Settlement Platform for Partitioned Device Usage Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access networks face capacity constraints due to increasing digital networking demand, leading to degraded network service experiences and negatively impacting service provider profits, while existing solutions for user capacity management are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
Implementing device group partitions and a settlement platform that utilize service controllers to manage device groups securely, aggregate service usage data, and apply business logic rules for revenue sharing and billing, using network and device-based measures to optimize service usage and billing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If network capacity is increased through higher capacity wireless radio access technologies and more frequency spectrum, then network capacity increases, but the capacity gains are less than what is required to meet growing digital networking demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple device groups with different service levels and pricing structures. By partitioning devices into groups based on usage patterns and value, the network can optimize capacity allocation for each segment, allowing high-value users to consume more capacity while lower-value users consume less, thereby increasing overall capacity utilization efficiency and revenue to meet growing demand.
2Ease of operation
If wire line user service consumption habits trend toward very high bandwidth applications, then user service quality improves, but available capacity is quickly consumed and overall network service experience degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different service levels to different device groups. High-value devices receive higher bandwidth allocations and priority service, while lower-value devices receive standard service. This localized differentiation allows users who need high bandwidth to get it without causing overall network degradation, as capacity is optimally distributed according to value and need.
3Ease of operation
If service provider costs increase with increasing bandwidth, then network service quality improves, but service provider profits are negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pricing parameter structure by implementing usage-based billing with different rates for different device groups. Instead of uniform pricing, the system adjusts prices according to usage patterns, device value, and network conditions. This allows the provider to recover costs from high-usage, high-value users while keeping services affordable for others, maintaining profitability while improving service quality where needed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If device group partitions and settlement platform are implemented, then granular billing and revenue sharing among multiple entities is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a settlement platform as an intermediary layer between the network operations and billing systems. This platform handles the complex tasks of device group management, usage aggregation, and revenue sharing calculations, shielding the core network from complexity while enabling flexible multi-entity billing and revenue sharing. The intermediary absorbs the computational and operational complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Device group partitions and a settlement platform are provided. A settlement platform service is provided for partitioned devices. Collecting device generated service usage information for one or more devices in wireless communication on a wireless network; and aggregating the device generated service usage information for a settlement platform for the one or more devices in wireless communication on the wireless network is provided. Service usage information includes micro-CDRs, which are used for CDR mediation or reconciliation that provides for service usage accounting on any device activity. In some embodiments, each device activity that is desired to be associated with a billing event is assigned a micro-CDR transaction code, and a service processor of the device is programmed to account for that activity associated with that transaction code.