US6041307A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Technique for effectively managing resources in a network
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1998-01-23
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Granted: 2000-03-21
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Expires: 2018-01-23
Abstract
Abstract In an intranet, servers provide services for a price. A user is allotted a budget consisting of a limited amount of electronic credits to pay for the services. When the user requests a selected service from a server, the server offers a service price which can be accepted or rejected by the user, depending on the importance of the service to the user. The service price is determined based on, for example, the workload attendant to the requested service, its quality of service (QOS) requirements and current conditions pertaining to the server, in accordance with a pricing strategy. The latter is implemented to achieve network-wide objectives such as reducing network congestion by balancing load among the servers.
Inventors
- 👤 Sudhir R. Ahuja
- 👤 Ioannis A. Korilis
- 👤 Theodora A. Varvarigou
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:49
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/06; G06Q10/063; G06Q10/0631; G06Q10/06312; G06Q10/06315; G06Q10/0637; G06Q10/06375; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/201; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0607
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for receiving a service from a predetermined server connected to a network, the apparatus comprising: a processor for issuing a request for the service to the predetermined server through the network; an interface for receiving, from the network, information on a price to be paid for the service, the price varying with at least availability of at least one resource in the predetermined server, said price being received in response to an issued request; and a controller for electing to receive the service based on a determination involving the price.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for receiving a service from a predetermined server connected to a network, the apparatus comprising: a processor for issuing a request for the service to the predetermined server through the network; an interface for receiving, from the network, information on a price to be paid for the service, the price varying with at least availability of at least one resource in the predetermined server, said price being received in response to an issued request; and a controller for electing to receive the service based on a determination involving the price.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the price is a function of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the price also varies with a quality of service (QOS) requirement of the service.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the price also varies with a load in the network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a memory for storing a predetermined amount of credits, wherein the price is represented by a second amount of credits, the second amount of credits being applied against the predetermined amount of credits when the controller determines to receive the service.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the determination is at least based on whether the second amount of credits is not greater than the predetermined amount of credits.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the determination is at least based on whether the second amount of credits is within a predetermined range of credits.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller is responsive to a user input.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor includes the controller and the interface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
Software including machine readable instructions stored in a tangible medium for performing a process for receiving a service from a predetermined server connected to a network, the process comprising: forming a request for the service to the predetermined server through the network; receiving, from the network, information on a price to be paid for the service, the price varying with at least availability of at least one resource in the predetermined server, said price being received in response to an issued request; and determining whether to receive the service based on the price.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
93 words
Software including machine readable instructions stored in a tangible medium for performing a process for receiving a service from a predetermined server connected to a network, the process comprising: forming a request for the service to the predetermined server through the network; receiving, from the network, information on a price to be paid for the service, the price varying with at least availability of at least one resource in the predetermined server, said price being received in response to an issued request; and determining whether to receive the service based on the price.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for providing a service through a network comprising: an interface for receiving a request for the service; a processor responsive to the request for computing a price to be paid for the service, the price being based on at least availability of one or more resources in the apparatus to provide the service, the interface receiving from the network pricing strategy information for affecting a computation of the price; and a controller for determining whether the price is accepted before the service is provided.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for providing a service through a network comprising: an interface for receiving a request for the service; a processor responsive to the request for computing a price to be paid for the service, the price being based on at least availability of one or more resources in the apparatus to provide the service, the interface receiving from the network pricing strategy information for affecting a computation of the price; and a controller for determining whether the price is accepted before the service is provided.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the service is a composite service requiring a sub-service from a server, the apparatus further comprising means for receiving a second price to be paid for the sub-service, the computed price being a function of the second price.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus for providing a service comprising: an interface for receiving a request for the service; a processor responsive to the request for computing a price to be paid for the service, the price being based on at least availability of one or more resources in the apparatus to provide the service, the availability of one or more resources in the apparatus varies with time; and a controller for determining whether the price is accepted before the service is provided.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus for providing a service comprising: an interface for receiving a request for the service; a processor responsive to the request for computing a price to be paid for the service, the price being based on at least availability of one or more resources in the apparatus to provide the service, the availability of one or more resources in the apparatus varies with time; and a controller for determining whether the price is accepted before the service is provided.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the price is also based on a workload required of the apparatus to provide the service.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the request specifies one or more QOS requirements of the service, and the price is also based on the QOS requirements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein one of the QOS requirements concerns a delay in providing the service.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the processor includes the controller and the interface.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
62 words
A system for providing a service comprising: first means for computing a price to be paid for the service; second means for receiving the service, the price being applied against a predetermined budget allocated to the second means; and third means for controlling the first means to affect a computation of the price to manage one or more resources in the system.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
62 words
A system for providing a service comprising: first means for computing a price to be paid for the service; second means for receiving the service, the price being applied against a predetermined budget allocated to the second means; and third means for controlling the first means to affect a computation of the price to manage one or more resources in the system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
8 words
The system of claim 18 includes an intranet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 18 includes at least part of the Internet.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 18 wherein the third means includes means for providing the first means with a methodology for computing the price.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 18 further comprising a server for delivering the service, the price being based on at least a current condition of the server.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 22 wherein the third means includes means for obtaining information concerning the current condition of the server.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for use in an apparatus for receiving a service from a predetermined server connected to a network including one or more resources, the method comprising: forming a request for the service to the predetermined server; receiving, from the network, information on a price to be paid for the service, the price varying with at least availability of at least one of the resources in the predetermined server, said price being received in response to an issued request; and determining whether to receive the service based on the price.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for use in an apparatus for receiving a service from a predetermined server connected to a network including one or more resources, the method comprising: forming a request for the service to the predetermined server; receiving, from the network, information on a price to be paid for the service, the price varying with at least availability of at least one of the resources in the predetermined server, said price being received in response to an issued request; and determining whether to receive the service based on the price.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the price is a function of time.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the price also varies with a QOS requirement of the service.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the price also varies with a load in the network.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising storing a predetermined amount of credits, wherein the price is represented by a second amount of credits, the second amount of credits being applied against the predetermined amount of credits when it is determined to receive the service.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 28 wherein a determination to receive the service is made at least based on whether the second amount of credits is not greater than the predetermined amount of credits.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 28 wherein a determination to receive the service is made at least based on whether the second amount of credits is within a predetermined range of credits.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for use in an apparatus for providing a service through a network, the method comprising: receiving a request for the service; computing, in response to the request, a price to be paid for the service, the price being based on at least availability of one or more resources in the apparatus to provide the service; receiving from the network pricing strategy information for affecting a computation of the price; and determining whether the price is accepted before the service is provided.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for use in an apparatus for providing a service through a network, the method comprising: receiving a request for the service; computing, in response to the request, a price to be paid for the service, the price being based on at least availability of one or more resources in the apparatus to provide the service; receiving from the network pricing strategy information for affecting a computation of the price; and determining whether the price is accepted before the service is provided.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the service is a composite service requiring a sub-service from a server, the method further comprising receiving a second price to be paid for the sub-service, the computed price being a function of the second price.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the availability of one or more resources in the apparatus varies with time.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the price is also based on a workload required of the apparatus to provide the service.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the request specifies one or more QOS requirements of the service, and the price is also based on the QOS requirements.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 35 wherein one of the QOS requirements concerns a delay in providing the service.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for use in a system for providing a service comprising the steps of: computing a price to be paid for the service; receiving the service, the price being applied against a predetermined budget; and controlling the computing step to affect a computation of the price to manage one or more resources in the system.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for use in a system for providing a service comprising the steps of: computing a price to be paid for the service; receiving the service, the price being applied against a predetermined budget; and controlling the computing step to affect a computation of the price to manage one or more resources in the system.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the controlling step includes the step of providing the computing step with a methodology for computing the price.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the system includes a server for delivering the service, the price being based on at least a current condition of the server.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the controlling step includes the step of obtaining information concerning the current condition of the server.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5826244A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-21 | 2003-09-20 | 2004-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-21 | 2007-09-20 | 2008-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-20 | 2012-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |