Mobile Network Service Activation System for Pay-Per-Use Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network operator billing systems are complex and inflexible, making it difficult for mobile users to adopt a 'just-as-needed' or 'pay-per-use' approach for mobile device services, as they cannot offer 'just-in-time' delivery of services due to limitations in network infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A mobile network service activation system that allows users to select and activate services on a mobile device, enabling flexible service usage based on time or data amount, with a central network node, device database, and billing server to track usage and deactivate services when usage limits are reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network operators use traditional billing systems to manage services, then billing accuracy is maintained, but system flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments service management into distinct components: service catalog definition, user selection interface, activation mechanism, and billing integration. This allows flexible service activation without requiring complex custom billing logic for each service type, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal service activation framework that can handle multiple service types (messaging, data, voice, value-added services) through a single standardized process. The service catalog and selection interface provide multi-functional capabilities across different service categories, improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If network operators implement customized billing for each service, then billing accuracy improves, but system complexity and operational difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where service usage is continuously monitored and reported back to the billing system. The service selection interface provides real-time information about selected services, and the activation mechanism confirms service status, enabling accurate tracking without manual intervention or complex custom billing configurations for each service.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network infrastructure provides just-in-time service delivery, then service adaptability improves, but infrastructure complexity and overhead worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining service catalogs with available services, their parameters, and billing rules before user selection. The service activation process is prepared in advance with standardized procedures, enabling just-in-time service delivery without requiring complex real-time infrastructure modifications or custom provisioning logic for each service request.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein provide a user with the ability to select from a list of available services that can be used on a mobile device. The services include device-based services and device-network based services. The activation, usage tracking and deactivation of a selected service can be conducted at a central location. Some of the services can be provided by different carrier network providers and in different geographical areas. The service selection can be performed from the mobile device, thus providing the user with maximum flexibility as to when and where the user requests the service.