Signaling Node Offloads Unlimited Prepaid Queries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional prepaid status query systems generate unnecessary queries to prepaid credit status databases for unlimited in-network calls, increasing network traffic and license fees due to the need for determining call connectivity without examining database information.
Innovation Solution
A signaling message routing node intercepts prepaid status queries and determines if the call is in-network and associated with an unlimited plan, generating a response to connect the call without forwarding it to the database if criteria are met, thereby offloading queries and reducing database traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prepaid status queries are sent to prepaid credit status databases for all in-network calls, then call connectivity can be determined, but network traffic load and license fees increase unnecessarily for unlimited-plan subscribers
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of subscribers into unlimited-plan and traditional-prepaid categories before call processing. This preliminary action enables the network to bypass database queries for unlimited-plan subscribers entirely, while maintaining full database querying capability for traditional-prepaid subscribers, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable call determination and network traffic reduction
Solution Approach 2:
A new intermediary component (unlimited prepaid calling plan indicator database and query intercepting node) is introduced between the call processing system and the prepaid credit status database. This intermediary intercepts queries, identifies unlimited-plan subscribers, and prevents unnecessary database access, thereby reducing network traffic while maintaining call connectivity determination reliability
2Reliability
If prepaid status queries are sent to prepaid credit status databases for all in-network calls, then call connectivity can be determined, but license fees increase due to unnecessary queries
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of subscribers into unlimited-plan and traditional-prepaid categories before call processing. This preliminary action enables the network to bypass database queries for unlimited-plan subscribers entirely, while maintaining full database querying capability for traditional-prepaid subscribers, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable call determination and query volume reduction
Solution Approach 2:
A new intermediary component (unlimited prepaid calling plan indicator database and query intercepting node) is introduced between the call processing system and the prepaid credit status database. This intermediary intercepts queries, identifies unlimited-plan subscribers, and prevents unnecessary database access, thereby reducing the quantity of queries and associated license fees
3Reliability
If all prepaid status queries are processed by the database, then accurate credit status verification is ensured, but system complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the subscriber base into distinct categories (unlimited-plan subscribers and traditional-prepaid subscribers) with different query processing requirements. This segmentation allows the system to apply different handling rules: bypassing the database for unlimited-plan subscribers while maintaining full verification for traditional-prepaid subscribers, thereby reducing overall system complexity without compromising verification accuracy for those who need it
Solution Approach 2:
A new intermediary component (unlimited prepaid calling plan indicator database and query intercepting node) is introduced between the call processing system and the prepaid credit status database. This intermediary intercepts queries, identifies unlimited-plan subscribers, and prevents unnecessary database access, thereby reducing the quantity of queries and associated license fees
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer program products for offloading prepaid credit status queries from prepaid credit status databases for unlimited- plan prepaid in-network calls is provided. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method that includes intercepting, at a signaling message routing node, a prepaid status query associated with a call originated by a calling subscriber and directed to a called subscriber. The signaling node then determines whether the calling subscriber is associated with an unlimited calling plan, unlimited text messaging plan, unlimited multimedia messaging plan, or a combination of plans based on the intercepted prepaid status query. The node also determines whether the call is an in- network call based on the intercepted prepaid status query, where an in- network call includes a call between a calling subscriber and a called subscriber belonging to the same network. In response to determining that the call is an in-network call associated with a calling party associated with an unlimited calling, text messaging, or multimedia messaging plan, the signaling node generates a prepaid status response instructing the query originator to connect the call. Alternatively, in response to determining that the call is not an in-network call associated with a calling party associated with an unlimited calling, text messaging, or multimedia messaging plan, the signaling node forwards the prepaid status query to the intended destination prepaid status database.