Automated creation of multiple provider services

• US 8,515,036 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2012
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Juniper Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Juniper Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Weinberg, David, Beningson, Judith F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gauthier, Gerald
• Application Number:
  US13/537,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20120265642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 379/114.01, 379/265.11, 455/406, 705/26.42, 705/26.44, 705/34, 705/40, 705/35, 726/17
• US Class Current: 379/114.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/108 Remote banking, e.g. home banking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/188 Electronic negotiation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0807 using tickets, e.g. Kerberos cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using tickets or tokens H04L9/3213
• 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 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/61 based on the service used
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/70 Administration or customization aspects; Counter-checking correct charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/715 Activating new subscriber or card
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/72 by the user

Abstract

A method may include receiving, at a service server, a request for services from a requesting device. The service server may identify one or more service options responsive to the request and send a list of the identified service options to the requesting device. The service server may receive a selected service option from the requesting device. The service server may collect payment information for the selected service option from the requesting device and providing accounting information to a service provider of the selected service option based on the payment information.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

collecting, by one or more devices, payment for a service provided to a device via a network; and

allocating, by the one or more devices, the payment between a first provider of the service and a second provider of a particular component within the network that enables the first provider to provide the service via the particular component to the device,

the first provider of the service being different from the second provider of the particular component.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request from the device; and

identifying the service based on the request.

3. The method of claim 2, where identifying the service includes:

identifying, based on the request, one or more options for the device,

the one or more options including an option for the service;

sending, to the device, information regarding the one or more options;

receiving, from the device, a selection of the option for the service; and

identifying the service based on the selection of the option for the service.

4. The method of claim 1, where collecting the payment for the service includes:

receiving, from the device, payment information for the service; and

collecting the payment for the service based on the payment information.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending, to the first provider, a request to provide the service to the device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing, based on allocating the payment, accounting information to the first provider.

7. The method of claim 1,

where the device is located within a first geographic area,

where the first provider is located within a second geographic area that is different from the first geographic area, and

where the particular component is located within the first geographic area or within a third geographic area that is between the first geographic area and the second geographic area.

8. The method of claim 1, where the service includes one of:

a video-on demand service,

a gaming service,

a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service,

a video conferencing service, or

an enterprise system service.

9. A system comprising:

one or more processors to;

collect payment for a service provided to a device via a network; and

allocate the payment between a first provider of the service and a second provider of a particular component within the network that enables the first provider to provide the service via the particular component to the device,

the first provider of the service being different from the second provider of the particular component.

10. The system of claim 9, where, when collecting the payment, the one or more processors are to:

receive payment information from the device; and

collect the payment based on the payment information.

11. The system of claim 9, where the one or more processors are further to:

receive, from the first provider, information regarding options provided by the first provider,

receive, from the device, a first request associated with the service,

identify the first provider based on the first request and the options, and

transmit, to the first provider, a second request to provide the service to the device.

12. The system of claim 9, where, when allocating the payment, the one or more processors are to:

allocate the payment between the first provider of the service, the second provider of the particular component, and a third provider of the system.

13. The system of claim 9,

where the first provider is located within a first geographic area, and

where the particular component is located within a second geographic area that is different from the first geographic area.

14. The system of claim 9, where the one or more processors are further to:

provide, based on allocating the payment, accounting information to the first provider.

15. The system of claim 9, where the one or more processors are further to:

identify one or more paths that connect the device and the first provider, and

identify the particular component based on the one or more paths.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising:

one or more instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;

collect payment for a service provided to a device via a network; and

allocate the payment between a first provider of the service and a second provider of a particular component within the network that enables the first provider to provide the service via the particular component to the device,

the first provider of the service being different from the second provider of the particular component.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, where the instructions further comprise:

one or more instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;

receive a request from the device,

identify, based on the request, an option for providing the service to the device,

transmit, to the device, information regarding the option, and

receive, from the device, authorization to provide the service based on the option.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16,

where the first provider is located within a first geographic area, and

where the particular component is located within a second geographic area that is different from the first geographic area.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, where the instructions further comprise:

one or more instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;

identify one or more paths that connect the device and the first provider, and

identify the particular component based on the one or more paths.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, where the instructions further comprise:

one or more instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;

provide, based on allocating the payment, accounting information to the first provider.