Zero Charge Telephony Protocol for Packet-Switched Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prepaid mobile users with insufficient account balances face barriers in making calls due to cost prohibitions, necessitating alternative mobile calling systems that provide access without incurring charges.
Innovation Solution
A zero charge telephony protocol system that modifies call signals by adding a distinguishing service code prefix and asynchronous signaling switch destination address, allowing calls to be completed independently of account balance through packet-switched networks like IMS VoLTE, utilizing processors and machine-readable instructions to route and disconnect calls effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional prepaid mobile calling systems are used, then users with sufficient account balance can place calls, but users with insufficient account balance are blocked from making calls
Solution Approach 1:
The call is divided into two independent legs: an originating call leg from the first user device to a network node, and a terminating call leg from the network node to the second user device. This segmentation allows the first leg to be established without charge to the originating user, while the terminating leg is handled separately, enabling access for users with insufficient balance.
Solution Approach 2:
A network node acts as an intermediary between the first user device and the second user device. This intermediary receives the originating call signal, modifies it by adding a distinguishing service code prefix, and routes it to complete the call without charging the first user's account, thus mediating the service delivery for users with insufficient balance.
2Ease of operation
If calls are completed for users with insufficient balance, then access is provided without charges, but the system must implement complex signal modification and routing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The network node performs preliminary action by modifying the call signal before routing it to the second user device. It adds a distinguishing service code prefix to identify calls from users with insufficient balance and routes them through a specific path, enabling automated zero-charge completion without requiring complex real-time decisions during call execution.
3Productivity
If the call signal is modified with distinguishing service code prefix, then the call can be routed to asynchronous signaling switch, but the original call signal structure is changed
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the original telephony address from the call signal and replaces it with a modified address that includes the distinguishing service code prefix and asynchronous signaling switch destination address. This extraction and replacement enables efficient routing to the asynchronous signaling switch while preserving the necessary call information in the modified signal structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Asynchronous and/or synchronous telephony protocol systems and methods may include an asynchronous signaling node (ASN) and/or a call duration time quota from a charging onset to place and complete a call based on a first device call request as received from a first user mobile device on a packet switched network. The asynchronous systems include instructions to automatically modify the telephony address with a prefix and destination address when the first device has insufficient or independent balance or upon a network exception; route the modified call signal to the ASN; and deliver and automatically disconnect the call when the call is completed. The synchronous systems are balance-independent and include instructions to automatically set the call duration time quota upon such exception, and deliver and automatically disconnect the call from the second user telephony device when the call is completed or when the call duration time quota is exceeded.