System for selecting data communications service
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of service providers for connection to a computer system through a network, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one database containing data regarding parameters of each service provider and service quality requirements for service types; and
a decision making unit connected to said at least one database for selecting one of said plurality of service providers to be connected to said computer system, said selecting being made according to decision making criteria and said data from said at least one database, and wherein said decision making unit includes a criteria unit for selecting criteria from multiple criteria to be used in making a decision for selecting one of the service providers and a decision making agent unit for making the decision based on said selected criteria; and
a scheduling agent, which is coupled to the decision making unit, for controlling connection of the computer system to the selected service provider at a selected time.
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Abstract
A system for selecting a data communications provider. A decision making agent establishes a framework for making the decision based on specific criteria and specific logic. The decision making agent draws on databases which store the quality of service requirements and the parameters regarding each service provider. This information may be updated automatically. When a decision is reached, it is suggested to the user who either accepts it or overrides it and manually inputs his own decision. The connection is then made automatically or scheduled for later connection.
52 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of service providers for connection to a computer system through a network, the apparatus comprising:
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at least one database containing data regarding parameters of each service provider and service quality requirements for service types; and a decision making unit connected to said at least one database for selecting one of said plurality of service providers to be connected to said computer system, said selecting being made according to decision making criteria and said data from said at least one database, and wherein said decision making unit includes a criteria unit for selecting criteria from multiple criteria to be used in making a decision for selecting one of the service providers and a decision making agent unit for making the decision based on said selected criteria; and a scheduling agent, which is coupled to the decision making unit, for controlling connection of the computer system to the selected service provider at a selected time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of selecting one of a plurality of service providers for connection to a computer system through a network, said method comprising:
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storing data in at least one database regarding parameters of each service provider and service quality requirements for service types; retrieving data from said at least one database; selecting criteria from multiple criteria for making a decision related to said parameters and said service quality requirements; and selecting one of said plurality of providers to be connected to said computer system based on said data stored by said at least one database and based on said selected criteria; and scheduling a selected time for connection of the computer system through the network to the selected service provider. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system comprising:
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a network; service providers; a computer system selectively connected through said network to said service providers; and a selection device for selecting which service provider should be utilized, said selection device including at least one database storing data regarding parameters about each service provider and service quality requirements for service types and a decision making unit for making said selection based on said data stored in said at least one database and on decision making criteria for selecting criteria from multiple criteria to be used in making a decision for selecting one of the service providers to be connected through said network to said computer system; and a scheduling unit, which is coupled to the decision making unit, for controlling connection of the computer system through the network to the selected service provider at a selected time. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A system for selecting one of a plurality of service providers to be connected to a computer system through a network, comprising:
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means for storing data in at least one database regarding parameters of each service provider and service quality requirements; means for retrieving data from said at least one database; means for selecting criteria from multiple criteria to be used in making a decision for selecting one of the service providers based on said stored data and means for selecting one of said plurality of service providers to be connected to said computer system through said network based on said stored data from said at least one database and on said selected criteria; and a scheduling unit, which is coupled to the decision making unit, for controlling connection of the computer system to the selected service provider at a selected time. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification