U.S. patent application number 12/069626 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for methods, systems, and products for providing communications services.
Invention is credited to Donna K. Hodges, Barrett Morris Kreiner, Steven N. Tischer.
Application Number | 20080140560 12/069626 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34591691 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080140560 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hodges; Donna K. ; et
al. |
June 12, 2008 |
Methods, systems, and products for providing communications
services
Abstract
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing
communications services. Multiple communications networks are
discovered that are available to a client device. A request is
communicated from the client device. A bid from a service provider
is received at the client device.
Inventors: |
Hodges; Donna K.; (Cumming,
GA) ; Kreiner; Barrett Morris; (Norcross, GA)
; Tischer; Steven N.; (Atlanta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCOTT P. ZIMMERMAN, PLLC
PO BOX 3822
CARY
NC
27519
US
|
Family ID: |
34591691 |
Appl. No.: |
12/069626 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10720956 |
Nov 24, 2003 |
7343416 |
|
|
12069626 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 28/24 20130101;
H04W 48/18 20130101; H04W 74/00 20130101; G06Q 40/04 20130101; H04W
48/14 20130101; H04W 4/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/37 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. A method of providing communications services, comprising:
discovering, at a client device, multiple communications networks
available to the client device; communicating, from the client
device, a request for communications service; and receiving, at the
client device, a bid from a service provider of at least one of the
communications networks to fulfill the request for communications
service.
2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising communicating
the request for communications service to multiple service
providers, each service provider providing access to at least one
of the multiple communications networks.
3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising determining
that the bid satisfies a constraint.
4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising comparing the
bid to other bids received from other service providers.
5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising determining
which of the bids satisfies a constraint.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein when multiple bids
satisfies the constraint, then further comprising selecting at
least one of the bids.
7. A method according to claim 5, wherein when multiple bids
satisfies the constraint, then further comprising accepting
additional bids.
8. A method according to claim 5, further comprising discarding at
least one of the bids.
9. A method according to claim 1, further comprising determining a
winning bid.
10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising communicating
an acceptance to a winning service provider.
11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising receiving a
confirmation of the winning bid.
12. A method according to claim 1, further comprising negotiating,
at the client device, with the service provider.
13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving an
alternative option for providing the communications service.
14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising determining
when the alternative option is acceptable.
15. A method according to claim 1, further comprising communicating
a competitive indication.
16. A method according to claim 1, further comprising communicating
at least one of a price, a date, and a time.
17. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the bid
further comprises receiving at least one of i) a price for
utilizing the service provider's service, ii) a date for the
communications service, and iii) a time that the communications
service will be fulfilled.
18. A method according to claim 1, wherein discovering the multiple
communications networks comprises dynamically discovering the
multiple communications networks when global positioning system
coordinates indicate a change of "n" units.
19. A method of providing communications services, comprising:
receiving, at a service provider, a request for communications
service originating from a client device, the request for
communications service requesting communications service from the
service provider; developing a bid to fulfill the request for
communications service, the bid comprising a price for utilizing
the service provider's services; and communicating the bid to the
client device, wherein the client device accepts or denies the
bid.
20. A system for providing communications services, comprising:
means for discovering, at a client device, multiple communications
networks available to the client device; means for communicating,
from the client device, a request for communications service; and
means for receiving, at the client device, a bid from a service
provider of at least one of the communications networks to fulfill
the request for communications service.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/720,956, entitled "Methods for Providing Communications
Services" (Attorney Docket 030351), filed Jun. 28, 2002, now issued
as U.S. Pat. No. ______ and incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its
figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The
copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by
anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, but
otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention generally relates to computers and to
communications and, more particularly, to processing data in a
communications network.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Manipulation of electronic data is important in computer
networking and in communications. Often times electronic data must
be manipulated for presentation at a client communications device.
That is, the electronic data must be changed, formatted, or altered
to suit the display characteristics, processing abilities, and/or
storage capabilities of the client communications device. A
handheld personal data assistant, for example, often requires that
bandwidth-intensive electronic data, such as on-demand video, be
scaled, color corrected, and/or otherwise manipulated for optimum
presentation on the small display of the handheld personal data
assistant. Heretofore, however, manipulation of electronic data was
usually the responsibility of the client communications
device--that is, the client communications device stores and
utilizes one or more computer programs to manipulate incoming
electronic data for presentation on the client communications
device.
[0007] Locally manipulating electronic data, however, poses
problems. As the electronic data is received, the client
communications device must store the electronic data,
process/manipulate the electronic data, and present the manipulated
electronic data to the user. This process of storing, manipulating,
and/or presenting the electronic data, however, often taxes the
limited processing and storage capabilities of the client
communications device. As both those skilled and unskilled
recognize, when the processing and/or storage capabilities of the
client communications device are overwhelmed, the audio/video
presentation may "stumble" and degrade the user experience.
Sometimes the client communications device even experiences a fault
or failure when the processing and/or storage capabilities are
overwhelmed. There is, accordingly, a need in the art for methods
and systems of manipulating electronic data that reduce the need
for locally-stored computer programs and that reduce the need for
local processing requirements.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The aforementioned problems, and other problems, are reduced
by a Analysis Module. This Analysis Module comprises methods,
computer systems, computer programs, and computer program products
that provide communications services. Each time the user of the
client communications device desires to receive one or more
communications services, the Analysis Module dynamically discovers
what communications networks are available to the user. The
Analysis Module then negotiates with those communications networks
to determine what communications network, and/or what service
provider, provides the best or preferred scenario for providing
that communications service. When the client communications device
requires communications service, the term "communications service"
means the client communications device requests a data upload
and/or a data download via a communications network. The term
"data" includes electronic information, such as, for example,
facsimile, electronic mail (e-mail), text, video, audio, and/or
voice in a variety of formats, such as dual tone multi-frequency,
digital, analog, and/or others. Additionally, the data may include:
(1) executable programs, such as a software application, (2) an
address, location, and/or other identifier of the storage location
for the data, (3) integrated or otherwise combined files, and/or
(4) profiles associated with configuration, authenticity, security,
and others. When the Analysis Module discovers what communications
networks are available to the client communications device, the
term "available" means a communications network is accessible to
the client communications device. That is, the client
communications device has the hardware requirement(s) and/or the
software requirement(s) to access, and to communicate with, one or
more of the communications networks.
[0009] The client communications device, at any one time, may have
access to more than one communications network. The user, for
example, at any one time, might have access to a wireline network,
a cellular wireless network, and other wireless networks (such as
the I.E.E.E. 802 family, Radio Frequency, and BLUETOOTH.RTM.)
(BLUETOOTH.RTM. is a registered trademark of the Bluetooth Special
Interest Group, Inc.). The Analysis Module discovers what
communications networks are available to the user, and then the
Analysis Module receives bids from the available communications
networks (or the service provider for each communications network).
The Analysis Module then determines which bidder can provide the
communications service within any performance, pricing, and
delivery constraints. If more than one bidder satisfies the
constraints, the Analysis Module might favor one service provider,
one communications network, or even a series/combination of
multiple communications networks. The Analysis Module might also
accept another round of bidding/negotiation to further enhance
performance, pricing, and/or delivery objectives. Once the Analysis
Module settles on a winning bid, the Analysis Module 20 then
accepts service from the winner.
[0010] This invention discloses methods, systems, and products for
providing communications services. One of the embodiments describes
a method for providing communications services. This method
discovers multiple communications networks available to a client
communications device. A request for communications service is
communicated from the client communications device to at least one
service provider. The at least one service provider provides access
to at least one of the multiple communications networks. Access to
at least one of the multiple communications networks is negotiated
with the at least one service provider. Communications service is
then received from the at least one service provider via at least
one of the multiple communications networks.
[0011] Other embodiments of this invention describes another method
for providing communications services. Here a request for
communications service is received, and the request for
communications service originates from a client communications
device. The request for communications service requests
communications service from a communications network available to
the client communications device. A preferred scenario of
segmentation, dispersion, and assemblage of electronic data is
ascertained to fulfill the request for communications service. A
bid is developed to utilize the communications network to fulfill
the request for communications service, and the bid is communicated
to the client communications device. The client communications
device may then accept or deny the bid.
[0012] Other embodiments of this invention describe a system for
providing communications services. The system includes a Analysis
Module stored in a memory device, and a processor communicates with
the memory device. The Analysis Module discovers multiple
communications networks available to a client communications
device. The Analysis Module communicates a request for
communications service from the client communications device to at
least one service provider, with the at least one service provider
providing access to at least one of the multiple communications
networks. The Analysis Module negotiates with the at least one
service provider for access to at least one of the multiple
communications networks. The Analysis Module receives
communications service from the at least one service provider via
at least one of the multiple communications networks.
[0013] Other embodiments of this invention describe a computer
program product. A computer-readable medium stores a Analysis
Module. The Analysis Module discovers multiple communications
networks available to a client communications device. The Analysis
Module communicates a request for communications service from the
client communications device to at least one service provider, with
the at least one service provider providing access to at least one
of the multiple communications networks. The Analysis Module
negotiates with the at least one service provider for access to at
least one of the multiple communications networks, and the Analysis
Module receives communications service from the at least one
service provider via at least one of the multiple communications
networks.
[0014] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
embodiments of the present invention are better understood when the
following Detailed Description of the Invention is read with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a Analysis Module
operating within a client communications device, according to one
of the embodiments of this invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating multiple wireless
communications networks that may be available to the client
communications device, according to more embodiments of this
invention;
[0018] FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematics illustrating a request for
communications service, according to still more embodiments of this
invention;
[0019] FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematics illustrating a service provider
for each communications network;
[0020] FIG. 7-12 are schematics illustrating a negotiations process
for obtaining communications service, according to another of the
embodiments of this invention;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustrating the Analysis Module
accepting a winning bid for communications service, according to
still more embodiments of this invention;
[0022] FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematics illustrating another of the
embodiments of this invention;
[0023] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing
communications service; and
[0024] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating another method of
providing communications service.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] This invention now will be described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary
embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in
many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so
that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully
convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the
art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the
invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to
encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof.
Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both
currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the
future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same
function, regardless of structure).
[0026] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of
ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics,
illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes
illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The
functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be
provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware
capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches
shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be
carried out through the operation of program logic, through
dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and
dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being
selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of
ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary
hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems
described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not
intended to be limited to any particular named manufacturer.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a Analysis Module 20
operating within a client communications device 22, according to
one of the embodiments of this invention. The client communications
device 22 represents just one of the possible operating
environments for the Analysis Module 20. The client communications
device 22 may include any computer/communications device utilizing
a microprocessor and/or a digital signal processor. The client
communications device 22 may include, for example, a computer
(laptop, desktop, tablet, server, and other computer systems), a
personal digital assistant (PDA), a Global Positioning System (GPS)
device, an interactive television, an Internet Protocol (IP) phone,
a pager, and/or a cellular/satellite phone. The Analysis Module 20
is stored within memory of the client communications device 22. The
Analysis Module 20 comprises methods, computer systems, computer
programs, and computer program products that provide communications
services to a user. Each time the user of the client communications
device 22 desires to receive one or more communications services,
the Analysis Module 20 dynamically discovers what communications
networks are available to the user. The Analysis Module 20 then
negotiates with those communications networks to determine what
communications network, and/or what service provider, provides the
best or preferred scenario for providing that communications
service. The user, for example, at any one time, might have access
to a wireline network, a cellular wireless network, and other
wireless networks (such as the I.E.E.E. 802 family, Radio
Frequency, and BLUETOOTH(.RTM.) (BLUETOOTH.RTM. is a registered
trademark of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, Inc.). The
Analysis Module 20 discovers what communications networks are
available to the user, and then the Analysis Module 20 receives
bids from the available communications networks (or the service
provider for each communications network). The Analysis Module 20
then determines which bidder can provide the communications service
within any performance, pricing, and delivery constraints. If more
than one bidder satisfies the constraints, the Analysis Module 20
might favor one service provider, one communications network, or
even a series/combination of multiple communications networks. The
Analysis Module 20 might also accept another round of
bidding/negotiation to further enhance performance, pricing, and/or
delivery objectives. Once the Analysis Module 20 settles on a
winning bid, the Analysis Module 20 then accepts service from the
winner.
[0028] FIG. 1 also illustrates the multiple communications networks
available to the client communications device 22. Each time the
client communications device 22 requires communications service(s),
the Analysis Module 20 discovers what communications networks are
available to the client communications device 22. When the client
communications device 22 requires communications service, the term
"communications service" means the client communications device 22
requests a data upload and/or a data download via a communications
network. The term "data" includes electronic information, such as,
for example, facsimile, electronic mail (e-mail), text, video,
audio, and/or voice in a variety of formats, such as dual tone
multi-frequency, digital, analog, and/or others. Additionally, the
data may include: (1) executable programs, such as a software
application, (2) an address, location, and/or other identifier of
the storage location for the data, (3) integrated or otherwise
combined files, and/or (4) profiles associated with configuration,
authenticity, security, and others. When the Analysis Module 20
discovers what communications networks are available to the client
communications device 22, the term "available" means a
communications network is accessible to the client communications
device 22. That is, the client communications device 22 has the
hardware requirement(s) and/or the software requirement(s) to
access, and to communicate with, one or more of the communications
networks.
[0029] As FIG. 1 shows, multiple communications networks may be
available to the client communications device 22. The client
communications device 22, at any one moment, may detect the
presence of multiple wireline networks, such as a data network 24
and/or a Public Switched Telephone Network 26. The client
communications device 22 accesses either the data network 24 or the
Public Switched Telephone Network 26 via a wireline connection 28
to a communications switch 30. The term "wireline" means the client
communications device 22 sends and receives signals using a
physical connection (e.g., wire(s), cable(s), fiber, DSL). to the
respective network 24 or 26.
[0030] The client communications device 22, at any one moment, may
also detect the presence of one or more wireless communications
networks. These wireless communications networks may include a GSM
cellular network 32, a CDMA cellular network 34, a TDMA cellular
network 36, and a GSM/CDMA/TDMA interoperating network 38 (such as
a GSM-ANSI Interoperability Team (GAIT) network). As those of
ordinary skill in the art recognize, the GSM cellular network 32
operates using the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications
technology standard, the CDMA cellular network 34 operates using a
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communications technology
standard, and the TDMA cellular network 36 operates using a Time
Division Multiple Access (TDMA) communications technology standard.
Those of ordinary skill in the art also recognize that the
GSM/CDMA/TDMA interoperating network 38 may operate using a
GSM-ANSI Interoperability Team (GAIT) communications technology
standard, a combination CDMA/GSM technology standard, and/or a
combination TDMA/CDMA technology standard.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows even more wireless communications networks may
be available to the client communications device 22. The client
communications device 22, for example, may have access to an
I.E.E.E. 802 wireless network 40. The I.E.E.E. 802 wireless network
40 utilizes any of the I.E.E.E 802 family of wireless technology
standards to wirelessly communicate with the client communications
device 22. The client communications device 22 may also have access
to an RF wireless network 42 using the radio frequency (RF) portion
of the electromagnetic spectrum. The client communications device
22 may also discover an ISM wireless network 44. The ISM wireless
network 44 utilizes the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM)
band of the electromagnetic spectrum to wirelessly communicate with
the client communications device 22. One example of the ISM
wireless network 44 would be a BLUETOOTH.RTM. network. The client
communications device 22 may also discover an IR wireless network
46, and the IR wireless network 46 uses the infrared (IR) portion
of the electromagnetic spectrum to provide wireless communication.
The client communications device 22 may also have access to another
wireless network 48, and the another wireless network 48 utilizes
any other portion/frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum to
wirelessly communicate with the client communications device
22.
[0032] The communications networks are dynamically discovered. Each
time the user of the client communications device 22 desires to
receive one or more communications services, the Analysis Module 20
preferably dynamically discovers what communications networks are
available to the user. That is, with each data upload and/or data
download, the Analysis Module 20 discovers what communications
networks are available at that moment. The Analysis Module 20 could
also employ alternate strategies for discovering available
communications networks. The Analysis Module 20, for example, may
discover the available communications networks according to a
schedule, such as every hour, once per day, or any other interval.
The Analysis Module 20 may also interface with an electronic
calendar (such as a PALM.RTM. handheld organizer or MICROSOFT.RTM.
OUTLOOK(.RTM.) (PALM.RTM. is a registered trademark of Palm, Inc.,
while MICROSOFT.RTM. and OUTLOOK.RTM. are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation). The Analysis Module 20 could also interface
with a Global Positioning System (GPS) and utilize GPS coordinates
to discover the available communications networks. When, for
example, the GPS coordinates indicate a change of "n" units, the
Analysis Module 20 may discover what available communications
networks are in its vicinity. The variable "n" may be feet, meters,
miles, kilometers, or any other desired unit of measure.
[0033] Once the client communications device 22 discovers the
available communications networks, the Analysis Module 20 initiates
a request 50 for communications service. As FIGS. 3 and 4 show, the
request 50 for communications service is communicated from the
client communications device 22 to one or more of the
wireline/wireless communications networks. FIG. 3, for example,
shows the Analysis Module 20 initiating the request 50 for
communications service from the client communications device 22 to
the data network 24 and/or the Public Switched Telephone Network 26
via the wireline connection 28 to the communications switch 30. The
Analysis Module 20 also initiates a wireless communication of the
request 50 for communications service to the GSM cellular network
32, the CDMA cellular network 34, the TDMA cellular network 36, and
the GSM/CDMA/TDMA interoperating network 38 using each network's
respective technology standard. FIG. 4, similarly, shows the
Analysis Module 20 initiating the request 50 for communications
service from the client communications device 22 to the I.E.E.E.
802 wireless network 40, the RF wireless network 42, the ISM
wireless network 44, the IR wireless network 46, and the another
wireless network 48 using each network's respective
frequency/portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
[0034] FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematics illustrating a service provider
for each communications network. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the request 50
for communications service being communicated from the client
communications device 22 to a service provider for each respective
communications network. Each service provider provides access to at
least one of the multiple communications networks 24, 26, 32, 34,
36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48.
[0035] Once the available communications networks are discovered,
the Analysis Module 20 negotiates for communications service. The
Analysis Module 20 negotiates with each service provider providing
access to at least one of the multiple communications networks.
FIG. 7 is a schematic illustrating this negotiations process. When
the available communications networks are discovered, the Analysis
Module 20 begins a negotiations process to obtain the best
performance, pricing, and/or delivery objectives. The Analysis
Module 20, for example, may openly communicate a competitive
indication 52. This competitive indication 52 is communicated to
each service provider of each available communications network. The
competitive indication 52 intensifies competition amongst the
service providers by informing each service provider of i) how many
competing networks are available to the client communications
device 22 and/or ii) what those available networks may be. The
competitive indication 52, for example, may indicate that i) six
(6) communications networks are available to the client
communications device 22 and ii) those available communications
networks are the data network 24, the GSM cellular network 32, the
interoperating network 38, the I.E.E.E. 802 wireless network 40,
the RF wireless network 42, and the ISM wireless network 44.
Because the client communications device 22 has access to several
competing communications networks, the competitive indication 52
helps each service provider determine their competitive
position/posture.
[0036] FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematics further illustrating this
negotiations process. FIG. 8 shows that the Analysis Module 20 may
communicate performance, pricing, and/or delivery objectives 54.
The performance, pricing, and/or delivery objectives 54 identify
constraints that each service provider must meet in order to win
service. The user of the client communications device 22, for
example, may require that data be delivered within three (3)
minutes of acceptance of service, and the delivered data must be
formatted to the size and the color capabilities of the client
communications device 22. The performance, pricing, and/or delivery
objectives 54 may also include a target, percentage, or maximum
quantity of lost packets and/or a resolution of the delivered data.
As FIG. 9 illustrates, the performance, pricing, and/or delivery
objectives 54 may include at least one of i) a maximum price above
which communications service will be denied, ii) a date by which
the request for communications service should be fulfilled, iii) a
time by which the request for communications service should be
fulfilled, and iv) formatting for the requested communications
service.
[0037] FIG. 10 is a schematic further illustrating the negotiations
process. FIG. 10 illustrates that the Analysis Module 20 may also
communicate a preferred scenario 56. The preferred scenario 56
describes the user's, or the Analysis Module's, preferred scenario
of segmentation, dispersion, and assemblage of electronic data when
fulfilling the request for communications service. That is, the
preferred scenario 56 describes how the user of the client
communications device 22 wants data segmented, dispersed, and then
reassembled. The preferred scenario 56 may be stored within memory
of the client communications device 22, stored/maintained within a
computer device (e.g., a computer server) remotely operating on any
of the available communications networks, and/or stored/maintained
within an applications server communicating with the communications
switch 30 (the remotely operating computer device and the
applications server are not shown for simplicity). The preferred
scenario 56 may be stored/maintained within a set of
subscriber-specified rules (not shown for simplicity), and/or the
preferred scenario 56 may be stored/maintained within a Service
Level Agreement (also not shown for simplicity).
[0038] FIGS. 11 and 12 further illustrate the negotiations process.
Once the Analysis Module 20 initiates communication of any
constraints, objectives, or other criteria to intensify competition
amongst the service providers, one or more of the service providers
may bid for the communications service. As FIG. 11 shows, the
Analysis Module 20 may receive a bid 58 to fulfill the request for
communications service. Because all the service providers of the
available networks know the constraints, objectives, or other
criteria for the requested communications service, some service
providers may choose to not bid--that is, one or more service
providers may forego the routing opportunity (such as the
interoperating network 38 service provider and the RF wireless
network 42 service provider). Those service providers who wish to
further participate submit the bid 58. As FIG. 11 shows, the client
communications device 22 receives the bid 58 via the data network
24, the GSM cellular network 32, the I.E.E.E. 802 wireless network
40, and the ISM wireless network 44.
[0039] FIG. 12 shows the possible contents of each bid 58. Each
electronic bid 58 would contain at least one of the following
electronic information: i) a price for utilizing the particular
service provider's communications network, ii) a date that the
request for communications service will be fulfilled, and iii) a
time that the request for communications service will be fulfilled.
Each bid 58 may also contain suggestions for alternative
performance, pricing, and/or delivery options. One service
provider, for example, might offer a much lower price if the
request for communications service could be fulfilled during
evening or night hours. Another service provider might offer an
earlier date of fulfillment with little increase in price. If the
user could accept black and white video/images, still another
service provider might offer a drastically lower price.
[0040] Once all the bids 58 are received, the Analysis Module 20
evaluates the submitted bids 58. The Analysis Module 20 may include
software programming that favors one bid over another, that favors
one service provider over another, and/or that favors one
communications network over another. The Analysis Module 20 may
discard some bids that violate internal constraints. The Analysis
Module 20 may discard or reject a bid from a service provider with
an unacceptable history of performance, pricing, and/or delivery.
The Analysis Module 20 may also determine if the suggested
alternative performance, pricing, and/or delivery option is
acceptable. Once all the bids 58 are evaluated, the Analysis Module
20 may even initiate another round of bidding to further hone
performance, pricing, and/or delivery objectives (thus repeating
the negotiation processes shown in FIGS. 7-12).
[0041] FIG. 13 shows the Analysis Module 20 accepting the winning
bid. After the Analysis Module 20 evaluates the submitted bids 58,
and perhaps after the Analysis Module 20 determines that no further
negotiations are necessary or desirable, the Analysis Module 20
accepts the winning bid. The Analysis Module 20 initiates
communication of an acceptance 60 of service to the winning service
provider. The acceptance 60 of service is communicated from the
client communications device 22 to the winning service provider via
the respective communications network. FIG. 13, for example, shows
the data network 24 service provider as the winner of the
negotiations process, so the data network 24 service provider
receives the acceptance 60 of service. The winning service provider
may return communicate a confirmation 62 of the winning bid. The
client communications device 22 then receives the requested
communications service 64 (e.g., data upload/download) from the
winning service provider.
[0042] FIG. 14 is a schematic illustrating another of the
embodiments of this invention. FIG. 14 shows the Analysis Module 20
operating within a communications network 64. This communications
network 64 represents another of the possible operating
environments for the Analysis Module 20. The Analysis Module 20 is
stored within memory 66 of a computer device 68, such as a computer
server 70 communicating with the communications network 64. Each
time the client communications device 22 requires communications
service, the Analysis Module 20 receives the request 50 for
communications service from the client communications device 22.
The request 50 for communications service requests communications
service via the communications network 64. Those of ordinary skill
in the art understand the communications network 64 may include any
available communications network, such as the data network, the
Public Switched Telephone Network, the GSM cellular network, the
CDMA cellular network, the TDMA cellular network, the GSM/CDMA/TDMA
interoperating network, the I.E.E.E. 802 wireless network, the RF
wireless network, the ISM wireless network, the IR wireless
network, and/or the another wireless network (shown, respectively,
as reference numerals 24, 26, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, and
48 in FIGS. 1-11).
[0043] The Analysis Module 20 receives the request 50 for
communications service. The client communications device 22
communicates the request 50 for communications service to the
computer server 70, and thus the Analysis Module 20, via the
communications network 64. When the Analysis Module 20 receives the
request 50 for communications service, the Analysis Module 20
develops the bid 58 to utilize the communications network 64 to
fulfill the request 50 for communications service. Once the bid 58
is developed, the Analysis Module 20 initiates communication of the
bid 58 to the client communications device 22, again via the
communications network 64. The client communications device 22
receives the bid 58 and compares/evaluates the bid 58 with any
other bids received from other available communications networks
and/or service providers. The client communications device 22 may
then accept or deny the bid 58.
[0044] The Analysis Module 20 may employ numerous strategies when
developing the bid 58. The Analysis Module 20, for example, may
receive the competitive indication 52. The competitive indication
52, as mentioned above, intensifies competition amongst the service
providers by openly identifying i) how many competing networks are
available and/or ii) what those available networks may be. The
Analysis Module 20 uses the competitive indication 52 to improve
the competitiveness of the bid 58. The Analysis Module 20 may also
receive the performance, pricing, and/or delivery objectives 54
that each service provider must meet in order to win service. The
Analysis Module 20 uses the performance, pricing, and/or delivery
objectives 54 to improve the competitiveness of the bid 58. The
Analysis Module 20 may ascertain a preferred scenario of
segmentation, dispersion, and assemblage of electronic data to
fulfill the request 50 for communications service. That is, the
preferred scenario describes the highest quality scenario, the most
reliable scenario, the most efficient scenario, the most profitable
scenario, or, in general terms, the "preferred scenario" for
fulfilling the request 50 for communications service. When the
Analysis Module 20 ascertains the preferred scenario, the Analysis
Module 20 may assess an availability of network routing to fulfill
the request 50 for communications service. The Analysis Module 20
may also assess an availability of network bandwidth to fulfill the
request 50 for communications service. If a Service Level Agreement
is associated with the client communications device 22, the
Analysis Module 20 determines how to utilize the available network
routing bandwidth to satisfy the Service Level Agreement. The
Analysis Module 20 may determine that the technique of recursive
segmentation could be used for fast and efficient data compression,
data description, and data prediction. The Analysis Module 20 may
utilize a set of subscriber-specified rules to determine how
electronic data is formatted for presentation on the client
communications device 22. That is, the set of subscriber-specified
rules determines how uploaded/downloaded electronic data, such as
movies and other audio-video data, is formatted to suit the user's
needs.
[0045] FIG. 15 is a schematic illustrating acceptance of the
winning bid. If the submitted bid 58 is accepted, the client
communications device 22 communicates the acceptance 60 of service
to the winning service provider. The acceptance 60 of service is
communicated from the client communications device 22 to the
winning service provider via the communications network 64. The
winning service provider may then return communicate the
confirmation 62 of the winning bid. The client communications
device 22 then receives the requested communications service (e.g.,
data upload/download) from the winning service provider, via the
communications network 64.
[0046] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing
communications services. Multiple communications networks, that are
available to a client communications device, are discovered (Block
72). The multiple communications networks may include at least one
of i) a wireline network available to the client communications
device and ii) a wireless network available to a client
communications device. A request for communications service is
communicated from the client communications device to at least one
service provider (Block 74). The at least one service provider
provides access to at least one of the multiple communications
networks. The request for communications service may be
communicated to multiple service providers (Block 76), with each
service provider providing access to at least one of the multiple
communications networks. Access to at least one of the multiple
communications networks is negotiated (Block 78). A preferred
scenario of segmentation, dispersion, and assemblage of electronic
data may be communicated (Block 80). A competitive indication of
the multiple communications networks may be communicated (Block
82). The competitive indication identifies what communications
networks are available to the client communications device. The
negotiations may also communicate at least one of i) a price above
which communications service will be denied, ii) a date by which
the request for communications service should be fulfilled, iii) a
time by which the request for communications service should be
fulfilled, and iv) formatting for the requested communications
service (Block 84). A bid may be received from the at least one
service provider to fulfill the request for communications service
(Block 86). The bid may include at least one of i) a price for
utilizing the at least one multiple communications networks, ii) a
date that the request for communications service will be fulfilled,
and iii) a time that the request for communications service will be
fulfilled (Block 88). Communications service is then received from
the at least one service provider via at least one of the multiple
communications networks (Block 90).
[0047] FIG. 17 is another flowchart illustrating a method of
providing communications services. A request for communications
service is received (Block 92). The request for communications
service originates from a client communications device and requests
communications service from a communications network available to
the client communications device. A competitive indication is
received (Block 94), and the competitive indication identifies what
communications networks are available to the client communications
device. The service provider may additionally or alternatively
determine that multiple communications networks are available to
the client communications device (Block 96). The service provider
may also receive at least one of i) a price above which any bid
will be denied, ii) a date by which the request for communications
service should be fulfilled, and iii) a time by which the request
for communications service should be fulfilled (Block 98). A
preferred scenario of segmentation, dispersion, and assemblage of
electronic data is ascertained to fulfill the request for
communications service (Block 100). A bid to utilize the
communications network is developed (Block 102), and the bid is
communicated to the client communications device (Block 104). The
bid may include at least one of i) a price for utilizing the
communications network, ii) a date that the request for
communications service will be fulfilled, and iii) a time that the
request for communications service will be fulfilled (Block 106).
The service provider may receive an acceptance of the bid (Block
108) and return communicate a confirmation (Block 110). The service
provide then provides communications service, via the
communications network, according to the request for communications
service.
[0048] The Analysis Module (shown as reference numeral 20 in FIGS.
1-15) may be physically embodied on or in a computer-readable
medium. This computer-readable medium may include CD-ROM, DVD,
tape, cassette, floppy disk, memory card, and large-capacity disk
(such as IOMEGA.RTM., ZIP.RTM., JAZZ.RTM., and other large-capacity
memory products (IOMEGA.RTM., ZIP.RTM., and JAZZ.RTM. are
registered trademarks of Iomega Corporation, 1821 W. Iomega Way,
Roy, Utah 84067, 801.332.1000, www.iomega.com). This
computer-readable medium, or media, could be distributed to
end-users, licensees, and assignees. These types of
computer-readable media, and other types not mention here but
considered within the scope of the present invention, allow the
Analysis Module to be easily disseminated. A computer program
product for providing communications services includes the Analysis
Module stored on the computer-readable medium. The Analysis Module
discovers multiple communications networks available to a client
communications device. The Analysis Module communicates a request
for communications service from the client communications device to
at least one service provider, with the at least one service
provider providing access to at least one of the multiple
communications networks. The Analysis Module negotiates with the at
least one service provider for access to at least one of the
multiple communications networks. The Analysis Module receives
communications service from the at least one service provider via
at least one of the multiple communications networks.
[0049] The Analysis Module may also be physically embodied on or in
any addressable (e.g., HTTP, I.E.E.E. 802.11, Wireless Application
Protocol (WAP)) wireless device capable of presenting an IP
address. Examples could include a computer, a wireless personal
digital assistant (PDA), an Internet Protocol mobile phone, or a
wireless pager.
[0050] While the present invention has been described with respect
to various features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and
unskilled in the art will recognize the invention is not so
limited. Other variations, modifications, and alternative
embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the present invention.
* * * * *
References