Host Server Voucher Billing for WLAN Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Public communication systems face challenges in providing reliable and cost-effective communication services to users in public spaces, such as public buildings and vehicles, due to complex installations and varying network quality, leading to user dissatisfaction and operational issues for hosts.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that allows hosts to provide free or discounted access to communication services by establishing a wireless link between mobile terminals and a host server, creating vouchers for communication costs, and debiting these costs to the host's account, eliminating the need for complex installations and ensuring consistent quality regardless of the number of connected terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the host provides free WLAN access to multiple users in large rooms or building complexes, then user access coverage is improved, but installation complexity and maintenance effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the billing and service management into two independent parts: the host provides simple WLAN access infrastructure, while the mobile network operator handles complex billing, authentication, and service management. This segmentation allows the host to offer wide coverage without bearing the burden of complex installation and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile network operator acts as an intermediary between the host and the users. The operator's billing system mediates the interaction by automatically authenticating users, managing sessions, and handling charges, thereby relieving the host from complex management tasks while maintaining wide area coverage.
2Quantity of substance
If more mobile terminals are connected to the WLAN, then user accessibility is improved, but data transmission rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automatic authentication and billing processes. When users connect to the WLAN, the host server automatically interacts with the mobile network operator's billing system to authenticate and charge users without manual intervention. This automation allows the system to efficiently handle a large number of concurrent connections while maintaining service quality through automated resource management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the host manages WLAN access control and billing manually, then service customization is improved, but operational effort and error messages increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile network operator's billing system serves as an intermediary that automates authentication and charging processes. The host server simply provides WLAN access infrastructure, while the operator's system handles complex billing logic, user authentication, and service customization automatically, eliminating manual operational efforts and reducing errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback loops where the host server continuously communicates with the mobile network operator's billing system to receive authentication decisions, billing information, and service status updates. This automated feedback mechanism enables service customization without requiring manual intervention, as the system automatically adjusts based on real-time information from the billing system.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method for at least one mobile terminal of a user, suitable for setting up data connections or call connections via at least one mobile communication network to a data terminal or to a voice terminal and suitable for the wireless communication with a host server. Thereby a) a wireless communication link is established between the host server and the mobile terminal; b) a voucher is created by the host server; c) the voucher is transmitted to the operator of the mobile communication network or to a service provider; and d) the operator of the mobile communication network or the service provider, on the basis of the voucher, debits communication costs for data connections or call connections of the mobile terminal that were registered during the time period indicated in the voucher, at least in part to an account assigned to the identifier of the host server.