Device-Based Rating Engine for Distributed Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current billing and customer care applications follow a network-centric or server-centric processing model, which is inefficient as they require centralized data processing and storage, limiting functionality on end devices and incurring high network traffic, especially for real-time rating and billing needs.
Innovation Solution
A device-based rating Engine that processes events and manages account balances on end devices, enabling local rating, billing, and metering, even when disconnected from the network, and communicates with a centralized system for aggregation and settlement, utilizing digital rights management for authorization and validation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a network-centric processing model is used for billing and customer care applications, then centralized data processing and storage can be achieved, but network bandwidth usage increases and deployment costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized billing system into distributed components deployed on multiple end devices. Each device runs local billing and customer care applications, eliminating the need to continuously transmit data to a central server. This segmentation reduces network bandwidth usage while maintaining reliable data processing locally at each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the billing and customer care processing functionality from the centralized network infrastructure and places it directly on end devices. By taking out the application logic from the network core and embedding it in user devices, the system reduces network traffic while preserving reliable local data processing capabilities.
2Device complexity
If a network-centric processing model is used, then centralized control can be maintained, but device functionality and autonomy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system control architecture into segmented autonomous units. Each end device operates independently with its own billing and customer care capabilities, allowing devices to function autonomously without requiring constant centralized control. This segmentation enhances device versatility while simplifying the overall control structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service capabilities where end devices independently execute billing and customer care applications without requiring network connectivity or centralized intervention. Devices manage their own operations, enhancing autonomy and versatility while reducing the complexity of centralized control mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If centralized billing processing is implemented, then uniform billing can be ensured, but real-time billing and metering capabilities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments billing processing into independent local units that operate in real-time at each end device. Each device performs billing and metering operations immediately as events occur, eliminating delays associated with centralized processing. This segmentation enables real-time billing while maintaining consistency through standardized local execution of billing logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-loading billing rules, rate structures, and customer profiles onto end devices before billing events occur. This allows devices to perform real-time billing calculations immediately when events are detected, without needing to query centralized systems, thereby achieving both real-time capability and billing consistency.
4Productivity
If proprietary technologies are used in wireless networks, then network-specific optimization can be achieved, but interoperability and integration with open systems become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal billing and customer care applications that can run on any end device regardless of the underlying wireless network technology. By designing platform-independent applications that operate locally on devices, the system achieves interoperability across different network technologies while maintaining network-specific optimization through device-level processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for computerized metering, rating, billing and managing of account balances on an end computing device is disclosed herein wherein the end device may facilitate such processing whether the device is connected or is not connected to a network. The end device, furthermore, initiates communications with a host processor to obtain updated algorithms, rating tables and other accouterments necessary or desired to meter, rate, and process payments for transaction events. The end device initiates communications with the host processor or another end device to facilitate the synchronization of usage for pricing plans that span one or more devices.