System and method for negotiating a network connection
First Claim
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1. A system for negotiating a network connection for the benefit of a user computer, comprising:
- a plurality of network access point computers which are fully automated and are configured to provide access to a computer network, the plurality of network access point computers each associated with a provider service outline; and
a negotiation processor selecting a selected network access point from the plurality of network access point computers, the selecting being based on a negotiation between the user computer and the plurality of network access point computers using the provider service outlines and a requested service outline, the negotiation being conducted at the same time between the user computer and the plurality of network access point computers, the negotiation involving at least one counter-offer by the user computer, the counter-offer made in response to at least one provider service outline to obtain selected price or network metric in accordance with the requested service outline, the requested service outline being based on service metrics requested by the user computer and comprising one or more of preferred bandwidth, connection time, and network reliability;
wherein the selected network access point enables the network connection when the selected network access point and the user computer agree on a payment amount for the network connection; and
the plurality of network access point computers compete to provide network access to the user computer.
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Abstract
A system and method for automatically negotiating Internet access between a user and one of a plurality of Internet connection providers.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for negotiating a network connection for the benefit of a user computer, comprising:
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a plurality of network access point computers which are fully automated and are configured to provide access to a computer network, the plurality of network access point computers each associated with a provider service outline; and a negotiation processor selecting a selected network access point from the plurality of network access point computers, the selecting being based on a negotiation between the user computer and the plurality of network access point computers using the provider service outlines and a requested service outline, the negotiation being conducted at the same time between the user computer and the plurality of network access point computers, the negotiation involving at least one counter-offer by the user computer, the counter-offer made in response to at least one provider service outline to obtain selected price or network metric in accordance with the requested service outline, the requested service outline being based on service metrics requested by the user computer and comprising one or more of preferred bandwidth, connection time, and network reliability; wherein the selected network access point enables the network connection when the selected network access point and the user computer agree on a payment amount for the network connection; and the plurality of network access point computers compete to provide network access to the user computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for negotiating a computer network connection provided for the benefit of a network user computer, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving, by a plurality of provider processors, each associated with at least one of a plurality of network access points, a network connection preference from the network user computer, the network connection preference comprising one or more of preferred bandwidth, connection time, and network reliability; sending, by the plurality of provider processors, an offer for a network connection, each of the offers having a service outline, the plurality of provider processors fully automated and competing to provide network access to the network user computer, selecting, by a negotiation processor, a selected network access point from the plurality of provider processors, the selecting based on a negotiation using the service outlines and in accordance with the network connection preference, the negotiation happening at the same time between the plurality of provider processors and the network user computer, the negotiation involving at least one counter-offer by the network user computer made in response to at least one of the service outlines; accepting, by the provider processor associated with the selected network access point, payment account information based on the service outline associated with the selected network access point; and enabling, by the provider processor associated with the selected network access point, the computer network connection for the network user computer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification