Prepaid Weighting Function for Variable Rate Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prepaid telecommunications services lack the ability to differentiate billing rates based on call destination or service type, leading to potential financial losses for service providers when premium services are accessed at standard rates.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a prepaid weighting function in a communications network that adjusts the available credit for calls to premium services by applying a credit adjustment factor based on call parameters such as service type, time, and roaming networks, allowing for variable rate charging without requiring significant upgrades to existing prepaid platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a prepaid subscriber is charged a uniform rate for all calls regardless of destination, then the service is simple to operate and convenient for subscribers, but the service provider suffers financial losses when premium services are accessed at standard rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the billing rate parameter based on the called party's service type. The system retrieves the called party's profile and applies different weighting factors (e.g., 1x for standard services, 2x for premium services) to the prepaid subscriber's available minutes, thereby changing the effective charge rate dynamically without altering the basic prepaid mechanism.
2Loss of energy
If differential billing for premium services is implemented in prepaid systems, then the service provider can prevent financial losses, but the system complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary weighting function component that sits between the prepaid billing system and the called party profile database. This intermediary retrieves service type information, applies the appropriate weighting factor, and modifies the available minutes calculation. This modular approach adds functionality without significantly complicating the core prepaid billing architecture.
3Ease of manufacture
If prepaid accounts are configured with static calling rates, then the billing system is simple to maintain, but the system lacks adaptability to different service types and destinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static billing system into a dynamic one by introducing a weighting function that adjusts the effective rate based on real-time retrieval of called party service type information. The system dynamically calculates available minutes by applying weighting factors (e.g., 1x, 2x, 3x) based on whether the called party is accessing standard or premium services, thereby achieving adaptability while maintaining the core static prepaid structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing variable rate prepaid telecommunication services utilizing a weighting function are disclosed. The method includes intercepting a signaling message that includes an available credit value associated with a prepaid communications session. A credit adjustment factor based on at least one call parameter associated with the prepaid communications session is determined. The method also includes applying the credit adjustment factor to the available credit value to generate an adjusted available credit value. The signaling message is modified to include the adjusted available credit value.