Server Monitoring Data Traffic Thresholds for Toll-Free App Push
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users are often unaware when their electronic devices are about to exceed data limits, and they may not know if a particular application has a toll-free version available, leading to unexpected high charges for data usage.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a server monitoring data traffic from applications on a device, detecting when the data traffic threshold is exceeded, and providing a linked application with specific billing conditions, such as a prepaid or discounted version, to avoid exceeding the user's data plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users continue using their preferred applications after exceeding data limits, then application functionality is maintained, but unexpected high charges occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by monitoring data traffic in real-time and detecting threshold violations before users incur excessive charges. When the data traffic threshold is exceeded, the system automatically identifies the responsible application and pushes the alternative version to the user device, preventing harmful charging before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary between the user device and the application ecosystem. It monitors data usage, identifies when threshold violations occur, and mediates by pushing alternative application versions with different billing models (e.g., toll-free versions) to users, thereby resolving the conflict between application usability and cost control.
2Loss of information
If users are unaware of toll-free application versions, then data usage transparency is reduced, but application availability is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring data traffic and providing real-time information to users about their data consumption patterns. When threshold violations are detected, the system feedbacks information about alternative application versions with different billing models, enabling users to make informed decisions about their data usage and application choices.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present system relates to a server providing data connectivity to an electronic device. The server includes a memory storing data connectivity policy information for the electronic device. The policy information defines a data traffic threshold marking a change in data traffic billing for data traffic the electronic device may exchange with service provider(s) over a telecommunication network. The server has a receiver, which monitors data traffic from instances of applications installed on the electronic device, and has a usage monitor, which maintains a first quantity indicative of the monitored data traffic. A data connectivity policy manager detects that the first quantity exceeds the data traffic threshold of the data connectivity policy, determines a first application requesting such traffic, retrieves a second application linked to the first application, the second application having data traffic billing specific to the second application, and presents the second application to the electronic device.