Verifiable and accurate service usage monitoring for intermediate networking devices

• US 8,437,271 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2012
• Issued: 05/07/2013
• 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): Huq, Obaidul
• Application Number:
  US13/442,214
• Publication Number:
  US 20120195206A1
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 370/229, 370/230, 370/241, 370/252, 370/351, 370/389, 370/395.1, 370/395.2, 370/395.21, 370/395.4, 370/395.42, 370/395.43
• US Class Current: 370/252
• 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

Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, an intermediary networking device provides a service intermediary or intermediate connection between a network and one or more communications devices; implements a service policy set for assisting control of the intermediate networking device use of a service on the network, in which the service policy set includes one or more service policies, each policy being associated with either the intermediate networking device or a communications device; and monitors use of the service based on the service policy set; and in which the one or more of the communication devices include a service usage notification capability, and the implementation of the first service policy set is verified.

Claims

1. A method performed by a network system capable of communicating with a first end point device over a wireless access network, the method comprising:

determining whether a forwarding agent of the first end point device is compliant with a wireless access network forwarding policy, the forwarding agent capable of forwarding data between a wireless access network modem of the first end point device and a wireless local area network modem of the first end point device to provide a forwarding service to one or more additional end point devices communicatively coupled to the first end point device by a wireless local area network, the wireless access network modem enabling the first end point device to communicate with the network system over the wireless access network the wireless local area network modem enabling the first end point device to communicate with the one or more additional end point devices over the wireless local area network, the wireless access network forwarding policy either allowing the forwarding service or not allowing the forwarding service;

if the wireless access network forwarding policy allows the forwarding service, and the forwarding agent of the first end point device is providing the forwarding service, allowing traffic associated with the one or more additional end point devices; and

if the wireless access network forwarding policy does not allow the forwarding service, and the forwarding agent of the first end point device is attempting to provide or is successfully providing the forwarding service, taking an action, the action comprising assisting in causing a first notification to be presented through a user interface of the first end point device, assisting in causing a second notification to be presented through a user interface of a second end point device of the one or more additional end point devices, restricting at least an aspect of traffic associated with the first end point device, or a combination of these.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the forwarding agent of the first end point device is compliant with the wireless access network forwarding policy comprises:

obtaining a value representing a number of additional end point devices connected to the wireless local area network modem; and

comparing the value to a limit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the forwarding agent of the first end point device is compliant with the wireless access network forwarding policy comprises:

determining that forwarding of data is being performed by the first end point device; and

determining whether forwarding of data by the first end point device is allowed by the wireless access network forwarding policy.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the forwarding agent of the first end point device is compliant with the wireless access network forwarding policy comprises:

obtaining a hash or signature of at least a portion of the forwarding agent or a device system software that includes the forwarding agent; and

comparing the hash or signature to a value.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the forwarding agent of the first end point device is compliant with the wireless access network forwarding policy comprises:

determining whether a usage measure is consistent with the forwarding agent operating in accordance with the wireless access network forwarding policy, the usage measure providing a measure of usage of the forwarding service.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining whether the usage measure is consistent with the forwarding agent operating in accordance with the wireless access network forwarding policy comprises comparing the usage measure to a set of one or more values of expected usage of the forwarding service by the first end point device, and further comprising determining the set of one or more values of expected usage of the forwarding service based on an analysis of usage or an analysis of patterns of usage of the forwarding service.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein determining whether the usage measure is consistent with the forwarding agent operating in accordance with the wireless access network forwarding policy comprises comparing the usage measure to a policy for usage of the forwarding service by the first end point device, and wherein the policy for usage of the forwarding service is based on a total amount of usage, an amount of data in a period of time, or a number of times the forwarding service is used.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises assisting in causing the first notification to be presented through the user interface of the first end point device, the first notification indicating that a current service plan status of the first end point device does not provide for the forwarding service.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises assisting in causing the first notification to be presented through the user interface of the first end point device, the first notification presenting an option to enable the forwarding service.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

obtaining a user input from the first end point device, the user input indicating whether the option has been selected;

if the user input indicates that the option has been selected, configuring the wireless access network forwarding policy to allow the traffic associated with the one or more additional end point devices; and

if the user input indicates that the option has not been selected, configuring the wireless access network forwarding policy not to allow the traffic associated with the one or more additional end point devices.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises restricting at least an aspect of traffic associated with the first end point device, and wherein restricting the at least an aspect of traffic associated with the first end point device comprises not allowing at least a portion of the traffic associated with at least one of the one or more additional end point devices.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises restricting at least an aspect of traffic associated with the first end point device, and wherein restricting the at least an aspect of traffic associated with the first end point device comprises not allowing a connection for the first end point device, or not allowing a connection for at least one of the one or more additional end point devices.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises assisting in causing the second notification to be presented through the user interface of the second end point device of the one or more additional end point devices, the second notification presenting an option for enabling the forwarding service for at least the second end point device.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises restricting at least an aspect of traffic associated with the first end point device, and wherein restricting the at least an aspect of traffic associated with the first end point device comprises not allowing at least a portion of the traffic associated with the first end point device.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises restricting at least an aspect of traffic associated with the first end point device, and wherein restricting the at least an aspect of traffic associated with the first end point device comprises providing an instruction or setting to a gateway or server, the instruction or setting enabling the gateway or server to restrict at least a portion of the traffic associated with the first end point device.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises restricting at least an aspect of traffic associated with the first end point device, and wherein restricting the at least an aspect of traffic associated with the first end point device comprises providing information to the forwarding agent, the information comprising an instruction, a setting, an indication of the wireless access network forwarding policy, or a combination of these, the information to assist the forwarding agent in restricting traffic associated with at least one of the one or more additional end point devices.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying an aspect of traffic communicated between the first end point device and the network system over the wireless access network, and wherein determining whether the forwarding agent of the first end point device is operating in accordance with the wireless access network forwarding policy comprises determining whether the aspect of traffic communicated between the first end point device and the network system over the wireless access network is consistent with the wireless access network forwarding policy.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the traffic communicated between the first end point device and the network system over the wireless access network comprises one or more data packets, and wherein identifying the aspect of traffic communicated between the first end point device and the network system over the wireless access network comprises inspecting at least one of the one or more data packets.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the aspect of traffic communicated between the first end point device and the network system over the wireless access network comprises a network address, a network destination, a network source, a traffic route, a traffic tunnel, a traffic re-direction implemented by the first end point device, a data content, or a combination of these.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the aspect of traffic communicated between the first end point device and the network system over the wireless access network comprises a first aspect of a first end point device credential associated with the first end point device or a second aspect of a second end point device credential associated with the second end point device.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the aspect of traffic communicated between the first end point device and the network system over the wireless access network comprises a traffic tag.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless access network forwarding policy is based on a user selection indicating whether a forwarding option providing for the forwarding service has been selected by a user.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the forwarding agent of the first end point device is compliant with the wireless access network forwarding policy comprises determining whether the first end point device is forwarding the traffic associated with the one or more additional end point devices.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises restricting at least an aspect of traffic associated with the first end point device, and wherein restricting the at least an aspect of traffic associated with the first end point device comprises communicating at least a portion of traffic associated with the first end point device to a quarantine service.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

offering, by the quarantine service, a service sign-up website, a service sign-up wireless application protocol (WAP) site, or a service sign-up portal, the service sign-up website, the service sign-up WAP site, or the service sign-up portal providing an offer for the forwarding service;

accepting, through the service sign-up website, the service sign-up WAP site, or the service sign-up portal, a user input from the first end point device, the user input indicating whether a user accepts the offer;

if the user input indicates that the user accepts the offer, configuring the wireless access network forwarding policy to allow the forwarding service; and

if the user input indicates that the user does not accept the offer, configuring the wireless access network forwarding policy to not allow the forwarding service.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

offering, by the quarantine service, a service sign-up website, a service sign-up wireless application protocol (WAP) site, or a service sign-up portal, the service sign-up website, the service sign-up WAP site, or the service sign-up portal providing an offer for the forwarding service;

accepting, through the service sign-up website, the service sign-up WAP site, or the service sign-up portal, a user input from the second end point device, the user input indicating whether a user accepts the offer;

if the user input indicates that the user accepts the offer, configuring the wireless access network forwarding policy to allow the forwarding service for at least the second end point device; and

if the user input indicates that the user does not accept the offer, configuring the wireless access network forwarding policy to not allow the forwarding service for at least the second end point device.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the quarantine service is provided by the network system.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the quarantine service is provided by the first end point device.

29. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accounting for usage of the forwarding service; and

generating a usage record based on the usage of the forwarding service.

30. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining a forwarding agent configuration or device setting from the first end point device, and wherein determining whether the forwarding agent of the first end point device is compliant with the wireless access network forwarding policy comprises determining whether the forwarding agent configuration or device setting is consistent with the wireless access network policy.