WO2012012560A2 - Système d'activité d'application - Google Patents

Système d'activité d'application Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012012560A2
WO2012012560A2 PCT/US2011/044718 US2011044718W WO2012012560A2 WO 2012012560 A2 WO2012012560 A2 WO 2012012560A2 US 2011044718 W US2011044718 W US 2011044718W WO 2012012560 A2 WO2012012560 A2 WO 2012012560A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bandwidth
software application
access software
provider
bandwidth access
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2011/044718
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2012012560A3 (fr
Inventor
Thomas Irving Sachson
Original Assignee
Box Top Solutions, Inc.
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
Application filed by Box Top Solutions, Inc. filed Critical Box Top Solutions, Inc.
Priority to EP11810361.3A priority Critical patent/EP2596434A4/fr
Priority to CN201180044935.4A priority patent/CN103109514B/zh
Publication of WO2012012560A2 publication Critical patent/WO2012012560A2/fr
Publication of WO2012012560A3 publication Critical patent/WO2012012560A3/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/34—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications involving the movement of software or configuration parameters 
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/02—Details
    • H04L12/14—Charging, metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
    • H04L12/1403—Architecture for metering, charging or billing
    • H04L12/1407—Policy-and-charging control [PCC] architecture
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/02—Details
    • H04L12/14—Charging, metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
    • H04L12/1442—Charging, metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications at network operator level
    • H04L12/145—Charging, metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications at network operator level trading network capacity or selecting route based on tariff
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/02—Details
    • H04L12/14—Charging, metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
    • H04L12/1453—Methods or systems for payment or settlement of the charges for data transmission involving significant interaction with the data transmission network
    • H04L12/1471—Methods or systems for payment or settlement of the charges for data transmission involving significant interaction with the data transmission network splitting of costs
    • H04L12/1475—Methods or systems for payment or settlement of the charges for data transmission involving significant interaction with the data transmission network splitting of costs the splitting involving a third party
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/2866—Architectures; Arrangements
    • H04L67/30—Profiles
    • H04L67/306—User profiles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/535—Tracking the activity of the user
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/80—Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/80—Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
    • H04M15/8022—Determining tariff or charge band
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/80—Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
    • H04M15/8083—Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/81—Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/01—Details of billing arrangements
    • H04M2215/0192—Sponsored, subsidised calls via advertising, e.g. calling cards with ads or connecting to special ads, free calling time by purchasing goods

Definitions

  • U.S. Patent 6,181 ,690 to Civanlar for Toll-Free Internet Service describes a method for providing a toll-free connection between an end user and a site provider;
  • U.S. Publication US 2005/0044243 A1 to Narayanan et al. for System for Toil-Free or Reduced Internet Access describes a toll-free-or reduced toll Internet access system;
  • a data connection method and apparatus for establishing a data connection between a bandwidth user on a network connected user device and a data source on a network connected target device over a communication network where the user's bandwidth consumption activities incur a bandwidth usage charge from the network operator providing the bandwidth connection is disclosed, which may comprise providing, via a communication network, a bandwidth access software application with a bandwidth access software application identification code associated with both the bandwidth access software application and the provider of such bandwidth access software application;
  • bandwidth access software application for installation on the user device, whereby the bandwidth access software application recognizes and records the user device identification code associated with the user device; allowing, via the bandwidth access software application, user access to at least one specified online data address to access target content hosted on at least one target content source determined by the provider of the bandwidth access software application; monitoring and recording, via the bandwidth access software application, the online access activity by the user's bandwidth access software application as it engages with the at least one specified online data address; providing to an application activity system registry server, via the communication network, the recorded end user device identification code, the bandwidth access software application identification code associated with the bandwidth access software application, and the recorded online access activity by the user of the bandwidth access software application as the bandwidth access software application engages with the at least one specified online data address.
  • the user may be allowed to access the at least one specified online data address at upload and download speeds determined by the provider of the bandwidth access software application.
  • the user may be allowed to access the at least one specified online data address at times determined by the provider of the bandwidth access software application.
  • the user may be allowed to access the at least one specified online data address in accordance with data quantities as determined by the provider of the bandwidth access software application.
  • the method and apparatus may comprise charging, via an application activity system settlement engine that receives charge calculations from the application activity system registry, an account of the provider of the bandwidth access software application, an amount that the provider of such bandwidth access software application has agreed to pay the bandwidth provider for the online access provided to the user and crediting, via the application activity system settlement engine, an account of the bandwidth provider with the amount.
  • the method and apparatus may comprise monitoring and recording, via the bandwidth access software application, including locally storing a record of the online access activity by the user; and providing, via the communication network, the recorded online access activities of the user to be periodically communicated to the application activity system registry, via the communication network.
  • the bandwidth access software application may be created by the provider of the bandwidth access software application utilizing a software development toolkit provided to the provider of the bandwidth access software application by one of the bandwidth provider and an agent of the bandwidth provider.
  • the application activity system registry authenticates recorded online access activity data provided by the bandwidth access software application with the online access activity data supplied by an administrator of the target content source interacted with by the user of the bandwidth access software application.
  • the user may be allowed access via the bandwidth access software application to at least one specified online data address to access target content hosted on at least one target content source at no charge to the user to preview the target content source and thereafter the user is allowed access to upload and download data via the bandwidth access software application at a specified bandwidth charge rate.
  • the bandwidth access software application may be uploaded by the provider of such bandwidth access software application to a bandwidth access software application marketplace where end users can search for and download the bandwidth access software application.
  • a data connection method and apparatus may comprise establishing a data connection between a bandwidth access software application on a network connected user device and a data source on a network connected target device over a communication network relating to the provision of data connection services to the user utilizing a bandwidth access software application to allow the user access to at least one target content source via a communication network, and may comprise providing, via the communication network, a bandwidth brokerage engine, including a bandwidth brokerage engine web site store front, providing, via the web site, an online sale of a data connectivity package to at least one provider of a bandwidth access software application; accepting, via the web site, the purchase by a provider of a bandwidth access software application of the at least one data connectivity package for inclusion by the provider of the bandwidth access software application into a bandwidth access software application to be used by a user to access at least one target content source as specified by the provider of the bandwidth access software application on a data connection basis.
  • the method and apparatus may also comprise delivering, via a communication network, to each provider of the bandwidth access software application, purchasing a data
  • the software development kit may include a bandwidth access software application identification code associated with both the bandwidth access software application and the provider of the bandwidth access software application, via a
  • the method and apparatus may also comprise forwarding, via the bandwidth brokerage engine, to an application activity system registry, commercial terms and identification codes relating to a commitment by the provider of the bandwidth access software application to pay data connection charges incurred by the user; preparing, via the application activity system registry, data connection charges for an application activity system settlement engine to settle credits and debits among the bandwidth provider and the provider of the bandwidth access software application.
  • the method and apparatus may also comprise calculating, via the application activity system registry, data connection charges to be paid by the provider of the bandwidth access software application resulting from the user utilizing the bandwidth access software application to engage with a specified target content source, and the registry forwarding data connection charges to an application activity system settlement engine for settlement between the provider of the bandwidth access software application.
  • Consideration negotiated through the bandwidth brokerage engine owed by the provider of the bandwidth access software application to the bandwidth provider for bandwidth access provided to the user may comprise contingent cash consideration represented by the sharing of advertising revenues earned by the provider of the bandwidth access software application for any on-line advertisement impressions during use by the user of the bandwidth provider network.
  • the consideration may comprise contingent cash consideration represented by the sharing of merchant revenues earned by the provider of the bandwidth access software application from the user purchasing one of a good and a service during use by the user of the bandwidth provider network.
  • the consideration may comprise in-kind consideration represented by the provision of one of online content, a good, and a service to the user by the application/content provider as an incentive for the user to utilize the user credit application on the network of the broadband network access provider.
  • the consideration may comprises in-kind consideration represented by the provision of one of off-line content, a good, and a service provided to the end user by the provider of such bandwidth access software application as an incentive for the user to utilize the bandwidth access software application on the bandwidth provider's network.
  • the method and apparatus may comprise a tangible machine readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method, which may comprise creating a data connection for establishing a data connection between a bandwidth access software application on a network connected end user device and a data source on a network connected target device over a communication network where the bandwidth consumption activities by the end user would normally incur a bandwidth usage charge from the network operator providing the bandwidth connection, which may comprise providing a bandwidth access software application with a bandwidth access software application identification code associated with both the bandwidth access software application and the provider of the bandwidth access software application; providing the user with the bandwidth access software application for installation on the user device, whereby the bandwidth access software application recognizes and records the user device identification code associated with the user device; allowing the user access to at least one specified online data address to access target content hosted on at least one target content source determined by the provider of the bandwidth access software application; monitoring and recording the online access activity by the user consuming bandwidth as it engages with the at least one specified online data address; providing the recorded user
  • the system and method may be implemented on a computing device utilizing instructions from a tangible machine readable medium.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a high level schematic and block diagram representation of a system and method for promoting end user bandwidth access software application activity according to aspects of embodiments of the disclosed subject matter
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic and block diagram representation of a system and method for promoting end user bandwidth access software application activity according to aspects of embodiments of the disclosed subject matter
  • FIGS. 3A-B illustrate a schematic and block diagram representation of a system and method for promoting user bandwidth access software application activity according to aspects of embodiments of the disclosed subject matter
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic and block diagram representation of a process flow for a bandwidth access software application provider providing free and/or discounted bandwidth access along with "pay as you go” access according to aspects of embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an arrangement of computing equipment useful with aspects of the disclosed subject matter
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an arrangement of software and like modules and functions according to aspects of the disclosed subject matter.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a system according to aspects of the disclosed subject matter.
  • bandwidth providers both fixed line and mobile
  • bandwidth access software application providers interested third party payors of bandwidth charges
  • bandwidth access software application end users consumer of online access, content, and services via a bandwidth access software application
  • the present patent application relates to a mechanism through which certain bandwidth consumption activity objectives are met (e.g., bandwidth provision by a bandwidth provider to a user, payment to the bandwidth provider for such consumption of bandwidth by the user by an interested third party payor, and the use of a bandwidth access software application by the user, e.g., at the behest of the interested third party payor / bandwidth access software application provider).
  • bandwidth provision by a bandwidth provider to a user e.g., payment to the bandwidth provider for such consumption of bandwidth by the user by an interested third party payor, and the use of a bandwidth access software application by the user, e.g., at the behest of the interested third party payor / bandwidth access software application provider.
  • the application activity system which may comprise a method and apparatus for facilitating online value chain participants such as (i) bandwidth providers, such as a carrier like AT&T®, as it relates to the provision of fixed line and mobile bandwidth which the system can render "free” or at a reduced charge for end users (ii) bandwidth access software application providers, such as an online vender like Amazon®, selling online content and services, and (iii) bandwidth access software application users such as online
  • bandwidth providers such as a carrier like AT&T®
  • bandwidth access software application providers such as an online vender like Amazon®, selling online content and services
  • bandwidth access software application users such as online
  • an application activity system and method which may be implemented as a software platform, can enable each of these three value chain
  • each value chain participant and has at least the following value inputs to broker (exchange for consideration) through the bandwidth brokerage engine of the present application:
  • bandwidth provider value input i.e., bandwidth access and bandwidth (e.g., DSL, fiber optic, coax, 3G, LTE, WiMax, Wi-Fi, Satellite, etc.) to access online content and service providers (e.g., software applications, software bandwidth access software applications, web pages, audio, video, social networks, communication platforms);
  • bandwidth access software application provider value input i.e., cash
  • non-cash resources such as online content, such as software applications, software bandwidth access software applications, web pages, audio, video, social networks, communication platforms, and other elements that can be downloaded or otherwise be interacted with and used in one form or another by users over bandwidth networks, including interacting with other users or bandwidth access software application providers or other elements over a bandwidth network, as well as other online goods and services and offline goods and services;
  • bandwidth access software application value input i.e., the ability to pay either one or more of the bandwidth provider and interested third party payor/bandwidth access software application provider for the provision of bandwidth as well as content, goods, and services related to access utilizing the bandwidth by providing consideration in the form of cash or in-kind services (engaging in online behavior such as participating in online advertising, surveys, online commerce, or the like).
  • the application activity system can provide a transparent, efficient, and effective system by which, e.g., each value chain participant and can identify an opportunity for a trade in, e.g., the participant's value input, e.g., as brokered through the system and execute on such opportunity through a negotiated cash or the like or in-kind exchange, or the like, as will be explained in further detail below according to aspects of the disclosed subject matter.
  • the disclosed subject matter brokered trading of respective value inputs can involve, for example, three participating parties trading something of value in the form of a "multi-party-trade," such as a "three way trade," where consideration can be delivered, e.g., by a first party to a second party, and may further include the second party in turn delivering something of value to a third party, who in turn may also deliver something of value to the first party (thus, for example, completing the circle as illustrated In FIG. 1 by way of example, where each party gets something of value in exchange for their
  • the circle can be more than three, but for purposes of simplicity, examples disclosed herein have been limited to only three party trading groups.
  • an Internet user 22 may access content that, to some degree or other, may be pre-determined by a bandwidth access software application provider 30, e.g., www. amazon,com or
  • bandwidth access software application 24 created by Yahoo!® could be configured to facilitate access to content created by, for example, Wikipedia®.
  • the access 28 may be over an independent service provider ("ISP") such as the AT&T® wireline or wireless bandwidth network.
  • ISP independent service provider
  • 10 MB of data 28 may be consumed by the user 22 utilizing a bandwidth access software application 24 as the user engages, for example, with www.amazon.com.
  • bandwidth access software application provider 30 in this example case, Amazon®
  • bandwidth provider 26 in this example case AT&T®
  • Data throughput could, for example, be 10 MG of data.
  • a value input exchange can occur, i.e., the Internet user 22 accesses online content 24 of
  • bandwidth access software application provider 30 in this example case Amazon® itself
  • the bandwidth provider 26 is paid in part or in full for bandwidth provided to user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 (Amazon®), which thereby promotes associated content and commercial services associated with the bandwidth access software application 24 at the expense of paying the bandwidth provider 30 for some or all of the bandwidth access connection.
  • the bandwidth access software application provider 30 may pay the bandwidth provider 26 a percentage (e.g., commission) on sales or advertising revenues garnered by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 that was earned in the process of engaging with the end user 22 facilitated through the end user's 22 use of the bandwidth access software application 24.
  • the bandwidth access software application provider 30 may pay the bandwidth provider 26 a 2% commission, e.g., on the fee charged by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 for content provided to the end user 22, e.g., a web-page by a bandwidth access software application provider 30 such as AOL® or Amazon®, a movie by a bandwidth access software application provider 30 such as, Netflix®, an electronic card game, e.g., from a provider 30 such as the MGM Grand Casino®, and the like.
  • the 2% commission may cover the entire cost of the bandwidth usage 28 by the end user 22 or represent some discounted or premium charge for such use.
  • bandwidth access software application 24 accesses the online content for free or at the discount represented by the commission received by the bandwidth provider 26 from the bandwidth access software application provider 30 which, therefore, partially or entirely subsidizes the cost of the bandwidth connection 28 normally paid for by the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24.
  • the bandwidth provider 26 is therefore compensated for the cost of providing bandwidth access 28 to the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24.
  • the bandwidth access software application provider 30 promotes its commercial services or those of its affiliates or partners (e.g., Amazon®, Netflix®, Yahoo!®, MGM Grand®, etc.) to a user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 that otherwise could not afford the bandwidth connection 28 (thereby making the end user 22 inaccessible to a bandwidth access software application provider 30 or their partners or affiliates) in exchange for sharing revenue with the bandwidth provider 26 and/or paying the bandwidth provider 26 for some or all of the bandwidth access.
  • the bandwidth access software application provider 30 promotes its commercial services or those of its affiliates or partners (e.g., Amazon®, Netflix®, Yahoo!®, MGM Grand®, etc.) to a user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 that otherwise could not afford the bandwidth connection 28 (thereby making the end user 22 inaccessible to a bandwidth access software application provider 30 or their partners or affiliates) in exchange for sharing revenue with the bandwidth provider 26 and/or paying the bandwidth provider 26 for some or all of the bandwidth access.
  • the system 20 for generating such a bandwidth access software application affiliate commission could be implemented in an environment where the bandwidth provider 26 did not subsidize the cost of the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application's bandwidth service 24, but instead provided a higher quality of bandwidth service (e.g., faster download speeds, more reliable connections, etc.), i.e., in some fashion upgrading the service ordinarily provided with the cost of the upgrade being paid on behalf of the user 22, e.g., by the bandwidth access software application provider 30.
  • a higher quality of bandwidth service e.g., faster download speeds, more reliable connections, etc.
  • the bandwidth access software application provider may configure the bandwidth access software application 24 to not provide any bandwidth support to the user for initially visiting a first internet site associated with the bandwidth access software application 24, but instead will reward the user 22 with payment for consumption of bandwidth to access at another internet site (also accessible through this or another bandwidth access software application 24) when the user 22 engages in certain activities relating to the first internet site visited using the bandwidth access software application 24, e.g., where the user uses the bandwidth access software application 24 to visit
  • bandwidth access software application provider 30 allows that particular end user's 22 bandwidth access software application 24 to watch online music videos on at
  • www.youtube.com and consume, for example, 100 mb of bandwidth in the process, for which the end user 22 will not have to pay the bandwidth provider 26, or pay a reduced fee.
  • the bandwidth access software application provider 30 can similarly program the bandwidth access software application 24 to provide partially supported bandwidth access to, e.g., www.youtube.com. Moreover, the bandwidth access software application provider 30 can similarly program the bandwidth access software application 24 to provide full or partial payment for end user 22 charges not associated with bandwidth per se, but with other goods and services, whether such goods or services are to be attained online or offline, e.g., following the purchase of, for example, the first $10 worth of music from www.amazon.com, rewarding the end user 22 with a free or
  • the bandwidth access software application provider 30 need not have traditional online access, such as a web site, online business, etc.
  • the bandwidth access software application 24 can be created by a small business owner with no website or online presence (e.g., a local automobile service station), with a desire to make a bandwidth access software application 24 that can be downloaded to a user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 and utilized in a manner that promotes commerce with the business.
  • the bandwidth access software application 24 that is provided by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 can operate independently of any website and the bandwidth provider 26 can be paid, e.g., a bandwidth access software application affiliate commission based upon the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application's 22 use of the bandwidth access software application 24 (e.g., by a user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 scheduling a car tune-up using the bandwidth access software application 24 as a facilitating tool).
  • a bandwidth access software application affiliate commission based upon the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application's 22 use of the bandwidth access software application 24 (e.g., by a user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 scheduling a car tune-up using the bandwidth access software application 24 as a facilitating tool).
  • the Internet user 22 schedules an appointment with the bandwidth access software application provider 30 service station using a bandwidth access software application 24 created by service station (in this case the bandwidth access software application provider 30), e.g., through a bandwidth provider 26 such as AT&T® bandwidth network 28.
  • the service station bandwidth access software application 24 can record such scheduling activity and instruct the bandwidth access software application provider 30 service station to pay bandwidth provider 26 a bandwidth access software application affiliate commission, such as $1.00, for enabling the connection between the end user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 and the bandwidth access software application provider 30, e.g., where 10 MB of data was sent to and from service station bandwidth access software application provider 30 and the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24.
  • the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 accesses the bandwidth access software application provider 30 service station online content utilizing free or partially paid for bandwidth 28 as the $1.00 commission received by the bandwidth provider 26 partially or entirely subsidizes the cost of the bandwidth connection 28 normally paid for by the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24.
  • the bandwidth provider 26 is compensated for the cost of providing bandwidth access 28 to the end user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24.
  • the bandwidth access software application provider 30 service station promotes its commercial services (automobile repair) to an user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 that otherwise could not afford the bandwidth connection (thereby making the potential customer for service inaccessible to the service station bandwidth access software application provider 30) in exchange for compensating the bandwidth provider 26, e.g., with the $1.00 bandwidth access software application affiliate commission.
  • bandwidth bartering and cross-subsidy relationships including relationships dealing with non-bandwidth related content, goods, and services
  • a bandwidth provider's 26 network can include a physical communication network (towers, transmitters, servers, gateways, cables, servers, etc.) that supports the flow of data from one part of the Internet to the user's 22 device, e.
  • a permission server e.g., an additional computer element (database, registry, server, etc.) may be required, as has historically been the case, in the bandwidth provider's 26 network to monitor, audit, restrict access flows, and bill for "reverse billing” or "toll-free” data activities and the like as reflected in the prior art.
  • the application activity system 20 does not utilize such an "in-network" (in the bandwidth provider 26 network) permission server or the like, which has historically been associated with onerous risks, costs, and maintenance complexities for the bandwidth provider 26. Instead, this complexity, according to aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter can be captured and managed outside of the bandwidth provider's 26 network by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 and other parties (e.g., other affiliated entities).
  • previous online interactivity and commerce subsidy bundling required two or more "enabling parties" (e.g., content provider and access provider) to support the activities of an Internet user (e.g., an individual consumer using a piece of software such as a web browser) by having these multiple enabling parties build a customized back-end software system that could interface directly between their own data infrastructures as well as the Internet user's software (usually a web browser).
  • the access provider e.g., a mobile or landline bandwidth provider
  • these integration, maintenance, and security costs have proven to be prohibitively large and as a result innovative bundling and subsidy relationships have not flourished.
  • bandwidth access software applications 24 e.g., Android bandwidth access software applications
  • these bandwidth access software applications 24 outside of the carrier's 26 network (at the "edge" of the carrier's 26 network) can be used by the user.
  • the resulting data flow 52 can be routed to a centralized application activity system registry 60, shown in FIG. 2, in or accessible through a network or cloud 62, such as the Internet, and not a part of the carrier's internal network, as noted above, which registry can record, audit, calculate, and report to an application activity system settlement engine 98 (shown in FIG. 3A).
  • Resulting settlement instructions 70 which can then in turn be passed on to the enabling parties such as broadband access provider settlement system 86, application provider settlement system 80, other vendors 82 (which are both online and offline), and application user billing systems 84, at periodic intervals.
  • enabling parties such as broadband access provider settlement system 86, application provider settlement system 80, other vendors 82 (which are both online and offline), and application user billing systems 84, at periodic intervals.
  • this "outside of the carrier's 26 network" clearinghouse as enabled by the application activity system 20 can enable greater numbers of enabling parties (e.g., small businesses, local authorities, and other bandwidth access software application providers 30, etc.) to collaborate on creating and distributing customized, low-cost, bandwidth access software applications that provide compelling user goods and services.
  • bandwidth provider 26 Furthermore, having this intelligence (metering, billing, etc.) being built into a cheap and flexible bandwidth access software application 24 outside of the bandwidth provider's network (remotely at the edge of the carrier network, e.g., in the user's 22 home on a user 22 device such as a mobile phone, laptop, PC, game console, set-top box, tablet, embedded system, modem) enables the bandwidth provider 26 to negotiate and implement countless tiered billing and cross subsidy platforms via the intelligence within the
  • bandwidth access software applications 24 themselves instead of having to build this intelligence directly into the bandwidth provider's 26 network 28 via extra equipment, such as numerous permission servers (firewalls, access level gateways, and analogous mechanisms that are costly, insecure, difficult to maintain, and may put the core efficacy of the carrier's 26 network to speed data through the network at considerable risk).
  • remotely based third party bandwidth access software applications 24, like the bandwidth access software application 24, can each independently generate a data flow relating to the activity of an user of the bandwidth access software application 24, e.g., time of use, operating system used, device used, content accessed, bandwidth used, etc. The data flow can be fed into requisite processing elements, e.g., via wireless, wired, or
  • third party bandwidth access software application 24 data flow can be received by and
  • the application activity system 20 contemplates numerous functional elements required in the course of providing bandwidth to the markets and is designed to do so in a manner that empowers all bandwidth access software application market participants, i.e., bandwidth access software application providers 30, other parties, and end users 22 of the bandwidth access software applications 24 to fully utilize and benefit from the system 20, e.g., to effect settlements for such as cash and/or in-kind exchanges, e.g., with a bandwidth access software application provider settlement system 80, e.g., based on instructions 70 provided by the application activity system registry 60 and application activity system settlement engine 210 in FIG. 6, operating in conjunction with one another.
  • Application activity system registry 60 data can also be analyzed, repackaged and sold to these and other parties.
  • the system 20 as illustrated may include an application activity system registry 60 and an application activity system settlement engine, 210 in FIG 6, that in unison may perform a number of functions, such as core functions, which may include linking data sources, e.g., to provide a user of the bandwidth access software application 24 an accounting system including, e.g., an application activity system settlement engine 210 using, such as, bank and credit card account data from the user of the bandwidth access software application 24 (the end user settlement systems ).
  • the application activity system registry 60 may utilize instructions for controlling bandwidth provider settlement systems 86, bandwidth access software application provider settlement systems 80 and other party settlement systems 82.
  • the registry 60 may link various key data sources, e.g., bandwidth access software application provider 30 contract data provided by the bandwidth brokerage engine, bandwidth usage data from the bandwidth access software application 24, the application activity system settlement engine 210 which in turn links to the settlement systems of the users 22 (including their credit card and bank accounts), bandwidth access software application providers 30, bandwidth providers 26, and other vendors.
  • key data sources e.g., bandwidth access software application provider 30 contract data provided by the bandwidth brokerage engine, bandwidth usage data from the bandwidth access software application 24, the application activity system settlement engine 210 which in turn links to the settlement systems of the users 22 (including their credit card and bank accounts), bandwidth access software application providers 30, bandwidth providers 26, and other vendors.
  • the registry 60 is capable of recording various key bandwidth access software application activities, such as time of use, bandwidth used, e.g., both to send and receive, content accessed, and the user device identification.
  • Bank functions include, linking key data sources (such as application user checking account data, application user credit card account information, application (or one or more applications, bandwidth access provider settlement system, application provider settlement system), recording application activities (such as time of use, bandwidth used (e.g., sent and received), content accessed, and resident device identification), calculating cash and in-kind credits and debits (such as credits and debits for earned applications, credits and debits for earned content (e.g., audio and/or video), and credits or debits for earned bandwidth (e.g., walled garden and/or unrestricted) effect aggregations (e.g., allowing netting of uniform elements amongst different system users (application users, applicator providers, bandwidth access providers, banks, etc.), effects of non-cash bartering (e.g., allow trading of
  • the application user checking account 92 communicates with a billing system 90 which communicates with an app user credit card account 94, a bandwidth access provider settlement system 96, and an application provider settlement system 98.
  • An Application store settlement system 100 and an "other" provider settlement system 102 can be provided, e.g., for content, OGS and the like provider settlements.
  • the system 20 may, e.g., track the inbound and outbound data usage of a bandwidth access software application 24 whether it resides on an user device is the form of a modem system 40, a set-top box system 41 , a personal computer system 44 , an mobile phone 46, a tablet, a game console, an
  • Each of the user devices 40, 41 , 44, 46, and 48 has one or more bandwidth application software applications 24 associated with it.
  • Each application 24 is configured to communicate 42 with the registry 60. Additionally, bandwidth in and out can be processed through a firewall 45 to the Internet.
  • the registry 60 can calculate cash and in-kind consideration, credits and debits, e.g., for earned applications, for earned bandwidth access software applications, for earned content, such as, audio and/or video, and for earned bandwidth, including, e.g., earned bandwidth that is restricted, i.e., so called because it is to be consumed only in the course of engaging with Internet resources as pre-determined by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 and/or unrestricted and capable of being consumed in the course of engaging with any Internet source of the user's 22 choosing.
  • credits and debits e.g., for earned applications, for earned bandwidth access software applications, for earned content, such as, audio and/or video
  • earned bandwidth including, e.g., earned bandwidth that is restricted, i.e., so called because it is to be consumed only in the course of engaging with Internet resources as pre-determined by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 and/or unrestricted and capable of being consumed in the course of engaging with any Internet source of the user's 22 choosing.
  • the bandwidth access software applications 24 may operate on devices and operating systems whose communication path is to or through the network on a wireless or wired basis, or a combination of both, including, by way of example, based on a mobile communication standard, such as, LTE, a wireless standard for connecting electronic devices, such as, Wi-Fi, or Worldwide
  • WiMAX Interoperability for Microwave Access
  • telecommunications standards such as, BT, satellite, digital subscriber line technologies, such as, xDSL, coaxial cable, fiber optic, and the like.
  • the registry 60 may also effect aggregations, such as, by allowing netting of uniform elements (cash, bandwidth credits, etc.) amongst different system participants, including, e.g., users 22 of the bandwidth access software application providers 30, content providers 30, bandwidth providers 26, banks, credit card providers, etc.
  • the registry 60 may also effect non-cash barter, such as, by allowing trading of so- called uniform elements amongst different system 20 participants and, including, e.g., users 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 and bandwidth access software application providers 30, content providers 30, bandwidth providers 26, banks, credit card providers, etc.
  • the registry 60 may also provide instructions regarding settlements, e.g., providing credits/debits for earned applications, for earned bandwidth access software applications, credits/debits for earned content, such as audio and/or video, and
  • the data flow generated may include accessing core content, viewing third party advertisements, and purchasing items.
  • Data flow out of and bandwidth into the bandwidth access software application 24 may flow to and from a network, with such Internet access managed through an access control built into the bandwidth access software application 24 itself (a firewall 44 that is resident within the bandwidth access software application 24- as distinct from a firewall that is part of the bandwidth provider's 26 network or embedded into the operating system of a modem that communicates with the bandwidth provider's 26 network).
  • the registry 60 may perform the functions of linking data sources, recording bandwidth access software application 24 activities, calculating credits and debits effecting aggregations and instructing on settlements as noted above, with the additions that credits/debits for bandwidth access software application affiliate commissions for online or off-line advertisement, commerce and/or other activities as may be derived and also accounted for under instructions on settlements.
  • the data flow generated may include accessing core content, viewing third party advertisements, purchasing items, participating in gaming and/or gambling, participating in social networking and providing personal information.
  • the bandwidth access software application 24 purpose may include allowing free and/or discounted restricted access only to affiliated domain/content of the bandwidth access software application provider 30, e.g., bandwidth access software applications 24 created by Amazon® only capable of accessing other applications, bandwidth access software applications, services, and content on the www.amazon.com, in exchange for certain activities of the user of the bandwidth access software application 24, such as accessing core content, viewing third party advertisements, purchasing goods, services, or other items, participating in gaming or gambling, participating in social networking, providing personal information, and the like on or associated with amazon.com.
  • bandwidth access software applications 24 created by Amazon® only capable of accessing other applications, bandwidth access software applications, services, and content on the www.amazon.com in exchange for certain activities of the user of the bandwidth access software application 24, such as accessing core content, viewing third party advertisements, purchasing goods, services, or other items, participating in gaming or gambling, participating in social networking, providing personal information, and the like on or associated with amazon.com.
  • Bandwidth for access can be paid for in whole and/or in part by the bandwidth access software application provider 30, in the example, amazon.com, and/or its affiliate (e.g., Amazon® may allows unlimited access of the Amazon® domain and content).
  • the bandwidth access software application provider 30 in the example, amazon.com, and/or its affiliate (e.g., Amazon® may allows unlimited access of the Amazon® domain and content).
  • Payment to the bandwidth provider 26 for the provision of the access bandwidth 28 can come from the bandwidth access software application provider 30 settlement system 98. Efforts to access content not pre-authorized by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 can be prohibited, e.g., by the bandwidth access software application 24 internal firewall 44, in FIG. 3B (i.e., the user may be only allowed to view and download content from www.amazon.com when using the Amazon® created bandwidth access software application 24).
  • bandwidth access software application activities reporting all activity may be reported to the bandwidth access software application provider 30, such as, the user 22 device identification code, time of access, size of access, type of content accessed, etc., in the form of data flow as processed by the application activity system registry 60. All bandwidth use (user 22 device identification code, time and size of bandwidth use, etc. can be reported to the bandwidth provider 26 in the form of data flow as processed by the application activity system registry 60. As a result, bandwidth usage costs for access can be calculated by the application activity system registry 60 pursuant to the terms agreed upon, e.g., between the bandwidth provider 26 and the bandwidth access software application provider 30.
  • bandwidth access software application provider 30 may be agreed upon between the bandwidth access software application provider 30 and the bandwidth provider 26, and any other counterparties, e.g., through the other parties participation in the creation of the bandwidth access software application 24, such as, at the time the bandwidth access software application 24 was created and distributed, using, e.g., a bandwidth brokerage engine discussed below in regard to FIGS. 6 and 7.
  • a bandwidth brokerage engine can include a value input transfer system 202 in
  • VITS which can include a computerized element of the application activity system 20 that is accessible to prospective payors for costs of the consumption of bandwidth using a bandwidth access software application 24 from a bandwidth access software application providers) 30.
  • the VITS 202 can assist in the negotiation and creation of contracts between bandwidth providers 26 and parties 30 who agree to pay for such consumption of bandwidth through the use of a bandwidth access software
  • the VITS can also create and deliver to the party acting as the payor, such as a bandwidth access software application provider 30, for such consumption of bandwidth.
  • the VITS 202 can include, for example, value input templates 220, parties 222, price, 224, terms 226, settlement method 228, and VITS data output 230.
  • a software development toolkit (“SDK”) 204 can also thereafter be used to create the bandwidth access software application(s) 24 that enables obtaining the benefits from the consumption of bandwidth, through the use of a bandwidth brokerage engine web site store front (FIG. 7).
  • the SDK 204 can include, for example, VITS data input 250, developer interface 252, operating system 254, core function tools 256, recordation tools 258, and reporting tools 260.
  • the bandwidth brokerage engine web-site store front can be used to present a graphical user interface ("GUI"), e.g., over the world wide web (Internet).
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • the end user application 20 can include core functions 270, recordation capability 272, reporting 274, firewall 276 and application data output 278.
  • Registry 60 can include application data input 2 ⁇ 0, commission owed data 2 ⁇ 2, free or discounted bandwidth data or determination 294 and registry data output 300.;
  • the registry data output 300 can, in turn, communicate with application providers 302, etc., and/or use metering applications 304.
  • a settlement engine 210 can include registry data input 310, recordation data 312, reporting data 314, settlement data 316, and settlement engine data output 318.
  • Bandwidth provider(s) 26 may engage with prospective payors 30 for the payment for the consumption of bandwidth utilizing a bandwidth access software application 24 and have such process managed in a web commerce environment through the store front (FIG. 7). It is contemplated that in some applications of the technology, one or more parties may act as payor for a single bandwidth access software application 24.
  • Bandwidth costs for access can be paid for by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 and/or its affiliate, e.g., Amazon®, as the bandwidth access software application provider 30, can allow unlimited access of, as an example, the
  • Amazon® domain and content, and payment to the bandwidth provider 26 for the bandwidth access 28 can come from the bandwidth access software application provider 30 settlement system 98.
  • the bandwidth access software application provider settlement system 98 can arrange payment to the bandwidth provider 26.
  • the above noted purpose, reporting, and result scenarios can also be applied in situations where the user of the bandwidth access software application's 24 access resides on modem system 40, a set-top box 41 , TV set, personal computer 44, mobile phone 46, tablet, game console, embedded system 48 (automotive, refrigerator, etc.), or any other such analogous system (shown in FIG. 3B).
  • a second mode the user of the bandwidth access software application 24 may be granted free and/or discounted bandwidth access to a first Internet resource as specified, e.g., by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 or other party agreeing to be the payor, along with free and/or discounted restricted bandwidth access to further bandwidth access software application provider 30 specified Internet resources that are distinct from the first Internet resource.
  • the registry 60 may be performing the same functions as noted above for the first mode.
  • the data flow generated may be the same as for the first mode.
  • the application activity system 20 purpose may be the same as noted above for the first mode, with the exception that the bandwidth access software application provider 30, or other payor 30, may pay in whole or in part for additional restricted bandwidth access for the user of the bandwidth access software application 24 using another bandwidth access software application 24.
  • Amazon® may subsidize user 22 for the bandwidth access software application 24 that enables access at Yahoo! utilizing a Yahoo! targeted bandwidth access software application 24 as well as access to Amazon®.
  • Bandwidth for additional access can then be paid for by the bandwidth access software application provider 30, such as Amazon®, and/or its affiliate, or another party agreeing to act as the payor 30.
  • the bandwidth access software application's 24 activities reporting will also be identical to that of the first mode, except that calculation and reporting of payments for the additional bandwidth access may in this case be shared between the bandwidth provider 26 and the bandwidth access software application provider 30 for audit purposes.
  • the bandwidth access software application 24 activities result can be the same as for the first mode with the exception that calculation and reporting of payments for the additional bandwidth access may also paid for by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 through the bandwidth access software application provider settlement system 98.
  • bandwidth access software application 24 resides on modem system 40, a set-top box 41 , TV set, personal computer 44, tablet, game console, mobile phone 46, embedded system 48 (automotive, refrigerator, etc.), or any other related analogous system.
  • the user of the bandwidth access software application 24 may be granted free and/or discounted bandwidth access to a first Internet resource as specified by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 along with free and/or discounted unrestricted bandwidth access to Internet resources of the user's own choosing.
  • the registry 60 may be performing the same functions as noted above for the first mode and second modes and in addition calculating credits/debits for earned bandwidth (unrestricted) and for effecting aggregations, allowing user use of the bandwidth access software application 24 "bandwidth credits" to be aggregated with other bandwidth credits (earned or paid for by the user of the bandwidth access software application 24, and to effect non-cash barter, i.e., by allowing trading of "bandwidth credits" for content, applications, bandwidth access software applications 24, bandwidth, or cash from another user of the bandwidth access software application 24 or bandwidth access software application provider 30.
  • the data low generated may be the same as for the first and second modes.
  • the application activity system 20 purpose may be the same as for the first mode noted above, except that that the bandwidth access software application provider 30 may pay in whole or in part for unrestricted (i.e. the user is free to consume bandwidth while engaging with any Internet resource) bandwidth access for the user of the bandwidth access software application 24, e.g., using a bandwidth access software application 24 in the form of a standard "browser", with such, e.g., being limited in some fashion, such as, access being pre-determined to not exceed a given activity threshold, such as, time of day, bandwidth consumed, time spent online and the like.
  • Monitoring of such unrestricted, though not unlimited, bandwidth access activity may be performed by a separate use metering application (304 in FIG. 6) residing on the system 20 such as in the registry 60 and within the bandwidth access software application 24 itself.
  • Application activities reporting may also be the same as for the first mode except that the user of the bandwidth access software application's 24 free and/or discounted, unrestricted, but not unlimited, bandwidth access activity and/or credit activity may be reported to the registry by the bandwidth provider 26, and the bandwidth access software application provider 30 for real-time or near real-time monitoring and payment settlement purposes.
  • "in-network” i.e., within the carrier's 26 network, monitoring intelligence would be required by the bandwidth provider 26 and therefore is not a probable embodiment of the disclosed subject matter (i.e. the currently disclosed subject matter does not preclude the use of such "in-networking" intelligence activities working in unison with the system 20 if, e.g., it is so required by the bandwidth provider 26, with the undertaking of the associated costs and other risks).
  • bandwidth access software application 24 activities result, the same applies as for the first mode except that any bandwidth access costs due the bandwidth provider 26 and not paid for by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 will need to be paid by another bandwidth access software application provider 30 and/or any other parties (the users, or another party agreeing to be the payor, third party beneficiaries, etc.) associated with the bandwidth access software application 24, e.g., using traditional payment mechanisms.
  • the registry 60 can have a mechanism by which the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 may sell or trade the user's 22 "bandwidth credits" to another user 22 of a bandwidth access software application 24 or a bandwidth access software application provider 30. Such activity may be performed by a separate bartering application residing on the system 20 such as in the registry 60.
  • a separate bartering application residing on the system 20 such as in the registry 60.
  • the above noted purpose, reporting, and result scenarios can also apply in situations where the bandwidth access software application 24 resides on a user device such as a modem system 40, a set-top box 41 , tablet, game console, TV set, personal computer 44, mobile phone 46, embedded system 48 (automotive, refrigerator, etc.), or any other analogous system, just as is illustrated in FIG. 3B.
  • the user of the bandwidth access software application 24 may be granted free and/or discounted bandwidth access to a first Internet resource as specified by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 along with free and/or discounted software (including those bandwidth access software applications 24 that during the normal course of their operation consume bandwidth and those applications that are bandwidth static and do not typically consume bandwidth in the course of their operation).
  • the registry 60 may be performing the same functions as noted above for the first mode and second modes and in addition in the area of calculate cash and in-kind credits, calculating credits and debits for earned applications and bandwidth access software applications 24 and in effecting aggregations, allowing the user of the bandwidth access software application 24 "bandwidth access software application/application credits" to be aggregated with other application and bandwidth access software application credits, e.g., earned or paid for by the user of the bandwidth access software application, and for effecting non-cash barter, allowing trading of "bandwidth access software
  • the application activity system 20 purpose may be the same as for the first mode noted above, except that the bandwidth access software application provider 30 may pay in whole or in part for a bandwidth access software application 24 to be downloaded, e.g., from an application/bandwidth access software application store or equivalent, e.g., both bandwidth access software application 24 and bandwidth 28 needed for such a download may be paid for by the original bandwidth access software application provider 30.
  • the bandwidth access software application activities reporting may be the same as for the first mode, except that the user of the bandwidth access software application's 24 free and/or discounted bandwidth access software application 24 download and/or credit activity may be reported to the registry 60 and in turn the bandwidth provider 26, the
  • bandwidth access software application store and the bandwidth access software application provider 30 for real-time or near real-time monitoring and payment settlement purposes.
  • the bandwidth access software application activities result may be the same, except that any bandwidth access software application 24 purchase price and/or download access bandwidth costs not paid for by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 will need to be paid by another bandwidth access software application provider 30 and/or any other parties (users, third parties, third party
  • the registry 60 may have a mechanism by which the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 may sell or trade the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application's 24 "bandwidth access software application credits" to another user of the bandwidth access software application 24 or to the bandwidth access software application provider 30, such an activity to be performed by a separate bartering application, e.g., residing on the system 20, e.g., in the registry 60.
  • bandwidth access software application 24 resides on a modem system 40, a set-top box 41 ⁇ tablet, game console, TV set, personal computer 44, mobile phone 46, embedded system 48 (automotive, refrigerator, etc.), or any analogous system.
  • a bandwidth access software application provider 30 may provide free and/or discounted bandwidth access and free and/or discounted online content.
  • the registry 60 may be performing the same functions as noted above for the first mode and in addition in the area of calculate cash and in-kind credits, calculating credits and debits for earned content and in effecting aggregations, allowing the user of the bandwidth access software application 24 "content credits" to be aggregated with other content credits, earned or paid for by the user of the bandwidth access software
  • the application activity system 20 purpose may be the same as for the first mode noted above, except that the bandwidth access software application provider 30 can pay in whole or in part for online content (films, TV, music, etc.) to be downloaded from the accessible content provider, e.g., both content and bandwidth needed for download can be paid for by the original bandwidth access software application provider 30.
  • the difference is that the user of the bandwidth access software application's 24 free and/or discounted content download and/or credit activity can be reported to the registry 60, the bandwidth provider 26, the content provider 30, and bandwidth access software application provider 30 for real-time or near real-time monitoring and payment settlement purposes.
  • the bandwidth access software application activities result, the difference is that any content purchase price and/or download access costs not paid for by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 will need to be paid by another bandwidth access software application provider 30 and/or any other parties (users, other parties, third party beneficiaries, etc.) associated with the bandwidth access software application 24, e.g., using traditional payment mechanisms.
  • the registry 60 can have a mechanism by which the user of the bandwidth access software application 24 may sell or trade "content credits" to another user of the bandwidth access software application 24 or bandwidth access software application provider 30, such activity performed, e.g., by a separate bartering application residing on the system 20, e.g., in the registry 30.
  • the above noted purpose, reporting, and result scenarios can also be applied in situations where the bandwidth access software application 24 resides on a modem system 40, a set- top box 41 , TV set, personal computer 44, mobile phone 46, embedded system 48
  • a bandwidth access software application provider 30 may provide free and/or discounted bandwidth access along with free and/or discounted offline goods and/or services ("OGS").
  • the registry 60 may be performing the same functions as noted above for the first mode and in addition calculating credits and debits for OGS, and also in the area of effect aggregations allowing the user of the bandwidth access software application 24 "OGS credits" to be aggregated with other OGS credits, earned or paid for by the user of the bandwidth access software application 24, effect non- cash barter by allowing trading of "OGS credits" for content, applications, bandwidth access software applications 24, bandwidth, or cash from another user of the bandwidth access software application 24 or a bandwidth access software application provider 30.
  • instructing on settlements function is the same as for the first mode with the addition of credits and debits for earned OGS may be provided.
  • the application activity system 20 purpose may be the same as for the first mode noted above, except that the bandwidth access software application provider 30 may pay to the OGS provider in whole or in part for OGS, (food, clothing, travel, etc.) to be delivered to the user of the bandwidth access software application 24.
  • the difference with the first mode is that the user of the bandwidth access software application's 24 free and/or discounted OGS credit activity is reported to the registry 60, OGS provider, and bandwidth access software application provider 30 for real-time or near-real-time monitoring and payment settlement purposes.
  • the bandwidth access software application activities result is different in that any OGS purchase price costs not paid for by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 will need to be paid by another bandwidth access software application provider 30 and/or any other parties (users, other parties, third party beneficiaries, etc.) associated with the bandwidth access software application 24, e.g., using traditional payment mechanisms.
  • the registry 60 will have a mechanism by which the end user of the bandwidth access software application may sell or trade the "OGS credits" to another user of the bandwidth access software application 24 or bandwidth access software application provider 30, such activity to be performed by a separate bartering application residing on the system 20, e.g., in the registry 60.
  • bandwidth access software application 24 resides on a modem system 40, a set-top box 41 , tablet, game console, TV set, personal computer 44, mobile phone 46, embedded system 48
  • a bandwidth access software application provider 30 may provide free and/or discounted bandwidth access as well as a "Pay As You Go bandwidth access software application" ("PAYG" bandwidth access software application) for additional bandwidth access.
  • PAYG bandwidth access software application This specialized PAYG bandwidth access software application 24 allows the user to purchase bandwidth (perhaps at a discount) directly from a bandwidth provider 26 for use accessing restricted (e.g., as pre-selected by the bandwidth provider 26) or unrestricted Internet resources, and have the bandwidth consumption monitored, recorded, audited, and reported back to the bandwidth provider 26 and registry 60 from within the PAYG bandwidth access software application 24 itself, thereby obviating the need for in- network monitoring of bandwidth consumption by the Internet user by the bandwidth provider.
  • the registry 60 may be performing the same functions as noted above for the first mode.
  • the application activity system 20 purpose may be the same as for the first mode noted above, except that the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 may also purchase additional bandwidth from the bandwidth provider 26 directly to access Internet content, sites, data, or analogous information and do so using a specialized bandwidth access software application 24 ("PAYG" bandwidth access software application) which may allow the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 to purchase such bandwidth 28 using a credit card, bank account, or other form of credit or value exchange.
  • PHYG bandwidth access software application
  • This PAYG bandwidth access software application 24 may monitor, record, audit, and report to the bandwidth provider 26 and the registry 60 the amount of restricted or unrestricted bandwidth 28 used, provide warnings periodically when such bandwidth 28 and access are "near expiry” or “running low” and can terminate access when the purchased service expires or runs out.
  • bandwidth access software application activities reporting may be the same as for the first mode, except that that calculation and reporting of use status and payments for additional PAYG restricted or unrestricted bandwidth access may be listed in a separate application or bandwidth access software application 24, e.g., called a "bandwidth scorecard application/bandwidth access software application," which may allow the user of the PAYG bandwidth access software application 24 to see how much access remains before the user must pay again for unrestricted access.
  • the bandwidth access software application activities result may be the same except that calculation and reporting of use status and payments for additional PAYG restricted or unrestricted bandwidth access may be borne by the user of the PAYG bandwidth access software application 24 or a party willing to reimburse the user of the PAYG bandwidth access software application 24 for this PAYG service and access.
  • the above noted purpose, reporting, and result scenarios also apply in situations where the bandwidth access software application 24 resides on a modem system 40, a set-top box 41 , TV set, tablet, game console, personal computer 44, mobile phone 46, embedded system 48 (automotive, refrigerator, etc.), or any analogous system.
  • the flow chart of FIG. 4 illustrates the bandwidth access software application provider providing free and/or discounted bandwidth access along with "pay as you go" (“PAYG”) restricted or unrestricted bandwidth access.
  • PAYG bandwidth access software application provider providing free and/or discounted bandwidth access along with "pay as you go"
  • An interaction example between a free bandwidth access bandwidth access software application 24 and a PAYG bandwidth access software application 24 illustrates what can happen when some data that is accessible via a bandwidth access software application 24 leads to some data that is not supported by a bandwidth access software application 24, e.g., steps of purchasing restricted or unrestricted access and then, e.g., launching a "browser type" PAYG bandwidth access software application 24 that may be metered, recorded, and reported back on the status of bandwidth and content access being consumed by the PAYG bandwidth access software application 24.
  • search terms 122 may be entered, e.g., "best pizza in the world.”
  • results 124 may be returned as shown in FIG. 4, such as:
  • the user 22 may be prompted co "click-on" a result on the list shown above, such as
  • Palm Hut which when clicked upon 126 by the user 22 would launch a pre-existing bandwidth access software application 130 relating to Pizza Hut. Thereafter the user will see, e.g., instructions 132 on how to order a pizza, and, e.g., other data or information, such as a discount offers. On the other hand, the user may wish to click on another search response restaurant not supported by a pre-existing bandwidth access software
  • Plan A 1GB download for $10.
  • Plan B Unlimited downloads for 30 days for $40.
  • - Plan D Content basic (Unlimited Yahoo! Destinations for $2. Please have your credit card ready for immediate processing.
  • the user can then be provided with a PAYG bandwidth access software application 162 as downloaded to the user device which will launch and take the user 22 to the selected page, such as the "Domino's Pizza Website" 162, e.g., with such access bandwidth being paid for by the user according to term agreed with the bandwidth provider 26 when the PAYG bandwidth access software application service plan was purchased by the user.
  • a PAYG bandwidth access software application 162 as downloaded to the user device which will launch and take the user 22 to the selected page, such as the "Domino's Pizza Website" 162, e.g., with such access bandwidth being paid for by the user according to term agreed with the bandwidth provider 26 when the PAYG bandwidth access software application service plan was purchased by the user.
  • FIG 5 illustrates an arrangement of computing equipment useful with aspects of the disclosed subject matter and associated systems 20.
  • Various non-computer input devices 170 including, for example, keyboard, mouse, etc. are provided in communication with non-computer devices 174 and computing devices 172. These in turn are in communication with a display, e.g., monitor 180.
  • the application activity system 20 can be enabled by a software system that may be comprised of five elements that can interact with one another and coordinate the resulting interactions between the providers of the respective value inputs. Three of these elements have been discussed above, i.e., the application activity system registry 60, the application activity system settlement system 210, and the bandwidth access software application 24.
  • the remaining elements as set forth below are software systems that assist in the creation of the bandwidth access software application 24 and the maintenance of the application activity system registry 60 and the application activity system settlement system 210. More specifically, these are a bandwidth brokerage engine 202 (also referred to as a "Value Input Trading System” or “VITS”), and a customized software development toolkit (“SDK”) 204, also referred to as an application development kit (“ADK”) 204.
  • the bandwidth brokerage engine 202 can be a software platform that can be made available to the bandwidth access software application providers 30 so that the bandwidth access software application providers 30 can coordinate commercial terms in advance of making a bandwidth access software application 24 available for distribution to the user 22of the bandwidth access software application 30.
  • the bandwidth brokerage engine 202 can also allow prospective enabling parties (bandwidth access software application providers 30, other partiesendors, billing agents, bandwidth suppliers, etc.) to negotiate and bid on the value of their value inputs, e.g., allowing the bandwidth brokerage engine 202 to act as a not just a bandwidth trading platform, but also a content and services brokerage engine that can match bandwidth access software application providers 30 with other market participants who might wish to collaborate, e.g., on the creation of a system-wide bandwidth access software application.
  • prospective enabling parties bandwidth access software application providers 30, other partiesendors, billing agents, bandwidth suppliers, etc.
  • the bandwidth brokerage engine 202 can import these terms into the SDK 204, e.g., that can then be released to bandwidth access software application providers 30.
  • a bandwidth access software application provider 30 can then create bandwidth access software applications 24 and commercial terms relating to cross subsidies, payment for bandwidth access, and other commercial value input trading features, which can then be incorporated in the ADK 204 and, e.g., following an user of the bandwidth access software application's 24 use of the bandwidth access software application 24, can generate the appropriate data flow to the application activity system registry 60, as discussed above, for further analysis and action.
  • the application activity system settlement engine 210 can include a registry data input module 300 receiving the registry data output 300 from the registry 60, a recordation module 302, a reporting module 10 and a settlement module 312.
  • the settlement engine 210 can provide settlement engine data output through a module 318.
  • the bandwidth brokerage engine 202 can be maintained by the application activity system administrator in the "cloud," meaning for purposes of this application, that part of the newtor, i.e., the Internet, outside of the hardware and software constituting the carrier's (bandwidth provider 26) network, in order to provide a set of standard input templates by which any software programmer (e.g., for a bandwidth access software application provider 30) can construct a viable subsidy framework, e.g., including quantities and characteristics of value inputs 220, parties to the subsidy arrangement 222, the price to be attributed to the traded elements 224, the terms associated with the traded elements 226, and the method of settlement 228 (cash, in-kind, etc.), and submit the proposed framework as bandwidth brokerage engine data output 230 to prospective commercial partners (e.g., bandwidth provider 26, other parties, etc.) as discussed herein.
  • a viable subsidy framework e.g., including quantities and characteristics of value inputs 220, parties to the subsidy arrangement 222, the price to be attributed to the traded elements
  • the bandwidth brokerage engine 201 can generate a customized application development toolkit ("SDK" 204 using the bandwidth brokerage engine data output 230, which can be provided to the SDK 204 as bandwidth brokerage engine data input 250 that can then allow bandwidth access software application providers 30 to construct bandwidth access software applications which may have, e.g., meta data automatically included that can represent the aspects input from the bandwidth brokerage engine 202 as well as monitoring and reporting functions for tracking and billing purposes.
  • SDK application development toolkit
  • the SDK 204 can then be used by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 and/or his agent(s) to create one or more bandwidth access software applications 24 that can then be provided to the user of the bandwidth access software application 24 for free or at a definable charge.
  • the ADK 204 can also include a developer graphical user interface ("GUI") 252., an operating system 256, a set of core functional tools 258, recordation tools 260 and reporting tools 262.
  • GUI developer graphical user interface
  • the bandwidth access software application 24 can be either pre-installed on a bandwidth modem (or analogous connected device such as set-top box, etc.) or
  • the bandwidth access software application 24 can have embedded within it the ability to monitor and report all key activities of the user of the bandwidth access software application 24 including a core functions module 270., a recordation module 27 and a reporting module 280.
  • the data collected by the application 24 can be used as the basis for all subsequent cross-subsidy and billing actions.
  • the bandwidth access software application 24 can produce a bandwidth usage data report 278 that can be sent as a data input file 290 to the application activity system registry 60 residing in the cloud for purposes of determining the billing and subsidy activity generated by the use of the bandwidth access software application 24.
  • This billing and subsidy activity data from the application activity system registry 60 i.e., the registry data output 300 that can be forwarded to both the bandwidth access software application providers) 30 and their partners, as well as to an application activity system settlement engine 210 which may be hosted in the cloud and which can effect settlement(s) on behalf of the application activity system 20 i.e., in effect, collecting commissions and fees for being a clearinghouse for all application activity system 20 enabled activities.
  • the application activity system settlement engine 210 can collect on amounts owed to the bandwidth providers 26, other parties, users, bandwidth access software application providers 30, and the administrator for the application activity system 20 by sending out an application activity system settlement engine 210 data output 304 to various parties obligated to pay such commissions and fees, as noted above.
  • the registry 60 can include an application data input module 290, a commissions owed module 292 and a free/discounted bandwidth calculation module 294.
  • the application activity system registry 60 data output 278 can also be routed to be used by a metering bandwidth access software application 304, e.g., resident on the premises equipment of the user 22, e.g., which can act as a real-time or near real-time meter for all bandwidth enabled activities (e.g., credits for future Internet browsing, free application downloads, free bandwidth access software application downloads, free audio and video content, etc.
  • a metering bandwidth access software application 304 e.g., resident on the premises equipment of the user 22, e.g., which can act as a real-time or near real-time meter for all bandwidth enabled activities (e.g., credits for future Internet browsing, free application downloads, free bandwidth access software application downloads, free audio and video content, etc.
  • the application activity system registry 60 can also be used to convey indexed and analyzed data to any affiliated party (bandwidth provider 26, bandwidth access software application provider 30, user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24) at any time depending on the needs of the bandwidth access software application 24 being used.
  • bandwidth access software applications designed for the partial payment of bandwidth costs where the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 must pay part of the bandwidth cost directly to the bandwidth provider 26 as part of a "bandwidth access software application provider partial pay" model.
  • bandwidth access software applications 24 designed for the full or partial payment of bandwidth costs directly to the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 as opposed to the bandwidth provider 26 (i.e. the bandwidth access software application provider 30 must pay part or all of the bandwidth cost directly to the end user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 as part of this "bandwidth access software application provider 30 pays user" 22 model. In this case, the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 would still need to pay the bandwidth provider 26 directly for bandwidth used.
  • Bandwidth access software applications 24 designed for the logging of advertising elements within the bandwidth access software application 24 that the bandwidth access software application provider 30 receives payment for and which they can also share revenues with the bandwidth provider 26 and/or the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 ("Advertising affiliate” model)
  • Bandwidth access software applications 24 designed for the logging of commerce actions (sales of goods and services) within the bandwidth access software application 24 that the bandwidth access software application provider 30 receives payment for and which they can also share sales commissions with the bandwidth provider 26 and/or the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 (“Affiliate Marketer" model).
  • bandwidth access software application advertisements viewed, items purchased
  • bandwidth access software application provider 30 rewarding the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 with cash, unrestricted bandwidth credits (for use apart from a bandwidth access software application 24), credits for other applications, bandwidth access software applications 24, and content (music, film, games), and/or offline goods and services.
  • each bandwidth access software application 24 can be hosted on different types of devices with different levels and means of bandwidth connectivity. For instance, in one
  • the bandwidth access software applications 24 (bandwidth access software application provider pays model, etc.) for use in one locality (e.g., Menlo Park, CA) which are hosted on one device can be utilized by different carriers 26 for completing the bandwidth connectivity.
  • a modem device home gateway
  • a second set of bandwidth access software applications 24 could also be resident on this same gateway but be configured to convey data using a separate line (e.g., a 3G baseband chipset operating on a cellular line).
  • bandwidth access software application provider 30 could seek at least two bids from two bandwidth providers 26 prior to agreeing to such payment terms for the delivery of data through their affiliated bandwidth access software application 24.
  • the user could literally switch their residential bandwidth provider 26 every day (without penalty) if they wanted, as opposed to every twelve months as is often the case today.
  • the two carriers 26 could actually share the same bandwidth line enabled within the home gateway (e.g., two 3G carriers who support a shared 3G baseband chipset).
  • two cellular carriers could offer competing PAYG bandwidth access software application 24 services to the user 22 of the home gateway when they sought access to data outside of the bandwidth access software application ecosystem (wishing to engage with an Internet resource 26 that was not supported by a bandwidth access software application 24).
  • one embodiment may not use the bandwidth brokerage engine 202 to agree on bandwidth pricing and terms with a bandwidth provider 26 at all, but will instead allow the bandwidth access software application provider 30 to set the value of the bandwidth themselves (the tariff to include how much the bandwidth access software application provider 30 is willing to pay directly to the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 for use of the same, during specific times, for specific actions) and offer to pay the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 for the bandwidth consumed by their bandwidth access software application 24.
  • the bandwidth brokerage engine 202 may not use the bandwidth brokerage engine 202 to agree on bandwidth pricing and terms with a bandwidth provider 26 at all, but will instead allow the bandwidth access software application provider 30 to set the value of the bandwidth themselves (the tariff to include how much the bandwidth access software application provider 30 is willing to pay directly to the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 for use of the same, during specific times, for specific actions) and offer to pay the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 for the bandwidth consumed by their bandwidth access software application 24.
  • the bandwidth provider 26 does not play a role in the subsidy of the bandwidth 282, but merely provides the bandwidth 28 on its normal terms at arm's length with the user 22 (e.g., $40 charged to the user 22 for the consumption of retail bandwidth 28).
  • the payments to be made to the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 they could be paid directly by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 to the user's 22 own settlement system - such as their bank account, bandwidth account (with AT&T®, Comcast®, etc.), or a third party credit aggregator (PayPay®, Visa® Card, etc.).
  • bandwidth access software application provider 30 did not wish to make these payments to the user's 22 own settlement systems, they could also have the operator of the application activity system registry 60 make payments on their behalf to the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 (thereby limiting the complexity of payment processing for the bandwidth access software
  • bandwidth brokerage engine 202 may not use the bandwidth brokerage engine 202 at all, but will instead use a web-based variant bandwidth brokerage engine input system (“variant bandwidth brokerage engine") that allows the bandwidth access software application provider 30 to negotiate with a third party beneficiary (a charity, public agency, or other entity) for the payment by the bandwidth access software application provider 30 of a pre-determined amount (cash or in-kind good or service) to such third party beneficiary in exchange for the user 22 using the bandwidth access software application 24 in a particular fashion (during certain hours of the day, for certain time periods, sequentially over a period of days, downloading or sending a particular amount of data, viewing an extra ad, etc.).
  • a third party beneficiary a charity, public agency, or other entity
  • pre-determined amount a pre-determined amount (cash or in-kind good or service)
  • bandwidth access software applications 24 Currently some web sites (using standard browsers) will donate a percentage of their on-site sales revenue to one or more charities of choice (which is also an option for the bandwidth access software applications 24 envisioned herein), however the current art does not extend to a self-monitoring bandwidth access software application 24 that can measure far more than a sale of a good or service, but instead measure a user's 22 behavior apart from purchasing goods or services. Also, because the bandwidth access software application 24 is isolated from other web surfing activities, people are more likely to feel comfortable with the web engagement monitoring.
  • the administrator of the system 20 assists in structuring the payment parameters between the bandwidth access software application provider 30 and the third party beneficiary, which would include the creation of a customized SDK 204 (Fig. 6) for creating such bandwidth access software applications 24 and then a back-end application activity system registry 60 that would receive meta data from the bandwidth access software application 24 after it has been used by the user 22.
  • This meta data collected than would form the basis for providing settlement and payment instructions between the parties as per their original intent memorialized in the variant bandwidth brokerage engine.
  • an user 22 (user of the bandwidth access software application 24) would access content at www.amazon.com using the bandwidth access software application 23 created by Amazon® (bandwidth access software application provider 30) over a bandwidth network to which the user already subscribes and pays a carrier for such subscription.
  • the Amazon® bandwidth access software application 24 would record all access activity and this data would be used to instruct Amazon® to pay the third party beneficiary (as pre-determinable by Amazon®) a cash sum for each quantum of activity (time, data consumed, etc.) engaged in by the bandwidth access software application 24 between user 22 and Amazon® (data sent, time spent, etc.).
  • the value inputs the three -way trade
  • Third party beneficiary e.g., a charity focused on promoting online connectivity
  • bandwidth access software application 24 provides to value chain participants (users 22, bandwidth providers, bandwidth access software application providers 30, other parties, third party beneficiaries, and others) it will be clear to a person well-versed in the art to see that such a technology solution enables numerous cross-subsidy relationships across the online value chain and its participants.
  • Table 1 maps additional basic use cases available according to aspects of the disclosed subject matter within the application activity system 20.
  • the variety demonstrates the value in having bandwidth access software applications 24 outside of a carrier 26 network at the "edge" because such a granular, iterative approach can be utilized to construct very many commercial revenue sharing and subsidy relationships between, e.g., bandwidth providers 26, bandwidth access software application providers 30, other parties, third party beneficiaries, users 22, and other parties whether they be content providers, merchants, government agencies, and other entities wishing to engage with the user 22. Looked at another way, these bandwidth enabled activities might not be technically or economically feasible if these same commercial relationships had to be "coded into” the carrier network.
  • bandwidth access software applications 24 from varying sources of bandwidth access software application provider 30 candidates, with the online activity intelligence being hosted at the edge of the carrier's 26 network, can be envisioned, whether as bandwidth access software applications 24 managing simple bandwidth subsidy activities, basic browsing functions, revenue sharing functions, or otherwise as is made technically practical and valuable.
  • bandwidth access software application provider 30 coming within one of several noted categories, e.g., a content provider, a social network provider, content aggregator/portal, online service provider (e-mail, video, etc.), online merchant, bandwidth provider (wireless/wireline), government service provider, each of which may act as a subsidizer, e.g., of the user's 22 access to bandwidth network usage.
  • a bandwidth access software application provider 30 coming within one of several noted categories, e.g., a content provider, a social network provider, content aggregator/portal, online service provider (e-mail, video, etc.), online merchant, bandwidth provider (wireless/wireline), government service provider, each of which may act as a subsidizer, e.g., of the user's 22 access to bandwidth network usage.
  • the element can be free bandwidth, discounted bandwidth, free online content (images, film, TV, audio, text), discounted online content (images, film, TV, audio, text), free goods and services (excluding online content) procured and/or delivered in-whole online or in-part online (clothing, food, travel, medical care, utilities, financial services, education, books, DVDs, CDs, etc.), discounted goods and services (excluding online content) procured and/or delivered in-whole online or in-part online (clothing, food, travel, medical care, utilities, financial services, education, books, DVDs, CDs, etc.), and the core subsidy parameter may be data sent to or received by a subsidizing entity, such as the content provider or data sent to or received by a party other than the subsidizing party, e.g., the content provider.
  • a subsidizing entity such as the content provider or data sent to or received by a party other than the subsidizing party, e.g., the content provider.
  • the ellipses ("") appearing in the Table 1 show that the entries are repeated throughout the first portion of the table where the entity is the user 22 and then the table entries repeat themselves where the party is the bandwidth provider 26 and then for the non-end user/non-bandwidth provider ("NEU/NBC”), i.e., any one or more of a content provider, social network provider, content
  • a first subset may apply wherein there is minimal time spent using the bandwidth access software applications 24 and/or minimal bandwidth consumed by the bandwidth access software application 24 and/or minimal engagement activities (e.g., advertisements viewed, clicked, items purchased, etc.) conducted by the user 22 in using the bandwidth access software applications 24 and/or minimal non-system bandwidth access software application 24 engagement activities (e.g., device rental fees, basic bandwidth subscription package, affiliated offline commercial activities, etc.) and/or exclusive engagement activities (e.g., advertisements viewed, clicked, items purchased, etc.) conducted using a system
  • bandwidth access software application 24 and/or exclusive non-system bandwidth access software application 24 engagement activities e.g., device rental fees, basic bandwidth subscription package, affiliated offline commercial activities, etc.
  • a second subset may also apply whereby the user 22 has spent time using a bandwidth access software application 24 that may be limited to certain time periods and/or time spent using a bandwidth access software application 24 limited to certain time quantum and/or bandwidth consumed by the use of the bandwidth access software application 24, e.g., subject to download speed maximums and/or bandwidth consumed by using a bandwidth access software application 24 subject to a limitation(s), e.g., a data cap per specified time period, etc.
  • a subsidy mechanism may comprise cash or substitute consideration paid by a subsidy provider to a party controlling delivery of the element and/or cash or substitute consideration paid by the subsidy provider directly to the subsidy recipient upon the subsidy recipient demonstrating (a) a cash payment and/or (b) substitute consideration has been delivered to the party controlling the delivery of element for such subsidized element having been provided to the subsidy recipient.
  • the system 500 may include a bandwidth brokerage engine 520 as illustrated in FIG. 7 wherein, by way of example bundling
  • the system 500 may provide a point of access, such as a web page 502 in FIG. 7, which may be utilized by, e.g., a bandwidth access software application provider 30, such as a party subsidizing as an example a user 22 using bandwidth access.
  • the web-page 502 may enable the
  • subsidizing party 30 to, e.g., select nine (1-9) activity page levels that are related to (1) getting started, (2) creating an account, (3) logging in, (4) selecting a bandwidth access software application type, (5) a region(s), (6) a carrier(s), and (7) a bandwidth plan(s), and (8) to agree to terms and (9) download a customized software development toolkit ("SDK”) 204 in FIG. 6.
  • SDK software development toolkit
  • SDK Download customized software development toolkit
  • bandwidth access software application(s) consumed by your soon to be created bandwidth access software application(s) when used by one of your viewers or customers, please download your SDK to create the bandwidth access software application(s) which you may then distribute to your viewers or customers through the various carrier operated bandwidth access software application marketplaces (see upload instructions below left).
  • each bandwidth access software application thereafter created with this SDK is to be associated with a bandwidth access software application provider ID code "1234-abcd" and billable to you for bandwidth consumed by the resulting bandwidth access software application pursuant to the terms agreed herein.
  • the bandwidth access software application provider 30 is given the
  • bandwidth brokerage engine 502 can then deliver the customized software
  • the development toolkit 520 to the subsidizing bandwidth access software application provider 30, e.g., on a bandwidth access software application device of the subsidizing bandwidth access software application provider's 30 choosing for the creation of a bandwidth access software application 522 in FIG 7, e.g., for providing bandwidth network access to a party, such as a user device 530.
  • the download occurs in block 520.
  • the subsidizing party 30 (the bandwidth access software application provider), using the bandwidth access software application customized software development toolkit 520 can then assemble a bandwidth access software application bandwidth access software application 24, utilizing the customized software development toolkit in block 522.
  • the bandwidth access software application 24 can be uploaded into one or more online bandwidth access software application marketplace ("bandwidth access software application marketplace) in block 524.
  • the bandwidth access software application marketplace 524 can be maintained by the bandwidth provider, the subsidizing bandwidth access software application provider 30, or by a third party.
  • Bandwidth access software applications 24 may be downloaded, e.g., by parties seeking subsidization of bandwidth access, such as, users 22 in block 530, e.g., onto user devices 530 from the bandwidth access software application marketplace(s) 524.
  • Such user devices 520 may comprise, as and example, a mobile phone, a PDA, a tablet, a game console, a computer, a set-top box, etc.
  • the user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 may then request access through a bandwidth provider in block 540, which may then be routed through a network, such as the Internet 542 to a target content source 546, through a target content source ISP 544.
  • the content obtained from the target content source 546 can then be served through the target content source ISP 544 and the Internet 542 and bandwidth provider 540 to the bandwidth access software application user 22 of the bandwidth access software application 24 on the user device 530.
  • the terms as agreed between the bandwidth access software application provider 30 and the bandwidth provider 26 via the bandwidth brokerage engine 502 may be transmitted from the bandwidth brokerage engine 502 to an application activity system registry, 560 in FIG. 7, corresponding to the application activity system registry 60 of FIGS. 2 and 3. Thereafter, the application activity system registry 560 will receive bandwidth usage data from the bandwidth access software application 24 running on the user device 530.
  • the application activity system registry 560 may process such delivered bandwidth usage sata and deliver resulting bandwidth usage data calculation information, such as payment calculations to an application activity system settlement engine, 580 in FIG 7, corresponding to the application activity system settlement engine 80 of FIG. 2. Settlement instructions can then be delivered to the pertinent parties, such as the bandwidth provider 26, the bandwidth access software application provider 30, the user 22, and other parties.
  • the bandwidth access software application 24 can therefore, e.g., function to access a target content source 546 over pre-existing, authenticated Internet connection(s) already provided by the bandwidth provider 540 in FIG 7, corresponding to 26 in FIG. 1 , in order to render content on an bandwidth access software application user device 530.
  • the bandwidth access software application 24 can manage its own bandwidth consumption (e.g., time of access, data speed, data quantum, caps reached, conditions satisfied, etc.) and record its own bandwidth consumption. It can record the user device 530 identification code. It can also periodically report all bandwidth access software application 24
  • bandwidth brokerage engine web site store front 502 with its mechanism for value input trading can be used, e.g., where various parties within the bandwidth value chain exchange resources (bandwidth, cash, or other valuable consideration) in a collaborative fashion to allow the bundling of pre-paid bandwidth with targeted web content, where the bandwidth is not paid for by the user 22 of such bandwidth 28 (e.g., a web surfer) but by an Interested third party payor 30 (perhaps a content provider, perhaps not) who can create and pay for the bandwidth access software application 24 and its utilization for obtaining bandwidth network access.
  • bandwidth brokerage engine can be used, e.g., where various parties within the bandwidth value chain exchange resources (bandwidth, cash, or other valuable consideration) in a collaborative fashion to allow the bundling of pre-paid bandwidth with targeted web content, where the bandwidth is not paid for by the user 22 of such bandwidth 28 (e.g., a web surfer) but by an Interested third party payor 30 (perhaps a content provider, perhaps not) who can create and pay for the bandwidth access software application
  • the bandwidth brokerage engine web site store front web site 502 can allow for the selection of a bandwidth access software application 24 type.
  • the bandwidth access software application provider 30, using the bandwidth brokerage engine web site store front 502 can choose a bandwidth access software application 24 type that will allow access to an Internet resource such as a web page format (e.g., for accessing news / portal / reference), an e-commerce content site, a social media site, a photo / video / music site(s) an e-mail site or a communications (voice / video) site as examples.
  • the bandwidth brokerage engine web site store front 502 may allow for the selection of a carrier(s) 26 which will provide the bandwidth access and if a desired carrier 26 is not available through the bandwidth brokerage engine web site store front 502 for a given region, can allow for creation of bandwidth access software applications 24 for that carrier 26 anyway.
  • the bandwidth brokerage engine web site store front 502 may allow for the selection of a bandwidth plan(s) supported on any given bandwidth access software application 24, such as, $0.01/MB, 10 MB cap per 24 hrs, $0.005/MB + 20% advertisement revenue share, 20 MB cap per 24 Hrs, $0.00/MB + 5% movie download fee and no data cap, as examples.
  • the customized software development toolkit 520 can advantageously provide the ability to create bandwidth access software applications 24 for designated environments, e.g., Android phone, Windows PC, webOS Tablet, etc. Internet access functions may be limited internally within each bandwidth access software application 24, e.g., by having the customized software development toolkit 520 parameters agreed with a bandwidth provider(s) 26 (e.g., caps, speed limits, etc.) and by the bandwidth provider(s) 26 (e.g., caps, speed limits, etc.) and by the bandwidth provider(s) 26 (e.g., caps, speed limits, etc.) and by the bandwidth provider(s) 26 (e.g., caps, speed limits, etc.) and by the bandwidth provider(s) 26 (e.g., caps, speed limits, etc.) and by the bandwidth provider(s) 26 (e.g., caps, speed limits, etc.) and by the bandwidth provider(s) 26 (e.g., caps, speed limits, etc.) and by the bandwidth provider(s) 26 (e.g., caps, speed
  • bandwidth access software application provider 30 e.g., caps, speed limits, destinations, file types, etc.
  • Each customized software development toolkit 520 can have its own bandwidth access software application provider 30 identification code (e.g., "1234-abcd") that can be embedded within each bandwidth access software application 24, thereby creating a tie between each bandwidth access software application 24 and the agreed terms between the bandwidth access software application bandwidth provider 24 and the bandwidth access software application provider 30 (FreeBand application provider 570 in FIG. 7, as formalized while engaging with the bandwidth brokerage engine web site store front 502.
  • the registry 560, 60 can store all terms related to the creation of the bandwidth access software application 24 customized software development toolkit 520 (e.g., bandwidth access software application provider 30 contact details, payment details, bandwidth access software application 24 bandwidth access software application provider 30 identification code, bandwidth costs, limitations on speed, limitations on data download size, etc.).
  • the registry 560, 60 can receive information from the bandwidth access software applications 24 periodically, such data describing, e.g., the bandwidth
  • the registry 560, 60 can combine the terms associated with the creation of a particular customized software development toolkit with the actual bandwidth consumption behavior of the associated bandwidth access software application 24 and calculate an amount to be paid by the party subsidizing the use of the bandwidth access software application 24, the bandwidth access software application provider 30, to the bandwidth provider 26 for the bandwidth consumed by the bandwidth access software application 24 in question.
  • the registry 560, 60 can deliver this payment calculation data to a application activity system settlement engine, 580 in FIG. 7, corresponding to 80 in FIG. 2, for payment processing between the subsidizing bandwidth access software application 24 bandwidth access software application provider 30 and the bandwidth provider 26.
  • the settlement engine 580, 80 can store bandwidth payment calculation data so as to effect invoices and settlement instructions between the subsidizing bandwidth access software application provider 30, i.e., an Interested third party payor (564 in FIG. 7)of the bandwidth consumed by the bandwidth access software application 24, and the bandwidth provider 26 whose bandwidth was consumed by the bandwidth access software application 24. It can also deliver invoices and settlement instructions to both the subsidizing bandwidth access software application bandwidth access software application provider 30 and bandwidth provider 26 (566 in FIG. 7)and can undertake any further ancillary functions required by the parties participating in the settlement (banks, credit card providers, third party
  • the bandwidth access software application 24 can reside on a device (e.g., mobile phone, tablet, game console, PC, set-top box, embedded system, modem, etc.) that already has authorization to access the bandwidth provider's Network. As such, it can operate just like any other Internet enabled bandwidth access software application 24 (consuming
  • bandwidth access software application 24 can take place inside the bandwidth access software application 24— not within the bandwidth provider's network, e.g., via, e.g., a separate permission server or the like. Therefore, there is relatively little cost for the bandwidth provider 26 to adopt the system 20. No other current Internet data reverse billing (“toll-free") system does this.
  • functions that limit the access of data (speed of data, quantum of data, time of data delivery, source destinations of content, conditions precedent for data delivery, etc.) to the user 22 are not managed by servers or intelligence within the bandwidth provider's 26 network (e.g., through an access level gateway or network firewall), but instead are controlled by the coded instructions inside the bandwidth access software application 24 itself (e.g., "in bandwidth access software application” firewalls, "in bandwidth access software application” limiting protocols, etc. are not needed in the bandwidth provider's network), such instructions being the direct result of parameters set forth in the customized software development toolkit 520 or set forth by the subsidizing bandwidth access software application provider 30 at the time the bandwidth access software application 24 was assembled by the customized software development toolkit 520.
  • the bandwidth provider 566, 26 gets a complete record of the bandwidth use after the application activity system registry 560, 60 downloads usage data from the bandwidth access software application 24 and thereafter forwards the bandwidth usage data to the bandwidth provider 30 as part of the billing and settlement process.
  • the subsidizing bandwidth access software application provider 570, 24 is not necessarily the provider of target content, bandwidth access software applications 24 can be created by any interested third party subsidizing payor (content provider,
  • the bandwidth access software application user of the customized software development toolkit may or may not be affiliated with the target content source 546, i.e., actually be a bandwidth access software application provider 30 providing bandwidth access software applications 24, content or the like to the user 22, and therefore the system 20 is not accurately described as a "sender pays" model, but an "interested third party pays” model.
  • the bandwidth access software application 24 can work with all bandwidth provider 26 networks, bandwidth access software applications 24 can also reside on a device even where the bandwidth provider 26 has not embraced bandwidth access software application 24 usage through the application activity system 20. In such an instance, the bandwidth access software application 24 performs just like any other bandwidth access software application resident on the device and consumes bandwidth in a similar manner (the device user 22 pays directly to the bandwidth provider 26 for the bandwidth consumed by the bandwidth access software application 24— just as he or she does for any other Internet enabled bandwidth access software application). The bandwidth access software application 24 works even where the bandwidth provider 26 does not participate with the bandwidth access software application activity system 20. Bandwidth access software applications 24 can be created by the subsidizing bandwidth access software application provider 30 even when the bandwidth provider 26 has not provided prices to the bandwidth brokerage engine 202 in FIG. 6. In such a case, the subsidizing bandwidth access software application provider 30 can be given the
  • bandwidth access software application 24 via the customized software development toolkit 520
  • bandwidth cost reimbursement rate selected by the subsidizing bandwidth access software application provider 30 and disclosed to the user 22 in the bandwidth access software application 24.
  • the user 22 then can simply input its own bandwidth provider account details ("data connection service account ID code") and payment instructions into the bandwidth access software application 24 prior to using it, and the bandwidth access software application, activity system registry 560, 60, and the application activity system settlement engine 580, 80 can ensure that the offered subsidy from the subsidizing bandwidth access software application provider 30 is paid to the bandwidth provider 26 for the account of the user 22.
  • the bandwidth access software application 24 can allow the user 22 on the user's 22 bandwidth access software application device 530 to download up to a certain amount of bandwidth access, such as 10 MB per day, of which the user 22 can be so informed, and have the user's 22 bandwidth provider 26 account (the account being referenced by the data connection service account ID code) reimbursed for $0.01 per MB per day, up to $1.00 total over some specified period of time, e.g., the next year, which the bandwidth access software application 24 allows the user 22 to accept as a term.
  • a certain amount of bandwidth access such as 10 MB per day
  • the bandwidth access software application 24 reimbursed for $0.01 per MB per day, up to $1.00 total over some specified period of time, e.g., the next year, which the bandwidth access software application 24 allows the user 22 to accept as a term.
  • the application activity system and method can include, as noted, a system and method for providing subsidized consumption of bandwidth and online bandwidth access to a user, which may comprise one or more bandwidth brokerage engines, bandwidth brokerage engine web site store fronts, software development toolkits, subsidized bandwidth access software applications, bandwidth access software application marketplaces, application activity system registries, and application activity system settlement engines.
  • An application activity system registry can include as an example a server, or the like, that is operated by one or more of the bandwidth providers, the application activity system operators, or a third-parties, which registry can serve to collect (a) the terms of the bandwidth access software application provider agreement with the bandwidth provider, which may be obtained from the bandwidth brokerage engine, (b) a bandwidth access software application provider identification code, which may also be obtained from the bandwidth brokerage engine, (c) a user device identification code, which may be obtained from the bandwidth access software application, and (d) bandwidth consumption data, which may be obtained from the use of the bandwidth access software application.
  • the registry can combine all these elements into a statement of charges applicable to the participants in the system, such statement of charges then being forwarded to an
  • the bandwidth provider can be a "user device ISP" or "network operator,” such as a wireline (DSL, coax, fiber, etc.) or wireless (cellular, Wi-Fi, etc.) carrier that provides online bandwidth connectivity to the user.
  • a bandwidth provider's network can include a physical communication network (towers, transmitters, servers, gateways, cables, servers, etc.) that supports the flow of data from one part of the Internet to the user's device, e. g., for a user subscribing to the connectivity service of the bandwidth provider.
  • Bandwidth usage data can be, as an example, data created based on utilization by the user, utilizing, e.g., a bandwidth access software application.
  • the bandwidth access software application can describe the data consumption from target application/content sources allowed to be accessed through the use of the bandwidth access software application, and in particular relating to download speeds, download amounts, times of access, content type access, destination(s), download caps encountered, commerce conducted via the subsidized bandwidth access software application, subsidized bandwidth access software application launch events, and jump off events engaged in by the user and like aspects of the user of the bandwidth access software application.
  • the bandwidth access software application can include a software
  • bandwidth access software application such as, an online access and consumption of bandwidth monitoring software application (“bandwidth access software application”) running on the user's device (e.g., using a particular operating system such as Android, webos, IOS, Windows, etc.) that is created by the software development toolkit, which bandwidth access software application can monitor bandwidth usage and periodically reports the consumption of bandwidth back to the application activity system registry for accounting for the payment for the
  • bandwidth access software application such as, an online access and consumption of bandwidth monitoring software application (“bandwidth access software application”) running on the user's device (e.g., using a particular operating system such as Android, webos, IOS, Windows, etc.) that is created by the software development toolkit, which bandwidth access software application can monitor bandwidth usage and periodically reports the consumption of bandwidth back to the application activity system registry for accounting for the payment for the
  • the application activity system settlement engine can be, e.g., a payment processing server that takes the statement of charges prepared by the application activity system registry and delivers settlement instructions to the relevant participating parties.
  • the bandwidth access software application provider identification code can be a unique identification number assigned the bandwidth access software application provider, e.g., each time the bandwidth access software application provider makes an agreement with a bandwidth provider for the provision of bandwidth for consumption by a user, such an agreement may be facilitated by utilizing a software development toolkit, with such unique code being embedded into the bandwidth access software application created by such software development toolkit and being further shared with the application activity system registry at the time of the bandwidth access software application provider agreement being created and provided to the registry.
  • the bandwidth access software application provider can be an interested third party payor that agrees with the bandwidth provider to subsidize the consumption of bandwidth access by the user on the bandwidth provider's network in instances where the user accesses target applications or content over such network utilizing a bandwidth access software application which can be created in conjunction with the bandwidth access software application provider, e.g., using a software development toolkit.
  • a bandwidth access software application provider agreement can include the contract and operational terms made between the bandwidth access software application provider and the bandwidth provider for the payment by the former to the latter to enable bandwidth consumption by the user utilizing a bandwidth access software application on a user's device to access target applications/content over the bandwidth provider's network, ;aid for, e.g., by the bandwidth access software application provider or some other payor agreeing to pay the bandwidth provider for the consumed bandwidth.
  • a software development toolkit can include a software development tool that can be provided to each bandwidth access software application provider, e.g., by a bandwidth brokerage engine for the subsequent creation of bandwidth access software applications (utilizing, e.g., Android, webos, IOS, Windows, etc.).
  • a bandwidth brokerage engine for the subsequent creation of bandwidth access software applications (utilizing, e.g., Android, webos, IOS, Windows, etc.).
  • development toolkit can also include a bandwidth access software application provider code within its contents and this bandwidth access software application provider code can further be embedded into any bandwidth access software application that is created with the software development toolkit.
  • a communication device may constitute a form of a computing device and may at least include a computing device.
  • the computing device may include a computing device level interconnect (e.g., a bus and system core logic), which can interconnect such components of a computing device to a data processing device, such as a processor(s) or microprocessor(s), or other form of partly or completely programmable or pre-programmed (e.g., hard wired and or application specific customized logic circuitry) device, such as a controller or microcontroller, a digital signal processor, or any other form of device that can fetch instructions, operate on preloaded/pre-programmed instructions, and/or followed hard-wired or customized circuitry to carry out logic operations that, together, perform steps of and whole processes and functionalities as described in the present disclosure.
  • a computing device level interconnect e.g., a bus and system core logic
  • a data processing device such as a processor(s) or microprocessor(s), or other form of partly or completely programmable or pre-programmed (e.g., hard wired and or application specific customized logic circuitry) device, such as
  • the functions, functionalities and/or operations can be implemented using special purpose circuitry, with or without software instructions, such as using Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or Field- Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or like technologies, which may be programmable, partly programmable or hard wired.
  • ASIC Application-Specific Integrated Circuit
  • FPGA Field- Programmable Gate Array
  • the application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC") logic may be such as gate arrays or standard cells, or the like, implementing customized logic by metalization(s) interconnecting base gate arrays in the ASIC architecture or selecting and providing metalization(s) interconnect between standard cell functional blocks included in a manufacturer's library of functional blocks, etc.
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • Embodiments can thus be implemented using hardwired circuitry without program software code/instructions, or in combination with circuitry using program software code/instructions.
  • the disclosed subject matter is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software, nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by the data processor(s) within the computing device. While some embodiments can be implemented in fully functioning computers and computer systems, various embodiments are capable of being distributed as a computing device including, e.g., a variety of forms and capable of being applied regardless of the particular type of machine or tangible computer-readable media used to actually effect the performance of the functions and operations and/or the distribution of the performance of the functions, functionalities and/or operations.
  • the computing device level interconnect may connect the data processing device to define logic circuitry including memory.
  • the interconnect may be internal to the data processing device, such as coupling a microprocessor to on board cache memory or external memory such as main memory, or a disk drive.
  • microprocessors include a PA-RISC series microprocessor from Hewlett-Packard Company, an 80x86 or Pentium series microprocessor from Intel Corporation, a PowerPC
  • microprocessor from IBM, a Sparc microprocessor from Sun Microsystems, Inc, or a 68xxx series microprocessor from Motorola Corporation as examples.
  • the computing device system level interconnect in addition to interconnecting such as microprocessor(s) and memory may also interconnect such elements to a display controller and display device, and/or to peripheral devices such as input/output (I/O) devices, e.g., through an input/output controller(s).
  • I/O devices can include a mouse, a keyboard(s), a modem(s), network interfaces, printers, scanners, video cameras and other devices which are well known in the art.
  • the inter-connect may include one or more buses connected to one another through various bridges, controllers and/or adapters.
  • the I/O controller includes a USB (Universal Serial Bus) adapter for controlling USB peripherals, and/or an IEEE-1394 bus adapter for controlling IEEE-1394 peripherals.
  • USB Universal Serial Bus
  • the memory may include any tangible computer-readable media, which may include but are not limited to recordable and non-recordable type media such as volatile and non-volatile memory devices, such as volatile RAM (Random Access Memory), typically implemented as dynamic RAM (DRAM) which requires power continually in order to refresh or maintain the data in the memory, and non-volatile ROM (Read Only Memory), and other types of non-volatile memory, such as a hard drive, flash memory, etc.
  • Nonvolatile memory typically may include a magnetic hard drive, a magnetic optical drive, or an optical drive (e.g., a DVD RAM, a CD ROM, a DVD or a CD), or other type of memory system which maintains data even after power is removed from the system.
  • a server could be made up of one or more computing devices. Servers can be utilized, e.g., in a network to host a network database, compute necessary variables and information from information in the database(s), store and recover information from the database(s), track information and variables, provide interfaces for uploading and downloading information and variables, and/or sort or otherwise manipulate information and data from the database(s).
  • a server can be used in conjunction with other computing devices positioned locally or remotely to perform certain calculations and functions.
  • At least some aspects disclosed can be embodied, at least in part, utilizing program software code/instructions. That is, the functions, functionalities and/or operations may be carried out in a computing device executing program software code/instructions, e.g., in one or more sequences of instructions fetched/retrieved from a memory, such as ROM, volatile RAM, non-volatile memory, cache, main memory, local or remote disc-drive, or other remote storage device.
  • a memory such as ROM, volatile RAM, non-volatile memory, cache, main memory, local or remote disc-drive, or other remote storage device.
  • the program software code/instructions typically comprise instructions stored at various times in various tangible memory and storage devices in or peripheral to a computing device, such as in cache memory, main memory, internal or external disk drives, and other remote storage devices, such as a disc farm, and when read and executed by a processor(s) in the computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method(s), e.g., process and operation steps to execute an element(s) as part of some aspect(s) of the disclosed subject matter.
  • Program software code/instructions executed to implement embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be implemented as part of an operating system or a specific application, component, program, object, module, routine or other sequence of instructions or organization of sequences of instructions referred to as "program software code/instructions," "operating system program software code/instructions,” “application program software code/instructions,” or simply "software.”
  • program software code/instructions "operating system program software code/instructions”
  • application program software code/instructions or simply "software.”
  • code/instructions typically include one or more instructions stored at various times in various tangible memory and storage devices in or peripheral to the computing device, that, when fetched/read and executed by the computing device, as defined herein, cause the computing device to perform functions, functionalities and operations necessary to perform a method, so as to execute elements involving various aspects of the function,
  • a module is a software, hardware, or firmware (or combinations thereof) system, process or functionality, or component thereof, that performs or facilitates the processes, features, and/or functions, functionalities and/or operations described herein (with or without human interaction or augmentation) as being performed by the identified module.
  • a module can include sub-modules.
  • Software components of a module may be stored on a tangible machine readable medium. Modules may be integral to one or more servers, or be loaded and executed by one or more servers. One or more modules may grouped into an engine or an application.
  • a tangible machine readable medium can be used to store program software code/instructions and data that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method(s) as may be recited in one or more accompanying claims directed to the disclosed subject matter.
  • the tangible machine readable medium may include storage of the executable software program code/instructions and data in various tangible locations, including for example ROM, volatile RAM, non-volatile memory and/or cache and/or other tangible memory as referenced in the present application.
  • program software code/instructions and/or data may be stored in any one of these storage and memory devices. Further, the program software code/instructions can be obtained from other storage, including, e.g., through centralized servers or peer to peer networks and the like, including the Internet. Different portions of the software program code/instructions and data can be obtained at different times and in different
  • the software program code/instructions and data can be obtained in their entirety prior to the execution of a respective software program or application by the computing device. Alternatively, portions of the software program code/instructions and data can be obtained dynamically, e.g., just in time, when needed for execution.
  • code/instructions and data may occur, e.g., for different applications, components, programs, objects, modules, routines or other sequences of instructions or organization of sequences of instructions, by way of example.
  • the data and instructions may be on a tangible machine readable medium in entirety at a particular instance of time.
  • tangible computer-readable media include but are not limited to recordable and non-recordable type media such as volatile and non-volatile memory devices, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory devices, floppy and other removable disks, magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media (e.g., Compact Disk Read-Only Memory (CD ROMS), Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs), etc.), among others.
  • the software program code/instructions may be temporarily stored in digital tangible communication links while implementing electrical, optical, acoustical or other forms of propagating signals, such as carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc. through such tangible communication links.
  • a tangible machine readable medium includes any tangible mechanism that provides (i.e., stores and/or transmits in digital form, e.g., data packets) information in a form accessible by a machine (i.e., a computing device), which may be included, e.g., in a communication device, a computing device, a network device, a personal digital assistant, a manufacturing tool, a mobile communication device, whether or not able to download and run applications and bandwidth access software applications from the communication network, such as the Internet, e.g., an l-phone, Blackberry Droid or the like, or any other device including a computing device.
  • a machine i.e., a computing device
  • a communication device e.g., a communication device, a computing device, a network device, a personal digital assistant, a manufacturing tool, a mobile communication device, whether or not able to download and run applications and bandwidth access software applications from the communication network, such as the Internet, e.g., an l-phone
  • an end user terminal can be a computing device, such as in the form of or included within a PDA, a cellular phone, a notebook computer, a personal desktop computer, etc.
  • a computing device such as in the form of or included within a PDA, a cellular phone, a notebook computer, a personal desktop computer, etc.
  • the traditional communication bandwidth access software application(s) may be used in some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.
  • embodiments of the disclosed subject matter including a computing device, are capable of being distributed, e.g., as a program product in a variety of forms and are capable of being applied regardless of the particular type of computing device machine or computer- readable media used to actually effect the distribution.
  • hardwired circuitry such as an ASIC(s)
  • software instructions may be used in combination with software instructions to implement an aspect(s) of the disclosed subject matter.
  • the techniques described herein are not limited to being implemented on any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by any part of the computing device(s).
  • Various functions and operations which have been described as being performed by or caused by software code to simplify description, will be understood by those skilled in the art to mean that the function(s), functionalities and/or operations resulting from execution of the
  • block diagram a block diagram or other operational illustration
  • block diagram a block diagram or other operational illustration
  • combination of blocks in a block diagram can be implemented by means of analog or digital hardware and computer program instructions.
  • These computing device software program code/instructions can be provided to the computing device such that the instructions, which execute via the computing device, e.g., on a processor within the computing device or other data processing apparatus, such that, when so executed, the program software code/instructions cause the computing device to perform functions, functionalities and operations of a method(s) according to the disclosed subject matter, as recited in the accompanying claims, with such functions, functionalities and operations specified in the block diagram.
  • aspects of the disclosed subject matter may be implemented in parallel or seriatim in hardware, firmware, software or any combination(s) thereof co-located or remotely located, at least in part, from each other, e.g., in arrays or networks of computing devices, over interconnected networks, including the Internet, and the like.
  • the system, method and network architecture disclosed can provide for an interested third party payor (also sometimes a subsidizing bandwidth access software application provider) to assume the cost of some or all of an user's bandwidth charges associated with accessing data through the Internet through IP-based access networks which may be operated by different bandwidth providers.
  • an interested third party payor also sometimes a subsidizing bandwidth access software application provider
  • This system for the transfer of bandwidth charges from the user to the interested third party payor herein sometimes referred to as "FreeBand” provides a system of self-aware, "charge shifting" Internet bandwidth access software applications that can reside on a consumer device (Android, webOS, Symbian, etc.) and self-monitor their own bandwidth consumption for the purpose of redirecting associated Internet access charges from the user of the bandwidth access software application to the subsidizing bandwidth access software application provider, also referred to as the interested third party payor - in effect enabling the "free” or "subsidized” delivery of any data that is associated with the particular bandwidth access software application.
  • FreeBand provides a system of self-aware, "charge shifting" Internet bandwidth access software applications that can reside on a consumer device (Android, webOS, Symbian, etc.) and self-monitor their own bandwidth consumption for the purpose of redirecting associated Internet access charges from the user of the bandwidth access software application to the subsidizing bandwidth access software application provider, also referred to as the interested third party payor - in effect enabling the
  • the application activity system is a software and hardware platform that enables each of the three main Internet connectivity value chain participants (the bandwidth provider of the user, the interested third party payor entity subsidizing the bandwidth to the user via the bandwidth access software application, and the end user) to more efficiently price, negotiate terms for, and exchange their value inputs to the other value chain participants.
  • each value chain participant has the following value inputs to broker (exchange for
  • bandwidth provider value input online access hardware, software, and bandwidth throughput (e.g., DSL, fiber optic, coax, 3G, LTE, WiMax, Wi-Fi, satellite) to online content and services (e.g., software applications, software bandwidth access software applications, web pages, audio, video, social networks, communication platforms);
  • bandwidth throughput e.g., DSL, fiber optic, coax, 3G, LTE, WiMax, Wi-Fi, satellite
  • content and services e.g., software applications, software bandwidth access software applications, web pages, audio, video, social networks, communication platforms
  • interested third party payor value input - cash resource as well as, software
  • bandwidth access software applications software bandwidth access software applications, web pages, audio, video, social networks, communication platforms, advertising, and other elements that can be downloaded over bandwidth networks and/or interact with other elements over bandwidth networks; and (iii) user value input - the ability to pay for both the (a) bandwidth access and (b) the online content and services by providing consideration in the form of (y) cash or (z) in-kind services (engaging in online behavior such as participating in online advertising or online commerce).
  • the application activity system provides a transparent and efficient system by which each value chain participant can identify an opportunity for an economic trade in their value inputs and execute on such an opportunity through a negotiated cash and/or in-kind exchange.
  • the trading of value inputs will involve at least three parties trading something of value in the form of a "multi-party-trade" where consideration is delivered by a first party to a second party that in turn delivers something of value to a third party, who in turn delivers something of value to the first party (completing the circle where each party gets something new of value in exchange for their contribution).
  • the circle can be more than three, but for purposes herein we limit examples to only three party trading groups.
  • an Internet user accesses content at website "X" using a custom built bandwidth access software application (e.g., an Android
  • bandwidth access software application created by a bandwidth access software
  • the bandwidth access software application accesses content from website "X" and consumes 10 MB of data sent over the bandwidth provider's Network.
  • the bandwidth access software application resident on the user's device e.g., mobile phone, laptop PC, game console, set-top box, tablet, embedded system, modem

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
  • Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé de liaison de données servant à établir une liaison de données, par le biais d'un réseau de communication, entre un utilisateur de largeur de bande dans un dispositif d'utilisateur relié à un réseau et une source de données dans un dispositif cible relié à un réseau, les activités consommant de la largeur de bande de l'utilisateur engageant une charge d'utilisation de largeur de bande de la part de l'opérateur du réseau fournissant la liaison de largeur de bande. Ledit procédé consiste à : fournir une application logicielle d'accès de largeur de bande avec un code d'identification de ladite application logicielle associé à la fois à ladite application logicielle d'accès et au fournisseur d'une telle application logicielle d'accès de largeur de bande ; permettre à l'utilisateur un accès à au moins une adresse de données en ligne spécifiée afin d'accéder au contenu cible hébergé dans au moins une source de contenu cible déterminée par le fournisseur de l'application logicielle d'accès de largeur de bande ; surveiller et enregistrer l'activité d'accès en ligne et fournir à un serveur d'enregistrement de système d'activité d'application le code d'identification du dispositif d'utilisateur final, le code d'identification de l'application et l'activité d'accès en ligne enregistrée.
PCT/US2011/044718 2010-07-20 2011-07-20 Système d'activité d'application WO2012012560A2 (fr)

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US201161435295P 2011-01-22 2011-01-22
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