Configurable Rating System Using Table-Driven Templates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telecommunication service providers face significant challenges in efficiently configuring and maintaining rating systems for diverse services, as existing systems require extensive time and resources to define, assign, and update custom rating functions, leading to delays in introducing new products and services.
Innovation Solution
A configurable table-driven rating system that uses a master index table and multiple rating tables to determine charge amounts for telecommunications usage events, allowing for flexible definition and rapid configuration of rating parameters, simplifying the process through a single rating determination program that can be applied across various products and services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom rule and code driven billing system is used, then rating system can handle diverse telecommunications services, but configuration time and resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses template rating functions that can be copied and reused across multiple telecommunications products and services. Instead of creating custom rating code for each service, the system provides pre-defined rating templates that can be instantiated and configured through simple parameter settings, dramatically reducing configuration time while maintaining the ability to handle diverse services
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal rating system where a single configurable template can serve multiple different telecommunications products and services. The rating templates are designed to be multi-functional, allowing the same template structure to be applied across voice, data, and messaging services with different parameter configurations, eliminating the need for service-specific custom code
2Measurement precision
If custom rating functions are defined for each service, then accurate charging can be achieved, but maintenance and updating resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copyable rating templates that preserve the precise charging logic across multiple services. When a rating template is created or modified, the updated version can be copied to all associated products and services, ensuring consistent and accurate charging without manually updating each service's custom code
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the charging logic for multiple telecommunications services into unified rating templates. Instead of maintaining separate custom rating functions for each service, the system combines them into a single template structure that handles multiple services through parameter configuration, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining charging accuracy
3Adaptability or versatility
If extensive custom rating functions are implemented, then diverse services can be supported, but introduction of new products is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares rating templates in advance with pre-defined rating logic and structures. When a new telecommunications product or service is introduced, the appropriate pre-prepared template can be immediately selected and configured with specific parameters, eliminating the need for time-consuming custom code development and enabling rapid product introduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal rating templates that can accommodate multiple different telecommunications services. A single template can be configured to support various service types through parameter settings, allowing the system to quickly adapt to new services without developing new rating functions from scratch
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable rating system provides the flexibility to define rating tariffs based on any number of input parameters, such as a service identifier, origin number, destination number, event type, or other parameter. At the same time, the configurable rating system simplifies the definition, debugging, and assignment of rating parameters which ultimately determine the calculated usage event rating. The configurable rating system implements a database table driven approach which may replace any number of custom rating functions with a single rating function which determines the appropriate charge amount regardless of the telecommunications product or service.