example 15, wherein the parameter values ​​are based on alternative paging times for a first communication network, and the number of paging time overlaps between the alternative upcoming paging time and the second upcoming paging time is less than the number of paging time overlaps between the first paging time and the second upcoming paging time.

[0183] Example 17: The apparatus according to Example 15 or 16, wherein the parameter values ​​are different from one or more of the following: The parameter values ​​currently used by the wireless communication device; Parameter values ​​previously received from the first wireless communication network; and / or Excluded parameter values.

[0184] Example 18: An apparatus according to any one of Examples 15 to 17, wherein the apparatus includes a control circuit configured such that after the program is triggered: Receive parameter values ​​or alternative parameter values ​​from the first communication network; and Based on parameter values ​​or alternative parameter values, a reconfigured paging timing is used for the first communication network.

[0185] Example 19: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 15 to 18, wherein each of one or more paging timing overlaps includes: Complete paging timing overlap, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network and the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks completely overlap in time; Partial paging timing overlaps, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network partially overlaps in time with the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks; or The paging timing overlaps, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with a first communication network and the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks do not overlap in time, and the time interval between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to the second USIM to receive paging.

[0186] Example 20: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 15 to 19, wherein the program is triggered to be executed when at least one of the following applies during a time period: The number of non-overlapping paging opportunities for each communication network is less than the first threshold number; For at least one communication network, the ratio of the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities to the number of overlapping paging opportunities is defined as being less than a second threshold number. For each communication network, the ratio of non-overlapping paging opportunities to overlapping paging opportunities is defined as a third threshold number; and / or The number of overlapping paging opportunities reaches a threshold proportion of the total number of paging opportunities configured for the first communication network and one or more second communication networks.

[0187] Example 21: According to the apparatus of Example 20, when the wireless communication is in an idle or inactive mode, the time period is at least one paging cycle or discontinuous reception, DRX, cycle of the wireless communication device.

[0188] Example 22: The apparatus according to Example 20 or 21, wherein the time period is a first paging cycle of a first communication network, wherein the first paging cycle is longer than a second paging cycle associated with one or more second communication networks.

[0189] Example 23: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 20 to 22, wherein the non-overlapping paging timings include a first duration of paging timings associated with a first communication network and a second duration of paging timings associated with one or more second communication networks that do not overlap in time, and the time interval between the first duration and the second duration is at least as long as the switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from a first USIM to a second USIM to receive paging.

[0190] Example 24: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 15 to 23, wherein the apparatus includes a control circuit configured to trigger the procedure by sending parameter values ​​to a first communication network or a core network (CN) associated with the first communication network.

[0191] Example 25: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 15 to 24, wherein the parameter value includes the requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset.

[0192] Example 26: An apparatus according to any one of Examples 15 to 25, wherein the apparatus includes control circuitry configured to trigger the procedure by performing non-access stratum (NAS) mobility registration on a 5G core network (5G CN) associated with a first communication network, or by sending a requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset on an evolved Packet System core network (EPS CN) associated with at least one communication network.

[0193] Example 27: The apparatus according to Example 26, wherein the apparatus includes control circuitry configured to send a requested IMSI offset to the EPS CN in an attach request or tracking area update (TAU) request.

[0194] Example 28: A wireless communication device, comprising the apparatus described in any one of Examples 15 to 29.

[0195] This document has referenced various embodiments and examples. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations to the described embodiments will still fall within the scope of the claims. For example, the method embodiments described herein are exemplary methods by way of method steps performed in a particular order. However, it should be understood that the order of these events may occur in another order without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, some method steps may be performed in parallel, even if they are described as being performed sequentially.

[0196] Similarly, it should be noted that the division of functional blocks into specific units in the description of the embodiments is by no means limiting. Rather, these partitions are merely examples. A functional block described herein as a single unit may be divided into two or more units. In the same manner, without departing from the scope of the claims, a functional block described herein as implemented as two or more units may be implemented as a single unit.

[0197] Therefore, it should be understood that the details of the described embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are by no means limiting. Rather, all variations falling within the scope of the claims are intended to be included therein.

Claims

1. A method for managing paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks in a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs), each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks being associated with a corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, and one or more second USIMs in the plurality of USIMs, the method comprising: Receive a first paging configuration message from the first communication network indicating an upcoming paging opportunity; Receive one or more second paging configuration messages from the one or more second communication networks indicating a second upcoming paging opportunity; When a paging timing conflict occurs between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing, and / or a paging timing non-conflict occurs between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing, a procedure is triggered with at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks to reduce paging timing conflicts, wherein: Each of one or more paging timing conflicts between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing includes a timing in which the first duration of the paging timing associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging timing associated with the one or more second communication networks do not conflict in time, and the time period between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than the switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to one of the one or more second USIMs; and / or Each of the one or more paging time non-conflicts between the first upcoming paging time and the second upcoming paging time includes a time when the first duration of the paging time associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging time associated with the one or more second communication networks do not overlap in time, and the time period between the first duration and the second duration is greater than or equal to the switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to one of the one or more second USIMs.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, in addition to the one or more paging timing conflicts between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing, each paging timing conflict includes one of the following: Complete paging timing conflict, wherein the first duration of the paging timing associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging timing associated with the one or more second communication networks completely overlap in time; Partial paging timing conflict, wherein the first duration of the paging timing associated with the first communication network partially overlaps in time with the second duration of the paging timing associated with the one or more second communication networks.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more paging timing conflicts include all paging timing conflicts; and / or The one or more paging timing non-conflicts include all paging timing non-conflicts.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first number of paging timing conflicts between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing and / or the second number of paging timing non-conflicts between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing satisfy the paging timing condition when at least one of the following applies within the time period: For more than half of the first communication networks and each of the one or more second communication networks, the upcoming paging timing conflicts with one or more paging timings of at least one other communication network; For more than half of the first communication networks and each of the one or more second communication networks, more than half of the upcoming paging opportunities conflict with one or more paging opportunities for at least one other communication network; The number of paging timing conflicts for at least one of the first communication network and one or more of the second communication networks exceeds the conflict threshold; The number of non-collision paging opportunities for at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks is less than a non-collision threshold; and / or The number of non-collision paging opportunities is zero.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a first number of paging timing conflicts between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing and / or a second number of paging timing non-conflicts between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing satisfy the paging timing condition when at least one of the following applies within the time period: The number of non-collision paging opportunities for each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks is less than a first threshold. For at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks, the condition is defined as the ratio of the number of non-collision paging opportunities to the number of collision paging opportunities being less than a second threshold. For each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks, a condition is defined as the ratio of the number of non-collision paging opportunities to the number of collision paging opportunities being less than a third threshold; and / or During the time period, the number of paging timing conflicts reaches a threshold proportion of the total number of paging timings for at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks.

6. The method according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein when the wireless communication is in an idle or inactive mode, the time period is at least one paging cycle or discontinuous reception, DRX, cycle of the wireless communication device.

7. The method of any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the time period is a first paging cycle of the first communication network, and wherein the first paging cycle is longer than a second paging cycle associated with the one or more second communication networks.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein triggering the procedure includes performing non-access stratum (NAS) mobility registration on a 5G core network (5G CN) associated with the first communication network or the one or more second communication networks.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein triggering the procedure includes sending a requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset to the Evolved Packet System Core Network (EPS CN) associated with the at least one communication network.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising sending the requested IMSI offset to the EPSCN in an attachment request or tracking area update (TAU) request.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first number of paging timing conflicts between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing and / or the second number of paging timing non-conflicts between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing are within a first time period.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein triggering the program comprises: Based on parameter values ​​used to reconfigure paging timing for the first communication network, a procedure is triggered with the first communication network to reduce the first number of paging timing conflicts between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the parameter value is based on alternative paging times for at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks, to reduce the number of paging time conflicts between the first upcoming paging time and the second upcoming paging time.

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the parameter value is different from one or more of the following: The parameter values ​​currently used by the wireless communication device; Parameter values ​​previously received from the first wireless communication network; and / or Excluded parameter values.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, further comprising, after triggering the program: Receive the parameter value or alternative parameter value from at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks; as well as Based on the parameter value or the alternative parameter value, a reconfigured paging timing is used for at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks.

16. A method for managing paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks in a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs), each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks being associated with a corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, and one or more second USIMs in the plurality of USIMs, the method comprising: Receive a first paging configuration message from the first communication network indicating an upcoming paging opportunity; Receive one or more second paging configuration messages from the one or more second communication networks indicating a second upcoming paging opportunity; as well as When a paging timing condition is met by a first number of overlapping paging timings between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing and / or a second number of non-overlapping paging timings between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing, a procedure is triggered with at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein each paging timing overlap between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing comprises one of the following: Complete paging timing overlap, wherein the first duration of the paging timing associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging timing associated with the one or more second communication networks completely overlap in time; Partial paging timing overlaps, wherein the first duration of a paging timing associated with the first communication network partially overlaps in time with the second duration of a paging timing associated with one or more second communication networks; or The paging timing overlaps, wherein the first duration of the paging timing associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging timing associated with the one or more second communication networks do not overlap in time, and the time interval between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than the handover time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to the second USIM to receive paging.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein non-overlapping paging timings include the first duration of the paging timing associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging timing associated with the one or more second communication networks not overlapping in time, and the time interval between the first duration and the second duration is at least as long as the switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to the second USIM.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the first number of overlapping paging opportunities between the first upcoming paging opportunity and the second upcoming paging opportunity and / or the second number of non-overlapping paging opportunities between the first upcoming paging opportunity and the second upcoming paging opportunity satisfy the paging opportunity condition when at least one of the following applies within the time period: For more than half of the first communication networks and each of the one or more second communication networks, the upcoming paging timing overlaps with one or more paging timings of at least one other communication network; For more than half of the first communication networks and each of the one or more second communication networks, more than half of the upcoming paging opportunities overlap with one or more paging opportunities for at least one other communication network; The number of overlapping paging times for at least one of the first communication network and one or more of the second communication networks exceeds an overlap threshold; The number of non-overlapping paging opportunities for at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks is less than a non-overlap threshold; and / or The number of non-overlapping paging opportunities is zero.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the first number of overlapping paging opportunities between the first upcoming paging opportunity and the second upcoming paging opportunity and / or the second number of non-overlapping paging opportunities between the first upcoming paging opportunity and the second upcoming paging opportunity satisfy the paging opportunity condition when at least one of the following applies within the time period: The number of non-overlapping paging opportunities for each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks is less than a first threshold. For at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks, the condition is defined as the ratio of the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities to the number of overlapping paging opportunities being less than a second threshold. For each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks, a condition is defined as the ratio of the number of non-overlapping paging opportunities to the number of overlapping paging opportunities being less than a third threshold; and / or During the time period, the number of overlapping paging opportunities reaches a threshold proportion of the total number of paging opportunities for at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks.

21. The method according to any one of claims 19 or 20, wherein when the wireless communication is in an idle or inactive mode, the time period is at least one paging cycle or discontinuous reception, DRX, cycle of the wireless communication device.

22. The method of any one of claims 19 or 20, wherein the time period is a first paging cycle of the first communication network, and wherein the first paging cycle is longer than a second paging cycle associated with the one or more second communication networks.

23. The method of any one of claims 16 to 2022, wherein triggering the procedure includes performing non-access stratum (NAS) mobility registration on a 5G core network (5G CN) associated with the first communication network or the one or more second communication networks.

24. The method of any one of claims 16 to 23, wherein triggering the procedure comprises sending a requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset to the Evolved Packet System Core Network (EPS CN) associated with the at least one communication network.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising sending the requested IMSI offset to the EPSCN in an attachment request or tracking area update (TAU) request.

26. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 25, wherein the first number of paging times overlapping between the first upcoming paging time and the second upcoming paging time and / or the second number of paging times not overlapping between the first upcoming paging time and the second upcoming paging time are within a first time period.

27. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 26, wherein triggering the program comprises: Based on parameter values ​​used to reconfigure paging timing for the first communication network, a procedure is triggered with the first communication network to reduce the first number of paging timing overlaps between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the parameter value is based on alternative paging times for at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks, to reduce the number of paging time overlaps between the first upcoming paging time and the second upcoming paging time.

29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the parameter value is different from one or more of the following: The parameter values ​​currently used by the wireless communication device; Parameter values ​​previously received from the first wireless communication network; and / or Excluded parameter values.

30. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 29, further comprising, after triggering the program: Receive the parameter value or alternative parameter value from at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks; as well as Based on the parameter value or the alternative parameter value, a reconfigured paging timing is used for at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks.

31. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium 700, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium has stored thereon a computer program including program instructions, wherein the computer program is configured to be loadable into a data processing unit, the data processing unit including a processor and a memory associated with or integrated with the data processing unit, wherein when loaded into the data processing unit, the computer program is configured to be stored in the memory, and wherein when loaded into the processor and executed by the processor, the computer program is configured to cause the processor to perform method steps according to any method described in conjunction with claims 1-30.

32. An apparatus for managing paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks in a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs), each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks being associated with a corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, and one or more second USIMs among the plurality of USIMs, wherein the apparatus includes control circuitry configured such that: Receive a first paging configuration message from the first communication network indicating an upcoming paging opportunity; Receive one or more second paging configuration messages from the one or more second communication networks indicating a second upcoming paging opportunity; When a paging timing conflict occurs between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing, and / or a paging timing non-conflict occurs between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing, a procedure is triggered with at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks to reduce paging timing conflicts, wherein: Each of one or more paging timing conflicts between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing includes a timing in which the first duration of the paging timing associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging timing associated with the one or more second communication networks do not conflict in time, and the time period between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than the switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to one of the one or more second USIMs; and / or Each of the one or more paging time non-conflicts between the first upcoming paging time and the second upcoming paging time includes a time when the first duration of the paging time associated with the first communication network and the second duration of the paging time associated with the one or more second communication networks do not overlap in time, and the time period between the first duration and the second duration is greater than or equal to the switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to one of the one or more second USIMs.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the apparatus includes control circuitry configured to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 2 to 15.

34. An apparatus for managing paging conflicts between a first communication network and one or more second communication networks in a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs), each of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks being associated with a corresponding first Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, and one or more second USIMs in the plurality of USIMs, wherein the apparatus includes control circuitry configured such that: Receive a first paging configuration message from the first communication network indicating an upcoming paging opportunity; Receive one or more second paging configuration messages from the one or more second communication networks indicating a second upcoming paging timing; and When a paging timing condition is met by a first number of overlapping paging timings between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing and / or a second number of non-overlapping paging timings between the first upcoming paging timing and the second upcoming paging timing, a procedure is triggered with at least one of the first communication network and the one or more second communication networks.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the apparatus includes control circuitry configured to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 17 to 30.

36. A wireless communication device comprising the means of any one of claims 32 to 35.

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