Rollover Management System for Flexible Usage Units
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing rollover usage units in communication services are limited in flexibility, accessibility, and capability, failing to provide rollover services in various units of measure and predetermined periods, hindering marketing promotions, error corrections, and revenue deferral beyond the current cycle.
Innovation Solution
A Rollover Management System (RMS) that receives, stores, and presents rollover data, allowing rollover usage units to be shared across multiple communication services, with customizable expiration periods, enabling adjustments and revenue deferral, and providing accessible rollover matrices for various channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rollover systems are embedded in billing systems, then billing integration is achieved, but flexibility and accessibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the rollover management functionality from the billing system by implementing a standalone Rollover Management System (RMS) that interfaces with the billing system through defined protocols. This segmentation allows the rollover module to be independently developed, deployed, and accessed through multiple channels while maintaining reliable billing integration through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary rollover management layer that sits between the billing system and various access channels (web portals, mobile apps, customer service systems). This intermediary handles rollover data storage, retrieval, and manipulation, providing flexible access without compromising the stability of the core billing system integration.
2Device complexity
If rollover usage period is fixed for all customers, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different customer needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic rollover parameters where usage periods can be customized per customer, service type, and promotional campaign. The RMS stores and manages multiple rollover configurations that can be dynamically assigned to different subscribers, allowing flexible expiration periods (e.g., 6, 12, 24 billing cycles) without requiring complex system restructuring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes by allowing administrators to modify rollover settings including usage periods, rollover rates, and expiration policies through the RMS interface. These parameter changes can be applied selectively to different customer segments, services, or time periods without affecting the entire system or requiring billing system modifications.
3Manufacturing precision
If billing system parameters must be changed to extract rollover data, then data accuracy is maintained, but speed to market for promotions is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The RMS pre-structures and stores all rollover data in a standardized, accessible format independent of billing system parameters. By maintaining a dedicated rollover data repository with predefined data elements (balance, expiration date, usage units), the system enables rapid extraction and manipulation of rollover information for promotions without requiring changes to billing system parameters or data structures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple channels need to access rollover data, then service accessibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RMS is designed as a universal platform that serves multiple functions and access channels simultaneously. It provides a single standardized interface for web portals, mobile applications, customer service systems, and billing integrations to access and manipulate rollover data. This multi-functional design allows diverse channels to interact with rollover services through consistent protocols without requiring separate implementation for each channel.
Data Source
AI summary
A rollover management system (RMS) receives and stores rollover data that includes subscriber identification and a balance of the rollover usage units that may be “rolled-over” to offset overage units used by a subscriber in excess of package plan usage units in a subsequent billing cycle. In response to receiving requests, the RMS presents rollover data elements to the requesting entities. The balance of the rollover usage units may be rolled over and measured in at least one of a plurality of billable units and may be shared by the subscriber's multiple communication services. The rollover usage units expire after a predetermined number of billing cycles where the predetermined number may vary between package plans. The RMS receives post-billing data elements to update the rollover data elements. The RMS is further operative to account for and present for review unbilled communication service usage to subscribers.