Shared Data Plan System for Media Downloads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users incur high data charges when downloading media-rich content over operator networks, discouraging them from doing so due to the strain on their data plans.
Innovation Solution
A shared data plan system where a server device creates a download account that allows members to download content over multiple operator networks without charging their individual data plans, with the server device agreeing to pay for the data usage with the operator networks, thus shifting the cost to a shared plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users download media-rich content over operator networks, then content accessibility is improved, but data plan cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the data plan into a shared pool that can be divided among multiple users. The server device creates a download account with a shared data plan that multiple users can access, allowing each user to download content without individually depleting their own data plans. The system tracks and allocates data usage from the shared pool to each user's downloads.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple users' data needs into a single shared data plan. Instead of each user consuming their individual data plan, the patent combines their requirements into one pooled resource that serves all members of the download account, reducing overall cost while maintaining accessibility.
2Quantity of substance
If a shared data plan system is implemented, then user data plan cost decreases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server device acts as an intermediary between operator networks and user devices. It manages the shared data plan, authenticates users, tracks data usage, and coordinates with operator networks to enable downloads. This centralization of management functions reduces the complexity burden on individual user devices while maintaining system-wide coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated authentication and data tracking mechanisms where the server device automatically verifies user credentials, monitors data consumption from the shared plan, and manages billing without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach handles the complexity automatically rather than requiring users to manually manage their shared plan allocation.
Data Source
AI summary
A device is configured to create an account including a plurality of members and a shared data plan. The device stores a content associated with the account and the shared data plan is set up to be charged for data used on an operating network to provide the content to the plurality of members associated with a plurality of operator networks. Further, the device provides the content to a user device associated with a member of the plurality of members. The content is provided through the operator network. The device charges the shared data plan for the amount of data used by the operator network to provide the content to the user device without causing a data plan between the member and the operator network to be charged for the amount of data.