Network selection support in a communications service bidding exchange

• US 6,522,735 B1
• Filed: 10/10/2000
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC (RPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Carstensen, Patricia J., Fortman, Peter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, QUOC DUC
• Application Number:
  US09/685,279
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 379/111, 379/112.01, 379/112.02, 379/112.07, 379/114.01, 379/114.02, 379/114.03, 379/114.05, 379/114.06, 379/114.07, 379/114.1, 379/114.12, 379/114.28, 379/115.01, 379/121.01, 379/221.02, 705/10, 705/37
• US Class Current: 379/115.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/46 Real-time negotiation between users and providers or operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/49 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/745 Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0168 On line or real-time flexible customization or negotiation according to wishes of subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/44 Charging/billing arrangements for connection made over different networks, e.g. wireless and PSTN, ISDN, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/46 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/54 Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/56 On line or real-time flexible agreements between service providers and telecoms operators

Abstract

A network building system uses criteria from a potential buyer of network services operating in a communications service bidding exchange to identify one or more network segments meeting the buyer'"'"'s criteria. The exchange allows buyers to purchase usage privileges on network segments operated by service providers affiliated with the exchange. A number of geographically disperse hubs affiliated with the exchange are interconnected by these network segments. Multiple network segments from different providers may interconnect any two hubs. Thus, a challenge arises when a buyer requires network services that involve multiple hubs because of the potential number of network segments involved and the range of choices for selecting a specific set of network segments meeting the buyer'"'"'s needs. The network building system uses buyer criteria to identify network segments, or combinations of segments, meeting the buyer'"'"'s needs. Network segment selection functions may be automatic or interactive, at the buyer'"'"'s discretion.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating selection of communications services in a communications service bidding exchange affiliated with a plurality of hubs interconnected via network segments and adapted to selectively route communications traffic in accordance with bidding exchange transactions, the method comprising:

receiving buyer information associated with a potential buyer and bearing on a desired network service;

determining a set of hubs from the plurality of hubs and a plurality of network paths for interconnecting the set of hubs in accordance with the buyer information, wherein each potential network path comprises at least one said network segment; and

identifying at least one preferred network path from the plurality of potential network paths for interconnecting the set of hubs based at least in part on the buyer information;

wherein identifying comprises

providing information supporting selection of at least one individual network segment to form at least part of the preferred network path, such that the potential buyer can select the at least one individual network segment;

receiving selection information for the at least one individual network segment; and

forming the preferred network path based at least in party on the at least one individual network segment;

wherein the information supporting selection of the at least one individual network segment allows the potential buyer to interactively select at least a portion of the preferred network path; and

wherein the set of hubs and the at least one preferred network pat identified are capable of providing the desired network service.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing proposal information based on the set of hubs and the at least one preferred network path identified to provide the desired network service;

receiving confirmation of the proposal information; and

reserving sufficient resources to provide the desired network service on the set of hubs and the at least one preferred network path upon receipt of the confirmation.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the buyer information defines at least the desired network service, and further wherein the step of determining comprises:

identifying particular ones of the plurality of hubs as the set of hubs based at least in part on the desired network service; and

identifying particular ones of the network segments for potentially interconnecting the particular ones of the plurality of hubs in the set of hubs based at least in part on the desired network service.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the buyer information defines at least one parameter in a set of parameters consisting of desired service cost, desired network topology, desired set of geographic points, desired period of use, desired minimum quality of service, desired data-type optimization, desired data capacity, desired network bandwidth, desired optical wavelength allocation, desired level of data security, desired network redundancy, a desired hub input/output interface, desired vendors, and desired communications network transmission protocol, and further wherein the steps of determining and identifying are based at least in part on the at least one parameter defined in the buyer information.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the buyer information defines at least a desired network topology and desired connection locations, and further wherein the step of determining comprises determining the set of hubs and the plurality of potential network paths based on the desired connection locations and the desired network topology.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the buyer information further defines at least a desired period of use and further wherein the steps of determining and identifying comprise determining the set of hubs and identifying the at least one preferred network path based at least in part on comparing usage availability information associated with at least some of the plurality of hubs and at least some of the plurality of potential network paths with the desired period of use.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing summary information for at least one service parameter relevant to the buyer information for the set of hubs and the preferred network path, such that the potential buyer can evaluate fulfillment of at least one requirement set forth by the buyer information in advance of confirming a service purchase involving the set of hubs and the preferred network path.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the buyer information indicates a type of data intended for transport between the set of hubs, and further wherein the step of determining comprises determining the set of hubs and those potential network paths interconnecting the set of hubs that are best suited for the type of data.

7. A method of facilitating selection of communications services in a communications service bidding exchange affiliated with a plurality of hubs interconnected via network segments and adapted to selectively route communications traffic in accordance with bidding exchange transactions, the method comprising:

receiving buyer Information associated with a potential buyer and bearing on a desired network service;

determining a set of hubs from the plurality of hubs and a plurality of network paths for interconnecting the set of hubs in accordance with the buyer information, wherein each potential network path comprises at least one said network segment;

identify at least one preferred network path from the plurality of potential network paths for interconnecting the set of hubs based at least in part on the buyer information; and

providing information supporting a graphical depiction of at least the set of hubs and at least a portion of the plurality of potential network paths, such that the potential buyer has an opportunity to see a visual depiction of the set of hubs and at least some of the potential interconnections between the set of hubs associated with the plurality of potential network paths,

wherein the set of hubs and the at least one preferred network path identified are capable of providing the desired network service.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising providing additional information for visually distinguishing the at least one preferred network path in the graphical depiction.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of identifying comprises:

providing information supporting selection of at least one individual network segment to form at least part of the preferred network path, such that the potential buyer can select the at least one individual network segment;

receiving selection information for the at least one individual network segment; and

forming the preferred network path based at least in party on the at least one individual network segment;

wherein the information supporting selection of the at least one individual network segment allows the potential buyer to interactively select at least a portion of the preferred network path.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the information supporting selection of the at least one network segment includes information supporting a graphical depiction of the set of hubs and the plurality of potential network paths, and further comprising providing additional information for visually distinguishing particular ones of the individual network segments within the potential network paths in accordance with the selection information received.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising temporarily reserving the at least one network segment in accordance with the selection information while the potential buyer is interactively selecting the at least a portion of the preferred network path.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising confirming reservation of the preferred network path upon receiving a service purchase confirmation from the potential buyer.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the information supporting the selection of the at least one individual network segment comprises pick list information for at least one parameter relevant to the buyer information, thereby enabling the potential buyer to make a selection from the pick list.

16. A method of facilitating selection of communications services in a communications service bidding exchange affiliated with a plurality of hubs interconnected via network segments and adopted to selectively route communications traffic in accordance with bidding exchange transactions, the method comprising:

receiving buyer information associated with a potential buyer and bearing on a desired network service;

determining a set of hubs from the plurality of hubs and a plurality of network paths for interconnecting the set of hubs in accordance with the buyer information, wherein each potential network path comprises at least one said network segment;

identifying at least one preferred network path from the plurality of potential network paths for interconnecting the set of hubs based at least in part on the buyer information; and

wherein the set of hubs and the at least one preferred network path identified are capable of providing the desired network service;

wherein the buyer information indicates a desired connection topology between the set of hubs, and further wherein the step of determining comprises determining those potential network paths interconnecting the set of hubs with the desired connection topology.

17. A computer readable media comprising software for facilitating selection of communications services in a communications service bidding exchange affiliated with a plurality of hubs interconnected via network segments and adapted to selectively route communications traffic in accordance with bidding exchange transactions, based on instructing a computer system to:

receive buyer information associated with a potential buyer and bearing on a desired network service;

determine a set of hubs from the plurality of hubs and a plurality of potential network paths for interconnecting the set of hubs in accordance with the buyer information, wherein each potential network path comprises at least one said network segment; and

identity at least one preferred network path from the plurality of potential network paths for interconnecting the set of hubs based at least in part on the buyer information;

wherein the instruction to identify comprises instructions to;

provide information supporting selection of at least one individual network segment to form at least at of the preferred network path, such that the potential buyer can select the at least one individual network segment;

receive selection information for the at least one individual network segment; and

form the preferred network path based at least in part on the at least one individual network segment;

wherein the information supporting selection of the at least one individual network segment allows the potential buyer to interactively select at least a portion of the preferred network path;

wherein the set of hubs and the at least one preferred network path identified are capable of providing the desired network service.

18. The computer readable media comprising software of claim 17 for further instructing the computer system to:

provide proposal information based on the set of hubs and the at least one preferred network path identified to provide the desired network service;

receive confirmation of the proposal information; and

reserve sufficient resources to provide the desired network service on the set of hubs and the at least one preferred network path upon receipt of the confirmation.

19. The computer readable media comprising software of claim 17 for further instructing the computer system to:

identify particular ones of the plurality of hubs as the set of hubs based at least in part on the desired network service; and

identify particular ones of the network segments for potentially interconnecting the particular ones of the plurality of hubs in the set of hubs based at least in part on the desired network service.

20. The computer readable media comprising software of claim 17 wherein the buyer information defines at least one parameter in a set of parameters consisting of desired service cost, desired network topology, desired set of geographic points, desired period of use, desired minimum quality of service, desired data-type optimization, desired data capacity, desired network bandwidth, desired optical wavelength allocation, desired level of data security, desired network redundancy, a desired hub input/output interface, desired vendors, and desired communications network transmission protocol, and further wherein the instructions to determine and identify are based at least in part on the at least one parameter defined in the buyer information.

21. The computer readable media comprising software of claim 17 wherein the buyer information defines at least a desired network topology and desired connection locations, and further wherein the instruction to determine comprises instructions to determine the set of hubs and the plurality of potential network paths based on the desired connection locations and the desired network topology.

22. The computer readable media comprising software of claim 17 wherein the buyer information further defines at least a desired period of use and further wherein the instructions to determine the set of hubs and identify the at least one preferred network path based at least in part on comparing usage availability information associated with at least some of the plurality of hubs and at least some of the plurality of potential network paths with the desired period of use.

24. The computer readable media comprising software of claim 17 for further instructing the computer system to provide additional information for visually distinguishing the at least one preferred network path in the graphical depiction.

25. The computer readable media comprising software of claim 17 wherein the information supporting selection of the at least one network segment includes information supporting a graphical depiction of the set of hubs and the plurality of potential network paths, and for further instructing the computer system to provide additional information for visually distinguishing particular ones of the individual network segments within the potential network paths in accordance with the selection information received.

26. The computer readable media comprising software of claim 17 for further instructing the computer system to temporarily reserve the at least one network segment in accordance with the selection information while the potential buyer is interactively selecting the at least a portion of the preferred network path.

27. The computer readable media comprising software of claim 26 for further instructing the computer system to confirm reservation of the preferred network path upon receiving a service purchase confirmation from the potential buyer.

28. The computer readable media comprising software of claim 17 wherein the information supporting the selection of the at least one individual network segment comprises pick list information for at least one parameter relevant to the buyer information, thereby enabling the potential buyer to make a selection from the pick list.

29. The computer readable media comprising software of claim 17 for further instructing the computer system to provide summary information for at least one service parameter relevant to the buyer information for the set of hubs and the preferred network path, such that the potential buyer can evaluate fulfillment of at least one requirement set forth by the buyer information in advance of confirming a service purchase involving the set of hubs and the preferred network path.

30. The computer readable media comprising software of claim 17 wherein the buyer information indicates a type of data intended for transport between the set of hubs, and further wherein the instruction to determine comprises instructions to determine the set of hubs and those potential network paths interconnecting the set of hubs that are best suited for the type of data.

31. The computer readable media comprising software of claim 17 wherein the buyer information indicates a desired connection topology between the set of hubs, and further wherein the instruction to determine comprises instructions to determine those potential network paths interconnecting the set of hubs with the desired connection topology.

23. A computer readable media comprising software for facilitating selection of communications services in a communications service bidding exchange affiliated with a plurality of hubs interconnected via network segments and adapted to selectively route communications traffic in accordance with bidding exchange transactions, based on instructing a computer system to:

receive buyer information associated with a potential buyer and bearing on a desired network service;

determine a set of hubs from the plurality of hubs and a plurality of potential network paths for interconnecting the set of hubs in accordance with the buyer information, wherein each potential network path comprises at least one said network segment;

identify at least one preferred network path from the plurality of potential network paths for interconnecting the set of hubs based at least in part on the buyer information; and

provide information supporting a graphical depiction of at least the set of hubs and at least a portion of the plurality of potential network paths, such that the potential buyer has an opportunity to see a visual depiction of the set of hubs and at lest some of the potential interconnections between the set of hubs associated with the plurality of potential network paths;

wherein the set of hubs and the at least one preferred network path identified are capable of providing the desired network service.

32. A system for facilitating selection communications services in a communications service bidding exchange affiliated with a plurality of hubs interconnected via network segments and adapted to selectively route communications traffic in accordance with bidding exchange transactions, the system comprising:

a first communications interface adapted to receive buyer information associated with a potential buyer and bearing on a desired network service; and

a controller adapted to determine a set of hubs from the plurality of hubs and a plurality of potential network paths for interconnecting the set of hubs in accordance with the buyer information, wherein each potential network path comprises at least one said network segment;

said controller further adapted to identify at least one preferred network path from the plurality of potential network paths for interconnecting the set of hubs based at least in part on the buyer information, wherein the set of hubs and the at least one preferred network path identified are capable of providing the desired network service;

said controller adapted to identify the preferred network path base don adaptations to;

provide information supporting selection of at least one individual network segment to form at least part of the preferred network path via the first communications interface, such that the potential buyer can select the at least one individual network segment;

receive selection information for the at least one individual network segment via the first communications interface; and

form the preferred network path based at least in part on the at least one individual network segment;

wherein the information supporting selection of the at least one individual network segment allows the potential buyer to select at least a portion of the preferred network path.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the controller is further adapted to:

provide proposal information via the first communications interface based on the set of hubs and the at least one preferred network path identified to provide the desired network service;

receive confirmation of the proposal information via the first communications interface; and

reserve sufficient resources to provide the desired network service on the set of hubs and the at least one preferred network path upon receipt of the confirmation.

34. The system of claim 33 further comprising a second communications interface, wherein the controller is further adapted to communicate reservation information via the second communications interface to the set of hubs in support of reserving the sufficient resources to provide the desired network service.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the controller is further adapted to communicate additional reservation information via the second communications interface to at least one network vendor affiliated with the network segments in the preferred network path in support of reserving the sufficient resources to support provide the desired network service.

36. The system of claim 32 wherein the buyer information defines at least the desired network service, and further wherein the controller is further adapted to:

identify particular ones of the plurality of hubs as the set of hubs based at least in part on the desired network service; and

identify particular ones of the network segments for potentially interconnecting the particular ones of the plurality of hubs in the set of hubs based at least in part on the desired network service.

37. The system of claim 32 wherein the buyer information defines at least a desired network topology and desired connection locations, and further wherein the controller is adapted to determine the set of hubs and the plurality of potential network paths based on the desired connection locations and the desired network topology.

38. The system of claim 32 wherein the controller is further adapted to provide information via the first communications interface supporting a graphical depiction of at least the set of hubs and at least a portion of the plurality of potential network paths, such that the potential buyer has an opportunity to see a visual depiction of the set of hubs and at least some of the potential interconnections between the set of hubs associated with the plurality of potential network paths.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein the controller is further adapted to provide additional information for visually distinguishing the at least one preferred network path in the graphical depiction.