Communication Device Feature Management via Hierarchical Wallets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication devices lack effective real-time management and administrative control over feature usage and payment, leading to potential abuse and uncontrolled spending, particularly in prepaid services, which can result in denial of essential services during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing electronic wallets with hierarchical control features, allowing administrators to manage and allocate funds across multiple wallets tied to a single device, enabling real-time enforcement of policies and rules for feature usage and payment, ensuring essential services are always available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If prepaid services allow users to spend freely without restrictions, then users have complete freedom to use features, but users may abuse services and incur uncontrolled spending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the payment system into multiple electronic wallets, each dedicated to specific feature categories (e.g., voice, data, messaging). Administrators can allocate funds to different wallets and set spending limits for each, enabling granular control over feature usage while maintaining user freedom within allocated budgets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes spending parameters by adjusting wallet balances, spending limits, and feature availability in real-time based on user behavior patterns and administrator-defined policies, preventing abuse while allowing legitimate usage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If administrators implement strict controls over feature usage, then service abuse is prevented, but essential services may be denied during emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that monitors feature usage in real-time and automatically adjusts controls based on situation assessment. The system distinguishes between normal usage patterns and emergency scenarios, temporarily suspending spending limits for essential services during emergencies while maintaining controls for non-essential features.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system transitions from static spending limits to dynamic, context-aware restrictions that automatically adapt to user needs and situational context, ensuring essential services remain accessible while preventing abuse of non-essential features.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple electronic wallets are implemented for different features, then spending control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the system automatically performs wallet selection, fund allocation, and spending limit enforcement without requiring manual user intervention. The complexity is shifted from the user interface to automated backend processes, maintaining simplicity for end users while achieving granular spending control.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic wallet system is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple feature types and spending scenarios through a single integrated interface, reducing overall system complexity by consolidating control functions rather than creating separate management systems for each feature.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If real-time policy enforcement is implemented, then service usage is properly regulated, but system processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures spending limits, feature restrictions, and policy rules in the electronic wallets before service usage occurs. This preliminary setup enables rapid real-time enforcement by comparing actual usage against pre-established criteria, avoiding time-consuming policy evaluation during service delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops that monitor usage patterns and automatically adjust controls in real-time, with policies being enforced through pre-established decision trees that minimize processing time while maintaining effective regulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for the real-time management of a device, and more particularly to the establishment and enforcement of policies or rules associated with the feature or functions that may be performed with the device, such as making and receiving calls, exchanging data, playing games and music, sending and receiving email, accessing web sites, and paying for goods and services. If a child or employee is using the device, there may be a need to regulate how that device can be used and to determine who will pay for what goods or services. In addition to providing all of the features associated with a device, service providers need to be able to establish and enforce rules (policies) regulating how and when that device can be used and who will pay for a good or service requested by the user of the device.