Operator Charging Gateway Segmentation for Cross-Operator Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of wireless messaging and Mobile Commerce, existing systems face challenges in separating charging activities from product delivery, leading to complex and inflexible charging processes that hinder the full utilization of wireless devices in a cross-Operator environment.
Innovation Solution
An Operator Charging Gateway (OCG) facility is introduced, providing a bearer-independent and delivery-agnostic charging platform that uncouples delivery from charging activities, employing a Pricing Scheme, Contract Scheme, Universal Rating Engine, and fraud detection capabilities to manage transactions and billing across multiple Operators and Merchants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If charging activities are integrated with product delivery in existing systems, then the system structure is simpler, but the charging process becomes inflexible and complex when operating in a cross-Operator environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging system from the product delivery system by introducing an Operator Charging Gateway (OCG) that acts as an independent intermediary. The OCG handles charging activities separately from the content delivery process, allowing charging to be customized for cross-Operator scenarios without affecting delivery operations. This segmentation enables flexible charging arrangements while keeping the delivery system simple and efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The Operator Charging Gateway serves as an intermediary component between Operators and Merchants, mediating charging activities independently from product delivery. The gateway receives purchase authorizations from external entities, processes charging through Operator interactions, and returns acknowledgments, thereby enabling adaptable charging without requiring changes to the delivery system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If charging and delivery activities are separated into independent systems, then charging flexibility is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Operator Charging Gateway is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple charging scenarios and interactions with different Operators through a standardized interface. By implementing multi-functional capabilities within the gateway, the system achieves charging flexibility for various cross-Operator situations without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the gateway consolidates diverse charging functions in a single component.
3Reliability
If multiple processing steps are introduced for purchase authorization, then charging control and fraud detection are improved, but transaction processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary fraud detection and validation checks during the purchase authorization phase before actual product delivery occurs. By conducting security verification and fraud detection in advance through the Operator Charging Gateway, the system ensures reliable charging control while minimizing delays during the actual transaction execution, as the processing steps are prepared and validated beforehand.
Data Source
AI summary
An Operator Charging Gateway (OCG) facility within a Mobile Commerce environment that, among other things, provides a bearer-independent and delivery-agnostic charging platform that, inter alia, (a) uncouples all of the particulars of the delivery of content, services, etc. from the myriad of activities, challenges, etc. of charging and (b) adds substantial value to each of the involved parties (including, for example, Mobile Subscribers, Operators, Merchants, etc.). Within a wireless messaging ecosystem an OCG may leverage the capabilities of a centrally-located, full-featured Value-Added Service Provider.