Network based ambient services

• US 8,898,079 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2012
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• 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:
  US13/615,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20130006780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 705/16, 705/28, 705/30, 705/34, 705/14.73, 709/203, 709/217, 709/223, 709/224, 370/230, 370/235, 370/352, 455405-408, 455/414.1, 455/418, 455/432.1
• US Class Current: 705/34
• 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

A method performed by a network system operated by a network operator, the method comprising monitoring traffic over a network communicatively coupling the network system to a device that includes an application enabling the device to access, over the network, a particular end point that is outside of the network and operated by or on behalf of an entity other than the network operator; identifying, within the traffic, data transfers associated with access to the particular end point by the application; obtaining an offset based on the data transfers associated with access to the particular end point by the application; allocating at least a portion of the offset to an account associated with a sponsor, wherein the sponsor is not a user or a subscriber associated with the device; and sending information to the device to assist in causing a user interface of the device to present a notification.

Claims

1. A method performed by a network system operated by a network operator, the method comprising:

monitoring traffic over a wireless access network, the wireless access network communicatively coupling the network system to an end-user device, the end-user device including a plurality of applications, a first application of the plurality of applications enabling the end-user device to access, over the wireless access network, a particular network end point of one or more network end points accessible to the end-user device, the particular network end point being outside of the wireless access network and operated by or on behalf of one or more entities other than the network operator;

identifying, within the traffic over the wireless access network, one or more data transfers associated with access to the particular network end point by the first application;

obtaining an offset, the offset being based on a use of the wireless access network for the one or more data transfers associated with access to the particular network end point by the first application;

allocating at least a portion of the offset to a first account, the first account being associated with a service sponsor responsible for paying for or subsidizing at least a portion of the use of the wireless access network for the one or more data transfers associated with access to the particular network end point by the first application, wherein the service sponsor is not a user or a subscriber associated with the end-user device; and

sending information to the end-user device, the information configured to assist in causing a user interface of the end-user device to present a notification.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein access to the particular network end point by the first application is within an ambient service, the ambient service being provided at no cost to the user or the subscriber associated with the end-user device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises a service plan option.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises a service offer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises information about a notification option or a service usage control option.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the ambient service is associated with the particular network end point, and wherein the one or more entities other than the network operator comprise the service sponsor.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises information about a transaction.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises or seeks billing information.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises service activation information.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises service usage information or service cost information.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises a service usage projection or a service cost projection.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises a service usage warning or a service cost warning.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the notification further comprises a request for a user acknowledgment of the service usage information or service cost information.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the notification further comprises a service offer.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the notification further comprises a request for a user acknowledgment to the service usage warning or the service cost warning.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a user response to the notification, and

based on the user response, modifying a policy associated with access to the particular network end point by the first application.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a user response to the notification, and

storing the user response.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

applying a control policy to the one or more data transfers associated with access to the particular network end point by the first application.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the control policy allows the one or more data transfers associated with access to the particular network end point by the first application and blocks traffic associated with at least one other service activity.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the control policy is based on a network address, a service type, an application type, a service sign-up pattern, a user identity, or a combination of these.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the control policy assists in routing or directing the one or more data transfers associated with access to the particular network end point by the first application to the particular network end point.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a report based on information from the first account.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a user response to the notification, and

provisioning one or more network elements based on the user response.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the control policy is based on a period of time, a transaction revenue, a usage limit, a content type, a bandwidth, a data usage, a service usage pattern, a transaction pattern, a time of day, a network capacity, a network connection type, a service provider, a user group, a trial offer, a point of sale, a master agent identifier, a device location, or a combination of these.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying, within the traffic over the wireless access network, one or more data transfers associated with access to the particular network end point by the first application comprises detecting, within the traffic, information identifying an address, a website, a uniform resource locator (URL), a domain, a wireless application protocol (WAP) site, a portal or a combination of these.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying, within the traffic over the wireless access network, one or more data transfers associated with access to the particular network end point by the first application comprises detecting, within the traffic, a tag, a header, a token, a cookie, or a combination of these.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein the control policy is based on a device type.

28. The method of claim 18, wherein the control policy is configured to restrict or prevent access to the particular network end point by the first application when the wireless access network is a roaming network.

29. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

providing the report to the service sponsor.