Inbound Call Billing Code Allocation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems fail to accurately bill users for incoming calls, leading to difficulties in separating business and personal expenses, resulting in time-consuming invoicing processes and potential misclassification of call purposes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows callers to specify a code during incoming communications, which allocates expenses to their account, enabling the generation of invoices for both the caller and receiver, utilizing a server and communications network to track and categorize billable expenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing billing systems are used for outgoing calls only, then outgoing call billing is supported, but incoming call billing cannot be performed accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional billing model by enabling the receiving party to bill the calling party for incoming calls, rather than only the caller billing themselves for outgoing calls. This is achieved through an automated system that prompts the receiving party to enter a billing code during the call, which then automatically generates and sends an invoice to the caller, reversing the conventional billing direction and enabling accurate incoming call billing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service billing by allowing the receiving party to initiate billing for incoming calls through automated prompts during the call. The receiving party simply needs to enter a code or press a button, and the system automatically handles expense tracking, invoice generation, and delivery to the caller, eliminating manual invoicing efforts and enabling accurate billing without requiring complex user input.
2Productivity
If manual expense separation is performed for multiple customers, then billing can be completed, but the process becomes time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically tracking and recording call expenses in real-time during the incoming call, rather than requiring manual separation afterward. The system captures caller information, call duration, and expense details automatically, pre-processing all necessary billing data before the call ends, which eliminates time-consuming manual invoicing processes and enables rapid billing for multiple customers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of expense separation and invoice preparation with an automated electronic system. The system uses software to automatically track expenses, calculate bills, generate invoices, and deliver them to callers, substituting manual administrative work with automated digital processes, thereby dramatically improving billing efficiency and reducing the time required to invoice multiple customers.
3Ease of operation
If no tracking system is implemented, then communication can proceed freely, but expense information becomes unavailable for billing
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary billing code mechanism that mediates between free communication and expense tracking. During the call, the receiving party enters a billing code that acts as an intermediary signal, triggering the system to automatically capture and track expense information without interrupting the communication flow. This intermediary mechanism enables expense data collection while maintaining communication freedom, as the tracking occurs automatically in the background without restricting call functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for billing an incoming communication. A code is received from a calling party during the incoming communication. Expenses of the incoming communication are allocated to an account of the calling party in response to receiving the code. An invoice is generated for the calling party and a receiving party specifying the expenses.