Device-Assisted Roaming Billing via Proxy Usage Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network-based service usage measurement and billing systems are inadequate for accurately tracking and billing diverse digital device usage, particularly for encrypted traffic, multi-device/multi-user scenarios, and high-bandwidth applications, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs for service providers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing device-assisted service usage measurement and billing systems that generate, aggregate, and mediate charging data records (CDRs) using device-based measures, enhancing or replacing network-based systems, with verification and secure communication protocols to ensure accuracy and compatibility with network infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network-based service usage measurement and billing systems are used, then service usage tracking is implemented, but measurement precision and accuracy are insufficient for diverse device types and encrypted traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service processor as an intermediary component that bridges the device and network-based billing systems. This service processor collects service usage information directly from the device, including encrypted traffic data, and forwards it to the network for billing processing. This intermediary approach enables precise measurement of diverse device usage patterns while maintaining compatibility with existing network infrastructure, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If network-based billing systems process all service usage data, then centralized billing is achieved, but processing time and network bandwidth consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the billing processing function into two parts: local service usage data collection by the service processor on the device, and centralized billing record generation by the network. The service processor pre-processes and formats service usage information locally before transmission, reducing the amount of raw data that needs to be transmitted over the network. This segmentation improves billing processing efficiency while minimizing network bandwidth consumption and data transmission time.
3Measurement precision
If device-assisted services are implemented, then service usage tracking precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The service processor implements partial service usage monitoring by focusing on collecting only the specific service usage information required for billing purposes, rather than monitoring all device activities. The system selectively captures service usage data based on billing-relevant criteria, thereby improving measurement precision for billing while minimizing the computational overhead and power consumption associated with comprehensive device monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a wireless device communicatively coupled to a network system by a wireless access network, the network system including a network element corresponding to a network element destination. The method includes receiving, from the network system, a device policy including a service usage activity classification and information identifying the network element destination, and detecting, using the device policy, wireless device traffic associated with service activities.