Toll-Free Data Provisioning via Location-Based Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content providers face challenges in offering toll-free data services to specific mobile devices at target locations, as existing systems charge end users for data usage, which can lead to inefficient use of network resources and reduced revenue opportunities for providers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where a toll-free service device determines whether to provide toll-free data services to mobile devices based on their location, charging the content provider for data usage when the device is within a designated target area, thereby conserving network resources and allowing targeted content delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If toll-free data services are provided to all mobile devices regardless of location, then user accessibility is improved, but network resource consumption increases and revenue opportunities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing toll-free data services selectively based on geographic location. The system determines whether a mobile device is within a target location associated with a content provider, and only then provides toll-free access. This resolves the contradiction by making the service locally available (improving targeted accessibility) while avoiding wasteful network resource consumption in areas where the service is not intended.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the service provision based on geographic boundaries. It divides the network space into target locations (where toll-free service is provided) and non-target locations (where normal charging applies). This segmentation allows the system to improve accessibility within target areas while conserving network resources overall, resolving the contradiction between universal accessibility and resource efficiency.
2Device complexity
If toll-free data services are provided without location verification, then service delivery is simplified, but revenue opportunities for content providers are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring target locations and content provider associations in the network system before service delivery. The network device is pre-programmed with information about which content providers have target locations and what those locations are. This allows the system to maintain simple service delivery (low device complexity) while implementing location-based revenue protection, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and revenue preservation.
3Loss of energy
If location-based toll-free services are implemented, then network resource efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network device as an intermediary that handles location determination and service provisioning logic. Instead of making mobile devices or content providers complex, the system places the intelligence in a dedicated network device that receives data requests, determines device locations, checks associations with content providers, and routes traffic appropriately. This intermediary approach improves network resource efficiency through location-based filtering while keeping individual device complexities low.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may receive registration information that identifies a target location associated with a toll-free data campaign. The device may receive location information that identifies device locations corresponding to mobile devices. The device may receive a resource identifier that identifies a resource requested by a mobile device. The device may determine, based on the location information, a device location associated with the mobile device. The device may determine, based on the resource identifier, the device location, and the target location, whether to provide toll-free access to the resource for the mobile device. The device may selectively provide toll-free access to the resource for the mobile device based on determining whether to provide toll-free access to the resource for the mobile device.