Patent ID: 6199054
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
A method of cost metering for providing data transmission services, comprising steps of:accepting user specification of data files to be transmitted;accepting user specification of one or more destinations to which the user specified data files are to be transmitted;accepting user specification of data handling services to be provided in conjunction with transmission of the user specified data files, the user specified data handling services being selected from a predefined set of services that comprise compression, encryption, time stamping, and delivery services;computing of a cost associated with transmission of the user specified data files, the cost being based on one or more of the specified data handling services;displaying a pictorial representation of a digital payload envelope that does not include the user specified files, the digital envelop comprising a representation of the computed cost, the representation being displayed to a recipient at the one or more destinations; and,upon receipt of a user command from the recipient that indicates acceptance of the cost, transmitting a digital payload envelope including the user specified data files.