Wireless Device Replenishment via Autonomous Parameter Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prepaid wireless devices with internal accounting capabilities face challenges in timely and efficient replenishment of account parameters, especially when devices are powered off for extended periods, leading to network congestion and delayed service restoration.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a wireless device-initiated automatic replenishment method that delays the replenishment process to check for updated parameters from a control server, using a secure timestamp to determine the need for replenishment and preventing tampering, thereby allowing the device to replenish its account parameters independently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the network sends individualized replenishment messages to each wireless device, then the account parameters can be replenished, but network traffic and congestion increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereplenishment deliveryVSAvoidnetwork traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of the network initiating replenishment messages to devices (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by having devices autonomously determine when replenishment is needed and initiate their own replenishment requests. This reduces network traffic because only devices that actually need replenishment will request it, rather than the network sending messages to all devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless device is empowered with internal accounting capabilities that allow it to autonomously monitor its own account parameters, determine when replenishment is needed, and initiate replenishment requests without continuous network intervention. This self-service approach reduces the burden on network elements while ensuring timely replenishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If the device waits for server response before replenishing, then updated parameters can be obtained, but service restoration is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter accuracyVSAvoidservice restoration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary actions by calculating the anticipated replenishment amount locally using its internal billing algorithm and deduct rate information before contacting the server. This allows the device to have a ready-to-use replenishment value computed in advance, reducing the time needed for actual replenishment execution while still allowing the server to provide updated parameters if available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The replenishment process is made dynamic by allowing the device to proceed with replenishment using locally calculated parameters while simultaneously checking for server responses. The system can adapt based on whether the server responds with updated parameters or not, enabling service restoration to proceed without unnecessary delays while still capturing parameter updates when available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If devices replenish parameters autonomously without server communication, then network congestion is reduced, but parameter accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork trafficVSAvoidparameter accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary calculations of replenishment amounts using its internal billing algorithm and stored deduct rate information before autonomous replenishment. This preliminary action ensures that the device has accurate parameter values computed locally, maintaining parameter accuracy while enabling autonomous operation that reduces network traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where devices can check for server responses and obtain updated parameters when available. The device compares its locally calculated parameters with server-provided parameters and uses the most accurate values, ensuring parameter accuracy is maintained while still reducing overall network traffic through autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9113323B2Device initiated replenishment procedures for wireless devices

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A method, device and system are provided for wireless device-initiated automatic replenishment of internally-stored account parameters associated with an amount of authorization for usage of the wireless device (e.g., prepaid amount of airtime minutes, data usage, messages, etc.). Upon determining within the wireless device that the account parameter(s) should be replenished, the wireless device transmits a message to a control server indicating that the wireless device intends to perform the determined replenishment according to the replenishment parameters stored within the wireless device. The wireless device delays performance of the replenishment for a predetermined period of time to determine whether the control server provides a response containing updated replenishment parameters. Depending upon whether the wireless device receives a response from the control server during the time period, the wireless device then replenishes the internally-stored account parameter(s) using either the previously stored replenishment parameters or the updated replenishment parameters.