Subscriber-Driven Service Plan Modification System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile telecommunication service plan change processes are cumbersome and time-consuming, often requiring subscribers to contact customer service and taking 24 hours or more to propagate changes, leading to sub-optimal user experience and low frequency of plan updates.
Innovation Solution
A service management system that allows subscribers to modify their service plans in real-time through a mobile device or computer interface, with immediate propagation of changes to billing systems and notification, using a group-centric service plan that enables reduced-rate communications within a contact group and verification against predefined rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a subscriber contacts customer service or uses a self-help system to change their service plan, then the service plan can be modified, but the process is time-consuming and takes 24 hours or more to propagate changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated self-service system where subscribers can modify their own service plans through a computer interface without contacting customer service. The system automatically validates the requested changes against predefined rules, calculates billing implications, and propagates changes to all relevant systems immediately, eliminating the need for human agent intervention and reducing implementation time from 24+ hours to minutes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation of service plan changes against a set of predefined rules before implementation. This includes checking eligibility criteria, verifying billing implications, and pre-calculating the impact on service delivery. By performing these validations in advance, the system ensures that only valid changes are propagated, preventing errors and reducing the need for manual review and correction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a subscriber contacts customer service to change their service plan, then the change can be implemented, but the process requires multiple steps and understanding of service plan options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated intermediary system that mediates between the subscriber's change request and the complex service plan options. The system presents simplified interfaces that guide subscribers through available options, automatically calculates billing implications, and handles the complexity of service plan configurations in the background. This intermediary layer shields users from complexity while maintaining full adaptability of service plan modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback to subscribers regarding the implications of their service plan changes, including billing impacts, eligibility status, and expected service delivery changes. This real-time feedback mechanism helps subscribers make informed decisions without requiring them to understand all the underlying service plan options and configurations, simplifying the user experience while maintaining system rigor.
3Reliability
If changes are propagated through the service provider's systems, then the service plan is updated, but there is a delay of 24 hours or more without immediate feedback to the consumer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous propagation of service plan changes across all relevant systems simultaneously rather than in sequential batches. When a change is validated, it is immediately propagated to billing systems, service delivery systems, and customer profiles in a coordinated manner. This continuous action ensures that all systems reflect the updated service plan without delay, providing immediate feedback to the subscriber while maintaining data consistency across the enterprise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical processes of change propagation with automated electronic systems. Instead of relying on manual updates through customer service representatives who sequentially update different systems, the patent uses automated software agents that instantly propagate changes across all systems through electronic interfaces. This substitution eliminates the inherent delays of manual processes while maintaining the reliability needed for accurate service plan updates.
Data Source
AI summary
A service management system that enables a subscriber of a mobile telecommunication system to modify aspects of his or her service plan and have the modification to the service plan take effect immediately. The subscriber enters a modification request to an aspect of a service plan. The modification request is verified against a set of rules that defines acceptable changes to the service plan. If the proposed modification to the service plan is a valid change, the change to the service plan is immediately propagated to a billing system and to other systems that implement the service plan. The subscriber is notified when the modification to the service plan is complete, and the subscriber is billed on a going-forward basis in accordance with the rate structure applicable to the plan.