Wireless Service Payback Calculation for Unused Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customers often lose unused service units, such as minutes, at the end of a billing cycle in wireless calling plans without receiving any monetary compensation, leading to frustration and potential loss of benefits when switching service providers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that calculates a payback amount for unused service units by multiplying the remaining units with a predetermined payback rate and applying the smaller of this amount or a maximum payback amount, which can include a combination of service types like voice minutes, text messages, emails, and data storage, and applies this credit back to the customer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If customers purchase a predetermined number of service units per billing cycle, then service providers can ensure stable revenue and simplify billing management, but customers lose unused service units at the end of the billing cycle leading to frustration and potential loss of benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers the value of unused service units by implementing a payback mechanism that refunds customers for unused minutes, texts, emails, and data storage capacity. Instead of simply discarding unused service units at the end of the billing cycle, the system calculates and refunds the monetary value based on predetermined payback rates, thus recovering the value that would otherwise be lost.
2Duration of action of moving object
If unused service units are rolled over to the next billing cycle, then customers retain service units for future use, but customers never receive money back and may lose benefits when switching service providers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harm of unused service units (which would be lost or tied up in rollover) into a beneficial cash refund. By implementing payback rates that refund customers for unused service units, the system transforms the problematic accumulation of unused units into a positive outcome that benefits customer mobility and satisfaction.
3Ease of operation
If a payback system is implemented for unused service units, then customers receive monetary compensation improving satisfaction, but the system complexity increases with tracking and calculation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The payback system automatically tracks service unit usage and calculates refunds without requiring manual customer input or intervention. The system self-monitors consumption patterns, automatically determines unused units, applies predetermined payback rates, and issues refunds through the existing billing infrastructure, minimizing operational complexity despite the enhanced functionality.
4Ease of operation
If payback rates are set high to maximize customer benefit, then customer satisfaction increases, but service provider revenue decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements predetermined payback rates that can be adjusted as a controllable parameter. Service providers can set and modify these rates based on business requirements, service types, and market conditions, allowing optimization of the balance between customer satisfaction and revenue retention without requiring complex dynamic calculations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for paying back customers for unused service units remaining after a billing cycle. A payback amount is determined by the product of the number of unused service units remaining and the payback rate amount. The payback amount credited to the customer is the calculated payback rate or a maximum payback amount, wherever is smaller. A total payback amount can be determined based on a combination of payback amounts for various services, including voice services, texting services, email services, and/or data storage services.