Device-Assisted Roaming Billing with Service Processor CDRs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network-based service usage measurement and billing systems are inadequate for accurately tracking and billing diverse digital device usage, particularly for encrypted traffic, multi-device/multi-user scenarios, and high-bandwidth applications, leading to inefficiencies and reduced profit margins for service providers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing device-assisted service usage measurement and billing systems that generate, aggregate, and mediate charging data records (CDRs) using device-based measures, enhancing or replacing network-based systems to support richer transaction codes, secure communication, and multi-device/multi-user billing models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network-based service usage measurement systems are used, then infrastructure control is maintained, but measurement precision and adaptability to diverse devices are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service processor as an intermediary component that bridges the network infrastructure and diverse digital devices. This service processor resides on the device side and assists the network in measuring service usage, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complete redesign of the network infrastructure. The service processor acts as a mediator that enables accurate tracking of encrypted traffic and multi-device scenarios while maintaining system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the service usage measurement function into two parts: network-based measurement components and device-based service processor components. This segmentation allows the network to maintain control over billing policies and aggregation logic while offloading the actual measurement tasks to device-level processors, thereby improving measurement precision for diverse devices without overwhelming network infrastructure.
2Measurement precision
If device-assisted services are implemented, then service usage tracking accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service processor is designed to operate autonomously on the device, performing self-measurement of service usage without requiring constant network intervention. It automatically generates CDRs, tracks encrypted traffic, and manages local billing logic, thereby improving measurement accuracy while minimizing the complexity burden on both device and network sides through automated self-service operations.
3Quantity of substance
If network capacity is increased to meet growing demand, then user service capacity improves, but service provider costs and profits are negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where service usage data is collected, aggregated, and analyzed to generate billing information that reflects actual consumption patterns. This feedback loop enables service providers to optimize network resource allocation based on real usage data, avoiding unnecessary capacity expansion and reducing costs associated with over-provisioning while maintaining adequate service levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of billing parameters and service thresholds based on aggregated usage data. By changing billing parameters such as threshold values, aggregation periods, and service tiers based on actual network usage patterns, providers can optimize revenue generation without requiring proportional increases in network capacity, thereby controlling costs while meeting demand.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a wireless device communicatively coupled to a network system by a wireless access network, the network system including a network element corresponding to a network element destination. The method includes receiving, from the network system, a device policy including a service usage activity classification and information identifying the network element destination, detecting, using the device policy, wireless device traffic associated with service activities, identifying, using the device policy, one or more of the service activities as being included in the service usage activity classification, the service usage activity classification includes side information associated with the one or more identified service activities and collected on the one or more identified service activities, and directing or routing, using the device policy, the side information over the wireless access network based on the information identifying the network element destination.