Patent Application
20050049887
The present invention relates to communication networks, and, more particularly, to broadband communication networks.
The Internet has in recent years become a mainstream commercial communication resource. The Internet provides a real-time, paper-free, cost-effective mode of communication and resource sharing through which sellers of goods and services can reach millions of potential customers. E-mail and remote access to computer servers are currently widely used tools for reaching computer literate potential customers.
The participants in the Internet are a wide variety of machines, organizations, and individuals, all able to communicate and share information. Physically, the Internet is an interconnected collection of thousands of computer networks, tens of thousands of computers, and tens of millions of individual stations operated by end-users. The Internet works because all of these computers share compatible communication protocols and addressing schemes that make e-mail, remote resource access, file transferring, and file sharing possible throughout the system.
The backbone of the Internet is a group of networks forming an international grid of high-speed, high-capacity data communication lines interconnecting a number of massive computers that serve as large-scale processing points or nodes. These backbone networks are interconnected with each other through a plurality of interconnection points known as network access points. The backbone nodes are collectively responsible for capturing and sorting incoming information, routing information to its intended destination, and forwarding data between backbone nodes.
The Internet was originally used only for academic and governmental purposes. In recent years, however, the Internet has been opened to commercial traffic. In the United States, commercial access to the Internet may be obtained at numerous hosts located throughout the country. A host is a computer connected to the Internet and configured with Internet routing software. A host may be a massive super computer, a mainframe-processing machine, a minicomputer, a workstation, or even a personal computer. Hosts may serve three principal functions: First, they send and receive Internet communication traffic. Second, they provide the gateway between the Internet and end-users. And third, they provide web servers that operate as repositories of information and resources that may be accessed over the Internet. For example, these web servers provide “home pages” to be visited, files to be read or downloaded, applications to be shared, and the like.
The physical structure of Internet is therefore relatively complex, but to the end-user it appears to be a virtually seamless network in which the computer on the desk next door may be accessed as easily as that of a commercial supplier in another city, or that of university in another country. To access any Internet site, an end-user need only transmit the site's universal resource locator (URL) created in accordance with the standardized Domain Name System (DNS). The Internet hosts and nodes respond to the URL by connecting the end-user's station with the Internet site associated with the requested URL.
At present, the operator of each Internet site is responsible for paying the cost of obtaining a communication channel with the Internet. Once an end-user establishes a communication channel with the Internet, connections may be made with other Internet sites by transmitting URLs in accordance with the DNS system. An Internet site may therefore be established by providing a host and obtaining a communication channel between that host and the Internet.
Although commercial users must now pay a fee to use the Internet, the Internet is generally popular with commercial users and individuals, at least in part, because it is relatively cost effective. At present, each commercial user typically pays the cost of physically obtaining a connection to the Internet, plus a relatively modest monthly Internet connection fee based on the capacity of the connection and in some cases the actual data transfer volume. In general, no connect-time-based, destination-based, or other incremental charges are currently imposed for browsing, e-mail, and resource sharing. Thus, a dedicated connection to the Internet effectively serves as a flat rate international browsing, messaging, and resource sharing service.
An Internet site may be connected to the Internet through a wide range of physical communication channels providing various levels of information carrying capacity. Typically, the minimum service available that gives the Internet site access to the full array of Internet services 24 hours a day is a single “dial-up” Internet communication channel. Higher capacity communication channels are available at higher cost. For example, optical fiber, wireless, and leased telephone lines ranging from 56 kilo-bits-per-second to 1.544 mega-bits-per-second (T1) are typical options available to an Internet site. In addition to these access charges, the operator of an Internet site also typically pays the cost of obtaining a physical communication channel with the Internet.
Many Internet sites are operated by commercial suppliers that sell products and services. These commercial suppliers may use the Internet to cost-effectively communicate with existing and prospective consumers. To a commercial supplier, the cost of maintaining an Internet site is a cost of doing business, much like postage, electricity, and advertising. Indeed, the Internet may be one of the more cost-effective marketing resources available to a commercial entity.
Other Internet sites are points of presence operated by local access providers that, in turn, provide Internet access to millions of end-user Internet sites. Obtaining access through a local access provider is typically the least expensive way for an individual end-user to access the Internet. These points of presence therefore operate as gateways between the Internet sites of commercial suppliers and millions of end-users. A local access provider recovers the cost of its Internet communication channel and earns its profits through Internet access fees charged to its customers. For example, a local access provider may charge an end-user a flat rate plus a charge per unit of connect time.
Between an individual end-user and a local access provider's point of presence lies a communications network, such as a telephone network, a cable television network, a wireless communications network, or the like. This communications network is typically operated by a for-profit enterprise. An end-user therefore pays a cost for using the communications network. In the United States, most homes and businesses are already connected to a telephone network. These telephone networks are therefore convenient options for end-users desiring communication channels with the Internet. Other communications networks, however, may equivalently be used to provide Internet access.
The economics of using a communications network, particularly the telephone network, is therefore a factor in the operation of the Internet as a commercial resource. For an end-user lucky enough to have a local access provider's point of presence located within the same telephone exchange area, the Internet is only a local telephone call away. For other less fortunate end-users, long-distance telephone charges are incurred. For these end-users, even moderate Internet use of a few hours a week can result in significant long-distance telephone charges.
In addition, operators of Web sites on the Internet may provide their customers with various features or performance options, such as download speeds, that can be selected by their customers when visiting the site. To take advantage of some of these options or performance options, a customer may need to have subscribed to a certain throughput level or bandwidth from an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Unfortunately, this typically requires the end user to bear the bulk of the cost for using various features or performance enhancements provided by Web site operators on the Internet.
The public switched telephone network (PSTN) provides a cost allocation mechanism for voice services. For example, 800 numbers are provided that allow a business, for example, to receive calls from customers so that the business is responsible for any toll charges associated with the calls. Other numbers, such as 900 numbers, may be used to allocate a portion of the cost of the call to the customer and another portion of the cost of the call to the business. Unfortunately, a more flexible allocation methodology for costs associated with the access and use of a broadband communication network, such as the Internet, and the features and performance options provided thereon is not currently available.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, a broadband communication network is operated by establishing a communication flow between a network access terminal and a site using the broadband communication network. A cost of the communication flow between the network access terminal and the site is allocated between a first account associated with a user of the network access terminal and a second account associated with an entity other than the user of the network access terminal.
In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, the cost of the communication flow may be allocated based on a performance level of the communication flow.
In accordance with still other embodiments of the present invention, the cost of the communication flow is allocated between the first account and the second account based on whether the communication flow is at a base performance level or an enhanced performance level that exceeds the base performance level.
In accordance with still other embodiments of the present invention, a request is received from the network access terminal and/or the site to provide the communication flow at the enhanced performance level. The communication flow is then provided at the enhanced performance level.
In further embodiments of the present invention, the cost of the communication flow comprises a base cost for operating the communication flow at a base performance level and an incremental cost, in addition to the base cost, for operating the communication flow at an enhanced performance level. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the base cost may be allocated to the first account and the incremental cost may be allocated to the second account. Alternatively, the base cost and the incremental cost may both be allocated to the first account or both allocated to the second account.
In still other embodiments of the present invention, an authentication mechanism may be used to verify that the network access terminal and/or the site is authorized to modify the performance level of the broadband communication network and/or allocation of the cost of the communication flow. When a second request is received from the network access terminal and/or the site to provide the communication flow at the base performance level, the cost of the communication flow between the network access terminal and the site may be allocated between the first account associated with the user of the network access terminal and the second account associated with at the entity other than the user of the network access terminal based on the performance level of the communication flow if the network access terminal and/or the site is authorized to modify the performance level of the broadband communication network and/or allocation of the cost of the communication flow.
In further embodiments of the present invention, the entity may be associated with a site or with a third party that is not associated with the site.
In still further embodiments of the present invention, the performance level is based one or more of the following criteria: bandwidth of the communication flow, duration of the communication flow, latency associated with the communication flow, jitter associated with the communication flow, dropped packets associated with the communication flow, quality of service (QoS) associated with the communication flow, rate limit associated with the communication flow, traffic shaping associated with the communication flow, and priority of the communication flow.
Although described above primarily with respect to method embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that the present invention may be embodied as methods, systems, and computer program products.
Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computer program products be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
Other features of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Like reference numbers signify like elements throughout the description of the figures.
The present invention may be embodied as systems, methods, and/or computer program products. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. In the context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a nonexhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.
Referring now to
The broadband communication network 100 comprises a variety of participants that are able to communicate and share information with each other. For example, the broadband communication network comprises a plurality of Internet sites 106a through 106n. These Internet sites are generally operated by corporations, universities, and/or governmental organizations. Each Internet site may comprise one or more repositories of information and resources that may be accessed over the Internet. Each Internet site, as represented, for example, by the Internet site 106a, may comprise a plurality of web servers 108a through 108n corresponding to a web server, application server, and voice over network server, respectively. Each of these web servers may provide “home pages” to be visited, files to be read or downloaded, applications to be shared, and the like.
The broadband communication network 100 also comprises a plurality of points of presence. As shown in
Although
Referring now to
The point of presence node 200 comprises a broadband access node 210 and a local network/edge IP network 212, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The broadband access node 210 may be configured to facilitate communication between the communication network 204 and the backbone network 206. In particular, the broadband access node 210 maybe configured under the control of the local network/edge IP network 212 to manage communication flows between an end user station 202 and an Internet site 208. As used herein, a communication flow may be defined in multiple ways in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. For example, a flow may be defined based on a combination of source and a destination address, source and destination socket numbers, and/or a session identifier. In other embodiments, a flow may be defined as any packet from a certain application and/or from an incoming interface. In still other embodiments, a flow may be defined based on a particular URL or MIME type contained in an HTTP packet.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the point of presence module 200 may be configured to facilitate the allocation of cost of a communication flow between a network access terminal, such as a an end user station 202, and a site, such as an internet site 208, to one or more accounts, such as a first account associated with the network access terminal and another account associated with an entity other than the network access terminal. The cost allocation may be based on a performance level of the communication flow. The performance level may be based on one or more criteria including, but not limited to, characteristics such as bandwidth, duration, latency, jitter, dropped packets, quality of service (QoS), rate limits, traffic shaping, and/or priority.
In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, costs other than the cost associated with using a broadband communication network may also be allocated among multiple parties and/or accounts. For example, the operator of an accessed Internet site 208 may charge the accessing network access terminal 202 a fee for accessing the Internet site 208. This cost may be allocated to an account associated with the network access terminal 202, collected by the operator of the point of presence 200, and paid to the operator of the Internet site 208. Alternatively, the operator of the accessed Internet site 208 may sell goods or services to the operator of the network access terminal 202 (or vice-versa). The cost of these goods or services may be allocated to an account associated with the network access terminal 202 (or the accessed Internet site 208), collected by the operator of the point of presence 200, and paid to the operator of the Internet site 208 (or the network access terminal 202).
In addition, the allocation methodology may consider other allocation parameters in addition to or instead of one or more of the performance based parameters described above, such as the distance between the network access terminal (e.g., end user station) and the accessed site, the time of day, the data transfer volume, resources utilized, applicable membership status, and/or any other measurable parameter. For example, other embodiments of the present invention may use more elaborate cost allocation methodologies, such as time-based rates, capacity-based rates, distance-based rates, usage-based rates, content-based rates, and the like. As one alternative, the operator of an accessed site 208 may be allocated the cost of the first five minutes of access, and the accessing end-user (e.g., via network access terminal 202) allocated the remainder. As another alternative, the operator of an accessed site 208 may be allocated a relatively small cost during peak usage hours and a larger cost during off-peak hours to encourage efficient usage patterns of its Internet resources.
Furthermore, as discussed above, an entity that is not associated with the network access terminal may be allocated a portion of a cost associated with providing a particular end-user with access to particular Internet sites. In some embodiments, this entity may be associated with the accessed site. In other embodiments, a third party, such as a parent, may pay for a child's Internet access as a gift while the child is away at school. For example, to do so, the parent establishes an account with the child's local access provider, and gives the local access provider a list of Internet sites for which the parent will accept “reversed” Internet access charges. The cost of providing the child with access to the Internet sites on the list, and only those on the list, is then allocated to the parent's account. It will therefore be appreciated that a wide variety of Internet-based commercial transactions may be facilitated in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
Returning to
Although
The present invention is described hereinafter with reference to flowchart and/or block diagram illustrations of methods, systems, and computer program products in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart and/or block diagram illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart and/or block diagram illustrations, may be implemented by computer program instructions and/or hardware operations. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer usable or computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer usable or computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions that implement the function specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
Referring now to
Referring now to
At block 420, the point of presence node 200 provides access to the broadband network to the network access terminal. A user may access various sites on the broadband network using, for example, an Internet browser. At block 425, the point of presence node 200 receives a request from either the network access terminal or a site visited by the network access terminal for an enhanced performance level. Thus, for example, a user may invoke such a request for enhanced performance by selecting an option on a web page for enhanced performance. Alternatively, an Internet site may provide enhanced performance to any visitor of that site. In other embodiments, a user may have an interface on a network access terminal that provides an option for enhanced performance regardless of which site the user visits. It will be understood that these invocation options are presented for purposes of illustration only. Other invocation techniques can be used in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. As discussed above, the communication flow may have a performance level that is based on one or more of several criteria including, but not limited to, bandwidth, duration, latency, jitter, dropped packets, quality of service (QoS), rate limits, traffic shaping, and/or priority. In response to such a request, the credit server 218 may record a time stamp associated with the request so that the duration of providing an enhanced level of performance may be calculated. In addition, the performance control server 222 may configure the broadband access node 210 to provide the enhanced performance by, for example, adjusting the priority of a communication flow, increasing a bandwidth assigned to the communication flow, adjusting a rate limit assigned to the communication flow, etc.
At block 430, the authentication/accounting server 216 may use an authentication mechanism to verify whether a network access terminal and/or a site is authorized to modify the performance of the broadband communication network and/or the allocation of costs of using the broadband communication network between various accounts. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the authentication/accounting server 216 may send a key to the network access terminal and/or the site. This key may be used as a security mechanism to ensure that this communication flow is one in which costs are to be allocated based on performance level. It will be understood that the authentication mechanism is not limited to the use of a key. Other authentication and/or security mechanisms may be used in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
Either the network access terminal or the site may send a request to the point of presence node 200 to return to the base performance level at block 435. In response to such a request, the credit server 218 may record a time stamp associated with the request so that the duration of providing the enhanced level of performance may be calculated. In other embodiments of the present invention, the credit server 218 may store other performance related information in addition to or instead of the time stamp information. The performance related information may include, but is not limited to, bandwidth, latency, jitter, dropped packets, quality of service (QoS), rate limits, traffic shaping, and/or priority information. In addition, the performance control server 222 may configure the broadband access node 210 to provide the base level of performance by readjusting various performance parameters/criteria as have been discussed above.
Operations continue at block 440 where the billing system 220 may allocate the cost of the communication flow between the network access terminal and the site between various accounts associated with a user of the network access terminal, an operator of the site, and/or an entity that is not associated with the network access terminal nor the site. For example, in some embodiments, the cost of providing a base level of performance for the communication flow may be allocated to an account associated with the user while a cost of providing the enhanced level of performance for the communication flow is provided to either an account associated with the site and/or an account associated with an entity not associated with either the network access terminal nor the site. In other embodiments, the cost of providing the base level of performance and the enhanced level of performance may be allocated to an account associated with the user. In still other embodiments, the cost of providing the base level of performance and the enhanced level of performance may be allocated to an account associated with the site and/or an entity that is not associated with the network access terminal nor the site. These cost allocations are merely exemplary for purposes of illustrating various embodiments of the present invention. Other cost allocations may be used in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the billing system 220 may not allocate the cost between multiple accounts unless the request to return to the base performance level includes the key. By ensuring that the party or parties that request an enhanced performance level are also the party or parties that request a return to a base performance level are the same, the risk of an intruder spoofing such requests to cause an unauthorized allocation of costs for using the broadband communication network may be reduced.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the billing system 220 may use the time stamps recorded by the authentication/accounting server 216 and the credit server 218 to ensure that the user of the network access terminal was indeed logged in to the broadband communication network when request(s) were made for enhanced performance or other performance modification request(s) were made. This verification through time stamps may provide an additional level of security.
The flowcharts of
Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without substantially departing from the principles of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.
