Patent ID: 8862516
Filing Date: 2014-10-14
Classification: G06F,G06Q

Abstract:
1. An internal data network that provides a plurality of end users metered access to content from an external data network that is communicably coupled to the internal data network, the internal data network comprising: a configuration server comprising a processor, the configuration server, by operation of the processor, i) providing an interactive online interface with which a content provider configures designated content that is delivered through the internal data network to the plurality of end users without the plurality of end users incurring data network usage fees for delivery of the designated content and ii) generating a configuration based on content provider input to the interactive online interface, the configuration comprising at least one identifier identifying the designated content without identifying other content of the content provider that has not been designated for free delivery to the plurality of end users; a caching server comprising a processor and memory, the caching server, by operation of the processor, i) storing a copy of the designated content in said memory, ii) serving to at least one particular end user of the plurality of end users the designated content on behalf of the content provider from within the internal data network without accessing the external data network by serving the designated content from said memory in response to a request for the designated content from the particular end user, and iii) tracking data network usage that is related to serving the designated content to the particular end user; a deep packet inspection (DPI) server comprising a processor, the DPI server configured with the at least one identifier from the configuration, the DPI server, by operation of the processor, inspecting content that is passed to the plurality of end users and logging usage of the data network by the particular end user that is not related to delivery of the designated content; and a billing server i) compiling the data network usage that is related to serving the designated content to the particular end user from the caching server and the usage of the data network by the particular end user that is not related to delivery of the designated content from the DPI server, ii) assessing a usage fee to the particular end user for data network usage by the particular end user that is not related to the delivery of the designated content to the particular end user and iii) assessing a usage fee to the content provider for data network usage that is related to delivery of the designated content to the at least one particular end user.