Apparatus, method, and article of manufacture used to invoice for services consumed in a communications network
US6868267B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 23, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M2215/0104
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus, method, and article of manufacture that provides an efficient way to invoice the users of a communication system (100) for the system resources consumed. Invoicing is based upon flexible criteria that can be adapted depending upon the charges a resource provider charges. For example, a user may incur a one-time charge for downloading a desired application program, or the user may be charged a download fee plus a recurring monthly fee for having continual access to the program and any updates to the program. A fee might also be charged for each time the application is used. These fees are recorded as debits and transferred to an invoicing location where an invoice reflecting the debits is constructed. For example, the debits may comprise fees for wireless service access, Internet service access, downloaded application programs, data, multimedia services, or other fees.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.