Presence Server Network Identification for Cellular Cost Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of cellular telephones are unable to take advantage of cost savings for calls within the same network, as they cannot easily determine if the called party is on the same network without prior knowledge or information.
Innovation Solution
A telecommunications system that includes a presence server and instant messaging service to provide cellular telephone network identification, allowing users to display and manage network information for contacts, enabling them to make informed decisions about calling and potentially using the same network for free calls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cellular service providers do not charge for calls within their network, then cost savings are achieved for same-network calls, but callers cannot know which network the called party is on unless they have prior knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an instant messaging service as an intermediary system that includes a presence service and database to store and provide network identification information. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by enabling callers to obtain network information without direct access to the called party's network data, thus maintaining cost savings while providing necessary information transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by allowing callers to query the instant messaging service for network identification information before making calls. This feedback mechanism enables informed decision-making about call costs while preserving the free calling benefit for same-network users, directly addressing the information asymmetry problem.
2Loss of energy
If callers cannot determine the called party's network status, then network privacy is maintained, but callers cannot take advantage of cost savings for same-network calls
Solution Approach 1:
The instant messaging service acts as a mediator that facilitates network status detection without requiring direct access to the called party's device or network. The presence service and database store network identification information that can be queried by callers, enabling cost-effective calling while maintaining appropriate privacy boundaries through the intermediary layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing network identification information in the instant messaging service database before calls are made. Callers can query this information in advance to determine if free calling is available, eliminating the need for real-time detection during the call setup process and enabling informed cost decisions.
3Loss of energy
If network identification information is made available to all callers, then cost optimization is enabled, but system complexity increases due to presence server and database requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by integrating the network identification functionality into the existing instant messaging service infrastructure. The presence service and database that already support instant messaging features are extended to also provide network identification information, avoiding the need for separate dedicated systems and reducing overall complexity while enabling cost optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the network identification function with the instant messaging service, combining multiple functions (messaging, presence detection, and network identification) into a single integrated system. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant infrastructure while providing comprehensive information to enable cost-effective calling decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A telecommunications system includes a plurality of cellular telephone networks; a presence server configured to receive cellular telephone network registration information from presence clients and provide cellular telephone network identification indicia to others of said presence clients.