Bundled Fax Services for User Acquisition

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Solution Overview

Problem

The promotion of fax messaging services has been limited in its approach, with existing methods not effectively offering bundled services that incentivize new users to subscribe to both send and receive fax services, particularly in conjunction with other communication services like Internet access, Web services, and Internet telephony.

Innovation Solution

Offering new customers a predetermined amount of free inbound fax pages and a limited number of free outbound fax pages as part of bundled services such as Internet access, Web services, or Internet telephony, leveraging existing infrastructure like DSL Internet services and IP telephony to provide a comprehensive fax messaging solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fax messaging services are promoted through traditional limited approaches, then service adoption occurs, but user acquisition rate remains low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser acquisition rateVSAvoidservice promotion effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines fax messaging services with other communication services (Internet access, Web services, Internet telephony) into bundled packages. This merging of services creates a more comprehensive offering that appeals to potential users who need multiple communication solutions, thereby increasing user acquisition rates while maintaining effective promotion strategies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a multi-functionality approach by offering fax services alongside Internet access, Web services, and Internet telephony in unified bundles. This universal package allows users to access multiple communication functions through a single service subscription, enhancing promotion effectiveness and driving higher adoption rates.

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

2Productivity

If free or low-cost fax services are offered to new customers, then user adoption increases, but service cost to provider increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser adoption rateVSAvoidservice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges fax services with other communication services into bundled packages offered at free or low-cost to new customers. By combining multiple services, the provider can offset the cost of free fax services through revenue from other components of the bundle, thereby increasing user adoption without proportionally increasing overall service costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by offering free or low-cost fax services only to new customers as part of promotional bundles, rather than to all customers universally. This targeted approach allows the provider to acquire new users at lower cost while maintaining profitability through selective subsidization of acquisition costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If bundled communication packages are offered, then service appeal increases, but service complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice package appealVSAvoidservice management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple communication services (fax, Internet access, Web services, Internet telephony) into integrated bundled packages. This merging increases service appeal and versatility by offering comprehensive communication solutions, while the bundling itself manages complexity by presenting a unified offering to customers rather than separate individual services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8705726B2Fax messaging for new users
Publication Date: 2014.04.22 ADVANCED MESSAGING TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • US8705726B2 patent drawing
  • US8705726B2 patent drawing
  • US8705726B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Send and receive services are operated that send and receive fax messages, respectively, via fax protocols. Each new customer is offered a predetermined amount of the receive service, and a more limited amount of the send service, both free of charge to the customer, as part of a group of services that includes Internet access, Web services, or Internet telephony. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.