Carrier Transfer System Prevents Double Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for transferring handheld devices between mobile carriers often result in double billing when a device is registered on one carrier's network and then transferred to another, as existing technologies lack a mechanism to prevent simultaneous activation and billing by both carriers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves a provisioning system to uniquely identify devices using their electronic serial number or product identification number, deactivating the device from the previous carrier's network if already registered, and registering it on the new carrier's network, ensuring accurate billing and preventing double billing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device is transferred between mobile carriers without a deactivation mechanism, then the device can be used on multiple networks, but both carriers may bill for the same device causing double billing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs deactivation of the device on the previous carrier's network as a preliminary action before registering it on the new carrier's network. The provisioning system checks the device's registration status and initiates deactivation on the old network prior to activation on the new network, preventing simultaneous billing by both carriers
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the provisioning system continuously monitors the device's registration status across different carriers. When a device is transferred, the system receives feedback about the device's current network affiliation and automatically triggers deactivation on the previous carrier's network, ensuring accurate billing attribution
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a provisioning system checks device registration status before transfer, then double billing can be prevented, but the transfer process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning system performs multiple functions through a single integrated process: it checks device registration status, identifies the previous carrier, initiates deactivation on the old network, and registers the device on the new network. This multi-functional approach prevents double billing while maintaining a streamlined transfer process that does not require separate manual intervention for each step
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a system and method for transferring a mobile handheld device between mobile carriers. In an embodiment, a system for transferring a handheld device between mobile carriers comprises a provisioning system for receiving from a first mobile carrier a request to register the device on the first mobile carrier's wireless network; a database uniquely identifying the device to determine if the device has been previously registered; deactivation means for deactivating the device from the second mobile carrier's wireless network if the device has been previously registered to a second mobile carrier; and registration means for registering the device on the first mobile carrier's wireless network upon confirmation that the device has been deactivated from the second mobile carrier's wireless network. The device may be uniquely identified by a unique electronic serial number (ESN) or a unique product identification number (PIN).