US6725031B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for data rating for wireless devices
Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc
•
Filing: 2001-12-10
•
Granted: 2004-04-20
•
Expires: 2021-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for rating a data communication session between a network and a wireless device is disclosed. According to an exemplary aspect of the method, the method monitors a series of events, namely, a setup event, a begin event and an end event, which take place during a communication session. The monitoring of such events is accomplished by a data rating application which resides on the wireless device. By monitoring such events, the data rating application is then able to rate the communication session using a number of rating methods. The rating method selected includes both how to meter the data transmitted during a data communication session and determine the rate to be applied to each metered increment. Examples of methods used to meter the data include time and volume. Different rating methods which can be used to rate the communication session include, for example, application, data utilization, source of data, data type, class of service, quality of service and transmission efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore W. Watler
- 👤 Kenin Spivak
- 👤 S. Robert Pye
- 👤 Jerry Hanley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:45
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/14; H04L12/1403; H04L12/1432; H04L12/1439; H04L12/1453; H04L12/1467; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/28; H04M15/30; H04M15/43; H04M15/55; H04M15/56; H04M15/58; H04M15/80; H04M15/8016; H04M15/8083; H04M15/81; H04M15/82; H04M15/8228; H04M15/83; H04M15/85; H04M15/851; H04M15/853; H04M15/854; H04M17/00; H04L51/00; H04M2215/00; H04M2215/01; H04M2215/0112; H04M2215/0152; H04M2215/0184; H04M2215/0188; H04M2215/20; H04M2215/202; H04M2215/2026; H04M2215/2046; H04M2215/22; H04M2215/28; H04M2215/32; H04M2215/74; H04M2215/7414; H04M2215/78; H04M2215/7833; H04M2215/81; H04M2215/815; H04M2215/8162; H04W; H04W24/00; H04W4/00; H04W4/24; H04W40/00; H04W76/00; H04W76/10; H04W88/00; H04W88/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for determining a charge in connection with a data communication session, comprising: a router disposed between a network and a wireless device; and a data rating application configured to use a metering method to meter the data communication session and a rating method to determine a corresponding rate to be used in conjunction with the metering method, wherein the data rating application is used to determine the charge in connection with the data communication session wherein the data rating application resides in the router.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for determining a charge in connection with a data communication session, comprising: a router disposed between a network and a wireless device; and a data rating application configured to use a metering method to meter the data communication session and a rating method to determine a corresponding rate to be used in conjunction with the metering method, wherein the data rating application is used to determine the charge in connection with the data communication session wherein the data rating application resides in the router.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the wireless device is a mobile phone, a computer, a television, an appliance or a telephone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the metering method is selected from a plurality of metering methods.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of metering methods include a metering by connection method; and wherein the metering by connection method determines the charge in connection with the data communication session based on a connection for the data communication session being established.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of metering methods include a metering by time method; and wherein the metering by time method determines the charge in connection with the data communication session based on duration of the data communication session.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of metering methods include a metering by volume method; and wherein the metering by volume method determines the charge in connection with the data communication session based on volume of data transmitted and/or received by the wireless device during the data communication session.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 6 wherein the metering by volume method further includes metering on a per kilobyte basis, metering on a per packet basis or metering on a predetermined denomination basis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the rating method is selected from a plurality of rating methods.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein the data rating application is configured to select one of the plurality of rating methods based on source of data received by the wireless device during the data communication session.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 9 wherein the data rating application is configured to select one of the plurality of rating methods based on type of data received by the wireless device during the data communication session.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 10 wherein the rating method selected is determined by the value of a data field in the data received.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein the data rating application is configured to select one of the plurality of rating methods based on service level selected for the data communication session.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 12 wherein the service level selected relates to speed and/or accuracy of data transmission during the data communication session.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 12 wherein the service level is selected by a user during a subscription process or via a user interface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the data rating application is configured to cooperate with an accounting application to update an account relating to the wireless device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 15 wherein the accounting application resides in the wireless device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 15 wherein the accounting application resides at a location external to the wireless device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the data rating application is configured to select the rating method and the metering method upon detecting a set-up event which takes place during the course of setting up the data communication session; and wherein the set-up event is originated by either the network or the wireless device to indicate that the data communication session is to begin.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
73 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the data rating application is configured to begin determining the charge in connection with the data communication session using the metering method and the rating method upon detecting a begin event which takes place during the course of the data communication session; and wherein the begin event is originated by either the network or the wireless device to indicate that the data communication session has begun.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
73 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the data rating application is configured to end determining the charge in connection with the data communication session using the metering method and the rating method upon detecting an end event which takes place during the course of the data communication session; and wherein the end event is originated by either the network or the wireless device to indicate that the data communication session has ended.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein the wireless device includes a plurality of additional applications residing therein; and wherein the data rating application is configured to select one of the plurality of rating methods based on which one of the plurality of additional applications residing in the wireless device will be using data received by the wireless device during the data communication session.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the data rating application is configured to use the rating method based on usage of data received during the data communication session.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 22 wherein the data received during the data communication session is a downloaded application; and wherein the charge is determined based on occurrence or duration of usage of the downloaded application.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for determining a charge in connection with a data communication session, comprising: a router disposed between a network and a wireless device; and a data rating application configured to select a metering method from a plurality of metering methods to meter the data communication session and a rating method from a plurality of rating methods to determine a corresponding rate to be used in conjunction with the selected metering method to determine the charge in connection with the data communication session; wherein the data rating application resides in the router.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for determining a charge in connection with a data communication session, comprising: a router disposed between a network and a wireless device; and a data rating application configured to select a metering method from a plurality of metering methods to meter the data communication session and a rating method from a plurality of rating methods to determine a corresponding rate to be used in conjunction with the selected metering method to determine the charge in connection with the data communication session; wherein the data rating application resides in the router.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein the wireless device is a mobile phone, a computer, a television an appliance or a telephone.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein the data rating application is configured to cooperate with an accounting application to update an account relating to the wireless device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 26 wherein the accounting application resides in the wireless device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 26 wherein the accounting application resides at a location external to the wireless device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein the data rating application is configured to select the rating method and the metering method upon detecting a set-up event which takes place during the course of setting up the data communication session; and wherein the set-up event is originated by either the network or the wireless device to indicate that the data communication session is to begin.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein the data rating application is configured to begin determining the charge in connection with the data communication session using the selected metering method and the selected rating method upon detecting a begin event which takes place during the course of the data communication session; and wherein the begin event is originated by either the network or the wireless device to indicate that the data communication session has begun.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein the data rating application is configured to end determining the charge in connection with the data communication session using the selected metering method and the selected rating method upon detecting an end event which takes place during the course of the data communication session; and wherein the end event is originated by either the network or the wireless device to indicate that the data communication session has ended.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein the wireless device includes a plurality of additional applications residing therein; and wherein the data rating application is configured to select the rating method from the plurality of rating methods based on which one of the plurality of additional applications residing in the wireless device will be using data received by the wireless device during the data communication session.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein the data rating application is configured to use the selected rating method based on usage of data received during the data communication session.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 33 wherein the data received during the data communication session is a downloaded application; and wherein the charge is determined based on occurrence or duration of usage of the downloaded application.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein the data rating application is configured to select the rating method from the plurality of rating methods based on source of data received by the wireless device during the data communication session.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein the data rating application is configured to select one of the plurality of rating methods based on type of data received by the wireless device during the data communication session.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 36 wherein the rating method selected is determined by the value of a data field in the data received.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein the data rating application is configured to select the rating method from the plurality of rating methods based on service level selected for the data communication session.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 38 wherein the service level selected relates to speed and/or accuracy of data transmission during the data communication session.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 38 wherein the service level is selected by a user during a subscription process or via a user interface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein the plurality of metering methods include a metering by connection method; and wherein the metering by connection method determines the charge in connection with the data communication session based on a connection for the data communication session being established.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein the plurality of metering methods include a metering by time method; and wherein the metering by time method determines the charge in connection with the data communication session based on duration of the data communication session.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein the plurality of metering methods include a metering by volume method; and wherein the metering by volume method determines the charge in connection with the data communication session based on volume of data transmitted and/or received by the wireless device during the data communication session.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 43 wherein the metering by volume method further includes metering on a per kilobyte basis, metering on a per packet basis or metering on a predetermined denomination basis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4868758A
Cited
US4887265A
Cited
US5159592A
Cited
US5631947A
Cited
US5396539A
Cited
US5528664A
Cited
US5625669A
Cited
US5325418A
Cited
US5185785A
Cited
WO1993020644A1
Cited
US5729740A
Cited
US5592535A
Cited
US5517549A
Cited
US5533019A
Cited
US6044264A
Cited
US6029064A
Cited
US5577100A
Cited
US6085082A
Cited
US5809122A
Cited
US6141652A
Cited
US5684861A
Cited
US5740247A
Cited
US5812945A
Cited
WO1997026739A1
Cited
US6088600A
Cited
US5915226A
Cited
US6055441A
Cited
WO1997045814A1
Cited
US6385444B1
Cited
WO1998023110A2
Cited
US5892816A
Cited
US6078268A
Cited
US5960416A
Cited
US6199054B1
Cited
US5937041A
Cited
US5930341A
Cited
US5923741A
Cited
US6148191A
Cited
US6091968A
Cited
US6185413B1
Cited
US6226272B1
Cited
US6070067A
Cited
WO1999048317A2
Cited
WO1999049626A2
Cited
US6311054B1
Cited
US6098878A
Cited
WO1999062223A2
Cited
WO2000004701A1
Cited
US6480710B1
Cited
WO2000019700A1
Cited
WO2000038369A1
Cited
US6496690B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-04-20 | 2007-10-20 | 2008-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-20 | 2011-10-20 | 2012-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-20 | 2015-10-20 | 2016-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |