Wireless Billing Token Mechanism for Peer-to-Peer Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in billing due to traffic bottlenecks and security issues when using centralized call processing servers, especially in direct peer-to-peer communications, leading to inaccurate and inefficient billing for multi-service wireless subscriber units.
Innovation Solution
A novel billing technique that allows wireless subscriber units to directly track service usage through open and completion tokens, enabling accurate and efficient billing while maintaining end-to-end security by using a billing server to negotiate and correct inconsistent charges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized call processing server is used to setup connections, then connection management is centralized and controllable, but traffic bottlenecks occur and network performance is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the billing function from the centralized call processing server, allowing peer-to-peer connections to be established directly without server intervention. Only billing record generation and security authentication remain centralized, while traffic flow and connection setup are decentralized to end devices, eliminating the bottleneck effect on network performance while maintaining centralized billing control
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the connection establishment process into two parts: security authentication and billing record generation remain centralized on the server, while actual traffic flow and connection management are decentralized to peer devices. This segmentation allows centralized control where needed while enabling direct peer-to-peer communication for data transfer
2Reliability
If a centralized call processing server is used to setup connections, then connection management is centralized, but additional security steps are required and resources are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts security authentication from the connection setup process itself, performing it once during initial device registration with the billing server. After authentication, devices receive unique identifiers that enable secure peer-to-peer communication without requiring ongoing server intervention or additional encryption steps during each connection
3Productivity
If direct peer-to-peer communication is used, then traffic flow efficiency is improved, but billing accuracy becomes difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having devices register with the billing server in advance, receiving unique identifiers and establishing billing accounts before peer-to-peer communication begins. The billing server pre-configures tracking mechanisms that automatically record usage data during direct communications, ensuring accurate billing without interfering with efficient peer-to-peer data transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the billing server continuously monitor and track usage data from peer-to-peer communications. Completion tokens are sent back to the server to confirm service completion, and the server maintains running totals of data transferred, allowing accurate billing records to be generated based on actual usage without disrupting the efficient peer-to-peer connection
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple servers are involved in peer-to-peer communication setup, then connection flexibility is improved, but billing security becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal billing server that handles all billing functions for all peer-to-peer connections in the network. Instead of requiring separate billing arrangements for each server pair, a single multi-functional billing server tracks usage across all devices and connections, maintaining consistent security and billing policies network-wide while allowing flexible peer-to-peer communication between any authorized devices
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for generating service billing records for a wireless client. According to one embodiment of the invention, a service status of the wireless client is obtained (706) for authentication upon receiving (704) an authentication request from a wireless client. When the wireless client has been, in fact, authenticated, an open token is accordingly sent (730) to the wireless client for access to at least one service.