Zero Charge Telephony Protocol for Prepaid Call Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Many prepaid mobile calling systems require a sufficient balance to initiate and progress a call, leading to users being unable to place calls due to insufficient credit, and those without financial resources for telecommunications being denied access.
Innovation Solution
A zero charge telephony protocol system that modifies a mobile address with a routing prefix to generate a modified call signal, allowing calls to be completed even with insufficient balance or independently of balance, by routing the call through an asynchronous signaling switch and automatically disconnecting it once received by the second user mobile device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sufficient account balance is required to place a call in prepaid mobile calling systems, then the system can ensure payment for telecommunications services, but users with insufficient balance or without financial resources are denied access to calling services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a modified call signal with a routing prefix that routes calls through a specific path. This intermediary signaling path allows the network to identify zero-balance calls, complete them successfully, and then apply billing, thereby mediating between the user's inability to pay upfront and the system's need to ensure payment
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system automatically disconnects calls immediately upon receipt by the second user mobile device, then users with insufficient balance can complete calls without incurring charges, but the call duration is limited to minimal time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by automatically disconnecting the call immediately upon receipt by the second user mobile device, before the user can actually use the call service. This preliminary disconnection prevents any meaningful call duration while still allowing the call to be technically 'completed' and billed, thus providing access to the calling service without allowing extended usage
Data Source
AI summary
Asynchronous and/or synchronous zero charge telephony protocol systems and methods may include an asynchronous signaling switch and/or a call duration time quota from a synchronous charging onset to place and complete a call. A call request is received with a second device mobile address. The asynchronous systems include instructions to automatically modify the mobile address with a routing prefix when the first device has insufficient balance or independent of balance, route to the asynchronous signaling switch based on an associated modified address trunk path, revert to the call signal at the asynchronous signaling switch, and deliver and automatically disconnect the call immediately when the call is completed. The synchronous systems include instructions to automatically set the call duration time quota upon insufficient balance, and deliver and automatically disconnect the call from the second user mobile device when the call is completed and the call duration time quota is exceeded.