Method and system for billing for internet services for ad-hoc network nodes

• US 20050234788A1
• Filed: 10/20/2004
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Dietiker, Rolf P., Hudson, John G., Bui, Michelle P.
• Application Number:
  US10/969,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20050234788A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1403 Architecture for metering, charging or billing

Abstract

A method and system for billing for Internet access for an ad-hoc network node, for example, an aircraft is provided. The method includes, receiving a message notifying when the ad-hoc network node starts operating; determining a route for the ad-hoc network node; and determining duration of Internet access to the ad-hoc network node during ad-hoc network node travel. The message is received by a data center via the Internet that monitors the status of the ad-hoc network node. Also, the process generates a billing statement based on duration of travel and geographical area where Internet access is provided.

Claims

1. A method for billing for Internet access for an ad-hoc network node, comprising:

receiving a message notifying when the ad-hoc network node starts operating;

determining a route for the ad-hoc network node; and

determining duration of Internet access to the ad-hoc network node during ad-hoc network node travel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is received by a monitoring system via the Internet.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a billing statement based on duration of travel and geographical area where Internet access is provided.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the ad-hoc network node may be an aircraft, train, boat, ship and/or automobile.

4. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable process steps of a process for use in a computer system for billing for Internet access on an ad-hoc network node, comprising:

code for receiving a message notifying when the ad-hoc network node starts operating;

code for determining a route for the ad-hoc network; and

code for determining duration of Internet access to the ad-hoc network node during ad-hoc network node travel.

5. The computer readable medium of claim 4, wherein the message is received by a monitoring system via the Internet.

6. The computer readable medium of claim 4, further comprising:

code for generating a billing statement based on duration of travel and geographical area where Internet access is provided.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 4 wherein the ad-hoc network node may be an aircraft, train, boat, ship and/or automobile.

7. An apparatus for billing for Internet access for an ad-hoc network node, comprising:

a storage device for storing computer executable process steps; and

a processor for executing computer executable process steps for receiving a message notifying when the ad-hoc network node starts operating;

determining a route for the ad-hoc network node; and

determining the duration of Internet access to the ad-hoc network node during ad-hoc network node travel.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the message is received by a monitoring system via the Internet.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, the processor generates a billing statement based on duration of travel and geographical area where Internet access is provided.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ad-hoc network node may be an aircraft, train, boat, ship and/or automobile.

10. A system for billing for Internet access for an ad-hoc network node, comprising:

a data center that receives a message notifying when the ad-hoc network node starts operating;

determines a route for the ad-hoc network node and duration of Internet access to the ad-hoc network node during ad-hoc network node travel.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the message is received via the Internet.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the ad-hoc network node may be an aircraft, train, boat, ship and/or automobile.