Cost minimization of services provided by multiple service providers
US7257560B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M15/80
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A technique for efficiently and accurately minimizing costs associated with services provided by a plurality of service providers (SPs) that bill for their services based on a tiered cost structure. Target tiers are generated based on the utilization of the SPs' services and the SPs' cost structures. Utilization of the SPs' services is monitored. A momentary target utilization rate (MTUR) is generated for each SP based on the cumulated utilization of the SP's service and the SP's target tier. Utilization of the SPs' services is distributed based on the generated MTURs in a manner that minimizes cost. If the utilization of the SPs' services indicates the MTURs have been exceeded, new target tiers and MTURs are generated and utilization of the SPs' services is redistributed among the SPs in a manner that minimizes cost.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.