Billing System Usage Adjustment for Roaming Rate Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of billing systems for telecommunications services increases due to varying voice and data rates across different geographic locations and times, making it difficult to communicate these rate differences to users effectively.
Innovation Solution
A communications system that includes a mobile network, WLAN, VoIP service, PSTN, and a billing system configured to determine an invoice amount based on an adjusted usage amount, which is calculated using a usage adjustment factor that considers geographic location, time, promotional events, and network rates, and is displayed on the communications device with a roaming indicator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If billing systems track multiple voice and data rates across different roaming countries and territories, then billing accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of managing multiple rates by separating the rate determination logic from the billing system. A roaming rate server is introduced that independently manages all roaming rates for different countries and territories, while the billing system only needs to retrieve pre-calculated adjusted usage amounts. This extraction reduces billing system complexity while maintaining billing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The roaming rate server acts as an intermediary between the billing system and the complex matrix of international rates. It receives raw usage data, applies appropriate roaming rates based on destination country/territory, and returns adjusted usage amounts to the billing system. This intermediary layer shields the billing system from complexity while ensuring accurate billing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If billing systems implement multiple voice and data rates for different locations and times, then service adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating adjusted usage amounts before billing occurs. The roaming rate server determines all applicable rates and calculates adjusted usage in advance, so that when billing time arrives, the system only needs to process pre-computed values. This preliminary action maintains service adaptability while simplifying operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The roaming rate server autonomously manages the complexity of multiple rates without requiring manual intervention. It automatically retrieves usage data, determines applicable rates based on destination and time, calculates adjusted usage amounts, and provides results to the billing system. This self-service capability maintains versatile rate structures while improving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An example communications system for providing communication services between communications devices may employ multiple usage rates for metered communication services. A method for adjusting usage amounts to account for multiple usage rates may include determining a usage adjustment factor for a communications event; determining a metered usage amount for the communications event; and determining an adjusted usage amount based on the usage adjustment factor and the metered usage amount for the communications amount. Thus, a billing system in the communications system may determine an invoice amount based on the adjusted usage amount and a predetermined bill rate.