Open transaction central billing system

• US 8,724,554 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2013
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• 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): Jung, Min
• Application Number:
  US13/847,417
• Publication Number:
  US 20130215795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/328
• 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

Devices, methods, and computer-readable media for detecting an attempted use of a data service over a wireless access network by a device, the data service being unavailable to the device in a current state of the device or available to the device at a lower cost within a different service plan than a current service plan associated with the device; initiating communication with one or more network elements to obtain information about a service plan offer for enabling access to the data service; obtaining the information about the service plan offer; in response to the detected attempted use of the data service, presenting, through a user interface of the device, a first notification offering the service plan offer; obtaining a response to the first notification; and sending an indication of the response to the one or more network elements over the wireless access network.

Claims

1. An end-user device, comprising:

a user interface;

one or more modems for enabling the end-user device to communicate with one or more network elements over a wireless access network; and

one or more processors configured to execute one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

detect an attempt to use a data service over the wireless access network, the data service being unavailable to the end-user device in a current state of the end-user device or available to the end-user device at a lower cost within a different service plan than a current service plan associated with the end-user device;

initiate communication with the one or more network elements over the wireless access network to obtain information about a service plan offer, wherein the service plan offer enables access to the data service;

obtain the information about the service plan offer from the one or more network elements;

in response to detecting the attempt to use the data service over the wireless access network, assist in presenting, through the user interface, a first notification, wherein the first notification presents the service plan offer;

obtain, through the user interface, a response to the first notification; and

assist in sending an indication of the response to the one or more network elements over the wireless access network.

2. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to detect the attempt to use the data service over the wireless access network by:

obtaining, through the user interface, a user input to initiate a service activity that requires use of the wireless access network to use the data service.

3. The end-user device recited in claim 2, wherein the user input comprises an access to or an execution of an application or an operating system component that requires use of the wireless access network to use the data service.

4. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the data service is unavailable to the end-user device in the current state of the end-user device, and wherein the one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to detect the attempt to use the data service over the wireless access network by obtaining, through the user interface, a user input indicating an intention or a request to transmit or receive data associated with the data service, and wherein the service plan offer comprises an offer of at least one service plan that enables transmission or reception of the data associated with the data service.

5. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein, when executed by the one or more processors, the one or more instructions further cause the one or more processors to assist to present, through the user interface, a second notification in response to detecting the attempt to use the data service over the wireless access network, wherein the second notification comprises an option to obtain the information about the service plan offer, and wherein at least a portion of the second notification comprises information from local storage on the end-user device.

6. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first notification comprises information from local storage on the end-user device.

7. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein, when executed by the one or more processors, the one or more instructions further cause the one or more processors to assist to present, through the user interface, a second notification in response to detecting the attempt to use the data service over the wireless access network, wherein at least a portion of the second notification is based on at least an aspect of the attempt to use the data service over the wireless access network.

8. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the response to the first notification comprises a request by a user of the end-user device for a particular service plan associated with the service plan offer.

9. The end-user device recited in claim 8, wherein, when executed by the one or more processors, the one or more instructions further cause the one or more processors to assist in presenting, through the user interface, a second notification, the second notification comprising information about activation of the particular service plan.

10. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the service plan offer comprises an option to associate the end-user device with a service plan associated with an established service account.

11. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to initiate communication with the one or more network elements over the wireless access network by providing one or more credentials to the one or more network elements, wherein the one or more credentials identify the end-user device, a user of the end-user device, a service account to associate with the end-user device, a service account associated with the end-user device, or a combination of these.

12. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more network elements comprise an activation server or a service controller, and wherein the one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to initiate communication with the one or more network elements over the wireless access network by communicating a device credential through a secure link to the activation server or to the service controller, wherein the device credential identifies the end-user device to the activation server or to the service controller.

13. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more network elements comprise an activation server or a service controller, and wherein the one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to initiate communication with the one or more network elements over the wireless access network by communicating an account credential through a secure link to the activation server or to the service controller, wherein the account credential identifies, to the activation service or to the service controller, a service account to associate with the end-user device or a service account associated with the end-user device.

14. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to initiate communication with the one or more network elements over the wireless access network by providing information identifying the end-user device to the one or more network elements, and wherein, when executed by the one or more processors, the one or more instructions further cause the one or more processors to obtain activation information from the one or more network elements.

15. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the current state of the end-user device is that the end-user device is not associated with a service plan providing for access to the data service.

16. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to obtain the information about the service plan offer from the one or more network elements over a connection that enables limited service access over the wireless access network to the one or more network elements before a user-selected service plan is associated with the end-user device.

17. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to detect the attempt to use the data service over the wireless access network by detecting one or more attempted or successful traffic flows in a network stack of the end-user device.

18. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to execute a first device agent and a second device agent, and wherein detecting the attempt to use the data service over the wireless access network comprises the first device agent detecting a network access activity or state and providing information about the network access activity or state to the second device agent, and wherein initiating communication with the one or more network elements over the wireless access network to obtain information about the service plan offer comprises the second device agent determining, based on the information about the network access activity or state, that the attempt to use the data service over the wireless access network by has occurred.

19. The end-user device recited in claim 18, wherein the first device agent is configured to detect the network access activity or state by:

identifying an attempted or successful traffic flow, wherein the attempted or successful traffic flow comprises one or more related data transfers associated with a service activity, and

assigning a flow tag to the identified attempted or successful traffic flow, wherein the flow tag is configured to at least assist in preserving the association of the identified attempted or successful traffic flow with the service activity when the identified attempted or successful traffic flow is processed by one or more device functions that operate on the identified attempted or successful traffic flow.

20. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to execute a first device agent and a second device agent, wherein the first device agent is configured to detect the attempt to use the data service by detecting a network access activity or state and providing information about the network access activity or state to the second device agent, and wherein the second device agent is configured to (a) obtain the information about the service plan offer from the one or more network elements by communicating with a server, the server being one of the one or more network elements or (b) assist in presenting, through the user interface, the first notification, or (c) both (a) and (b).

21. The end-user device recited in claim 20, wherein detecting the network access activity or state comprises identifying an attempted or successful traffic flow at an application layer of a device communication stack, wherein the attempted or successful traffic flow comprises one or more related data transfers associated with an application or an operating system component on the end-user device.

22. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless access network is a first wireless access network, and wherein the one or more modems also enable the end-user device to communicate over a second wireless access network, and wherein, when executed by the one or more processors, the one or more instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

detect an attempt to use the data service over the second wireless access network, and

in response to detecting the attempt to use the data service over the second wireless access network, (a) refrain from assisting in presenting, through the user interface, the first notification, or (b) assist in presenting, through the user interface, a second notification, or (c) both (a) and (b).

23. The end-user device recited in claim 22, wherein (i) the first wireless access network comprises a cellular network and the second wireless access network comprises a Wi-Fi network, or (ii) the first wireless access network comprises a roaming network and the second wireless access network comprises a home network.

24. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the data service is associated with a category of service activity less than all service activities available to the end-user device.

25. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the data service is a first data service, and wherein a second data service is available to the end-user device in the current state of the end-user device or within the current service plan.

26. The end-user device received in claim 25, wherein the first data service is a subscriber-paid service, and the second data service is a sponsored service, wherein a sponsor entity is responsible for subsidizing at least a portion of a wireless-access-network usage cost or usage measure associated with a successful use of the second data service by the end-user device, wherein the sponsor entity is an entity other than a subscriber associated with the end-user device.

27. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein, when executed by the one or more processors, the one or more instructions further cause the one or more processors to route or direct, to a particular logical or physical channel, traffic associated with initiating communication with the one or more network elements over the wireless access network to obtain the information about the service plan offer or assisting in sending the indication of the response to the one or more network elements over the wireless access network.

28. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the data service is unavailable to the end-user device in the current state of the end-user device, and wherein, when executed by the one or more processors, the one or more instructions further cause the one or more processors to route or direct traffic to a network destination that is available for communication with the end-user device before the end-user device is associated with a user-selected service plan, wherein the traffic is associated with initiating communication with the one or more network elements over the wireless access network to obtain the information about the service plan offer or assisting in sending the indication of the response to the one or more network elements over the wireless access network.

29. A method performed by an end-user device, the method comprising:

detecting an attempt to use a data service over a wireless access network, the data service being unavailable to the end-user device in a current state of the end-user device or available to the end-user device at a lower cost within a different service plan than a current service plan associated with the end-user device;

initiating communication with one or more network elements over the wireless access network to obtain information about a service plan offer, wherein the service plan offer enables access to the data service;

obtaining the information about the service plan offer from the one or more network elements;

in response to detecting the attempt to use the data service over the wireless access network, presenting, through a user interface of the end-user device, a notification, wherein the notification presents the service plan offer;

obtaining, through the user interface of the end-user device, a response to the notification; and

sending an indication of the response to the one or more network elements over the wireless access network.

30. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more machine-readable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an end-user device, cause the one or more processors to:

detect an attempt to use a data service over a wireless access network, the data service being unavailable to the end-user device in a current state of the end-user device or available to the end-user device at a lower cost within a different service plan than a current service plan associated with the end-user device;

initiate communication with one or more network elements over the wireless access network to obtain information about a service plan offer, wherein the service plan offer enables access to the data service;

obtain the information about the service plan offer from the one or more network elements;

in response to detecting the attempt to use the data service over the wireless access network, assist in presenting, through a user interface of the end-user device, a notification, wherein the notification presents the service plan offer;

obtain, through the user interface of the end-user device, a response to the notification; and

send an indication of the response to the one or more network elements over the wireless access network.