Single Network Agent Multi-Account Service Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often need to carry multiple devices for business and personal communications, which is inconvenient and requires extra hardware, as traditional cellular phones are not designed to handle multiple accounts or services efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A cellular telephone network system that allows a single network agent to identify itself and request services using a network agent identifier and service qualifier, enabling multiple accounts to be managed through a single device by billing services to specific accounts, thereby allowing a single phone to provide multiple functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single cellular phone is used for both business and personal communications, then device portability and simplicity are improved, but the ability to provide separate services and maintain privacy is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service provisioning by introducing service qualifiers that divide network services into different categories (business vs. personal). The system segments service identification into multiple components including network agent identifier, service qualifier, and account identifier, allowing a single device to access multiple distinct services with separate billing accounts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the single network agent universal by enabling it to access multiple network services through the service qualifier mechanism. The network agent can function as both a personal and business communication device simultaneously, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate hardware devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple phones are carried for business and personal communications, then service separation and privacy are improved, but device complexity and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple phones into a single network agent by combining multiple service access capabilities, account management, and service qualifier handling into one device. This consolidation eliminates the need to carry separate phones while maintaining service separation through the service qualifier mechanism.
3Device complexity
If traditional cellular phones are used without service qualifiers, then device simplicity is improved, but the ability to manage multiple accounts and services is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The service qualifier acts as an intermediary element between the network agent and the network services. It mediates service identification and routing, enabling the simple network agent interface to access complex multi-account services without increasing device complexity. The service qualifier serves as the mediator that translates user service requests into appropriate network service deliveries.
Data Source
AI summary
Differing network services can be provided to a single network agent such that a single agent can access services billed to different accounts. Different services and billed to different accounts by the network agent sending a network agent identifier to the network which identifies the agent. After an agent is identified, it sends a service qualifier that identifies a service being requested and an account to which the service should be billed or charged.