Network Usage Data Verification via Cross-Source Comparison

Solution Overview

Problem

In mobile communications networks, there is a challenge in obtaining accurate information about network activities of individual subscribers due to the massive growth in telecommunications data, leading to discrepancies between user equipment and network operator data, which can result in incorrect billing and customer dissatisfaction.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for verifying network activity/usage data by acquiring and comparing data sets from both user equipment and service provider servers to detect and correct discrepancies, ensuring accurate information handling and reducing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If operator-side network usage data is collected and stored alone, then data collection is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to discrepancies between user equipment and network operator data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of network usage dataVSAvoidcomplexity of data verification system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges operator-side network usage data with user equipment-side network usage data into a unified verification system. The service provider server receives and compares both data sources, combining their information to produce verified network usage data that leverages the strengths of both sources while eliminating discrepancies between them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the service provider server sends verified network usage data back to both the network operator and the user equipment. This feedback loop enables continuous verification and correction of data discrepancies, improving measurement precision over time while maintaining system complexity at an acceptable level through automated processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If multiple data sources are verified against each other, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases due to additional verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of network usage dataVSAvoidtime for data verification process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having both the user equipment and the network operator collect and prepare their network usage data in advance, before the verification process begins. The user equipment stores its own usage data locally, and the network operator prepares its records beforehand, so that when verification is needed, both data sources are already available and formatted for comparison, reducing the actual verification time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual or complex mechanical verification processes with automated electronic data comparison systems. The service provider server automatically receives, compares, and verifies data from multiple sources using computational algorithms, substituting what would otherwise be time-consuming manual verification processes with efficient automated electronic operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If operator-side network usage data is used without verification, then device complexity is low, but reliability deteriorates due to potential incorrect billing information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrustworthiness of billing dataVSAvoidcomplexity of data verification system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges operator-side network usage data with user equipment-side network usage data into a unified verification system. The service provider server receives and compares both data sources, combining their information to produce verified network usage data that leverages the strengths of both sources while eliminating discrepancies between them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the service provider server sends verified network usage data back to both the network operator and the user equipment. This feedback loop enables continuous verification and correction of data discrepancies, improving measurement precision over time while maintaining system complexity at an acceptable level through automated processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9661150B2Verification of network activity/usage data

Publication Date: 2017.05.23 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

There is provided verification of network activity/usage data between a user equipment and a service provider server. The verification is performed in the service provider server. A first set of network activity/usage data for a user account is acquired from a user equipment. A second set of network activity/usage data for the user account is acquired from a subscription account of the user account. It is determined if a second post in the second set of network activity/usage data is related to a first post in the first set of network activity/usage data. If so, first data of the first post is compared to second data of the second post. The second post is updated with the first data in a case the first data does not match the second data.