Real-Time Tariff Information via Communication Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face uncertainty when deciding whether to call another user due to lack of real-time information about the called party's network and tariff status, leading to unexpected costs, as current methods require manual inquiry and are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A real-time tariff information system that uses a communication server to provide users with tariff details before initiating a call, incorporating requests to a porting database and CRM system to determine the called party's network and tariff status, allowing for informed decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual inquiry methods are used to obtain tariff information, then users can get some tariff details, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by querying the porting database and CRM system in advance to obtain the called party's network information and tariff status before the call is initiated. This allows tariff information to be prepared and displayed to the user before they decide to place the call, eliminating the need for manual inquiry during the calling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication server as an intermediary between the user and the tariff information sources (porting database, CRM system). The server automatically queries these systems and presents the tariff information to the user, replacing manual inquiry methods with an automated intermediary system that retrieves and processes information efficiently.
2Loss of information
If real-time tariff information is provided before call establishment, then users can make informed decisions, but the system complexity increases due to multiple database queries
Solution Approach 1:
The communication server performs multiple functions: it acts as a client requesting tariff information, queries the porting database for network information, queries the CRM system for tariff status, and presents the consolidated information to the user. By making the server multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby managing complexity while providing comprehensive real-time tariff information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple information sources (porting database, CRM system) and their queries into a single integrated process handled by the communication server. Instead of having separate systems for network information and tariff status, the server merges these functions and presents unified tariff information to the user, reducing system complexity through consolidation.
3Reliability
If users manually track network changes and tariff status, then they can maintain awareness, but the effort and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically querying the porting database and CRM system to obtain and update tariff information without requiring user intervention. The communication server independently retrieves network information and tariff status, processes this data, and presents it to the user, eliminating the need for users to manually track network changes and maintain awareness of their tariff situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously querying the porting database and CRM system to obtain current network information and tariff status, then presenting this information to the user before call establishment. This feedback loop ensures the user receives accurate, up-to-date tariff information automatically, maintaining reliability while requiring minimal user effort.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a communication server (310) for providing tariff information (304) for a first communication device (110) for calling a second communication device (120), the communication server (310) comprising: a client interface (311) with a first communication device (110); a network interface (312) with a communication network (320); a processor (313), configured to: receive a client request (301) for tariff information (304) via the client interface (311), wherein the client request (301) comprises an identity (ID) of the second communication device (120), transmit a network request (302) for providing the tariff information (304) via the network interface (312) to the communication network (320), the network request (302) comprising the ID of the second communication device (120), receive a network response (303) to the network request (302) via the network interface (312), the network response (303) comprising the tariff information (304), wherein the tariff information (304) indicates a tariff for the first communication device (110) for calling the second communication device (120), and transmit the tariff information (304) via the client interface (311) to the first communication device (110).