IP Wireless Billing via Access Point Service Zone Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current billing systems for converged cellular and IP-based wireless networks face challenges in accurately rating and billing communications, as they are not equipped to handle the unique aspects of IP-based access points and broadband Internet networks, leading to obstacles in implementing seamless billing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that maps access points to service zones, where each zone is associated with specific service types and rate plans, allowing for unique billing plans based on access points, and uses existing call detail records to generate bills by incorporating service zone identifiers, thereby enabling efficient billing for IP-based wireless communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cellular service providers use existing billing systems designed for cellular networks, then they can maintain current billing operations, but they cannot accurately handle billing for IP-based wireless communications and access points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the billing system by changing key parameters: it introduces service zone identifiers instead of traditional cellular location identifiers, maps access points to service zones, and uses these mappings to determine applicable rate plans. This parameter transformation enables the system to handle IP-based wireless communications while maintaining compatibility with existing billing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces service zones as an intermediary layer between access points and rate plans. Service zone identifiers act as mediators that connect access point identifiers to appropriate billing rate plans, enabling the billing system to process IP-based wireless communications without requiring complete system redesign.
2Reliability
If the billing system is modified to handle IP-based access points, then billing accuracy improves, but system complexity and modification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the billing system into distinct functional components: access point identification, service zone mapping, rate plan selection, and billing calculation. This segmentation allows each component to be modified independently, reducing overall system complexity while improving billing accuracy for IP-based communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal service zone mapping mechanism that can handle both traditional cellular networks and IP-based wireless networks through a common framework. The service zone concept provides multi-functionality, serving as a unified approach for location-based billing across different network types without requiring separate billing systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If service providers implement new billing methods for IP-based networks, then billing flexibility improves, but implementation obstacles and system changes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing mappings between access points and service zones, and between service zones and rate plans, before actual billing operations. This preconfiguration enables flexible billing for IP-based networks while simplifying implementation, as the mapping infrastructure is prepared in advance and can be reused across multiple billing scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adapts proven billing concepts from cellular networks (such as location-based billing and rate plan structures) and copies them to the IP-based wireless context through service zones. This copying approach maintains billing flexibility while reducing implementation obstacles by leveraging existing proven methodologies rather than creating entirely new systems.
Data Source
Figure 1A
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Figure 2
AI summary
A subscriber communicates over an IP-based wireless telecommunications network (100) through an access point (140). Identifiers associated with the access point (e.g., MAC address IP address, FQDN...) are stored in a database (168). Each access point (140) is mapped into one or more service zones (142, 144, 146), where service zones are mapped to service types. The subscriber has a rate plan that is based on a selection of one or more service types. When a wireless connection between the subscriber and the IP-based wireless telecommunications network is established, the access point (140) identifiers are used to retrieve a service zone ID from the database. Upon completion of the communication, a call detail record can be generated that includes the service zone (142, 144, 146) ID for the communication. The billing system can then retrieve billing plan information to determine an appropriate rate for the subscriber based on the service zone ID.