Network Resource Allocation for Mobile Data Cost Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile terminals connected to wireless networks face high costs due to metered data transmission in mobile networks, as opposed to the free or trivial bandwidth requirements for fixed-line networks, necessitating a method to efficiently allocate and charge for network resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for allocating resources by receiving requests, identifying matching data items, retrieving network locations, evaluating actual network usage, and offsetting charges based on pre-specified resource allocations, allowing for the classification and presentation of data access costs to users, particularly suited for mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data transmission is provided free or at trivial bandwidth requirements for fixed-line networks, then network access is easy and unrestricted, but mobile network operators incur high costs due to metered data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator system that sits between mobile users and network data transmission. This intermediary evaluates resource requirements, negotiates allocations with network operators, and manages billing, thereby reducing the burden on individual users while controlling overall network resource costs through centralized management
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service mechanisms where users can view their resource allocations, monitor usage, and make informed decisions about data access. The automated evaluation and billing system serves itself by tracking and managing resource allocations without requiring manual intervention from network operators for each transaction
2Adaptability or versatility
If mobile terminals access web pages with nested links and objects, then users gain comprehensive information access, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly due to metered transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of resource requirements before actual data transmission occurs. By assessing the bandwidth needs of web pages, nested links, and objects in advance, the system can pre-negotiate resource allocations and inform users of expected costs, enabling informed decisions about which data to access
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data access process into evaluable units, allowing the system to assess resource requirements for individual web pages, links, and objects separately. This segmentation enables granular control over data transmission volume and facilitates selective access to data elements based on user preferences and resource availability
3Productivity
If resource allocation is pre-specified by information providers, then network resource management becomes efficient, but system complexity increases due to evaluation and offsetting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal system that handles multiple functions within a single framework: evaluating resource requirements, negotiating allocations, tracking usage, and managing billing. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require separate systems for each function
Data Source
AI summary
A method of recording allocation of resources in response to a request for a data item to be transmitted to a device in the network where the request comprises data indicative of one or more requested items. The device is typically a mobile device and the requested items can be key words making up a search request or can be web site names indicating web sites of interest to the user. In response to the request, data listings having items generating a match with the requested data item are identified and data indicative of a network location corresponding to the or each matched data item are retrieved. In addition data indicative of an amount of data and a resource allocation associated with the set of data accessible via the network location are retrieved and these data, together with a network subscription associated with device and the amount of data, are used to evaluate actual usage of network resources when accessing the set of data. If data are subsequently requested from the network location the evaluated actual usage is offset against the resource allocation so as to identify an amount of usage of network resources to be charged to the network subscription, and a record associated with said data listing is updated so as to log said resource allocation event.