Universal User Identifier for Cross-Network Transaction Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transaction systems based on mobile radio networks are limited in their ability to function outside of the mobile radio sector, particularly in situations involving WLAN or DSL networks, as they rely on network operators to provide user identifiers, which are not available when communication networks change, leading to identification issues for users and their devices during transactions.

Innovation Solution

A method where a user identifier is generated by a provider through a first communication network, such as a mobile radio network, and stored on the user's device, allowing it to be used independently across different communication networks, including WLAN/LAN/DSL, ensuring a universal identifier for transactions across various networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network operators provide user identifiers through mobile radio networks, then user identification for transactions is enabled, but the system cannot function outside mobile radio networks (WLAN/DSL)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork compatibilityVSAvoididentification availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The user identifier is designed to be network-agnostic, allowing the same identifier to function across mobile radio networks, WLAN, and DSL networks. The identifier is stored locally on the user device and can be presented to providers regardless of which network is being used, making the identification system universal across multiple communication infrastructures.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The user identifier is generated and stored on the user device before the transaction takes place, and before the user connects to any specific network. This preliminary storage ensures that the identifier is immediately available when needed, regardless of which network the user connects to at the time of transaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If user identifiers are stored on user devices for use across multiple networks, then identification availability improves, but the complexity of generating and managing these identifiers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification availabilityVSAvoididentifier management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user device autonomously stores and manages its own identifier without requiring continuous intervention from network operators. The device can present the stored identifier to any provider on any network without needing to authenticate through a specific network operator, enabling self-service identification across heterogeneous networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If traditional mobile network identification methods are used, then transactions within mobile networks are secure, but transactions outside mobile networks cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction securityVSAvoidnetwork scope
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The identification capability is extracted from the network operator's domain and placed directly on the user device. Instead of relying on the network operator to provide and manage identifiers, the user device independently holds and presents its own identifier, separating the identification function from any specific network infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2575385B1Method for initializing and/or activation of at least one user account, for carrying out a transaction, and terminal
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 VODAFONE GMBH
  • EP2575385B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2575385B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2575385B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves generating main terminal (12) by user request for initializing and activating user account and user identifier through a communication channel (22) of communication network (10). A preset identifier (19) is assigned to main terminal based on request of user, during the transmission on sides of communication network. A user identifier (23) is generated in side of provider (16) according to receipt of request enriched with preset identifier. The user identifier is transferred from provider to main terminal.