WO2001086517A2 - Systemes, produits-programmes informatiques, systemes de serveurs de tarification, et procede pour la tarification variable de taxes internet en fonction d'offres internet selectionnees - Google Patents

Systemes, produits-programmes informatiques, systemes de serveurs de tarification, et procede pour la tarification variable de taxes internet en fonction d'offres internet selectionnees Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001086517A2
WO2001086517A2 PCT/EP2001/005071 EP0105071W WO0186517A2 WO 2001086517 A2 WO2001086517 A2 WO 2001086517A2 EP 0105071 W EP0105071 W EP 0105071W WO 0186517 A2 WO0186517 A2 WO 0186517A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tariff
internet
server system
tariffing
offers
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2001/005071
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001086517A3 (fr
Inventor
Jan Philipp Neumann
Micha Ostermann
Matthias Siedler
Original Assignee
Comhouse Ag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE2000121756 external-priority patent/DE10021756C2/de
Application filed by Comhouse Ag filed Critical Comhouse Ag
Priority to AU67406/01A priority Critical patent/AU6740601A/en
Priority to EP01945086A priority patent/EP1328884A2/fr
Publication of WO2001086517A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001086517A2/fr
Publication of WO2001086517A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001086517A3/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/04—Billing or invoicing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to systems, computer program products, tariff server systems and methods for the variable tariffing of Internet charges depending on the selected Internet offers.
  • a fixed access provider which provides access to the Internet and an area network, continuously monitors the traffic between the user and the area network and merges user data and services used in the area network in a database enable billing of these services via the telephone bill.
  • the access provider receives request-specific information from the respective service providers about the services used or about the goods purchased.
  • a monitoring program module is installed on the user's computer, which monitors the requests sent by the user to the Internet using their URL and, in the case of a request to a specific (tariff-relevant) Internet site, determines the duration of the connection to this site and then displays this information sends a billing server that does the billing.
  • a billing server that does the billing.
  • the inventors of the present invention have recognized that these known payment methods, although they are advantageous compared to the prior art, are not yet to be regarded as optimal with regard to the idea of making access to web sites attractive. With regard to some aspects of the invention, it is also not optimal for them to partially involve the providers, e.g. in the form of sending connection information or modifying the Internet offerings, since the ongoing connection re-establishment that is sometimes carried out can be disruptive or there are security concerns due to possible misuse.
  • the invention provides a system for the variable tariffing of Internet charges depending on selected Internet offers, which comprises at least one user host and a tariff server system, the user host being equipped with a tariffing aid program which queries for Internet offers to be sent out by the user host monitored for tariff relevance and in the case of tariff relevance an existing one Disconnects the user host's dial-up connection to an access server to the Internet and establishes a new dial-up connection to the tariff server system if the dial-up connection has not already existed to the tariff server system, after which the request from the tariff server system reaches the provider server concerned, the tariff server system being set up in such a way that it contains tariff-relevant data the request is logged, and the user host and the tariff server system are set up in such a way that a tariff change is possible without separating the existing dial-up connection due to the logging of the tariff-relevant data (claim 1).
  • "Tariff-relevant" offers are generic terms meaning both paid offers as well as offers that can be called up with a partial or full reimbursement of the connection
  • the invention provides, according to a second aspect, a system for the variable tariffing of Internet fees depending on selected Internet offers, which comprises at least one user host and a tariff server system, the user host being equipped with a tariffing aid program which queries for Internet offers to be sent out by the user host monitored for tariff relevance and, in the case of tariff relevance via the Internet, a redirection of the request via the tariff server system is initiated, the tariff server system being set up in such a way that the request arrives from it to the relevant provider server, the tariff server system logging tariff-relevant data of the request (claim 2) , Advantageous refinements are specified in the dependent claims.
  • the two aspects mentioned advantageously form no mutually exclusive alternatives; rather, they are combined in a system which has both at least one user host with deselection / selection according to claim 1 and at least one further user host with Internet redirection of the requests according to claim 2, the (only) tariff server system cooperating with both types of user hosts.
  • a user host can also be integrated into the system, from which all requests for Internet offers, that is, non-tariff-relevant requests via the Tariff server system are managed.
  • the tariff server system unlike the redirection solution according to claim 2 - is exposed to high traffic, but this can be accepted for the advantage of integrating such hosts.
  • the system is set up so that the logged data of the request are merged with the connection data supplied by the dial-up carrier for billing.
  • the latter is, for example, a so-called caller detail record (CDR), which usually contains the telephone number (connection identifier) of the caller (A number), the telephone number of the called party (B number) and the start and end times of the physical connection .
  • CDR caller detail record
  • the combination with the logged data can consist in that the physical connection is divided into several successive logical connections with possibly different tariffs.
  • the merge can advantageously include a synchronization of the physical start and end times with the corresponding times logged by the billing server.
  • a user In order to obtain access to a fee-based Internet offer, a user traditionally has to authenticate himself so that the access costs can be allocated and calculated for him.
  • the user conventionally has to be registered once by specifying extensive personal data, whereby he receives a user name and a password. Later accesses are then usually possible with a somewhat less complex registration, which only requires the entry of this access data. Such a procedure is more likely to prevent surfers from using such Internet offers.
  • the user does not have to provide such login data when making a request for such an access-protected Internet offer; rather, the tariff server system is set up in such a way that it supplements this request with tariff server system-related access data (for example a master name and a master password of the tariff server).
  • the user is authenticated by his connection identifier, so that in this operating mode from the user's point of view any registration procedure for fee-based Internet offers can be omitted.
  • the tariff server is accessed via the Internet according to claim 2 or 4, authentication of the user with the tariff server system is generally required (for example by logging in with a user name and password).
  • a single registration with the tariff server can apply to an entire session in which a large number of different access-protected Internet offers can be queried, which would conventionally require a large number of registration procedures.
  • Claim 7 reveals that the tariffing of the tariffing server system is preferably carried out on the basis of the observation of the inquiries that pass through, that the provider server does not transmit any request-related tariffing data to the tariffing server system, and that the internet offers provided by the provider server preferably do not require any adjustment or modification in order to to be able to be integrated into the classification of the present system.
  • request-related tariff ten are not understood to mean general tariffing data (such as the cost per minute or request), but rather specific tariffing data (such as the cost of a special request) for each individual request.
  • the "tariff-relevant offers” include both chargeable offers as well as offers with partial or complete reimbursement of costs, in particular the connection costs.
  • the latter is an important measure for the wider enforcement of electronic commerce, as this enables the customer (the user) to study the offer of an "electronic" department store free of charge and without time pressure, just as he can do this with a "physical department store”.
  • reimbursement of costs is possible for all types of access mentioned. To avoid misuse, however, a reimbursement of costs should not go beyond the connection costs actually incurred.
  • these are only known with certainty when the tariff server is accessed via a dial-up connection, but not when they are accessed via the Internet, so that reimbursement of costs will probably only be made in practice if the dial-up connection is used.
  • the system is set up so that in the event of a change in the range of tariff-relevant offers recorded by the system, in particular in the case of a new entry, the user host automatically displays this change on its user interface.
  • This measure can have a great marketing effect. be tied, in that all users of the Timeweb system are made aware of a new entry or a tariff change, for example by a "pop-up" that opens automatically on the user interface.
  • the system is set up so that it logically divides a physical dial-up connection into several virtual dial-up connections for billing.
  • the invention (claim 1 1) is directed to a system for the variable tariffing of Internet fees, which comprises at least one user host and a tariff server system. Inquiries from the user host for tariff-relevant Internet offers are processed via the tariff server system. The system is set up so that the classification is carried out depending on events that occur during the useful life of the website.
  • Other features of the aforementioned aspects such as the possibility of a separation-free transition between differently rated websites - are advantageous in the context of the third aspect, but only on an optional basis (claim 14).
  • the third aspect is preferably designed such that the tariff server system monitors the requests from the user host for the occurrence of a tariff-relevant event (claim 12).
  • the tariff server system advantageously recognizes the occurrence of a tariff-relevant event on the basis of at least one trigger object in the traffic between the user host and the tariff server system, the trigger object in particular being a URL - predetermined for the respective website (claim 13).
  • the third aspect allows a user to be "rewarded" for a particular action (event) by granting them a discount, a discount, or even a refund of the fee when performing the action, which is also retroactive to a period prior to the execution of the action Action can extend.
  • Such an act can, for example, an order or a purchase confirmation, a complete completion of interview pages, an entry in a directory of participants or interested parties or a discussion forum, a complete flipping through of a long document or a download of a file by the user, etc.
  • Such actions are generally associated with the fact that the user sends one or more HTTP requests to the provider server which contain a suitable trigger object.
  • the tariff server via which the user's HTTP requests run, recognizes such trigger objects (previously agreed with the provider) and then changes the tariff in a manner agreed with the provider.
  • the "computer program product” is to be understood as a computer program or computer program module which can be stored (e.g. on a magnetic storage medium or in a volatile or non-volatile semiconductor memory) Computers) or by signals sent over a network e.g. the internet being shipped is embodied.
  • the computer program need not be in an immediately executable form; rather, it can also be in a form prepared for installation on the user host, where it can of course be packed, encrypted, broken up into packets for possible transmission over a network and provided with transmission-related headers, etc.
  • an operating mode in which all inquiries are directed to the tariff server system does not require a special program, since this operating mode can be achieved by manually entering the tariff server as a proxy in the browser of the user host. This input can be set up automatically with the help of the classification aid program.
  • the tariffing aid program of the computer program product can automatically recognize in which operating mode it should operate. The detection is based on the network settings of the user host.
  • the monitoring of the internet traffic of the user host carried out with the aid of a browser is carried out by the tariffing aid program registering itself as a proxy in the browser or - in the case of operating systems or browsers that only allow the operating mode with redirection of all inquiries via the tariff server - entered by the user as a proxy.
  • the tariffing program can also scan the TCP / IP traffic of the user host and change the destination addresses of the TCP / IP packets so that they are redirected to the tariffing server system.
  • the tariff assistance program is set up in such a way that it stores a list of tariff-relevant Internet offers and monitors the requests sent by the user host based on this stored list.
  • An "Internet offer” is preferably understood to mean a group of Internet objects of the same tariff from one provider. Such a group can also contain objects from different servers. In order to recognize a request for a tariff-relevant offer, the stored list does not require any identification of the URLs, which indicates that it is a tariff-relevant offer.
  • the Internet offerings or objects are preferably HTTP documents (i.e. web pages, e.g. in a presentation language such as HTML or XML), or video, music or other documents transmitted in a streaming process.
  • HTTP documents belong to one offer, so that they form a group
  • the group is defined by a URL. All documents that can be referenced via a URL that begins with the group URL are considered part of the group.
  • the user can find a tariff-relevant offer by free “surfing” and send a corresponding request - which is recognized by the tariff assistance program.
  • the embodiment according to claim 22 also allows "quick access" by the list of tariff-relevant Internet offers can be displayed on a user interface of the user host and the user can select an entry from this list, whereupon a request for the corresponding Internet offer is sent.
  • the tariffing assistance program automatically updates the list of tariff-relevant Internet offers automatically by corresponding inquiries to the tariffing server. Although this is not necessary for the main functions of the tariffing aid program (namely monitoring of requests and switching or redirection in the case of a tariff-relevant request), the tariffing aid program can also advantageously inform the user about the respective tariffs.
  • the tariff assistance program also advantageously updates such information linked to the Internet offers. As part of this update, a notice is advantageously given on the user interface if there has been a change in the range of offers worth knowing for the user, for example a new entry by a provider (claim 24).
  • Fig. 2 is an illustration of the method in a chargeable
  • FIG. 3 shows a matrix of an exemplary access control for a subsidized Internet offer
  • FIG. 5 is an illustration of FIG. 4, but in the event that the
  • Fig. 1 1 shows the operation of the tariff assistance program in
  • FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of an event-dependent variable tariffing.
  • the embodiment of the invention described below is referred to, inter alia, as "TimeWeb".
  • the "Internet offers” are HTTP documents (web pages), the web pages of a server as a whole being referred to as a "website”.
  • the term “customer” or “surfer” is sometimes used instead of "user”.
  • the pricing utility is also referred to as a "client” or “plug-in”.
  • the Internet is meant today's global Internet with the TCP / IP protocol suite.
  • TimeWeb is a technology that creates new structures within the complex Internet structure to enable variable billing between providers and customers. In particular, it is about a time-dependent distribution of Internet access costs between customers and individual providers.
  • TimeWeb allows:
  • the user wants to switch to a non-tariff-relevant website, he can either maintain the existing dial-up connection to the Timeweb server system, or alternatively, terminate it and establish a new dial-up connection to the original access provider; a redirection and "manipulation" of requests for websites on the part of the user, which gives the user simplified and anonymized access to the websites and avoids technical effort with regard to adapting websites on the provider side.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates the areas of application of the Timeweb system.
  • the user pays his normal access costs, which can be composed, for example, of the time-dependent costs for a local telephone connection and the time-dependent costs of an Internet service provider.
  • Billing models are also widespread, in which these two cost factors are combined in a single time-dependent tariff.
  • the providers traditionally receive no share of the access costs, so the conventional Internet is cost-neutral for them.
  • the user can claim content according to FIG. 1, while remaining anonymous. For this he pays more than the normal access costs, whereby the provider receives a substantial part of the additional payment (a smaller part is received by the Timeweb system for his service).
  • Timeweb system Another application of the Timeweb system according to FIG. 1 is that the user is made attractive when querying web offers by paying less than the normal or even no access costs needs, i.e. the provider assumes part of the access costs or the entire access costs.
  • this is done in operating mode 1 via a variable tariffing of the dial-up connection whereby - as already mentioned - the tariff can change in the course of the continuously existing dial-up connection.
  • Billing takes place via the user's telephone carrier bill.
  • the Timeweb solution the collection effort is reduced to a minimum.
  • the provider receives e.g. a monthly collective invoice or credit.
  • the Timeweb system does not cause any technical effort for the provider, because its complete range remains unchanged. Internet surfers can still use normal Internet access, i.e. use the provider's website without using the Timeweb system.
  • the Timeweb system only needs information from the provider about the websites to be included (URLs) and the respective tariff.
  • the system allows flexible cost sharing between provider and user.
  • the provider can choose from "free of charge for the user" to any time remuneration and / or a one-time dial-up fee.
  • All websites that generate indirect income from visiting Internet users (for example, by displaying advertisements) or have a general interest in "page visits” can advantageously use the cost-reduced or - exempt variant of Timeweb for their marketing.
  • the provider subsidizes the visitors to its website, provided that they visit the website via the Timeweb pricing server system. As soon as the user leaves the provider's offer, the subsidy ends.
  • Reduced or exempt offers can be of particular interest in the following cases: advertising-financed internet offers; Websites to initiate relationships with potential investors; electronic commerce; and intranet systems.
  • intranet systems for example, a company's sales force can have its intranet "activated" via the Timeweb system.
  • a user surfs the Internet with a user host 1 (step S1).
  • a resident rating utility (Windows plug-in) installed on user host 1 monitors all website requests from host 1's web browser and compares them with a list of registered web offers. In the event of a match, the Windows plug-in in operating mode 1 closes the existing dial-up connection, insofar as this leads to a non-Timeweb Internet provider, and establishes a new dial-up connection to the Timeweb tariff server system 2.
  • a proxy monitors each individual call to a website, in a similar way to the Windows plug-in.
  • the Timeweb server allows the selected URL with its proxy function, or it makes changes to the URL.
  • the user host 1 can access access-protected websites with his request, without the user having to know the password for these pages and without his identity being disclosed to the provider.
  • a so-called "watchdog" in the Timeweb server system 2 asynchronously checks whether an access restriction occurs during a visit to a website (this can be the case, for example, if the access duration is limited) or a so-called timeout occurs (this is the case, for example, if a User is inactive on a cost-relevant page for more than a certain period of time (about three minutes). Then the access is interrupted or, in the case of subsidized access, the subsidization is ended.
  • the entire Internet traffic of user 1 via the Timeweb server system 2 is logged. At defined intervals, for example at the end of each month, billing data records are generated from the customer's logged activities. Since the customer can use several different tariff rates via the same dial-up connection, several virtual connections are generated for billing from a physical connection.
  • the corresponding billing data records (CDRs) are transmitted to the telephone carrier in step S2.
  • the telephone carrier sends billing to the Timeweb server system 2 before step S2.
  • the telephone carrier then ensures in step S3 that the fees incurred are collected via the telephone bill which the user pays in step S4.
  • step S5 the telephone carrier forwards the remuneration to the Timeweb system, which in step S6 carries out reimbursement to the providers.
  • the payment of the user in step S4 can become lower or be omitted entirely and the direction of the remuneration in step S6 will reverse.
  • the direction of payment may also reverse in step S5, depending on the extent of the subsidy.
  • the Timeweb system optionally has access control, which is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 3.
  • the access control can introduce one or more of the following restrictions: subsidize a maximum of a predetermined amount of euro per unit of time (eg day or month); allow a maximum of a predetermined number of different users per unit of time; allow a maximum of a predetermined number of users in total; allow a maximum of a predetermined number of accesses per unit of time or in total.
  • a provider wants to allow 10,000 free entries per month as part of a marketing campaign. The campaign must not cost more than 20,000 euros per month. It runs until the total budget of 70,000 euros has been used up.
  • a monthly access counter, a monthly counter and a total counter for the website in question run in the Timeweb server system. As soon as one of the counters exceeds the respective predetermined limit, subsidized access to the website is no longer possible.
  • a wide variety of marketing activities can be defined using such a matrix.
  • Access control can also be user-related. For example, in an electronic bookstore, every user can get twenty free minutes a month to search for books. In the context of customer loyalty systems, for example, users who have generated a minimum monthly turnover in an electronic department store can browse and order free of charge in a special online catalog.
  • the provider assigns a master user name and a master password to the Timeweb server system 2.
  • the Timeweb server system introduces all users into the provider system under this master account, without the individual user having to know the access data.
  • a website can have a uniform tariff, but several websites or web areas with different tariffs are also possible in one website. This is e.g. interesting for promotions in which users are to be drawn to certain areas of a website or for cases in which only individual pages of a website are financed by advertising (e.g. through banner advertising).
  • the Windows plug-in is offered for download on a website of the Timeweb server system 2.
  • the providers also offer it for download on their tariff-relevant websites, but this requires a corresponding (minor) modification of the provider websites.
  • the plugin offers quick access to all registered cost-relevant websites. It monitors all requests for websites and, depending on the requested website, deselects / selects or redirects to the Timeweb server system. It informs the user about changes in tariffs for cost-relevant web offers and about newly added cost-relevant web offers.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates the user interface of the user host 1 in the aforementioned quick access.
  • a "right click" on the Timeweb symbol on a Windows toolbar opens a menu list of the registered, cost-relevant web offers. In the case of a large number of web offers, this can be divided into thematically arranged submenus and, in addition, display new or specially advertised websites in a particularly prominent manner.
  • the user selects a subsidized web offer from the list. An image then appears, informing him of the choice of a free offer and asking whether he actually wants to visit the selected website. In other embodiments (not shown), this request does not apply to cost-subsidized websites; however, it should usually be required for paid websites. If the user answers the question in the affirmative, he is taken to the selected website.
  • a website consists of Internet content (websites) that are offered at a specific tariff become.
  • the tariff is usually an amount of money that is proportional to the duration of the use of a web offer (i.e. the period between the first request for a URL belonging to the offer and the first subsequent request for a URL not belonging to the offer or a time-out).
  • a fixed (time-independent) amount can be used for each use of the offer or an object of the offer.
  • the amount of money can be negative (paid offer) or positive (subsidized offer) for the user.
  • the tariff of the offer can be specified depending on the day of the week and the time of day.
  • every offer can be reached via one or more direct dial-in numbers.
  • ports and therefore applications are activated for the user.
  • the Timeweb system can operate in three different operating modes, which are shown together in FIG. 6.
  • the choice of operating mode depends on whether a Timeweb client is already available for the operating system and the browser of the user host and whether the user host is available via. has the technical components of a dial-up access (e.g. via an analog modem or an ISDN interface) or is connected to the Internet via a dedicated line, a dial-up line with a dedicated line character (fiat rate) or a fixed network connection.
  • the Timeweb client is a program module running on the local user host that monitors Internet traffic at runtime.
  • the client can operate in two of the above operating modes, namely 1 and 2.
  • operating mode 1 the Timeweb client monitors the HTTP traffic for registered tariff-relevant offers and, in the event of such a request, offers tariff switching via a dialog box on the user interface of user host 1.
  • the client disconnects an existing dial-up connection to another access provider and establishes a new dial-up connection via a dial-up access device 4 of the Timeweb server system 2.
  • Operating mode 2 is selected if the user has a line that is not subject to any time or volume-dependent remuneration (for example a "leased line” or a "dial-in fiat rate").
  • the Timeweb client monitors the HTTP traffic for requests for tariff-relevant offers. Unlike in operating mode 1, it does not interfere with the connection of the user host 1 to the Internet 5. In the event of a request for a tariff-relevant offer, the Timeweb client redirects the request to the server 6 of the Timeweb server system 2 by using the IP address of the Timeweb server as the destination IP address. The Timeweb client switches back from this redirection mode in a transparent mode via a control signal or a timeout determined by the Timeweb client.
  • the Timeweb client knows all web offers accessible via the Timeweb system.
  • the client keeps the information about the available web offers and web areas in an internal database on the user host 1.
  • each requested website is considered part of a registered tariff-relevant offer if the URL selected by the user matches the URL defined by the provider in the initial characters. If, for example, a provider specifies the URL "http: // 1 .2.3.4 / member”, a URL chosen by the user "http: // 1 .2.3.4 / member / index. Html" is used as that of Providers given URL matched - and thus viewed as a tariff-relevant website.
  • the client now changes to the Timeweb server system 2 in a manner corresponding to the respective operating mode.
  • HTTP documents of an offer may have references to other Internet objects that are not part of the offer (eg links to include graphics, banner advertising, etc.).
  • references to other Internet objects that are not part of the offer eg links to include graphics, banner advertising, etc.
  • Such non-tariff-relevant URLs are also saved with the Timeweb client and are not included in the above URL monitoring.
  • the classification of the URLs into tariff change-relevant and non-tariff change relevant takes place in the Timeweb server system for each new or changed HTTP document of an offer, manually and / or with the help of a suitable document analysis program.
  • the operating mode 3 consists in the timeweb server 6 being permanently entered as a proxy in the browser of the user host 1. If this is done manually by the user, no Timeweb client is required. However, it is also possible for the Timeweb client to ensure that the Timeweb server 6 is entered as a proxy.
  • the Timeweb server 6 is the heart of the Timeweb system. He checks the URL for every user request and takes over communication about a possible tariff change with the user, depending on the operating mode. The server also changes the URL of user requests, if necessary, and logs all user requests in a central log. This serves as the basis for creating the billing data required for invoicing.
  • a Timeweb client is not required in operating mode 3 and is therefore not entered in the table.
  • manual registration with the Timeweb server is usually necessary, at least for chargeable offers, because - unlike in operating mode 1 - the user cannot be authenticated via the dial-up connection.
  • operating modes 2 and 3 are hardly suitable for free and subsidized offers for business reasons, since it is due to the i.a. unknown access costs could result in abuse. From a technical point of view, it is also possible to offer subsidized offers in operating modes 2 and 3.
  • the user 1 in the operating mode 1 has dial-up access to the Internet with time and / or volume-dependent tariffing.
  • the requests of the user arrive via the dial-up access to the Timeweb server system 2, which also works as a transparent proxy (ie as a proxy that is not entered as such in the browser of the user host 1).
  • An access router 7, which is part of the dialing access device 4, forwards each request to the Tinrieweb server 6, which analyzes the HTTP requests and examines them for tariff relevance.
  • a so-called radius server of the Timeweb server system 2 shows the user host 1 during the establishment of a dial-up connection to an IP address and communicates it to him. User host 1 uses this dynamically assigned IP address as the IP origin address.
  • the Timeweb server 6 forwards the requests from the user host 1 to the Internet 5, as a result of which they reach the provider server with the IP destination address.
  • the provider server sends the requested document back to the IP origin address, that is to say the Timeweb server 2, which forwards it to the user host 1 via the dial-up connection.
  • the Timeweb client works in operating mode 1 in the dialin stage. If the client finds a registered tariff-relevant offer, then, after a positive answer to the query, he disconnects the previous dial-up connection A and sets up a new dial-up connection T via the Timeweb access device 4, if such has not already existed.
  • the Timeweb system can have several different access numbers available for access. It is possible that the user can only access certain offers when accessing a certain number. This is particularly advantageous for the intranet solutions mentioned, in which e.g. a sales representative should have free access to his company's intranet. With a special access number it can be achieved that he only gets access to the intranet via the Timeweb system. If the user host 1 leaves the offer, the client offers to switch the connection back to the original dial-up access or to remain in the Timeweb access. The user can use several Internet offers at different tariffs over a continuously maintained physical connection without having to make a new selection.
  • Operating mode 2 shown in more detail in FIG. 8, supports flat rate dial-up connections, lans and leased lines.
  • the Timeweb client monitors the web offers requested by the user. Here it behaves like a "changeover switch". When the user requests a "normal" website, the Timeweb client behaves transparently. The request therefore comes directly to the provider server 3 in question, and the requested document returns from there directly to the user host 1. However, the Timeweb client finds a request after a registered tariff-relevant offer, then it redirects the traffic to the Timeweb server 6. The request then reaches the Timeweb server 6 via the Internet 5, which causes a Timeweb web server 7 to first send a tariff change query to the user host 1 via the Internet 5.
  • the Timeweb server 6 forwards the request via the Internet 5 to the provider server 3 by acting as a proxy, as already explained above.
  • the provider server 3 sends the requested Internet object to the Timeweb server 6 acting as a proxy, which forwards it to the user host 1.
  • the timeweb server 6 causes the provider server 3 to send the requested internet object directly back to the user host 1 - that is, not via the timeweb server 6.
  • the operating mode 3 shown in more detail in FIG. 9 is a compatible mode which supports Internet access with flat rate, LAN and leased lines and is suitable for exotic browsers and operating systems since it does not require a suitable timeweb client.
  • the connection to the Timeweb server 6 is made by entering the Timeweb server as a proxy on the browser of the user host 1.
  • the Timeweb server 6 examines all URLs and lets the user confirm any tariff changes via the browser.
  • the user must be able to register, since user identification via the .CLl (telephone connection identifier) is not possible here.
  • the Timeweb server 6 behaves as in operating mode 2, with the only difference that here all the traffic of the user host 1 runs via the Timeweb server 6.
  • the Timeweb system allows this behavior until the user selects a registered tariff-relevant web offer (if the traffic in this state runs through the Timeweb system at all). From this point on, the Timeweb system enforces one defined logical user session with a defined start time. Every attempt to access websites from another provider immediately leads to a query to the user as to whether he wants to end the user session. The session is also ended when the user is inactive. The Timeweb server 6 recognizes this by the fact that the user has not received an active request for a certain time.
  • Each user request is logged in the Timeweb server 2 and temporarily stored in a database for processing by a Timeweb billing server.
  • Each log entry contains the following information:
  • Time stamp date and time exact to the second
  • unique identification number of the offer
  • requested Internet resource URL usually a website
  • clear user identification
  • the Timeweb server system 2 receives a CDR for each physical connection from the telephone company 9, via which the user dialed into the Timeweb server system 2.
  • an accounting server 11 of the Timeweb server system 2 creates invoice data on the basis of the log created by the Timweb server 6. It runs through the log chronologically and determines the times of the Entry into an offer and withdrawal from an offer.
  • the virtual CDRs are generated based on the pricing of the respective offer.
  • the billing server 11 uses two data sources for processing the billing data in the operating mode 1, namely on the one hand the connection data provided by the telephone company 9 and on the other hand the log of the Timeweb server 6. These are provided by the telephone company 9 CDR data records include the CLI (Caller Line Identification), the time of the connection start and the time of the connection end.
  • CLI Cosmetic Line Identification
  • the accounting server 1 1 reads the log created by the Timeweb server 6 in chronological order. As explained, he generates one or more virtual CDRs from the CDRs of the telephone company 9 and the Timeweb data.
  • the times of the physical connection start and connection end specified in the original CDR data record form, as it were, an absolute time frame in which the timeweb data are fitted as a relative time window. It is therefore a synchronization procedure which avoids errors due to possible deviations of the time clock of the telephone company 9 from that of the timeweb server 6.
  • An example of this procedure is given in the following table. It should be emphasized here that between tariff 1 and the. of which different tariff 2 the dial-up connection is not deselected:
  • the Timeweb system enables the user to access password-protected web offers without having knowledge of the access data and without the provider knowing which user is accessing the offer.
  • the Timeweb server 6 checks - as explained above - every URL. If a URL is called up that is provided with access protection by the provider, the Timeweb server 6 supplements this query with a master user name and a master password. For example, the request
  • prot protocol (e.g. http)
  • usr master username
  • pwd master password
  • ip IP address or domain name of the provider server.
  • These access data (master user name and master password) are communicated to the Timeweb server 6 by the provider.
  • the provider can offer his website parallel to the operation of a closed user group with individual billing in the Timeweb collection procedure, without having to make changes to the website.
  • the Timeweb client is a C + - (- Windows program which can be downloaded from the Timeweb server 6.
  • - Windows program which can be downloaded from the Timeweb server 6.
  • a main function is the monitoring of the web pages queried by user host 1, as already explained above.
  • the user In operating mode 1, the user generally initially surfs the Internet via a third-party Internet provider via modem or ISDN, ie not via Timeweb access. If the user requests a fee-relevant website, the Timeweb client (unlike in operating mode 2, where it is the Timeweb server) offers a dialog box to switch to the desired offer and thus the desired tariff. In the case of a positive user confirmation, the client - as already explained - disconnects the dial-up connection to the external Internet provider and establishes a new connection to the Timeweb access device 4, unless such a connection already exists.
  • the timeweb server 6 functions as a transparent proxy via the dial-in technique, ie it receives all pages requested by the user without the timeweb client explicitly forwarding them to the timeweb server 6.
  • a switch back takes place after a confirmed query.
  • the user can also continue surfing via Timeweb access. If a timeout is detected, the client brings up a dialog box with a warning message and ends the internet connection in order not to generate unnecessary costs for the user.
  • the client In operating mode 2, the client is entered under address 127.0.0.1 and port 8080 as a local proxy in the browser of user host 2. In this mode, the user is permanently connected to the Internet (eg via a dedicated line).
  • the Timeweb client only monitors HTTP traffic, but does not set up or close a dial-up connection.
  • the client starts in a transparent mode P21.
  • this mode he forwards any URL that he cannot associate with a registered Timeweb offer without redirection to the target server, i.e. to the provider server specified in the URL or a proxy that may be preset.
  • the client If the client recognizes a first URL from the registered Timeweb offer, it immediately changes to a status P22 in which it forwards these and all further HTTP requests - regardless of whether they belong to the same offer or not - to the Timeweb server 6 ,
  • the Timeweb server In operating modes 2 and 3, the user must be logged on to the Timeweb system once.
  • the registration, as well as all inquiries whether a tariff change should take place, are made by the Timeweb server (and not by the client, as in operating mode 1).
  • the Timeweb server communicates with the user who logs on by first sending special login and tariff change pages back to the user instead of the website requested by the user, and requesting the desired website and returning it to the user only after registration and confirmation of the tariff change ,
  • the Timeweb server 6 requires a registration.
  • the user does not yet have any login data, he can register with the Timeweb system via a registration website and receives a user ID and password. After entering the user ID and password, he receives a tariff change page. This describes the service offered, including the cost of the service. If the user confirms this page, he will be redirected to the selected website of the provider, unless there is a portal page for this offer that must first be visited. If the user finally requests a website that is not part of the registered offer, then the Timeweb server 6 asks the user via an interposed website whether the previous offer should be left. If the user confirms this, the Timeweb client switches back to transparent mode P21.
  • a reset URL has the following form, for example:
  • Timeweb client does the Timeweb client determine a timeout because the user e.g. has closed his browser or has not accessed any pages for a long time, then a switch back to status P21 also takes place.
  • the Timeweb client updates the database of all Timeweb offers on the Internet. For this purpose, he calls up an invisible, non-public text file from the Timeweb server system 2.
  • the text file available at the specified URL contains a list of all offers available via Timeweb in the following form, with the time of the last change to the offer.
  • Every Timeweb offer has a unique number. Every change to an offer in the central database on server side 2 is logged and the time of the change in this offer is recorded with a time stamp. The timestamp has the format ⁇ yyyymmddhhmmss>. The Timeweb client compares this with its own list of available offers.
  • the time base is fetched from a service page:
  • This page provides a text file with the current Timeweb server time. All offers that no longer appear in the new list are deleted, all offers that have a more recent time stamp or were not in the previous list are updated or retransmitted.
  • the frequency of the update can be set on the client module.
  • Offer.ini is structured as follows in the format of the Windows profile files.
  • a corresponding procedure is carried out to upgrade the Timeweb client.
  • the Timeweb client fetches a list of all current program components for the operating system of the respective user host 2 via web access from the Timeweb server system 2. New or updated program components are then loaded directly over the Internet and made available after a restart.
  • the path information is relative information to the program directory.
  • the version number is divided into version. Release. Build.
  • a difference in the build version does not require a substantial change and can, but does not have to be used.
  • the Timeweb client makes the suggestion to upgrade to the new version.
  • a difference in the release number must be updated in any case.
  • the Timeweb client points out that otherwise the functionality cannot be guaranteed. If there is a difference in the version number, it must be updated in any case.
  • FIGS. 1 to 11 uses a simplified flow diagram to illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the method of event-dependent variable tariffing.
  • this method is implemented as an addition to the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 11, so that reference is made to the above statements.
  • the figure and the following description are therefore limited to an illustration of the additional method steps.
  • the tariff server continuously monitors the user's HTTP requests for the occurrence of a trigger object that represents a tariff-relevant event, e.g. a specific URI or URL.
  • a trigger object that represents a tariff-relevant event, e.g. a specific URI or URL.
  • a trigger object is usually expected in the header of an HTTP request.
  • trigger objects can also be contained in the body of a request, for example in the form of a specific string in the body of an HTTP post request, provided that the data in this body are not sent in encrypted form.
  • the trigger object is the URL "www.shop.de/einkaufsbestaet Trent.html" in an HTTP request.
  • the tariff server finds this trigger object in step T2, it causes in step T3 that the tariff e.g. is reduced for the entire virtual CDR belonging to this website visit. If, on the other hand, no trigger object occurs, the tariff server continues to carry out the website-dependent variable tariff (described above and therefore not shown here).

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  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
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  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système pour la tarification variable de taxes Internet en fonction d'offres Internet sélectionnées. Ce système comprend au moins un hôte utilisateur (1) et un système de serveur de tarification (2). L'hôte utilisateur (1) est équipé d'un programme d'aide à la tarification qui contrôle la pertinence des tarifs concernant les demandes d'offres Internet émises par l'hôte utilisateur. Si ces tarifs sont pertinents, ce programme coupe une connexion commutée (A), déjà existante, entre l'hôte utilisateur (1) et un serveur d'accès à Internet, et établit une nouvelle connexion commutée (T) à un système de serveur de tarification (2), lorsque la connexion à ce dernier n'a pas encore été établie. Ensuite, la demande du système de serveur de tarification (2) parvient au serveur de l'auteur de l'offre, mettant à disposition l'offre Internet sélectionnée. Le système de serveur de tarification est conçu de sorte qu'une modification de tarif soit possible sans coupure de la connexion existante (T) en raison de l'établissement d'un protocole des données pertinentes pour la tarification. L'invention concerne également un produit-programme informatique correspondant, un système de serveur de tarification et un procédé de tarification variable.
PCT/EP2001/005071 2000-05-04 2001-05-04 Systemes, produits-programmes informatiques, systemes de serveurs de tarification, et procede pour la tarification variable de taxes internet en fonction d'offres internet selectionnees WO2001086517A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU67406/01A AU6740601A (en) 2000-05-04 2001-05-04 Systems, computer program products, billing server systems and method for variable billing of internet charges depending on chosen internet offers
EP01945086A EP1328884A2 (fr) 2000-05-04 2001-05-04 Systemes, produits-programmes informatiques, systemes de serveurs de tarification, et procede pour la tarification variable de taxes internet en fonction d'offres internet selectionnees

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE2000121756 DE10021756C2 (de) 2000-05-04 2000-05-04 Systeme, Computerprogramm-Produkte, Tarifierungsserversysteme und Verfahren zur variablen Tarifierung von Internetgebühren in Abhängigkeit von gewählten Internetangeboten
DE10021756.7 2000-05-04
DE10057593 2000-11-21
DE10057593.5 2000-11-21

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Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001086517A2 true WO2001086517A2 (fr) 2001-11-15
WO2001086517A3 WO2001086517A3 (fr) 2003-05-22

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EP (1) EP1328884A2 (fr)
AU (1) AU6740601A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001086517A2 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5909671A (en) * 1996-08-03 1999-06-01 International Business Machines Corporation System and method for controlling data access in a computer network
WO1999057663A1 (fr) * 1998-04-22 1999-11-11 Echarge Corporation Procede et systeme pour commander des marchandises, des services ou des contenus par internet
WO1999062036A1 (fr) * 1998-05-26 1999-12-02 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Procede et appareil de taxation dans un reseau de telecommunications

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5909671A (en) * 1996-08-03 1999-06-01 International Business Machines Corporation System and method for controlling data access in a computer network
WO1999057663A1 (fr) * 1998-04-22 1999-11-11 Echarge Corporation Procede et systeme pour commander des marchandises, des services ou des contenus par internet
WO1999062036A1 (fr) * 1998-05-26 1999-12-02 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Procede et appareil de taxation dans un reseau de telecommunications

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WO2001086517A3 (fr) 2003-05-22
EP1328884A2 (fr) 2003-07-23
AU6740601A (en) 2001-11-20

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