User Identity Association for Proxy Paging in Dual-SIM Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communications systems struggle to associate multiple user identities within a single mobile terminal effectively, hindering network optimization and resource efficiency when multiple SIM cards are present, particularly in scenarios where user identities belong to the same operator.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for associating two user identities with a terminal device through message exchanges between network devices, including proxy paging, tracking area update, and switching indications, ensuring network awareness of the association.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple user identities are registered in the same mobile terminal, then the terminal can serve multiple users simultaneously, but the network cannot effectively associate these identities with the terminal, leading to resource waste and increased power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-user identity supportVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple user identities under a single terminal association by introducing a primary user identity that represents the terminal to the network. The network associates the terminal with this primary identity and can manage multiple secondary identities through this single association point, reducing the need for separate network entities for each identity and thereby conserving network resources and terminal power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The primary user identity serves multiple functions: it acts as the terminal's representative for network association, enables the network to identify and manage multiple secondary identities, and allows proxy operations for paging, tracking area updates, and handovers. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate management mechanisms for each identity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate network entities manage each user identity independently, then each identity can be serviced individually, but network resources are wasted and the system cannot optimize for multiple identities in the same terminal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual identity serviceVSAvoidnetwork resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The primary user identity acts as an intermediary between the network and multiple secondary identities. The network associates the terminal through the primary identity and uses it as a mediator to manage communications with secondary identities. This intermediary approach maintains reliable individual identity service while significantly reducing network resource consumption by avoiding duplicate management entities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple identity management functions into a single network association relationship between the terminal and the core network through the primary user identity. This merging allows the network to maintain the ability to service each identity individually while using far fewer network resources than would be required for completely independent management of each identity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If the network associates multiple user identities with a terminal, then resource optimization and power saving are achieved, but the complexity of identity association and message exchange increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidassociation mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal performs preliminary actions by selecting a primary user identity before registering with the network and explicitly indicating this selection in the registration request. This preliminary designation simplifies subsequent network operations, as the network receives clear guidance on which identity to use for terminal association and which identities are secondary, reducing the complexity of the overall association mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network provides feedback to the terminal by acknowledging the primary identity selection and confirming the association relationship. This feedback mechanism ensures both the terminal and network have consistent understanding of the identity associations, enabling efficient proxy operations without requiring complex error handling or re-negotiation protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If one user identity acts as proxy for another, then paging and switching operations are optimized, but the network must maintain additional association information and message exchange protocols

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging efficiencyVSAvoidassociation information overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The primary user identity serves as a universal proxy for multiple secondary identities across different network operations including paging, tracking area updates, and handovers. This multi-functional proxy approach allows the network to maintain a single association record rather than separate records for each identity, reducing information overhead while maintaining high productivity in proxy operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The network uses the primary user identity as a template or copy that represents the terminal's association relationship. Instead of maintaining separate association information for each secondary identity, the network creates a representative copy through the primary identity that can be used for all proxy operations, minimizing the storage and processing overhead for association information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4054222B1User identity association method and communication apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4054222B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4054222B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4054222B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a user identity association method. The method includes: A first device receives a first message from a terminal device, where the first message is sent by the terminal device by using a first user identity, the first message is used to indicate to request the first user identity to be associated with a second user identity, and the first message is further used to indicate information about the second user identity. The first device sends a second message to a second device based on the information about the second user identity, where the second message is used to indicate to request the first user identity to be associated with the second user identity. According to the method provided in this application, two user identities may be associated with one terminal device, to optimize a communications system.