Brokering services between wireless device users and operators
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving information on traffic load on a network and a negotiated price of a type of a wireless service based on a location of a user in said network;
using information on said negotiated price to determine price data and demand data for said type of said wireless service based on at least one of said location of said user and said traffic load on said network; and
estimating cost of providing said wireless service to said user by a first operator based on said price data and said demand data.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for brokering a service contract between a user of a mobile communication device and an operator to provide a service over a network. Specifically, the method comprises receiving information on traffic load on a network and a negotiated price of a type of a wireless service based on a location of a user in the network. The method further comprises using information on the negotiated price to determine price data and demand data for the type of wireless service based on the location of the user and/or the traffic load on the network. In this way, the method may estimate cost of providing the wireless service to the user by a first operator based on the price data and demand data. For example, a telecommunication system includes a broker for exchanging data over a network between a plurality of mobile communication devices each including a user negotiating agent and a multiplicity of operators each including an operator negotiating agent to negotiate a service cost according to one illustrative embodiment. In response to a request for a wireless service, a service brokering agent may predict a price of the request to the user based on a price data map and a demand data map and provide pricing statistics associated with the request to an operator, resulting in substantial price savings to the user and additional revenue to the operator.
41 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving information on traffic load on a network and a negotiated price of a type of a wireless service based on a location of a user in said network;
using information on said negotiated price to determine price data and demand data for said type of said wireless service based on at least one of said location of said user and said traffic load on said network; and
estimating cost of providing said wireless service to said user by a first operator based on said price data and said demand data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A mobile communication device associated with a network, said mobile communication device comprising:
an agent capable of communicating with a broker to negotiate a price of a wireless service from a first operator within a service coverage area for a user, wherein said broker is adapted to;
receive information on traffic load on said network and a negotiated price of a type of said wireless service based on a location of said user in said network, use information on said negotiated price to determine price data and demand data for said type of said wireless service based on at least one of said location of said user and said traffic load on said network, and estimate cost of providing said wireless service to said user by said first operator based on said price data and demand data. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An operator associated with a network to provide a wireless service to a mobile communication device, said operator comprising:
an agent capable of communicating with a broker to negotiate a price of said wireless service for a user within a service coverage area, wherein said broker is adapted to;
receive information on traffic load on said network and a negotiated price of a type of said wireless service based on a location of said user in said network, use information on said negotiated price to determine price data and demand data for said type of said wireless service based on at least one of said location of said user and said traffic load on said network, and estimate cost of providing said wireless service to said user by said operator based on said price data and demand data. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 19)
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18. A telecommunication system comprising:
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a broker including a controller that negotiates a price of a request within a service coverage area from a user for a wireless service between a first operator coupled to one or more mobile communication devices over a network; and
a memory coupled to said controller, said memory storing instructions to;
receive information on traffic load on said network and a negotiated price of a type of said wireless service based on a location of said user in said network, use information on said negotiated price to determine price data and demand data for said type of said wireless service based on at least one of said location of said user and said traffic load on said network, and estimate cost of providing said wireless service to said user by said first operator based on said price data and demand data.
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20. An apparatus for exchanging data with a mobile communication device and an operator over a network to negotiate a service contract between a user and a service provider, the apparatus comprising:
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means for receiving information on traffic load on said network and a negotiated price of a type of a wireless service based on a location of said user in said network;
means for using information on said negotiated price to determine price data and demand data for said type of said wireless service based on at least one of said location of said user and said traffic load on said network; and
means for estimating cost of providing said wireless service to said user by said operator based on said price data and demand data.
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21. An article comprising a computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed cause a system to:
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receive information on traffic load on a network and a negotiated price of a type of a wireless service based on a location of a user in said network;
use information on said negotiated price to determine price data and demand data for said type of said wireless service based on at least one of said location of said user and said traffic load on said network; and
estimate cost of providing said wireless service to said user by a first operator based on said price data and demand data. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification