Communication Device Data Transmission Cap Limiting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Subscribers to data service plans often unknowingly exceed data transmission caps, leading to unintended surcharges due to lack of awareness or inability to configure their devices to limit data transmission effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that displays a graphical user interface (GUI) on communication devices to allow users to select data transmission limiting tactics and set thresholds below the data transmission cap, configuring the device to implement these tactics when the specified threshold is reached, thereby preventing excessive data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If subscribers manually configure their devices to limit data transmission, then data cap exceedance can be prevented, but user complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata cap complianceVSAvoiddevice configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors data transmission and applies limiting tactics without requiring user intervention. The communication device or network device autonomously tracks data usage, determines when thresholds are approached, and executes pre-configured limiting tactics (such as blocking data transmissions or converting to alternative communication methods), thereby preventing cap exceedance while eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex settings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors data transmission levels and provides feedback to both users and the control system. When data usage approaches the cap, the system notifies users and automatically activates limiting tactics. This feedback loop ensures users are informed of their status while the system handles the complex configuration and execution of data limiting measures, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If automatic data limiting tactics are implemented, then data cap exceedance is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata cap complianceVSAvoiddata transmission control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network device or server as an intermediary that handles the complex data monitoring and limiting logic externally. Instead of embedding complex monitoring and control software in each user device, the system uses a centralized network component to track data usage across the network and enforce limits, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing the complexity burden on individual user devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs universal data limiting tactics that can be applied across multiple devices and scenarios through a single centralized control mechanism. The network device or server implements a unified data monitoring and limiting system that serves all subscribers, eliminating the need for each device to independently implement complex data management functionality, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective cap compliance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9380167B2Limiting data transmission to and/or from a communication device as a data transmission cap is approached and graphical user interface for configuring same
Publication Date: 2016.06.28 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD
  • US9380167B2 patent drawing
  • US9380167B2 patent drawing
  • US9380167B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A data transmission cap represents a maximum amount of data that can be transmitted to and/or from a communication device during a subscriber billing cycle without incurring a penalty under a subscriber rate plan. To limit data transmission to and/or from the communication device as the data transmission cap is approached, a graphical user interface (GUI) is displayed. The GUI includes one or more GUI controls for selecting a data transmission limiting tactic from a plurality of distinct data transmission limiting tactics and for specifying a data transmission threshold at which the selected tactic is to take effect, the threshold being below the operative cap. Upon user interaction with the GUI control(s), user input indicating the selected data transmission tactic and specified data transmission threshold is received. The communication device or another electronic device in communication therewith is configured to effect the selected data transmission limiting tactic when the specified data transmission threshold is reached.