Device Service Processor for Accurate Network Billing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network-based service usage measurement and billing systems are inadequate for modern digital devices, particularly in wireless networks, as they struggle with flexibility, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness, especially with high-bandwidth applications and diverse service usage scenarios.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a device-assisted service usage measurement and billing system that generates, aggregates, and mediates Charging Data Records (CDRs) on devices, enhancing or replacing network-based systems to provide more accurate, flexible, and cost-effective service usage measurement and billing capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network-based service usage measurement and billing systems are used, then existing infrastructure can be maintained, but flexibility and accuracy deteriorate with high-bandwidth applications and diverse service scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidaccuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the service usage measurement function by introducing a service processor on the device side that works in conjunction with the network side. This segmentation allows the device to perform local measurement and reporting of service usage, improving both flexibility and accuracy without requiring complete redesign of the network infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The service processor acts as an intermediary between the device and the network billing system. It collects service usage information locally, processes it according to service policies, and reports to the network, thereby enhancing measurement precision and adaptability while maintaining compatibility with existing network-based billing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If device-assisted service usage measurement is implemented, then measurement precision and flexibility improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service processor is designed as a multi-functional component that handles service usage measurement, policy enforcement, and reporting. By consolidating these functions into a single device component, the patent improves measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity through functional integration rather than adding separate dedicated hardware for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If network infrastructure is upgraded to support sophisticated service measurement, then measurement precision improves, but infrastructure cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccuracyVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service processor on the device side performs self-service by autonomously collecting service usage information, applying service policies locally, and generating reports. This self-service capability eliminates the need for sophisticated network infrastructure upgrades, as the measurement precision improvement is achieved through device-side intelligence rather than network-side complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2619684B1Adapting network policies based on device service processor configuration
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • EP2619684B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2619684B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2619684B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein are various embodiments to prevent, detect, or take action in response to the moving a device credential from one device to another, the improper configuration of a service processor, a missing service processor, or the tampering with a service processor in device-assisted services (DAS) systems.