Device-Assisted Service Usage Measurement and Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network-based service usage measurement and billing systems are inadequate for modern digital devices, particularly in wireless networks, as they struggle with flexible service measurement and billing, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs for service providers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a device-assisted service usage measurement and billing system that generates, aggregates, and mediates Charging Data Records (CDRs) on devices, enhancing existing network-based systems by incorporating device-based measures, which allows for more accurate and flexible service usage tracking and billing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network-based service usage measurement and billing systems are used, then existing infrastructure can be maintained, but the systems are inadequate for modern digital devices and struggle with flexible service measurement and billing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service usage measurement and billing system into two parts: network-based components and device-based components. The device-based service processor handles flexible service measurement and billing locally on the device, while the network-based system maintains infrastructure support. This segmentation allows the system to achieve flexibility for modern devices without requiring complete infrastructure replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a device-based service processor as an intermediary between the device and the network-based billing system. This intermediary handles the complex service measurement and billing tasks locally, translating them into formats that can be communicated to the network system. This mediator enables flexible service measurement without requiring the network infrastructure to be upgraded.
2Measurement precision
If device-assisted service usage measurement and billing is implemented, then more accurate and flexible service tracking is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device-based service processor is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple service types and measurement tasks. It provides multi-functional capabilities including service usage measurement, billing calculations, and communication with the network system. This universal design achieves accurate service tracking without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same processor handles diverse billing and measurement functions.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing network infrastructure is maintained without significant upgrades, then infrastructure costs are controlled, but the system cannot support sophisticated service plans for various devices
Solution Approach 1:
The device-based service processor performs self-service by handling service usage measurement and billing calculations locally on the device. It autonomously measures service usage, calculates billing information, and communicates results to the network system. This self-service capability enables sophisticated service plans to be implemented without requiring corresponding upgrades to the network infrastructure, as the complex processing occurs on the device itself.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are various embodiments for publishing a service offer set to a device agent on an end-user device and for on-device selection of a service. In some embodiments, a network system publishes a service offer set to an end-user device over a wireless access network, receives an offer set user selection from the end-user device, and provisions one or more network functions based on the offer set user selection.