Methods and Apparatus for Providing Coverage for Receiver of Transmission Data

• US 20070239613A1
• Filed: 06/05/2007
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TranSurety LLC
• Original Assignee: TranSurety LLC
• Inventors: Cianciarulo, Krys, Weiseth, Thomas, Cardot, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,711,646 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/53
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3823 combining multiple encryption tools for a transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/60 Business processes related to postal services shipping G06Q10/083; franking apparatus G07B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/234 for tracking messages

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods which afford a technical application for insuring, bonding, and underwriting a transmission of a data set, streaming data, and/or document over the Internet through TCP/IP and all other electronic media such as WAP, VOIP, fiber optic channels, microwave channels, and through standard electrical switches, electrical outlets and power lines. The present invention includes a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions to cause a system perform a method for insuring, bonding, and/or underwriting data transmission. The method includes enabling a first remote client coupled to a communications network to insure, bond, and/or underwrite a transmission of an electronic data set, streaming data, and/or document, with a selected coverage type for a selected coverage amount, from the first remote client to one or more second remote clients. The method includes charging a fee to an appropriate account for the selected coverage type and amount.

Claims

1. A computerized method comprising:

attempting to receive into a receiver computer an encrypted transmission of a set of data over a communications network, wherein the transmission has an associated coverage that would provide a payment amount if the transmission were to fail;

paying a fee for the coverage;

attempting, in the receiver computer, to obtain the set of data from the received encrypted transmission;

sending, from the receiver computer, a status indication for logging that indicates whether the receiving of the encrypted transmission and the obtaining of the set of data were successful; and

requesting a retransmission of the transmission if the transmission initially fails.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the paying of the fee includes paying a per-usage fee, and wherein the fee is based upon the size of the transmission, the monetary value of the transmission, and the liability amount of the transmission.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the paying of the fee includes paying a flat periodic fee.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the paying of the fee includes paying a flat periodic fee plus an additional fee when the number of transmissions exceeds a predetermined number.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising computerized managing a particular coverage policy.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the computerized managing includes a plurality of program modules.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising defining retransmission characteristics using a business-rules data structure.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a receiver configured to attempt to receive an encrypted transmission of a set of data over a communications network, wherein the transmission has an associated coverage that would provide a payment amount if the transmission were to fail;

a payment module operatively coupled to the receiver and configured to pay a fee for the coverage;

an extractor unit operatively coupled to the receiver and configured to attempt to obtain the set of data from the received encrypted transmission;

a status-indication unit operatively coupled to the receiver and configured to send a status indication for logging that indicates whether the receiving of the encrypted transmission and the obtaining of the set of data were successful; and

a requester unit operatively coupled to the receiver and configured to request a retransmission of the transmission if the transmission initially fails.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the payment module is configured to pay a per-usage fee, and wherein the fee is based upon the size of the transmission, the monetary value of the transmission, and the liability amount of the transmission.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the payment module is configured to pay a flat periodic fee.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the payment module is configured to pay a flat periodic fee plus an additional fee when the number of transmissions exceeds a predetermined number.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising software operatively coupled to the receiver and configured to manage a particular coverage policy.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the software includes a plurality of program modules.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the requestor unit includes a business-rules data structure that is configured to define the request for retransmission.

15. An apparatus comprising:

means for attempting to receive into a receiver computer an encrypted transmission of a set of data over a communications network, wherein the transmission has an associated coverage that would provide a payment amount if the transmission were to fail;

means for paying a fee for the coverage;

means for attempting, in the receiver computer, to obtain the set of data from the received encrypted transmission;

means for sending, from the receiver computer, a status indication for logging that indicates whether the receiving of the encrypted transmission and the obtaining of the set of data were successful; and

means for requesting a retransmission of the transmission if the transmission initially fails.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for paying includes means for paying a per-usage fee, and wherein the fee is based upon the size of the transmission, the monetary value of the transmission, and the liability amount of the transmission.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for paying includes means for paying a flat periodic fee.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for paying includes means for paying a flat periodic fee plus an additional fee when the number of transmissions exceeds a predetermined number.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for computerized managing a particular coverage policy, wherein the means for managing includes a plurality of program modules.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for requesting includes a business-rules data structure, and wherein the business-rules data structure includes means for defining retransmission characteristics.