System and method for differentiated billing

• US 8,750,158 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2012
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Morrill, Robert J., Bugenhagen, Michael K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elliott, IV, Benjamin H
• Application Number:
  US13/571,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20120327816A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 370/230.1, 370/235, 370/252, 370/253, 379/114.01, 379/114.03, 455/405, 455/406, 455/408, 705/1.1, 705/409, 705/410, 705/412
• US Class Current: 370/253
• 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 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/59 based on real time
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8016 based on quality of service [QoS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8022 Determining tariff or charge band

Abstract

A system and method for differentiating billing in response to content. A determination is made of types of traffic in one or more communications being communicated through a network. A determination is made of rates associated with each of the types of traffic. Billing is implemented utilizing the rates for the types of traffic.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for differentiating billing based on content, comprising:

determining, using a processor, types of traffic in one or more communications being communicated through a network;

determining rates associated with each of the types of traffic;

implementing, using the processor, billing utilizing the rates for the types of traffic, wherein the rates are a point system, and wherein implementing, using the processor, billing utilizing the rates for the types of traffic comprises assigning various points to each of the types of traffic, multiplying the assigned point of a traffic type by an amount of usage to generate usage points for the traffic type, combining usage points for each of the types of traffic to generate a total number of usage points, and multiplying the total number of usage points by a fee per usage point to generate a billed amount; and

communicating billing information to a user associated with the communications in real-time.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the types of traffic comprises:

determining whether the types of traffic include real-time and non-real-time content.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein communicating billing information to the user associated with the communications in real-time comprises communicating a message to the user to select an option for continued service in response to a determination that the user has exceeded his service agreement limits.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the types of traffic are determined utilizing a ratio or percentage.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the types of traffic further comprises:

determining a differential of the types of traffic.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the billing is implemented utilizing the rates and the differential.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining a source, destination, and path addresses for the one or more communications.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the billing is implemented utilizing the source, destination, and path addresses.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

determining billing requirements associated with the source, destination, and path addresses.

10. A system for differentiated billing, comprising:

a server configured to;

determine types of traffic in one or more communications being communicated through a network;

determine rates associated with each of the types of traffic by communicating with a database, the database in communication with the server and configured to store the rates associated with each of the types of traffic, and charges of the rates associated with a user;

implement billing utilizing the rates for the types of traffic, wherein the rates are a point system, and wherein implementing, using the processor, billing utilizing the rates for the types of traffic comprises assigning various points to each of the types of traffic, multiplying the assigned point of a traffic type by an amount of usage to generate usage points for the traffic type, combining usage points for each of the types of traffic to generate a total number of usage points, and multiplying the total number of usage points by a fee per usage point to generate a billed amount; and

communicate billing information to a user associated with the communications in real-time.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the server determines a source, destination, and path addresses for the one or more communications.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the server queries the database to determine path rates associated with the one or more communications through the source, destination, and path addresses.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the path rates are stipulated by regulation or industry standards.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein communicating billing information to the user associated with the communications in real-time comprises communicating a message to the user to select an option for continued service in response to a determination that the user has exceeded his service agreement limits.

15. A server for differentiated billing, comprising:

a processor for executing a set of instructions; and

a memory for storing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are executed to;

determine traffic information of one or more communications being communicated through a network;

determine rates associated with the traffic information;

implement billing utilizing the rates for the traffic information, wherein the rates are a point system, and wherein implementing billing utilizing the rates for the traffic information comprises assigning various points to each type of traffic, multiplying the assigned point of a traffic type by an amount of usage to generate usage points for the traffic type, combining usage points for each of the types of traffic to generate a total number of usage points; and

multiplying the total number of usage points by a fee per usage point to generate a billed amount; and

communicate billing information to a user associated with the communications in real-time.

16. The server according to claim 15, wherein communicating billing information to the user associated with the communications in real-time comprises communicating a message to the user to select an option for continued service in response to a determination that the user has exceeded his service agreement limits.

17. The server according to claim 15, wherein the server further comprises:

a database for storing the rates and logic associated with selection of at least one of the rates.