Patent ID: 7171488
Filing Date: 2007-01-30
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method of managing network resources in a terminating node of an information delivery network, said method comprising: receiving an inbound data container comprising a data item, said data container specifying a size of said data item and global positioning information for an originating node in said information delivery network; determining global positioning information for said terminating node; determining global positioning information for at least one intermediate node of said information delivery network if said data container is conveyed to the at least one intermediate node prior to reaching the terminating node, wherein said global positioning information is used to determine a time required for delivering said data container, distance traveled by said data container over the information delivery network, and a number of intermediate nodes traversed by said data container if said data container traverses at least one intermediate node prior to reaching the terminating node; correlating said global positioning information with geopolitical designations to determine at least one of a geopolitical area said data container originated from, a geopolitical area said data container traversed, and a geopolitical area said data container was received at by said terminating node, each geopolitical designation being associated with a cost-of-service; analyzing said inbound data container by comparing said global positioning information for said originating node and said terminating node; determining bandwidth usage according to said received inbound data container; and identifying a user associated with said data container and billing said user a monetary amount based on at least one of said determined bandwidth, one or more geopolitical designations, the time required for delivering said data container, and the distance traveled by said data container over the information delivery network.