Real-Time Billing Data Delivery via Consolidator Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internet bill presentment and payment systems face delays in delivering customer profile and billing information due to scheduled batch requests and biller-dependent data retrieval processes, leading to inefficiencies and increased overhead for both customers and billers.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows real-time delivery of customer profile and billing information by using a consolidator module connected to a biller module with biller-independent submodules for communication and data retrieval, enabling immediate requests and unscheduled data forwarding, reducing the need for biller-dependent modules and minimizing delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If scheduled batch requests are used to communicate billing information between consolidator and billers, then system complexity is reduced and standardized communication is achieved, but information delivery time increases from real-time to days or billing cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments communication into two paths: scheduled batch requests for full billing cycles and unscheduled real-time requests for immediate information delivery. This segmentation allows the system to maintain standardized batch communication while adding real-time capability without complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary setup by establishing biller-independent submodules and standardized communication protocols in advance. This preliminary action enables real-time requests to be processed immediately without requiring complex biller-specific configurations at the moment of request.
2Reliability
If biller-dependent modules are used for data retrieval, then accurate customer-specific information is obtained, but overhead costs and system complexities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The consolidator acts as an intermediary between customers and billers, managing the communication and data retrieval processes. The consolidator's biller-independent submodules handle standardized interactions, reducing the need for complex biller-dependent modules while maintaining accurate data retrieval through the consolidator's coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The biller-independent submodules are designed to be universal and multi-functional, capable of handling communication with multiple different billers using standardized protocols. This universality reduces system overhead by eliminating the need for separate specialized modules for each biller while maintaining reliable data retrieval.
3Productivity
If unscheduled real-time requests are implemented, then information delivery speed increases to seconds, but communication protocol complexity and biller integration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic request handling that adapts to different timing requirements. Scheduled batch requests handle routine billing cycles, while unscheduled real-time requests handle immediate information needs. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize communication timing without requiring completely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses copying of standardized communication templates and protocols for real-time requests. Instead of creating entirely new communication mechanisms, the system copies and adapts existing batch request protocols for real-time use, reducing protocol complexity while enabling faster delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide real-time customer profile and billing information in an IBPP environment. Specifically, in a bill presentment and payment system with a scheduled time to communicate billing information with a set of billers, customer registration information, including identification information, is received. A request, including the customer identification information, is provided to a biller, outside of the scheduled time for communication. The customer is thus permitted access to the billing information at an unscheduled time.