Pair-the-Plan System for Multi-User Cellular Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies do not allow for seamless separation of cellular connectivity costs and control between different users of multi-purpose devices, leading to complexities and increased costs for both OEMs and consumers in automotive and other environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enable a device to be enrolled in multiple cellular subscription and billing plans, allowing different users to access and pay for services based on their individual plans, using distinct network traffic paths and identifiers for enterprise and consumer purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single cellular subscription is used for multi-purpose devices, then device connectivity is simplified, but cost allocation and control between different users becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cellular subscription into multiple separate subscriptions, each associated with a different user. The system divides the device's connectivity into distinct channels, where each channel is governed by a separate subscription and billing plan. This allows individual users to be charged only for their specific usage while maintaining simplified connectivity through a unified device interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between the device, multiple users, and cellular service providers. This intermediary manages the association between device identifiers and user identifiers, routes traffic through appropriate network paths, and handles billing allocations. The intermediary enables seamless multi-user support without requiring complex user configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If one user funds the cellular connectivity, then that user can access all services, but other users cannot be separately billed for their usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic subscription assignment where the active subscription changes based on which user is currently using the device. The system dynamically associates device identifiers with different user identifiers depending on the active user session. This dynamic approach allows flexible service access for all users while enabling accurate real-time cost allocation to the appropriate billing accounts.
3Productivity
If separate billing plans are used for different users, then cost allocation is accurate, but device enrollment and traffic management becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal enrollment system where a single device identifier can be associated with multiple user identifiers through a standardized process. The system provides multi-functional capability to handle both enterprise and consumer traffic through the same device interface. This universal approach simplifies enrollment while maintaining the ability to manage complex multi-user billing scenarios through unified management interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are disclosed for connecting a device to subscriptions and cellular billing plans of separate users and for managing the concurrent use of the device by the separate users. A computer-implemented method comprises enrolling a device in a cellular subscription and billing plan of a user. The enrollment includes providing an identifier for the device to a cellular subscription, effectively adding the device to the cellular subscription and billing plan selected by the user. The method and system allows the user to use capabilities of the device as governed by the cellular subscription and an associated billing plan as selected by that user, while the device is also available for use by another user via another cellular billing plan, as selected by that user.