Charging Profile Selection System for Mobile Data Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile data services have limited charging profiles and lack location-based billing capabilities, restricting the ability of service providers to accurately bill customers and manage complex billing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for selecting one or more charging profiles for a mobile data service session, utilizing a Charging Profile Selection System (SDCP) that manages the selection of charging profiles based on predetermined criteria and location-specific data, including pre-paid and post-paid profiles, to provide a dynamic and location-aware billing solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional charging profiles are used, then billing is simple, but the number of available charging profiles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The charging profile selection system is segmented into multiple independent sources (operator-specific profiles, location-based profiles, service-type profiles) that can be individually managed and combined. Each source maintains its own set of charging profiles independently, allowing the system to offer a broader range of profiles without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging profile selection system is designed to be multi-functional by supporting multiple sources of charging profiles (operator-specific, location-based, service-type) and enabling it to select from any combination of these sources. This universal system can handle diverse billing scenarios including pre-paid, post-paid, location-based billing, and service-type-specific billing within a single framework.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional billing systems are used, then system complexity is low, but location-based billing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality by introducing location-specific charging profiles that apply charging rules based on the user's geographic location. Different locations can have different charging characteristics (e.g., different rates, different applicable services), allowing the system to provide location-based billing capability while maintaining the existing overall billing framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging profile selection system acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the billing system. It receives user information including location data, selects appropriate charging profiles from multiple sources based on this information, and presents the selected profile to the billing system. This intermediary approach enables location-based billing without requiring the entire billing system to be redesigned.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charging profile sources are integrated, then billing flexibility increases, but profile selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring and maintaining separate sets of charging profiles in different sources (operator-specific profiles, location-based profiles, service-type profiles) before actual billing occurs. Each source has its profiles ready and organized in advance, so when a user initiates a service session, the system can quickly select from these pre-prepared options without complex real-time analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the charging profile selection is based on user information (including location, service type, pre-paid/post-paid status) that is fed back to the selection logic. The system continuously receives updates about user state and adjusts profile selection accordingly, ensuring the most appropriate profile is chosen while managing complexity through structured feedback loops.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for selecting one or more charging profiles for a mobile data service session are disclosed. A method includes identifying one or more available sources of charging profiles that each provide a charging profile for a mobile data service user and selecting a charging profile to be used for at least a portion of the mobile data service session based on selection criteria that ranks the available sources of charging profiles. Access is provided to the selected charging profile for use in billing the mobile data service user.