Patent ID: 8762235
Filing Date: 2014-06-24
Classification: G06F,G06Q,H04L,H04M

Abstract:
1. A method for determining charges for services, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, via a network, a first request for a composite service, the first composite service comprising (a) a transactional service for an application, and (b) first and second metered services which enable the transactional service, and in response, determining, by one or more processors, a fixed fee for the transactional service and first and second metered usage fees for the first and second metered services, respectively, based on respective amounts of usage of the first and second metered services to enable the first composite service; and receiving, via a network, a second request for a second composite service, the second composite service comprising the first and second metered services but not involving the transactional service or the application, and in response, determining, by one or more processors, third and fourth metered usage fees for the first and second metered services, respectively, based on respective amounts of usage of the first and second metered services for the second composite service; and wherein the first and second metered usage fees are based on first and second usage charging rates, respectively, and the first and second usage charging rates are based in part on the transactional service; and the third and fourth metered usage fees are based on third and fourth usage charging rates, respectively, and the third usage charging rate is different than the first usage charging rate or the fourth usage charging rate is different than the second usage charging rate.