Feature Management System for Service Provider Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of managing features in service provider networks has increased operational expenses and hindered the ability to offer cost-efficient services, as existing solutions require manual or expensive methods for activating or deactivating features, leading to inefficiencies and potential network overload.
Innovation Solution
A feature management system that includes a processor-enabled method to receive trigger messages, collect data from external systems, apply rules to determine feature enablement, and toggle features accordingly, allowing for fine-grained control and vendor-agnostic management, thereby reducing operational costs and improving network efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual or expensive solutions are used for activating or deactivating features, then feature management can be performed, but operational expenses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service feature management where the network automatically evaluates rules and toggles features based on trigger messages and collected data, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing operational expenses while maintaining full feature management capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated electronic system that uses processors to collect data from external systems, apply rules, and automatically toggle features, thereby reducing operational expenses while preserving complete feature management functionality
2Ease of operation
If complex feature management processes are implemented, then feature control is achieved, but network overhead and operating expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the feature management process into distinct modular components: receiving trigger messages, collecting data from external systems, applying rules to generate results, and toggling features. This segmentation simplifies the overall complex process while maintaining comprehensive feature control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary rule evaluation system that acts as a mediator between external trigger messages and feature toggling operations. This intermediary layer simplifies complex management processes by standardizing the evaluation and decision-making workflow
3Productivity
If features are enabled without evaluation, then service availability is improved, but network overload may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of rules and assessment of network conditions before enabling features. Trigger messages initiate data collection and rule application in advance, ensuring features are only enabled when appropriate, thus maintaining service availability while preventing network overload
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously collects data from external systems, evaluates rules, and adjusts feature enablement based on current network conditions. This feedback loop ensures service availability is maintained while preventing network overload through dynamic, condition-based feature management
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices and methods for managing features in a service provider network. A computing device (e.g., feature manager, etc.) may be configured to receive a trigger message that identifies a feature for evaluation, collect data related to the feature from an external, third party or partner system, apply the data to a rule to generate a result, and use the generated result to determine whether the feature should be enabled. The computing device may also determine whether the feature is currently enabled. The computing device may configure or toggle the feature in response to determining that feature should be enabled and is currently not enabled. Similarly, the computing device may configure or toggle the feature in response to determining that feature should not be enabled and is currently enabled.