Data Usage Plan System for Application-Aware Billing Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telecommunications providers face challenges in managing data usage across multiple services and devices, as existing systems lack efficient methods to categorize, bill, and manage data consumption based on specific applications and content, leading to complexities in billing and service delivery.
Innovation Solution
A data usage plan system that integrates with user devices and provider networks, utilizing a data plan server to administer billing accounts, categorize data usage, and apply policies for different applications and content, allowing for real-time management and billing based on usage thresholds, with options for advertising and content provider sponsorships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If telecommunications providers manage data usage across multiple services and devices using existing systems, then service delivery is maintained, but billing complexity increases and management efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data usage management by creating separate data usage plans for different services (mobile, internet, cable) and devices. Each plan can be independently configured with specific data allowances, pricing structures, and management policies, allowing the system to handle complexity in organized units rather than as a monolithic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a data usage plan as an intermediary layer between the raw data usage and the billing system. This plan acts as a mediator that pre-defines management rules, pricing, and allocation policies, thereby simplifying the billing process by eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations and negotiations for each data usage event.
2Measurement precision
If providers implement comprehensive data usage tracking across all services, then billing accuracy improves, but system complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring data usage plans with all necessary billing parameters, data allowances, and pricing structures before data consumption occurs. This allows the system to simply track usage against pre-defined plans rather than performing complex billing calculations in real-time, maintaining accuracy while reducing operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If providers offer customized data management for each device and service, then user satisfaction improves, but administrative overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal data usage plan structure that can be applied across multiple services and devices. The same plan template can be customized for mobile, internet, and cable services, allowing providers to offer customized management while using a standardized system framework. This reduces administrative overhead by reusing the same management interface and billing infrastructure across different service types.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes providing identifying application information associated with a user device in a network. The application information is information associated with at least one application running on the at least one user device. The method may further include identifying data usage information associated with the user device. The data usage information includes information associated with data used by the user device. In addition, the method may include associating the application information and the data usage information to determine application data usage for the user device. The method may also include identifying a data usage plan associated with the user device, and applying the data usage plan in the network based on the application data usage.