US6854014B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for accounting management in an IP centric distributed network
Assignee: Apple Inc
•
Filing: 2000-11-07
•
Granted: 2005-02-08
•
Expires: 2020-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for a first user to communicate in an Internet Protocol (IP) centric distributed network is described. The method can include a plurality of service layers including a network service function layer, a local service function layer, and an access service function layer providing a plurality of functions associated with each of the service layers. The method can also include accessing the network to establish a point of presence at an access management layer and a core portion of the network and to designate a default amount of bandwidth and plurality of default setup parameters; invocating service through an application server on the network to establish an amount of network resources requested by the first user; establishing a transport session to create and manage a connection from the first user to a destination address; and accounting for a service session within the IP centric distributed network.
Inventors
- 👤 Rajesh B. Amin
- 👤 Mike Hall
- 👤 John Allahyari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:47
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/14; H04W; H04W80/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 93
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for a first user to communicate in an Internet Protocol (IP) centric distributed network with a plurality of service layers providing a plurality of functions associated with each of the service layers, the method comprising: accessing the network to establish a point of presence at an access management layer and a core portion of the network and to designate a default amount of bandwidth and a plurality of default setup parameters; invocating a service through an application server on the network to establish an amount of network resources requested by the first user; establishing a transport session to create and manage a connection from the first user to a destination address; and accounting for a service session within the IP centric distributed network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for a first user to communicate in an Internet Protocol (IP) centric distributed network with a plurality of service layers providing a plurality of functions associated with each of the service layers, the method comprising: accessing the network to establish a point of presence at an access management layer and a core portion of the network and to designate a default amount of bandwidth and a plurality of default setup parameters; invocating a service through an application server on the network to establish an amount of network resources requested by the first user; establishing a transport session to create and manage a connection from the first user to a destination address; and accounting for a service session within the IP centric distributed network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of service layers includes a network service function layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of service layers includes a local service function layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of service layers includes an access service function layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 further including distribution of client server functions within the local service layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 further including distribution of client server functions within an access network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further including distribution of client server functions within third party Internet application server.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a visiting mobile host user establishes the accounting for a service session by going through a local service layer in the visiting network which establishes contact to a network service layer in a home network of the mobile host user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein an authentication, authorization and accounting server in a network service layer is a server and wherein an authentication, authorization and accounting server in a local service layer is a client.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the local service layer updates interim data and updates an authentication, authorization and accounting server in a network service layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 wherein an usage accounting entry is created within the access network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 wherein an service accounting entry is created within the local service layer in an allied application server.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the accounting actually accumulates on an usage accounting entry according than accounting model indicator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the accounting actually accumulates on an service accounting entry according to an accounting model indicator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further including an usage accounting entry at the access layer which accumulates data regardless of contents of an accounting model indicator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 further including invoking a specific usage accounting entry at an access network and a specific service accounting entry at an allied server application for each service invoked.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 16 further including an accounting model indicator which describes a collection method and policy rules, and wherein the accounting model indicator is transferred to the access network and an allied application server at a local service layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a service accounting entry has a one to one relationship with a Session Detail Record (SDR).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a service accounting entry can have a relationship with more than one usage accounting entry.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a SDR can have a relationship with more than one usage accounting entry.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a SDR can have a relationship with more than one service accounting entry.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein multiple services can be invoked in a single session.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1 wherein service is invoked through an allied application server at a local service layer, and wherein the allied application server seeks authorization from an authorization server based on an accounting policy within an accounting model indicator and wherein the authorization server sends details to the allied application server to create a service accounting entry.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 further including creating an usage accounting entry at an access network wherein an allied application server sends instructions to the access network based on details within an accounting model indicator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 further including creating an service accounting entry at a local service layer wherein the local service layer sends instructions to the access network based on details within an accounting model indicator.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further including layer three messages communicate to an access network and communicates directly to the local service layer to establish an usage accounting entry.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the accounting is duplicated at at least two of the following group: an access network, a local service layer, and a network service layer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the accounting includes collecting multiple SDRs according to an accounting session ID and sending the multiple SDRs to a billing server at a network service layer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 28 further including creating a bill combining all SDRs.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 28 further including transferring the accounting session ID from a local service layer to another local service layer to facilitate combining of multiple SDRs.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 28 further including transferring a context message with the accounting session ID and a profile that includes an accounting model indicator during a handoff from one local service layer to another.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for a first user to communicate in an Internet Protocol (IP) centric distributed network with a plurality of service layers providing a plurality of functions associated with each of the service layers, the system comprising: a means for accessing the network to establish a point of presence at an access management layer and a core portion of the network and to designate a default amount of bandwidth and a plurality of default setup parameters; an application server on the network that invocates a service to establish an amount of network resources requested by the first user; a means for establishing a transport session to create and manage a connection from the first user to a destination address; and a means for accounting for a service session within the IP centric distributed network.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for a first user to communicate in an Internet Protocol (IP) centric distributed network with a plurality of service layers providing a plurality of functions associated with each of the service layers, the system comprising: a means for accessing the network to establish a point of presence at an access management layer and a core portion of the network and to designate a default amount of bandwidth and a plurality of default setup parameters; an application server on the network that invocates a service to establish an amount of network resources requested by the first user; a means for establishing a transport session to create and manage a connection from the first user to a destination address; and a means for accounting for a service session within the IP centric distributed network.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the plurality of service layers includes a network service function layer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the plurality of service layers includes a local service function layer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the plurality of service layers includes an access service function layer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 34 further including client server functions distributed within the local service layer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 32 further including client server functions distributed within an access network.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 32 further including client server functions distributed within a third party Internet application server.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 32 wherein a visiting mobile host user establishes the accounting for a service session by going through a local service layer in the visiting network which establishes contact to a network service layer in a home network of the mobile host user.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 32 wherein an authentication, authorization and accounting server in a network service layer is a server and wherein an authentication, authorization and accounting server in a local service layer is a client.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 34 wherein the local service layer updates interim data and updates an authentication, authorization and accounting server in a network service layer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 35 wherein an usage accounting entry is created within the access network.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 34 wherein an service accounting entry is created within the local service layer in an allied application server.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 41 wherein the accounting actually accumulates on an usage accounting entry according to an accounting model indicator.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 41 wherein the accounting actually accumulates on an service accounting entry according to an accounting model indicator.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 32 further including an usage accounting entry at the access layer which accumulates data regardless of contents of an accounting model indicator.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 32 further including a specific usage accounting entry invoked at an access network and a specific service accounting entry invoked at an allied server application for each service invoked.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 47 further including an accounting model indicator which describes a collection method and policy rules, and wherein the accounting model indicator is transferred to the access network and an allied application server at a local service layer.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 32 wherein a service accounting entry has a one to one relationship with a SDR.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 32 wherein a service accounting entry can have a relationship with more than one usage accounting entry.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 32 wherein a Session Detail Record (SDR) can have a relationship with more than one usage accounting entry.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 32 wherein a SDR can have a relationship with more than one service accounting entry.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 32 wherein multiple services can be invoked in a single session.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 32 wherein service is invoked through an allied application server at a local service layer, and wherein the allied application server seeks authorization from an authorization server based on an accounting policy within an accounting model indicator and wherein the authorization server sends details to the allied application server to create a service accounting entry.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 32 further including an usage accounting entry that is created at an access network wherein an allied application server sends instructions to the access network based on details within an accounting model indicator.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 32 further including an service accounting entry that is created at a local service layer wherein the local service layer sends instructions to the access network based on details within an accounting model indicator.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 32 further including layer three messages communicate to an access network and communicates directly to the local service layer to establish an usage accounting entry.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the accounting is duplicated at at least two of the following group: an access network, a local service layer, and a network service layer.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the accounting includes collecting multiple SDRs according to an accounting session ID and sending the multiple SDRs to a billing server at a network service layer.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 59 further including a bill that combines all SDRs.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the accounting session ID is transferred from a local service layer to another local service layer to facilitate combining of multiple SDRs.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 59 further including a context message that is transferred with the accounting session ID and a profile that includes an accounting model indicator during a handoff from one local service layer to another.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for a first user to communicate in an Internet Protocol (IP) centric distributed network with a plurality of service layers including a network service function layer, a local service function layer, and an access service function layer providing a plurality of functions associated with each of the service layers, the system comprising: accessing the network to establish a point of presence at an access management layer and a core portion of the network and to designate a default amount of bandwidth and a plurality of default setup parameters; invocating a service through an application server on the network to establish an amount of network resources requested by the first user; establishing a transport session to create and manage a connection from the first user to a destination address; and accounting for a service session within the IP centric distributed network.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for a first user to communicate in an Internet Protocol (IP) centric distributed network with a plurality of service layers including a network service function layer, a local service function layer, and an access service function layer providing a plurality of functions associated with each of the service layers, the system comprising: accessing the network to establish a point of presence at an access management layer and a core portion of the network and to designate a default amount of bandwidth and a plurality of default setup parameters; invocating a service through an application server on the network to establish an amount of network resources requested by the first user; establishing a transport session to create and manage a connection from the first user to a destination address; and accounting for a service session within the IP centric distributed network.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 63 further including distribution of client server functions within the local service layer.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 63 further including distribution of client server functions within an access network.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 63 further including distribution of client server functions within a third party Internet application server.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 63 wherein a visiting mobile host user establishes the accounting for a service session by going through a local service layer in the visiting network which establishes contact to a network service layer in a home network of the mobile host user.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 63 wherein an authentication, authorization and accounting server in a network service layer is a server and wherein an authentication, authorization and accounting server in a local service layer is a client.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 63 wherein the local service layer updates interim data and updates an authentication, authorization and accounting server in a network service layer.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 63 wherein an usage accounting entry is created within the access network.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 63 wherein an service accounting entry is created within the local service layer in an allied application server.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 71 wherein the accounting actually accumulates on an usage accounting entry according to an accounting model indicator.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 71 wherein the accounting actually accumulates on an service accounting entry according to an accounting model indicator.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 63 further including an usage accounting entry at the access layer which accumulates data regardless of contents of an accounting model indicator.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 63 further including invoking a specific usage accounting entry at an access network and a specific service accounting entry at an allied server application for each service invoked.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 75 further including an accounting model indicator which describes a collection method and policy rules, and wherein the accounting model indicator is transferred to the access network and an allied application server at a local service layer.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 63 wherein a service accounting entry has a one to one relationship with a Session Detail Record (SDR).
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 63 wherein a service accounting entry can have a relationship with more than one usage accounting entry.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 63 wherein a SDR can have a relationship with more than one usage accounting entry.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 63 wherein a SDR can have a relationship with more than one service accounting entry.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 63 wherein multiple services can be invoked in a single session.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 63 wherein service is invoked through an allied application server at a local service layer, and wherein the allied application server seeks authorization from an authorization server based on an accounting policy within an accounting model indicator and wherein the authorization server sends details to the allied application server to create a service accounting entry.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 63 further including creating an usage accounting entry at an access network wherein an allied application server sends instructions to the access network based on details within an accounting model indicator.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 63 further including creating an service accounting entry at a local service layer wherein the local service layer sends instructions to the access network based on details within an accounting model indicator.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 63 further including layer three messages communicate to an access network and communicates directly to the local service layer to establish an usage accounting entry.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 63 wherein the accounting is duplicated at at least two of the following group: an access network, a local service layer, and a network service layer.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 63 wherein the accounting includes collecting multiple SDRs according to an accounting session ID and sending the multiple SDRs to a billing server at a network service layer.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 87 further including creating a bill combining all SDRs.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 87 further including transferring the accounting session ID from a local service layer to another local service layer to facilitate combining of multiple SDRs.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 87 further including transferring a context message with the accounting session ID and a profile that includes an accounting model indicator during a handoff from one local service layer to another.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-02-08 | 2008-08-09 | 2009-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-02-08 | 2012-08-09 | 2013-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-02-08 | 2016-08-09 | 2017-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |