Telecom Billing Module Appending Local Data for Near Real-Time Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for generating reports for advanced intelligent network telecommunications services face challenges, including excessive resource consumption by switches, rigid data formats in service control points, and the inability to provide real-time data due to infrequent billing system updates.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that append a local use module to a base module to capture and generate reports, allowing for the collection of additional data beyond standard billing records in near real-time without modifying existing telecommunications systems, using a network element like a service control point to populate the modules with specific fields for report generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a switch is used to capture data for reports, then report data can be collected, but network resources are consumed excessively and the switch is tied up for the length of the call
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service control point as an intermediary component that captures report data independently from the switch. This mediator collects the necessary data for reports without burdening the switch, allowing the switch to focus on call processing while the service control point handles data collection for reporting purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data collection function from the switch by introducing a separate service control point. This segmentation allows report data collection to be handled by a dedicated component rather than the switch, reducing the switch's resource consumption and freeing it from data collection tasks during calls.
2Reliability
If service control points use rigid pre-established standardized formats, then system compatibility is maintained, but additional data for reports cannot be collected without modifying each service control point and billing system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested module structure where a local use module is appended within the base module. This nesting allows additional report-specific data fields to be added inside the existing standardized base module structure, enabling extended functionality without modifying the outer standardized format or individual service control points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic extensibility to the rigid standardized format by allowing a local use module to be appended to the base module. This dynamic extension enables the system to adapt and collect additional data for reports while maintaining compatibility with the existing standardized base module structure across different service control points.
3Ease of manufacture
If billing systems are updated once or twice a day, then billing processing is simplified, but real time report generation is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary data collection by having the service control point capture and store report data in near real-time as calls occur. This preliminary action accumulates data before the billing cycle processes it, enabling real time report generation without requiring continuous billing system updates or modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for reporting call data related to a telecommunications service. The system includes a network element, such as a service control point, that generates billing records. The network element populates a base module with standard data and also populates a local use module, appended to the base module, with call data required for reports associated with the telecommunication service. The system also includes a report generating system that receives the base record and appended local use module and generates reports based upon the call data stored in the base module and the appended local use module.