Hybrid Metering Server for Wireless Service Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) face challenges in tracking and metering wireless services for devices with open mobile operating systems, as existing solutions lack flexibility and security, particularly with handsets that can be modified by users, and do not provide a carrier-agnostic experience.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid network-based metering system and tracking client that resides in a separate network from the third-party wireless network, capable of activating and monitoring wireless devices, obtaining usage metrics, and reporting usage information, allowing for secure and flexible metering across multiple carriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If handset based metering is used for MVNOs, then security is improved through secure phone models, but adaptability deteriorates because users cannot modify handsets and the system lacks flexibility for open mobile operating systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the metering functionality into separate components: a tracking client application on the handset and a metering server on the network. This segmentation allows the handset to remain open and modifiable while the critical metering functions are isolated in the network infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between security and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tracking client application as an intermediary between the open handset environment and the network metering system. This intermediary maintains security by implementing metering logic in the network rather than requiring secure handsets, while still allowing users freedom to modify their devices.
2Reliability
If switch based metering is used for MNOs, then reliability is improved through centralized control, but adaptability deteriorates because the system is carrier-specific and lacks carrier-agnostic capability
Solution Approach 1:
The metering server is designed with universal functionality to work with multiple wireless carriers and different network types. It can handle various metering models (switch-based, handset-based, and hybrid) and supports multiple carriers simultaneously, providing carrier-agnostic capability while maintaining centralized reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its metering approach based on the specific carrier and service type. The metering server can switch between different metering models and configurations depending on the carrier requirements, enabling both reliability through centralized control and adaptability through dynamic reconfiguration.
3Ease of operation
If handset based metering is implemented, then ease of operation is improved for MVNOs with open OS devices, but measurement precision deteriorates because usage metrics are not reliably available from multiple MNOs
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking client application serves as an intermediary that collects usage metrics directly from the device and relays them to the metering server. This ensures accurate measurement of actual device usage while maintaining ease of operation for MVNOs with open OS devices, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the tracking client continuously reports usage metrics to the metering server, which then provides confirmation and adjustment instructions. This feedback loop ensures accurate measurement of usage metrics while maintaining ease of operation through automated processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A process of tracking usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network with a metering system includes implementing the metering system in a network separate from the third party wireless network and activating the wireless device in response to identification of the wireless device and confirmation of use of a tracking system to the metering system. The process further includes obtaining, by the metering system, an amount of wireless services used by the wireless device. The obtaining includes at least one of obtaining an amount of wireless services used from the third party wireless network and obtaining an amount of wireless services used from the tracking system.