Dynamic selection of radio communication network operator or service provider

• US 20040198356A1
• Filed: 02/21/2004
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Strathclyde
• Original Assignee: University of Strathclyde
• Inventors: Irvine, James Menzies, Girma, Demessie, Dunlop, John, Le Bodic, Gwenael
• Granted Patent: US 7,570,944 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

The present invention relates to a communications environment comprising a digital marketplace arrangement which enables user to have dynamic access to a variety of network operators and service operators which are registered with the marketplace. The users can communicate with the digital marketplace via a logical market channel enabling user, service providers and network operators to interact in real time and negotiate for appropriate communication links and quality of service. Each communications environment may comprise more than one digital marketplace.

Claims

1. A communications system for use in a communications network comprising means for enabling a selection of network operators to provide services to a user based on user service requirements for each communication session, characterised in that the means for enabling comprise a digital marketplace that is operable to receive user service requirements from a user terminal, to negotiate terms of service and to dynamically select a network operator.

2. A communications system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the digital marketplace is operable to negotiate the terms of service during set up of each communication session.

3. A communications system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the digital marketplace is operable to re-negotiate the terms of service during the communication session.

4. A communications system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the digital marketplace includes a market provider with which a plurality of entities such as local network operators and service providers are registered, the market provider providing a logical market channel (LMC) having a plurality of control channels, each of which represents a different communications technology for receiving the user service requirements.

5. A communications system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the logical market channel is operable to allow users not attached to a particular network operator or service provider, and subscribers to communicate with the market provider of the digital market place.

6. A communications system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of agents, each of which represents an entity of the network, is arranged to negotiate within the digital marketplace for each contract tendered by a user.

7. A communications system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the digital marketplace includes a service provider agent (SPA) that is operable to negotiate the service terms.

8. A communications network that includes a communications system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.