Least Cost Routing Database with Real-Time Carrier Bid Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecommunications systems lack the ability to dynamically and efficiently route calls based on real-time bids from third-party carriers, leading to infrequent rate updates and limited flexibility in selecting the least cost route, especially with the rise of mobile communications and varying call termination locations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that receives bids from carriers, loads them into a least cost routing database, and makes this information accessible for determining optimal routes using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), allowing for real-time updates and validation based on business rules, and providing a default route when least cost options are unavailable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rates are provided and entered into routing tables manually, then billing accuracy is maintained, but rate updates are only periodic and not real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of entering rates into routing tables with an automated electronic system. The automated rate management system receives rates from carriers via electronic files, validates them against business rules, and automatically updates the routing tables without manual intervention, thereby maintaining billing accuracy while enabling real-time rate updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables carriers to self-service by directly submitting rate files to the automated rate management system. Carriers can update their own rates electronically, and the system automatically processes these updates, validating them against business rules and propagating them to the routing tables without requiring manual intervention from service provider staff.
2Adaptability or versatility
If service providers develop routing tables that compare rates from various interexchange carriers, then routing flexibility improves, but the system cannot respond to real-time rate changes
Solution Approach 1:
The automated rate management system enables continuous monitoring and updating of carrier rates. The system continuously receives rate files from carriers, validates them against business rules, and automatically updates the routing tables in real-time, ensuring that the routing flexibility is maintained without time loss to rate changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where rate updates from carriers are automatically received, validated, and propagated to the routing tables. The system continuously monitors for rate changes and immediately responds by updating the routing information, ensuring that routing decisions are always based on current rates.
3Productivity
If third-party carriers can place bids on a call-by-call basis, then routing optimization improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rate information into carrier-specific bid files that can be independently processed. Each carrier submits their bids in separate electronic files containing rate information for specific routes and time periods. The automated rate management system processes these segmented files individually, validating each against business rules and integrating them into the routing tables, thereby enabling routing optimization without overwhelming system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and apparatus for populating a least cost routing database. In one aspect, a method includes receiving from a carrier a bid for routing a telephone call to a destination; automatically loading the received bid into a least cost routing database to generate an updated least cost routing database; and making the updated least cost routing database accessible for use in determining one or more least cost routes. Further, the received bid can be analyzed to generate a projected business result and the projected business result can be presented to the carrier before loading the received bid into the least cost routing database. Additionally, input can be received from the carrier specifying an historical period and the projected business result can be generated based on data associated with the specified historical period.