Verifiable device assisted service usage billing with integrated accounting, mediation accounting, and multi-account

• US 8,321,526 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2009
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Headwater Research LLC (Greg Raleigh)
• Original Assignee: Headwater Partners I LLC (Greg Raleigh)
• Inventors: Raleigh, Gregory G.
• Primary Examiner(s): RUDY, ANDREW J
• Application Number:
  US12/380,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20100191576A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 370/235, 370/392, 370/401, 455/406, 455/407, 455/420, 455/432.1, 455/432.3, 455/433, 705/30, 705/34, 705/52, 709/203, 709/217, 709/223, 709/224, 709/226, 726/1, 726/2
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/177 Initialisation or configuration control processor initialisation G06F9/4405
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1407 Policy-and-charging control [PCC] architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0876 Aspects of the degree of configuration automation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0893 Assignment of logical groups to network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0894 : Policy-based network configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5003 : Managing SLA; Interaction between SLA and QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5025 : by proactively reacting to service quality change, e.g. by reconfiguration after service quality degradation or upgrade
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5054 : Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/20 : Traffic policing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2408 : for supporting different services, e.g. a differentiated services [DiffServ] type of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 : Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0236 : Filtering by address, protocol, port number or service, e.g. IP-address or URL
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 : for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 : for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 : using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0892 : by using authentication-authorization-accounting [AAA] servers or protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 : for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 : for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/145 : avoiding end of session, e.g. keep-alive, heartbeats, resumption message or wake-up for inactive or interrupted session
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 : involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 : Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 : Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 : Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/32 : including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 : involving digital signatures
• 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 15/49 : Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/58 : based on statistics of usage or network monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/61 : based on the service used
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/66 : Policy and charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 : Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8055 : Selecting cheaper transport technology for a given service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 : Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0188 : Network monitoring; statistics on usage on called/calling number
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/00 : Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/037 : of the control plane, e.g. signalling traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 : Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/37 : Managing security policies for mobile devices or for controlling mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 : Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/02 : Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0215 : based on user or device properties, e.g. MTC-capable devices services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC] H04W4/70; wireless resource selection or allocation plan definition based on terminal or device properties H04W72/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 : using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/12 : using signalling between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 : Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 : Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 : Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 : using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 : Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 : Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 : Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 : Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/04 : Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 : Management or planning

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for enabling a first end-user communications device to use a plurality of applications to access a plurality of data services via a plurality of data access networks; storing a first service policy for assisting with separately accounting for a use of a first data service of the plurality of data services by the first end-user communications device via a first particular combination of one of the plurality of applications and one of the plurality of data access networks; using the first service policy to monitor the use of the first data service by the first end-user communications device via the first particular combination to separately account for the use of the first data service via the first particular combination; and displaying by the first end-user communications device first service usage information based on the separate accounting.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

enabling a first end-user communications device to use a plurality of applications to access a plurality of data services via a plurality of data access networks;

storing a first service policy for assisting with separately accounting for a use of a first data service of the plurality of data services by the first end-user communications device via a first particular combination of one of the plurality of applications and one of the plurality of data access networks;

using the first service policy to monitor the use of the first data service by the first end-user communications device via the first particular combination to separately account for the use of the first data service via the first particular combination; and

displaying by the first end-user communications device first service usage information based on the separate accounting.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of applications comprises

an application dedicated to access the first data service, and

a browser.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data access networks comprises

a wireless fidelity (WiFi) network, and

a cellular network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data access networks comprises

a home network, and

a roaming network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage information includes information relative to a threshold of use.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage information includes aggregated information for a set of data services of the plurality of data services, the set of data services including the first data service.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage information includes aggregated information for a set of at least two applications of the plurality of applications, the set of at least two applications including the one of the plurality of applications.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage information includes information aggregated for a set of at least two data access networks of the plurality of data access networks, the set of at least two data access networks including the one of the plurality of data access networks.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling access rights to the first data service based on the separate accounting.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the controlling access rights includes controlling access rights via the one of the plurality of applications.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the controlling access rights includes controlling access rights via the one of the plurality of data access networks.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the controlling access rights includes reducing a quality of service component.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data service comprises a device data communication set that uses one or more particular data protocols or one or more particular data content types.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the one or more particular data protocols comprises a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), a secure socket layer (SSL) protocol, a transmission control protocol (TCP), an Internet protocol (IP), a user datagram protocol (UDP), a file transfer protocol (FTP), or a post office protocol (POP).

15. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the one or more particular data content types comprises streaming media, streaming audio, streaming video, digital voice, voice over IP, digital audio, digital video, a digital image, a media file, a game file, an image file, a map file, an application file or a digital transaction file.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the one of the plurality of applications comprises a user software program, an operating system software program, an operating system software component or system function, or a firmware component or system function.

17. An end-user communications device, comprising:

memory storing a plurality of applications configured to access a plurality of data services via a plurality of data access networks, and a first service policy configured to assist with separately accounting for a use of a first data service of the plurality of data services via a first particular combination of one of the plurality of applications and one of the plurality of data access networks;

a processor configured to use the first service policy to monitor the use of the first data service via the first particular combination to separately account for the use of the first data service via the first particular combination; and

a user interface configured to display first service usage information based on the separate accounting.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of applications comprises

an application dedicated to access the first data service, and

a browser.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of data access networks comprises

a wireless fidelity (WiFi) network, and

a cellular network.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of data access networks comprises

a home network, and

a roaming network.

21. The device of claim 17, wherein the usage information includes information relative to a threshold of use.

22. The device of claim 17, wherein the usage information includes aggregated information for a set of data services of the plurality of data services, the set of data services including the first data service.

23. The device of claim 17, wherein the usage information includes aggregated information for a set of at least two applications of the plurality of applications, the set of at least two applications including the one of the plurality of applications.

24. The device of claim 17, wherein the usage information includes information aggregated for a set of at least two data access networks of the plurality of data access networks, the set of at least two data access networks including the one of the plurality of data access networks.

25. The device of claim 17, wherein the first data service comprises a device data communication set that uses one or more particular data protocols or one or more particular data content types.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein at least one of the one or more particular data protocols comprises a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), a secure socket layer (SSL) protocol, a transmission control protocol (TCP), an Internet protocol (IP), a user datagram protocol (UDP), a file transfer protocol (FTP), or a post office protocol (POP).

27. The device of claim 25, wherein at least one of the one or more particular data content types comprises streaming media, streaming audio, streaming video, digital voice, voice over IP, digital audio, digital video, a digital image, a media file, a game file, an image file, a map file, an application file or a digital transaction file.

28. The device of claim 17, wherein the one of the plurality of applications comprises a user software program, an operating system software program, an operating system software component or system function, or a firmware component or system function.

29. An end-user communications device, comprising:

memory storing a plurality of applications configured to access a plurality of data services via a plurality of data access networks, and a first service policy configured to assist with separately accounting for a use of a first data service of the plurality of data services via a first particular combination of one of the plurality of applications and one of the plurality of data access networks;

means for using the first service policy to monitor the use of the first data service via the first particular combination to separately account for the use of the first data service via the first particular combination; and

means for displaying first service usage information based on the separate accounting.