Sponsored Data Platform for Flexible Mobile Quota Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile network data access models charge users per access and quantity, leading to limitations in data usage and inflexible data allocation methods, particularly in scenarios where data sponsors and recipients need to manage and transfer data quotas efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for processing data top-up transactions between data sponsors and beneficiaries, utilizing API calls to allocate and manage data quotas, either directly through a mobile network operator or a sponsored data platform, while considering business rules and product information to select optimal data provisioning options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile network operator charges users per access and by quantity, then the operator can track and control data usage, but the user experiences limited data usage and inflexible data allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sponsored data platform as an intermediary between mobile network operators and users. This platform enables data sponsors to purchase and allocate data quotas to beneficiaries, providing flexible data allocation without requiring changes to the underlying network charging infrastructure. The intermediary layer handles the complexity of multi-party data transactions while maintaining simple user-facing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data management system into distinct functional components: data sponsors who purchase quotas, a sponsored data platform that manages allocation, and beneficiaries who receive data top-ups. This segmentation allows each entity to operate independently with specific responsibilities, improving adaptability while distributing system complexity across multiple specialized components rather than a monolithic system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple data providers serve a single subscriber, then more data top-up options are available, but selecting the optimal provider becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sponsored data platform automatically performs provider selection based on predefined business rules and criteria. When a data top-up is requested, the system autonomously evaluates multiple data providers and selects the optimal one without requiring manual intervention from users or sponsors. This self-service mechanism maintains ease of operation while supporting multiple data providers through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where business rules and performance metrics from multiple data providers are continuously evaluated. The sponsored data platform uses this feedback to dynamically adjust provider selection, ensuring optimal choices are made based on current conditions such as pricing, availability, and service quality. This feedback loop enables the system to handle multiple providers efficiently while maintaining simple user interactions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If data sponsors transfer their own quota to recipients, then peer-to-peer data sharing is enabled, but tracking and managing these transactions becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sponsored data platform serves multiple functions within a single system: it handles data sponsor purchases, manages quota transfers between users, tracks transactions, and interfaces with mobile network operators. This multi-functional approach enables peer-to-peer data transfer capability while consolidating transaction tracking and management in one universal platform, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing top-up of mobile data, by processing one or more transactions between a data sponsor and a data beneficiary who is possibly being served by multiple data providers. The top-up can be based on i) an application program interface (API) call being made into the mobile network operator of a data user or ii) an API call being made into a sponsored data (SD) platform/system (SDS) to allocate a quota to the data user, among other possible product options. In the first option, provisioning of the data quota and consumption against the quota is managed directly by the mobile network operator itself. In the second option, allocation of the quota and consumption against the quota is managed by the SDS and an SD control app. The system can select a particular option because that option best meets one or more business goals or rules.