IP Library Granted Patent US 8,750,158
Granted Patent B2
US 8,750,158 · App. 13/571,155 · Granted Jun 10, 2014

System and method for differentiated billing

Inventors: Robert J. Morrill (Overland Park, KS); Michael K. Bugenhagen (Olathe, KS)
Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,750,158
App. No.
13/571,155
Granted
Jun 10, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for differentiating billing in response to content. A determination is made of types of traffic in one or more communications being communicated through a network. A determination is made of rates associated with each of the types of traffic. Billing is implemented utilizing the rates for the types of traffic.

Claims (37)

1. A computer-implemented method for differentiating billing based on content, comprising:

determining, using a processor, types of traffic in one or more communications being communicated through a network;

determining rates associated with each of the types of traffic;

implementing, using the processor, billing utilizing the rates for the types of traffic, wherein the rates are a point system, and wherein implementing, using the processor, billing utilizing the rates for the types of traffic comprises assigning various points to each of the types of traffic, multiplying the assigned point of a traffic type by an amount of usage to generate usage points for the traffic type, combining usage points for each of the types of traffic to generate a total number of usage points, and multiplying the total number of usage points by a fee per usage point to generate a billed amount; and

communicating billing information to a user associated with the communications in real-time.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the types of traffic comprises:

determining whether the types of traffic include real-time and non-real-time content.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein communicating billing information to the user associated with the communications in real-time comprises communicating a message to the user to select an option for continued service in response to a determination that the user has exceeded his service agreement limits.

4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the types of traffic are determined utilizing a ratio or percentage.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the types of traffic further comprises:

determining a differential of the types of traffic.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the billing is implemented utilizing the rates and the differential.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

determining a source, destination, and path addresses for the one or more communications.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the billing is implemented utilizing the source, destination, and path addresses.

9. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:

determining billing requirements associated with the source, destination, and path addresses.

10. A system for differentiated billing, comprising:

a server configured to:

determine types of traffic in one or more communications being communicated through a network;

determine rates associated with each of the types of traffic by communicating with a database, the database in communication with the server and configured to store the rates associated with each of the types of traffic, and charges of the rates associated with a user;

implement billing utilizing the rates for the types of traffic, wherein the rates are a point system, and wherein implementing, using the processor, billing utilizing the rates for the types of traffic comprises assigning various points to each of the types of traffic, multiplying the assigned point of a traffic type by an amount of usage to generate usage points for the traffic type, combining usage points for each of the types of traffic to generate a total number of usage points, and multiplying the total number of usage points by a fee per usage point to generate a billed amount; and

communicate billing information to a user associated with the communications in real-time.

11. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the server determines a source, destination, and path addresses for the one or more communications.

12. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the server queries the database to determine path rates associated with the one or more communications through the source, destination, and path addresses.

13. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the path rates are stipulated by regulation or industry standards.

14. The system according to claim 10 , wherein communicating billing information to the user associated with the communications in real-time comprises communicating a message to the user to select an option for continued service in response to a determination that the user has exceeded his service agreement limits.

15. A server for differentiated billing, comprising:

a processor for executing a set of instructions; and

a memory for storing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are executed to:

determine traffic information of one or more communications being communicated through a network;

determine rates associated with the traffic information;

implement billing utilizing the rates for the traffic information, wherein the rates are a point system, and wherein implementing billing utilizing the rates for the traffic information comprises assigning various points to each type of traffic, multiplying the assigned point of a traffic type by an amount of usage to generate usage points for the traffic type, combining usage points for each of the types of traffic to generate a total number of usage points; and multiplying the total number of usage points by a fee per usage point to generate a billed amount; and

communicate billing information to a user associated with the communications in real-time.

16. The server according to claim 15 , wherein communicating billing information to the user associated with the communications in real-time comprises communicating a message to the user to select an option for continued service in response to a determination that the user has exceeded his service agreement limits.

17. The server according to claim 15 , wherein the server further comprises:

a database for storing the rates and logic associated with selection of at least one of the rates.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 10, 2014
From: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY LLC
To: CENTURYLINK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LLC
Reel/Frame 032659/0713 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 19, 2013
From: EDWARDS, STEPHEN K.; MORRILL, ROBERT J.; BUGENHAGEN, MICHAEL K.
To: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 030842/0747 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation In Part 13360301 · Jan 27, 2012
Continuation 11809408 · May 31, 2007
Provisional Application 60839333 · Aug 22, 2006
Provisional Application 60897543 · Jan 26, 2007
Provisional Application 60905624 · Mar 7, 2007
Provisional Application 60922246 · Apr 5, 2007
Related Publication 20120327816A1 · Dec 27, 2012