Billing Engine for Wireless Data Utilization Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack the ability to track data utilization of devices when they are connected to a mobile provider network via a wireless access point, as data exchanges are not adequately monitored in such scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The system equips wireless communication devices with a second short-range transceiver to enable direct communication between devices, forming a short-range network that allows data utilization tracking by the mobile operator network, even when devices are connected through a wireless access point, and includes a connection manager to configure and manage connections with access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireless communication devices communicate via wireless access points to off-load traffic, then network capacity and speed are improved, but data utilization tracking capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a billing engine as an intermediary component that sits between the wireless access point and the network operator. This billing engine captures accounting information (data utilization) from traffic passing through the access point and forwards it to the network operator, enabling tracking without interfering with the off-loaded communication path. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by adding a monitoring layer that preserves both the off-loading benefit and the tracking capability.
2Ease of operation
If wireless devices communicate directly via short-range transceivers forming ad-hoc networks, then ease of operation and communication speed are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the billing engine functionality with existing network infrastructure components (access points, routers, or network operators) rather than requiring separate dedicated hardware. By combining the monitoring and billing functions with already-present devices, the system achieves direct communication capabilities without proportionally increasing overall device complexity. The short-range transceivers use standard protocols, further reducing complexity while enabling ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless communication device associated with a mobile operator network transmits an authentication request for network access via a wireless access point (AP) using a transceiver other than the cellular network transceiver. Device authentication can occur directly with the mobile operator network via a proxy server or using a stand-alone authentication system that is not part of the mobile operator network. Upon authentication, the requesting device may access a wide area network in a data off-load operational mode and the data flow to and from the device via the AP is monitored and reported to mobile operator network associated with the requesting device. The wireless communication device can communicate with any of a plurality of APs distributed in a venue during the data off-load operational mode.