Alternative Billing Gateway for Text Message Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices may experience communication interruptions or delays due to insufficient funds in their service accounts, leading to failed message transmissions or receptions, as existing billing systems do not effectively manage funds for message origination and reception between devices.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows alternative billing arrangements by notifying devices with sufficient funds to accept charges for message transmission or reception, offering options such as one-time, periodic, or recurring payments for message delivery between mobile devices, thereby enabling the completion of transactions even when one device lacks sufficient funds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mobile device uses pre-paid service with fixed account balance, then service continuity is maintained, but communication interruptions occur when funds are exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary billing arrangement where a second mobile device acts as a mediator to cover charges for the first device. When the first device exhausts its pre-paid funds, the system enables billing transfer to the second device, allowing continuous service without interruption. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing a fallback funding source that maintains service continuity while preventing communication interruptions.
2Reliability
If alternative billing arrangements are implemented, then service disruption is prevented, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where mobile devices automatically notify each other of insufficient funds and initiate billing transfers without requiring manual intervention. The devices autonomously manage their billing states, send notifications when funds are exhausted, and execute billing transfers to alternative devices. This self-service approach prevents service disruption while minimizing the operational complexity burden on users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing billing arrangements between devices and proactively notifying devices of insufficient funds before service disruption occurs. The billing infrastructure is pre-configured to automatically transfer charges between devices, preventing the need for complex real-time decision-making during critical moments and reducing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If real-time billing checks are performed, then accurate billing is ensured, but message transmission delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs billing checks and fund status verification as preliminary actions before message transmission occurs. Devices proactively notify each other of sufficient or insufficient funds in advance, allowing the billing system to be pre-resolved. This eliminates the need for real-time billing checks during message transmission, ensuring accurate billing while preventing transmission delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by establishing billing arrangements and fund status knowledge in advance before critical message transmission moments. When a device knows beforehand that another device has sufficient funds to cover charges, it can proceed with transmission without delay for real-time billing verification. This prior cushioning ensures billing accuracy while maintaining transmission speed.
Data Source
AI summary
An alternative billing system for communication service, comprising a gateway comprising a processor and a memory, and an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, receives a text message from an originating electronic device, determines that an account balance associated with the originating electronic device lacks sufficient funds to pay for origination of the text message, sends a message to a terminating electronic device identified by the text message to inquire if the terminating electronic device wants to be billed for the origination of the text message, when a message accepting billing for the origination of the text message is received from the terminating electronic device, sends the text message to the terminating electronic device, and when a message rejecting billing for the origination of the text message is received from the terminating electronic device, does not send the text message to the terminating electronic device.