Method for implementing an intelligent content rating middleware platform and gateway system

• US 20050135264A1
• Filed: 12/23/2003
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Redknee Inc.
• Original Assignee: Redknee Inc.
• Inventors: Popoff, Jeff, Ramakrishnan, Karthik, Leung, Victor
• Granted Patent: US 7,792,086 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1414 in real-time
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1432 Metric aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1408 by monitoring network traffic monitoring network traffic per se H04L43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 Parsing or analysis of headers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/57 for integrated multimedia messaging subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/63 based on the content carried by the session initiation protocol [SIP] messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8033 location-dependent, e.g. business or home
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8292 Charging for signaling or unsuccessful connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/208 IMS, i.e. Integrated Multimedia messaging Subsystem
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 : Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7435 : Location dependent, e.g. Bussiness or home
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/82 : Advice-of-Charge [AOC], i.e. notify subscriber of charges/cumulative charge; meter at the substation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing

Abstract

The method for implementing an Intelligent Content Rating middleware platform and gateway system disclosed herewith provides telecommunications carriers and network operators with the ability to define routing and actions based on HTTP/SIP based content and subscriber context through a powerful, extensible Layer 4-7 switching fabric technology. The invention mediates communications between applications and networks for IP packet flows, personal messaging, location-based services and billing. Furthermore, it enables advanced context-sensitive dialogue scenarios with the wireless subscriber such as, but not limited to, Advice-of-Charge dialogues. The art permits telecommunications network operators and like entities to introduce real-time rating of data services for both prepaid and post-paid subscribers. Further advances in the art include the validation of digital signatures, combined with authentication and non-repudiation techniques to ensure subscriber privacy remains protected.

Claims

1. An open architecture method and system for implementing an Intelligent Content Rating middleware platform and gateway system.

2. The method of claim 1, which allows for the inspection of certain, discrete communication protocol headers generated by and directed to a wireless subscriber'"'"'s mobile device to enable monitoring, content blocking, content embellishment, rerouting, and content-based rating.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein such communication protocols include, inter alia, HTTP and SIP.

4. The method of claim 2, which is implemented as part of a computer program product including instructions for facilitating said monitoring, content blocking, content embellishment, rerouting, and content-based rating on a computer readable memory medium.

5. The system of claim 4, which involves the loading of the rules or instructions into the logical memory of the computer program product.

6. The system of claim 5, whereupon loading the rating rules into the computer program product, a set of system level triggers are armed to detect the occurrence of the set of events.

7. The system of claim 6, where triggers are armed (real time) on the basis of the content requested (hostname, port, path, filename), and/or various protocols specific to the state of the art (as HTTP and HTTPS).

8. The system of claim 6, which involves the creation of a logical decision tree based upon the rating rules for analyzing and determining the requisite protocols, fields, addresses or content in question.

9. The system of claim 8, whereby said packet is analyzed in according with the rules and logic specific thereto.