METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SENDING COMMUNICATIONS
First Claim
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1. A method of determining a charge for a communication with one or more devices, comprising:
- identifying a communication from a first device to a second device;
determining if the first device has a relationship with the second device by identifying another communication between the first device and the second device prior to the time of the communication;
applying a first charge amount for the communication if the relationship is determined; and
applying a second charge amount for the communication if the relationship is not determined.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for determining a charge for a communication with one or more devices may include identifying a communication from a first device to a second device. The methods and apparatus may further include determining if the first device has a relationship with the second device by identifying another communication between the first device and the second device prior to the time of the communication, and determining a charge amount based upon the determining.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method of determining a charge for a communication with one or more devices, comprising:
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identifying a communication from a first device to a second device; determining if the first device has a relationship with the second device by identifying another communication between the first device and the second device prior to the time of the communication; applying a first charge amount for the communication if the relationship is determined; and applying a second charge amount for the communication if the relationship is not determined. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. At least one processor configured to determine a charge for a communication with one or more devices, comprising:
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a first module for identifying a communication from a first device to a second device; a second module for determining if the first device has a relationship with the second device by identifying another communication between the first device and the second device prior to the time of the communication; a third module for applying a first charge amount for the communication if the relationship is determined; and a fourth module for applying a second charge amount for the communication if the relationship is not determined.
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13. A computer program product for determining a charge for a communication with one or more devices, comprising:
a computer-readable medium comprising; at least one instruction executable by the computer to identify a communication from a first device to a second device; at least one instruction executable by the computer to determine if the first device has a relationship with the second device by identifying another communication between the first device and the second device prior to the time of the communication; at least one instruction executable by the computer to apply a first charge amount for the communication if the relationship is determined; and at least one instruction executable by the computer to apply a second charge amount for the communication if the relationship is not determined.
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14. An apparatus, comprising:
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means for identifying a communication from a first device to a second device; means for determining if the first device has a relationship with the second device by identifying another communication between the first device and the second device prior to the time of the communication; means for applying a first charge amount for the communication if the relationship is determined; and means for applying a second charge amount for the communication if the relationship is not determined.
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15. An apparatus for determining a charge for a communication with one or more devices, comprising:
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a communication receiving component operable to identify a communication from a first device to a second device; a communication relationship determiner operable to determine if the first device has a relationship with the second device by identifying another communication between the first device and the second device prior to the time of the communication; a billing component operable to apply a first charge amount for the communication if the relationship is determined; and the billing component operable further to apply a second charge amount for the communication if the relationship is not determined. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for receiving a charge at a wireless device for sending a communication to a second device, the method comprising:
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sending a communication from a wireless device to a second device; receiving a first charge for sending the communication if a relationship exists between the wireless device and the second device, wherein the relationship is determined by identifying whether another communication occurred between the wireless device and the second device prior to sending the communication; and receiving a second charge for sending the communication if a relationship does not exists between the wireless device and the second device, wherein the relationship is determined by identifying whether another communication occurred between the wireless device and the second device prior to sending the communication. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. At least one processor configured to receive a charge at a wireless device for sending a communication to a second device, comprising:
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a first module for sending a communication from a wireless device to a second device; a second module for receiving a first charge for sending the communication if a relationship exists between the wireless device and the second device, wherein the relationship is determined by identifying whether another communication occurred between the wireless device and the second device prior to sending the communication; and a third module for receiving a second charge for sending the communication if a relationship does not exists between the wireless device and the second device, wherein the relationship is determined by identifying whether another communication occurred between the wireless device and the second device prior to sending the communication.
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32. A computer program product for receiving a charge at a wireless device for sending a communication to a second device, comprising:
a computer-readable medium comprising; at least one instruction executable by the computer to send a communication from a wireless device to a second device; at least one instruction executable by the computer to receive a first charge for sending the communication if a relationship exists between the wireless device and the second device, wherein the relationship is determined by identifying whether another communication occurred between the wireless device and the second device prior to sending the communication; and at least one instruction executable by the computer to receive a second charge for sending the communication if a relationship does not exists between the wireless device and the second device, wherein the relationship is determined by identifying whether another communication occurred between the wireless device and the second device prior to sending the communication.
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33. An apparatus comprising:
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means for sending a communication from a wireless device to a second device; means for receiving a first charge for sending the communication if a relationship exists between the wireless device and the second device, wherein the relationship is determined by identifying whether another communication occurred between the wireless device and the second device prior to sending the communication; and means for receiving a second charge for sending the communication if a relationship does not exists between the wireless device and the second device, wherein the relationship is determined by identifying whether another communication occurred between the wireless device and the second device prior to sending the communication.
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34. An apparatus for receiving a charge at a wireless device for sending a communication to a second device, the apparatus comprising:
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a communication request component operable to send a communication from a wireless device to a second device; the communication request component is further operable to receive a first charge for sending the communication if a relationship exists between the wireless device and the second device, wherein the relationship is determined by identifying whether another communication occurred between the wireless device and the second device prior to sending the communication; and the communication request component is further operable to receive a second charge for sending the communication if a relationship does not exists between the wireless device and the second device, wherein the relationship is determined by identifying whether another communication occurred between the wireless device and the second device prior to sending the communication. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification