SERVICE PROVIDER NODE, A METHOD THEREIN, AND A COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT

A service provider node (101), and a method therein, for transmitting data packets relating to parts of a service to a communication device (102). The service provider node and the communication device are communicatively connected over a communications network (104) and comprised in a communications system (100). The method comprises receiving (205, 302) a signal (S1), which signal comprises an identifier of the communication device requesting a service, an identifier of the requested service, and an agreement comprising information about a previously agreed part of the service. The method comprises further agreeing (303) on an upcoming part of the service requested by the communication device, while transmitting (206, 304) data packets relating to the previously agreed part of the service to the communication device, wherein the data packets are transmitted in dependence of the received signal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to a service provider node, a method therein, and to a computer program product. Especially, embodiments relate to the transmission of data packets relating to parts of a service to the communication device.

BACKGROUND

Today, there exist several ways a customer using an Internet service can pay the service provider for the service provided. For example, the customer can enter his/hers credit card number on the service provider's web page, whereby payment can be accomplished by withdrawing the cost for the service from the bank account associated with the credit card number. Further, the customer can pay for the service by paying an invoice received from the service provider after he/she has consumed the Internet service. Furthermore, the customer can also use a safe online money transfer service, such as PayPal™, to pay for the Internet service.

However, according to the available payment solutions, the customer either agrees on payment and pays in advance, i.e. before receiving the service, or agrees on payment in advance but pays afterwards, i.e. when the service has been completed.

A drawback with agreeing on the payment in advance is that the two parties, i.e. the customer and the service provider, basically agree to a non-revocable contract for the complete service session before the session is started. In some scenarios, when the quality of the service session does not meet the customer's expectations, the customer cannot simply terminate the service session and expect to get the non-used part of the service session refunded or reduced from the invoice to pay, at least not without an effort to convince the service provider that the agreement should be breached. Further, other reasons for terminating the service session prematurely may exist, for reasons originating from either the customer or the service provider. In all cases, it is most likely that the customer would be in a better mood, if he does not have to pay for the unused part of the service session or to start some kind of legal process to get refunded.

Further, the current payment solutions also constitute practical thresholds that prevent spontaneous and/or small business transactions on the Internet.

SUMMARY

An object of embodiments herein is to provide a way of improving performance in a communications system.

According to a first aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method in a service provider node for transmitting data packets relating to parts of a service to a communication device.

The service provider node and the communication device are communicatively connected over a communications network and comprised in a communications system.

The service provider node receives a signal, which signal comprises an identifier of the communication device requesting a service, an identifier of the requested service, and an agreement comprising information about a previously agreed part of the service.

Further, the service provider node agrees with the communication device on an upcoming part of the service requested by the communication device, while transmitting data packets relating to the previously agreed part of the service to the communication device, wherein the data packets are transmitted in dependence of the received signal.

According to a second aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a service provider node for transmitting data packets relating to parts of a service to a communication device.

The service provider node and the communication device are communicatively connected over a communications network and comprised in a communications system.

The service provider node comprises a receiving circuit configured to receive a signal, which signal comprises an identifier of a communication device requesting a service, an identifier of the requested service, and an agreement comprising information about a previously agreed part of the service.

The service provider node further comprises an agreeing circuit configured to agree with the communication device on an upcoming part of the service requested by the communication device, while a transmitting circuit comprised in the service provider node transmits data packets relating to the previously agreed part of the service to the communication device in dependence of the received signal.

According to a third aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer program product for providing data packets relating to parts of a service to a communication device. The computer program product is loadable into a memory of a computerized device and comprises software code portions adapted to perform one or more of the actions described herein and/or to realize one or more of the features described herein.

Since the service provider node agrees with the communication device on an upcoming part of the service requested by the communication device, while transmitting data packets relating to the previously agreed part of the service to the communication device, services may be provided in the communication system in a more flexible manner.

This means that the transmittal of data packets may be terminated by for example a client using the communication device at any time without risking to lose the total cost agreed upon for the total service as in the prior art system.

Further, the client may, by means of the communication device, first agree on some parts of the service, and then if for example the quality of the service parts were good, the client may, by means of the communication device, agree on upcoming parts while the service provider node transmits the data packets relating to the previously agreed part to the communication device.

By providing services in a more flexible way, an improved performance in the communications system is obtained.

An advantage of embodiments herein is that the client may, by means of the communication device, interrupt the service at any point and be confident that he only has to pay for the amount of service he consumed. There might be several reasons to why the client wants to interrupt a service. For example, the client might not be satisfied with the quality of the service. If the service is an on-demand audio and video service, the client may be unsatisfied with the audio and/or video quality. As another example, if the service is a movie, the client may not like the content of the film, or the client does not know how long time he is able to use the service and therefore he may want to be confident that he only has to pay for the amount of service he consumed.

A further advantage of embodiments herein is that they provide for the service provider node to get paid for minor services or trials in a way that will make it easier to reach new clients. The clients may be able to test new services and new service providers without any considerable risk as the initial charge may be very small.

A yet further advantage of embodiments herein is that they provide for lowering of the threshold for business transactions in the communications network, e.g. the Internet. This may be of particular interest for the growth of streaming services, since the client only pays for what he consumes and may switch between different service providers very quickly and without any overhead cost.

A further advantage of embodiments herein is that the client may be anonymous to the service provider.

A further advantage of embodiments herein is that the quality of service may be renegotiated during the service session since the contract between the client and service provider is not for the entire service session. For example, the client may change from a lower video resolution to a higher video resolution during an ongoing service session and the payment would then adapt.

A yet further advantage of embodiments herein is that the service provider can replace a trial/preview service session and instead get paid for it.

A further advantage of embodiments herein is that the price may be changed dynamically during the service session if for example this is part of the initial agreement between the client and the service provider. For example, the price may be increased if there is a huge load on the service provide node. The price may be lowered during less interesting parts of the service session, for example during breaks in a football game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments herein will be exemplified in the following non-limiting description.

FIG. 1is a schematic overview of embodiments of a communications system100.

The communications system100comprises a service provider node101. The service provider node101may be a portable or stationary service provider device, such as a mobile terminal or a wireless terminal, a mobile phone, a computer such as e.g. a laptop, a tablet pc such as e.g. an iPad™, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or any other communication network unit capable to communicate over a communications network.

In this description reference is made to a service provider node101. However, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the service provider node101is realized by a service provider data node (not shown) and a service provider control node (not shown). The service provider data node and the service provider control node may be both physically and logically separated. Further, the service provider data node may be configured to handle the data plane, e.g. to handle data contents of the service. The service provider control node may be configured to handle the control plane, e.g. to control the data flow of the service.

A storage device101amay be comprised in the communications system100. The storage device101amay be connected to or comprised in the service provider node101. The storage device101amay be configured to store information relating to e.g. services and clients.

By the term “client”, when used herein, is meant a consumer of the service or of a part of the service. Sometimes herein reference is made only to the client. However, it should be understood that the client performs operations, and communicates and interacts with components of the communications system100, by means of a communication device (which will be described below).

Further, the communications system100comprises at least one communication device102. The communication device102may be a portable or stationary communication device, such as a mobile terminal or a wireless terminal, a mobile phone, a computer such as e.g. a laptop, a tablet pc such as e.g. an iPad™, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or any other communication network unit capable to communicate over a communications network.

In this description reference is made to a communication device102. However, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the communication device102is realized by a communication data node (not shown) and a communication control node (not shown). The communication data node and the communication control node may be both physically and logically separated. Further, the communication data node may be configured to handle the data plane, e.g. to handle data contents of the service. The communication control node may be configured to handle the control plane, e.g. to control the data flow of the service.

A financial service provider node103is also comprised in the communications system101. The financial service provider node103may be a Trusted Third Party (TTP), e.g. a financial service provider node with which both the service provider, by means of the service provider node101, and the client, by means of the communication device102, are authorized to execute financial transaction with.

In this description reference is made to a financial service provider node103. However, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the financial service provider node103is realized by a financial service provider data node (not shown) and a financial service provider control node (not shown). The financial service provider data node and the financial service provider control node may be both physically and logically separated. Further, the financial service provider data node may be configured to handle the data plane, e.g. to handle data contents of the financial service. The financial service provider control node may be configured to handle the control plane, e.g. to control the data flow of the financial service.

Further, a storage device103amay be comprised in the communications system100. The storage device103amay be connected to or comprised in the financial service provider node103. The storage device103amay be configured to store information relating to e.g. services, service providers and clients.

By the term “service provider”, when used herein, is meant a provider of the service or of a part of the service. The service may be produced by the service provider or it may be produced by another party and provided by the service provider. Sometimes herein reference is made only to the service provider. However, it should be understood that the service provider performs operations, and communicates and interacts with components of the communications system100, by means of the service provider node101.

The communications system100comprises further a communications network104. The communications network104may comprise a radio communications network, the Internet, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Personal Area Network (PAN) etc. By means of the communications network104, the service provider node101, the communication device102and the financial service provider node103may be arranged in communication with each other.

A certification node105may be comprised in the communications system100. The certification node105may be configured to communicate with the service provider node101, the communication device102and/or the financial service provider node103over the communications network101. The certification node105may be or comprise a Certificate Authority (CA) node. Further, the certification node105may provide a Public Key infrastructure (PKI).

By embodiments described herein, a single agreement between a client and a service provider for an entire service session is replaced by a plurality of agreements, each for a small part of the service session. Further, each of the plurality of agreements is agreed upon continuously in real-time during an ongoing service session.

The expression “agree upon continuously in real-time during the ongoing service session”, when used herein, is to be understood as the service provider node101and the communication device102are agreeing on a new part of the service while the service provider node101transmits a previously agreed part to the communication device102.

By means of the communication device102, the client may repeatedly send a signal S1to the service provider node101. However, as will be described below, the signal S1may be repeatedly sent to the service provider node101from the financial service provider node103upon request from the communication device102. The signal S1confirms and seals the agreement. Thus, the agreement may not later be repudiated by the client. For each signal S1received by the service provider node101, the client will continue to get access to those parts of the service that have been agreed upon.

FIG. 2is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in communication system100. As previously mentioned, the communications system100comprises the service provider node101, the communication device102, the financial service provider node103, and a communications network104over which the service provider node101, the communication device102, and the financial service provider node103communicate with each other.

Actions for transmitting data packets relating to parts of a service to the communication device102will now be described in more detail. The actions may be executed in an order different from that stated below and may also be combined.

The communication device102may perform an initial set-up process. In the initial set-up process, the client may, by means of the communication device102, select one or more configurations to be applied for one or more services.

One or more different configurations may be published by the service provider node101. The one or more different configurations may for example be available for selection via the service provider's web page.

The service provider node101may present the configuration in a human readable form on the web page that the service provider controls. However, the configuration may also be presented in a machine readable way, e.g. by using Extensible Markup Language (XML), so the client's communication device102by means of a computer program, reads the configurations and selects a specific configuration. The configuration may be automatically read and selected by means of the computer program.

As an example, the client's communication device101may be set up to always select the cheapest configuration alternative.

The configuration may comprise a cost of the service.

By means of the communication device102, the client selects the configuration alternative that the client wants to purchase. The configuration alternative may be selected as an initial configuration alternative. In a very simple example, when the service is a movie clip, three configuration alternatives may be available, which three configuration alternatives will be exemplified in the three tables 1-3 below.

As exemplified in the tables 1 and 2, by the configuration alternatives 1 and 2, the service provider may offer the movie clip service with a predetermined cost per service part. In the configuration alternative 1, the cost per service part is 0.2 coins per time unit. However, the cost per service part may also be expressed as a cost per data unit as indicated in table 1. Further, as exemplified in table 3, the service provider may offer the service with a variable cost per service part.

In some embodiments, agreement changes of a configuration alternative with the variable part cost may only be initiated by the service provider by means of the service provider node101.

In some embodiments, agreement changes of a configuration alternative may be initiated by the client, by means of the client's communication device102, or by the service provider, by means of the service provider node101.

It may be desirable for the client to be able to know whether or not only he is allowed to change the agreement, or if also the service provider is allowed to make changes. This may be set in an initial agreement, typically executed before the service session is started.

Calculations of the predetermined cost per service part and of the variable cost per service part will now be described.

Predetermined Cost Per Service Part

In the predetermined cost per service part alternative a cost is calculated for each equally sized service part using a predefined equation. Further, the cost per service may be associated with a certain quality aspect of the service. The client may select between several cost/service quality alternatives, as exemplified in tables 1-2 above.

In some embodiments, the client and the service provider agree on the configuration alternative during the initial setup and the same cost per service is then kept for all parts during the service session.

However, the agreement during initial setup may be seen as an initial base agreement. When the service starts, the client's communication device102and the service provider's service provider node101may continuously in real-time agree on upcoming parts, e.g. upcoming small parts, of the service session while the service provider node101provides previously agreed service parts to the communication device102. This will be described in more detail below with reference to e.g.FIGS. 2 and 3.

In some embodiments, the cost for one service part may be calculated by the following equations:

Number of service parts=((total service time)/(service part interval))  (eq. 1)

Cost per service part=((total service cost)/(number of service parts))  (eq. 2)

In equation 1, the number of service parts is the number of parts the service is divided into and the total service time is the time of the total service. For example, when the service is a video service, the total time of the service may be the length in time of the video. Further, in equation 1, the service part Interval is how often a signal S1may be generated by the communication device102and sent to the service provider node101.

In equation 2, the total service cost is the total cost for the service.

It should be understood that the number of service parts may be calculated as:

Number of service parts=((total data of service)/(service part interval))  (eq. 3)

In equation 3, the total data of service is the total amount of data of the service. The amount of data may be expressed in bytes.

However, it should be understood that a combination of the total service time and the total data of service may be used. For example, the payment may be based on time slots until a fixed, e.g. predetermined, level of data is reached, after which an additional cost relating to the amount of data is added to the cost per time slot.

Calculation of Predetermined Cost Per Service Part

Assume that the client wants to view a movie that is 120 minutes long and the service provider wants to have 12 coins for the complete movie. Further, assume a service part is generated once per second. Then, the number of parts is calculated as Number of parts=[120 min×(60 s/min)]/1=7200, and the cost per service is calculated as Cost per service=(12/7200)=1/600. Thus, according to this example, one service part costs 1/600 coins.

Variable Cost Per Service Part

In the variable cost per service part alternative, the cost per service part is calculated in a similar manner as described above, with the difference that the cost varies, cf. e.g. table 3 above.

In some embodiments, the cost varies over time, over the amount of data transferred, or over the amount of data to be transferred. The cost may also vary in dependence of the number of clients, or of the client's status, e.g. whether or not the client is a premium client to have certain benefits. Another example may be an on-line backup service, wherein the cost for the client relates to the amount of data being received by the service provider and wherein this cost may depend on the time of the day in such a way that the cost is lower when the service provider experiences lower data traffic.

If the cost varies in dependence of the number of clients, several alternatives may exist. In a first alternative, the service provider may have a fixed cost for providing the service no matter how many clients the service provider provides it to. In such case, the service provider may lower the cost per fragment in real-time depending on how many clients use the service. In a second alternative, the service provider has a fixed amount of resources, such as bandwidth or processing capacity serving the clients. In such case, the service provider may want to decrease the cost per fragment for points in time when not many clients are connected and to increase the cost per fragment for points in time when many clients are connected.

For the client, an advantage with variable cost per service alternative is that the cost may be lower than the cost per service part in the predetermined case. Comparison may be made to a variable interest rate versus fixed interest rates that a bank provides.

For the service provider, an advantage with the variable cost per service alternative is that, when the service provider has a base cost for the service and when several clients use the service at the same time, the base cost may be shared among the clients.

Another advantage for the service provider is that, when the service provider is “buying” the service from a sub-service provider in real-time and when the sub-service provider has a variable cost per service part versus the service provider, the service provider may vary cost in real-time versus its clients as well.

In some embodiments, the variable cost per service part may be combined with an upper cost per service part limit. In such embodiments, the client may pay a higher cost per service part as compared to embodiments comprising a pure variable cost per service part alternative, but the client will have an insurance that the cost per service part cost will never go over the upper cost per service part limit.

An exemplifying embodiment comprising the variable cost per service part alternative will be described in more detail below.

The communication device102transmits a request for a part of a service to the service provider node101.

The service may be any kind of service that may be split up in parts. For example, the service may be one or more of a video service; an audio service, such as a music service; an online gaming service; a real-time data service such as stock information;

football scores; real-time weather forecasts; an e-book service, a telephony service, and a backup service where the client pays for the amount of data the client backups to e.g. a server.

A service that continues over a certain period of time, such as video or music services, or online gaming services, may be split up into parts of a predefined or predetermined sub-period of time.

However, other services may be split up in dependence of the amount of the service. For example, e-book services may be split up into parts comprising a predefined or predetermined number of pages. However, other services may be divided into parts in dependence of the total data amount of the service. For example, a data backup service may be divided into parts of data to backup to e.g. a server.

It should be understood that the service is not restricted to a type where there is a data flow from the service provider node101to the client's communication device102, e.g. a video streaming service. The data flow relevant for the service may as well be a bi-directional service, i.e. a service wherein the data flow may flow from the service provider node101to the communication device102as well as form the communication device102to the service provider node101. One example of a bi-directional service is a telephony service.

The service provider node101presents a cost for the part of the service to the communication device102.

The communication device102transmits an acceptance of a presented cost to the service provider node101.

The communication device102transmits a signal S1to the service provider node101. This will be exemplified below with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6.

The signal S1comprises an identifier of the communication device102requesting a service, an identifier of the requested service, and an agreement comprising information about a previously agreed part of the service.

The signal S1may further comprise an identifier of a financial service provider node103, an identifier of one or more previously received signal S1and/or a digital signature generated based on the information comprised in the signal S1.

In order to prevent the signal S1from being repudiated, technologies using e.g. a smart card, such as an Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC), or a secure execution environment, may be used to create the signal S1in a secure manner.

Alternatively, the signal S1may be transmitted from the financial service provider node103to the service provider node101. This will be exemplified below with reference toFIG. 7.

In some embodiments, the actions203and204, or actions203and204′ are combined. In such embodiments, the signal S1comprises the acceptance of the cost.

The service provider node101receives the signal S1.

The service provider node101transmits one or more data packets relating to the requested part of the service to the communication device102, while the service provider node101and the communication device102are agreeing on upcoming parts of the service.

The one or more data packets are transmitted in dependence of information comprised in the received signal S1.

The financial service provider103transfers compensation to the service provider node101. The compensation may correspond to the cost associated with one or more signals S1received by the service provider node101.

The service provider node101may receive the compensation.

In some embodiments, the service provider node101may receive a notice that the compensation has been transferred to an account, e.g. a bank account, associated with the service provider node101. This will be exemplified with reference toFIG. 7.

FIG. 3is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in the service provider node101. As previously mentioned, the service provider node101and the communication device102are comprised in the communications system100, and communicatively connected over the communications network104.

Actions for transmitting data packets relating to parts of a service to the communication device102will now be described in more detail. The actions may be executed in an order different from that stated below and may be combined.

In some embodiments, the service provider node101authenticates the communication device102and establishes a secure communication with the communication device102.

The authentication of the communication device102and the establishment of a secure communication with the communication device102may comprise that the service provider node101receives, from the communication device102, a digital certificate generated by a certification node105. The certification node105is comprised in the communications system100and communicatively connected to the communications network101. The service provider node101verifies the received digital certificate and verifies that a user of the communication device102is a correct owner of the digital certificate by running a challenge-response sequence. Further, the service provider101establishes the secure communication to the communication device102.

The certification node105may be a Certificate Authority node, CA node. Further, the certification node105may provide a Public Key infrastructure (PKI).

The service provider101receives the signal S1.

As previously mentioned, the signal S1comprises an identifier of the communication device102requesting a service, an identifier of the requested service, and an agreement comprising information about a previously agreed part of the service.

In some embodiments, the service provider node101receives the signal S1from the communication device102. This will be exemplified with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6.

In some embodiments, the service provider node101receives the signal S1from the financial service provider node103, whereby the service provider node101may be guaranteed that the received signal S1is backed up by a monetary value. This will be exemplified with reference toFIG. 7.

The received signal S1may further comprise an identifier of the financial service provider node103, an identifier of one or more previously received signals S1and/or a digital signature generated based on the information comprised in the signal S1.

This action relates to action205.

The service provider node101agrees on an upcoming part of the service requested by the communication device102.

In some embodiments, the service provider node101receives a request for the upcoming part of the service from the communication device102. This relates to action above, wherein it is stated that the communication device102transmits a request for a part of a service to the service provider node101.

The request may comprise a selected variant of the upcoming part of the service. The selected variant may relate to a configuration alternative. When used herein “variant of the upcoming part of the service” is to be understood to mean a variant of a service parameter such as a variant of a resolution, a variant of a sound quality, a variant of a visual angle or a language variant, just to mention some examples of variants of service parameters.

A variant of a resolution may be a 480×320 pixels resolution and another may be a 1280×720 pixels resolution.

A variant of a sound quality may be a stereo quality or a surround sound quality such as 5.1.

A variant of a visual angle may be a specific visual angle provided by a camera. In for example a sports event, several cameras may be arranged to provided several visual angles of the event, and one variant of the visual angle may be provided by one of the cameras.

A language variant may be the English language, the Swedish language, or another language.

In some embodiments, the service provider node101receives a request for the upcoming part of the service from the communication device102, presents a cost for the requested upcoming part to the communication device102, and receives an acceptance of the presented cost from the communication device102. This relates to actions201,202, and203.

The service provide node101may continuously agree on upcoming parts of the service, while simultaneously transmitting data packets relating to previously agreed parts of the service to the communications device102, as will be described in action304below.

The cost for the requested upcoming part of the service may, for example, vary in dependence of a quality the requested upcoming part, a size of the requested upcoming part, a point in time for the requested upcoming part in relation to the total time for the service, and/or in dependence of a user of the communication device102, i.e. of the client, requesting the upcoming part.

While agreeing on the upcoming part of the service as described in action303, the service provider node101transmits data packets relating to the previously agreed part of the service to the communication device102. The data packets are transmitted in dependence of the received signal S1.

This action relates to action206.

In some embodiments, when the service provider node101has received the signal S1from the communication device102as described in action302, the service provider node101transmits one or more received signals S1to the financial service provider node103. This is performed to receive compensation for the parts of services that have been provided.

This action relates to actions207and208.

The service provider node101receives compensation from the financial service provider node103. The compensation corresponds to the cost associated with one or more received signals S1.

This action relates to actions207and208.

To perform the method actions in the service provider node101described above for transmitting data packets relating to parts of a service to the communication device102, the service provider node101comprises the following arrangement depicted inFIG. 4.

As previously mentioned the service provider node101and the communication device102are communicatively connected over the communications network104and comprised in the communications system100.

The service provider node101comprises a receiving circuit401configured to receive the signal S1.

As previously mentioned, the signal S1comprises an identifier of the communication device102requesting a service, an identifier of the requested service, and an agreement comprising information about a previously agreed part of the service.

The signal S1may further comprise an identifier of a financial service provider node103, an identifier of one or more previously received signal S1and/or a digital signature generated based on the information comprised in the signal S1.

The receiving circuit401may further be configured to receive a compensation from the financial service provider node103connected to the communications network104and comprised in the communications system100.

The compensation may correspond to a cost associated with one or more received signals S1.

The cost for the requested upcoming part of the service may vary, for example, in dependence of a quality of the requested upcoming part, a point in time for the requested upcoming part in relation to the total time for the service, and/or in dependence of a user of the communication device102, i.e. of the client, requesting the upcoming part.

In some embodiments, the receiving circuit401is further configured to receive the signal S1from the communication device102. This will be exemplified below with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6. In some embodiments, the receiving circuit401is further configured to receive the signal S1from the financial service provider node103, whereby the service provider node101may be guaranteed that the received signal S1is backed up by a monetary value. This will be exemplified below with reference toFIG. 7.

The service provider node101comprises further an agreeing circuit402configured to agree on an upcoming part of the service requested by the communication device102, while a transmitting circuit403comprised in the service provider node10transmits data packets relating to the previously agreed part of the service to the communication device102in dependence of the received signal S1.

The agreeing circuit402may be configured to receive a request for the upcoming part of the service from the communication device102. The request may comprise a selected variant of the upcoming part of the service.

Further, the agreeing circuit402may be configured to receive a request for the upcoming part of the service from the communication device102, to present a cost for the requested upcoming part to the communication device102, and to receive an acceptance of the presented cost from the communication device102.

In some embodiments, the agreeing circuit402is configured to continuously agree on an upcoming part of the service. In such embodiments, the transmitting circuit403may be configured to simultaneously transmit data packets relating to the previously agreed part of the service to the communication device102.

In some embodiments, when e.g. the receiving circuit401has received the signal S1from the communication device102, the transmitting circuit403may be configured to transmit one or more received signals S1to the financial service provider node103.

The service provider node101may further comprise an authenticating and establishing circuit404configured to authenticate the communication device102and to establish a secure communication with the communication device102.

In order to authenticate the communication device102and to establish a secure communication with the communication device102, the authenticating and establishing circuit404may be configured to receive, from the communication device102, a digital certificate generated by a certification node105comprised in the communications system100and communicatively connected to the communications network101. Further, the authenticating and establishing circuit404may be configured to verify the received digital certificate, to verify that a user of the communication device102is a correct owner of the digital certificate by running a challenge-response sequence, and to establish the secure communication to the communication device102.

In some embodiments, the authenticating and establishing circuit404is further configured to assist the communication device102in the initial set-up process described in action200.

Embodiments herein for transmitting data packets relating to parts of a service to the communication device102may be implemented through one or more processors, e.g. microprocessor, such as a processing circuit405comprised in the service provider node101depicted inFIG. 4, together with computer program code for performing the functions and/or method actions of embodiments herein.

The service provider node101may further comprise a memory406. The memory may comprise one or more memory units and may be used to store e.g. information relating to services, clients, communication devices102, financial service providers103, etc.

Further, embodiments herein do also relate to a computer program product with program code portions for carrying out one or more of the actions and/or or realizing one or more of the features described herein, when executed in a processing unit.

Embodiments herein will now be exemplified with reference to the non-limitingFIGS. 5-7, which are schematically combined flow schemes and block diagrams illustrating embodiments of the communications system100.

InFIG. 5, the signal S1is created by the client by means of the communication device102. The signal S1may constitute the proof of a service agreement. Some embodiments will now be described with reference to actions5A-5E. It should be understood that actions may be performed in another order and that actions may be combined.

In action5A, the client surfs, by means of the communication device102, to the service provider's Internet site provided by the service provider node101. The communication device102browses the different services offered on the Internet site, and selects one. The information presented about the offering may comprise data that the communication device102may use to split the service cost into a multitude of smaller costs each to be associated with an agreement.

The client may need to authenticate himself to the service provider. This may be done using well established procedures using e.g. the PKI infrastructure, and are therefore not described in more detail here. Typically, the communication device102provides the client's certificate to the service provider node101, which verifies the certificate, and then runs a challenge-response sequence to verify that the client is the correct owner of the certificate.

The PKI infrastructure is then used by the service provider node101to establish a session key that may allow a confidential communication. In this confidential communication the client's communication device102may provide further information, such as a reference to the financial service provider node103, and possibly information about the client's relation to the financial service provider node103. However, this may only be necessary if the client has not earlier registered with the service provider node101. In this confidential communication may also be established unique identifiers for the service provider node101, the service, and the client's communication device102, for the service session. Information sent here may be signed by the client's communication device102to prevent later repudiation attempts.

This action relates to actions200-205, and301.

In action5B, the client's communication device102and the service provider's service provider node101agree on the minimum cost in each agreement, and the amount of service this corresponds to. The client's communication device102generates a signal S1that expresses an agreement to consume the service for a small part of the entire scope or of an expected scope of the service.

As previously mentioned, the signal S1may comprise one or more of the following: an identifier of the service provider and/or the service provider node101; an identifier of the specific service; an identifier of the client and/or the client's communications device102; an identifier of the financial service provider node103associated with the client; the amount that the client accepts to pay to the service provider for consumption of an agreed part of the service; a unique identifier, such as a sequence number, a time stamp, or a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) over a previously received signal S1; and a digital signature that is calculated on all the above data.

This action relates to actions204,302and303.

In action5C, the service provider delivers, by means of the service provide node101, parts of the service to the communication device102in accordance with the agreement comprised in the received signal S1, while agreeing with the communication device102on upcoming parts.

This relates to actions206and304.

For each point in time that precedes the end of an ongoing service delivery, the client generates, by means of the communication device102, a new signal S1that expresses an agreement to consume the service for a small part of the entire or expected scope of the service. This relates to action5B.

In action5D, at some point, possibly already during the service session, the service provider may, by means of the service provide node101, provides one or more received signal S1to the financial service provider node103.

This relates to action305.

In action5E, the financial service provider node103may transfer the compensation the service provider node101. In some embodiments, the financial service provider node103pays the amount specified in the signals S1to the service provider node101, and charges the client, via the client's communication device102, with the same amount. This may be realised by the financial service provider node103paying the amount specified in the signals S1to the service provider node101, and charging the client's communication device102with the same amount.

This relates to actions207,208and306.

In some embodiments, the communication between the service provider node101and the financial service provider node103and/or the communication between the communication device102and the financial service provider node103is a secure communication. For example, the PKI infrastructure may be used to achieve confidentiality, integrity, and non-repudiation.

An advantage of embodiments according toFIG. 5, given that the signal S1cannot be repudiated at a later stage, is that neither the service provider nor the client needs to carry out any communication with the financial service provider node103before, or during the service session.

Another advantage, for the financial service provider node103, is that the signal S1is created by the client's communication device102. The small, but still real, cost to create a signed signal is thus taken by the client.

InFIG. 6, the signal S1is created by the financial service provider node103. The signal S1may constitute the proof of a service agreement.

Embodiments exemplified with reference toFIG. 6correspond to embodiments exemplified with reference toFIG. 5except in that the signal S1is created by the financial service provider node103. Some embodiments will now be described with reference to actions6A-6G. It should be understood that actions may be performed in another order and that actions may be combined.

In action6A, by means of its communication device102, the client buys a signal S1from the financial service provider node103. In other words, the communication device102sends a request for the signal S1to the financial service provider103.

In action6B, the financial service provider node103receives the request, generates the signal S1and transmits the signal S1to the client's communication device102.

In action6C, the client surfs, by means of the communication device102, to the service provider's Internet site provided by the service provider node101. The communication device102browses the different services offered on the Internet site, and selects one. The information presented about the offering may comprise data that the communication device102may use to split the service cost into a multitude of smaller costs each to be associated with an agreement.

In some embodiments, the action6C precedes the actions6A and6B described above. In such embodiments, by means of the communication device102, the client may buy the signal S1from the financial service provider node103according to the actions6A and6B in dependence of information about the service selected in the action6C.

As previously described, the client may need to authenticate himself to the service provider.

This action relates to actions200-205, and301.

In action6D, the client's communication device102transmits the signal S1to the service provider node101. As previously mentioned, the signal S1expresses an agreement to consume the service for a small part of the entire scope or of an expected scope of the service.

This action relates to action204.

In action6E, the service provide node101delivers, by means of the service provide node101, parts of the service to the communication device102in accordance with the agreement comprised in the received signal S1, while agreeing with the communication device102on upcoming service parts.

This relates to actions206and304.

In action6F, at some point, possibly already during the service session, the service provider may, by means of the service provide node101, provide one or more received signals S1to the financial service provider node103.

This relates to action305.

In action6G, the financial service provider node103may transfer the compensation to the service provider node101. In some embodiments, the financial service provider node103pays the amount specified in the signals S1to the service provider node101, and charges the client, via the client's communication device102, with the same amount. This may be realised by the financial service provider node103paying the amount specified in the signals S1to the service provider node101, and charging the client's communication device102with the same amount.

This relates to actions207,208and306.

An advantage with embodiments according toFIG. 6as compared to embodiments exemplified with reference toFIG. 5is that the financial service provider node103may reserve the value of the signal S1when the signal S1is generated. This means that the service provider is guaranteed that the received signal S1is backed up by a value.

InFIG. 7, the signal S1is created by the financial service provider node103and forwarded to the service provider's service provider node101by the financial service provider node103. The signal S1may constitute the proof of a service agreement.

Embodiments exemplified with reference toFIG. 7correspond to the embodiments exemplified with reference toFIG. 6except in that the signal S1is sent from the financial service provider node103to the service provider node101. Some embodiments will now be described with reference to actions7A-7E. It should be understood that actions may be performed in another order and that actions may be combined.

In action7A, the client surfs, by means of the communication device102, to the service provider's Internet site provided by the service provider node101. The communication device102browses the different services offered on the Internet site, and selects one. The information presented about the offering may comprise data that the communication device102may use to split the service cost into a multitude of smaller costs each to be associated with an agreement.

As previously described, the client may need to authenticate himself to the service provider.

This action relates to actions200-205, and301.

In action7B, the client, by means of the client's communication device102, instructs the financial service provider node103to transfer a compensation to the service provider's account. The compensation corresponds to the selected service part.

In action7C, the financial service provider node103transfers the compensation from the client's account to the service provider's account.

In action7D, the financial service provider node103informs the service provider node101that the compensation has been transferred. This may be realized, by the financial service provider node103generating the signal S1and transmitting the signal S1to the service provider node101.

This action relates to actions204′,207,302, and306.

In action7E, the service provider delivers, by means of the service provide node101, parts of the service to the communication device102. The parts of the service are delivered in dependence of the received signal S1and thus in dependence of the transferred compensation.

This action relates to actions206and304.

An advantage with embodiments according toFIG. 7is that the signal S1sent to the service provider node101from the financial service provider node103comprises an acknowledgement that the financial service provider node103has provided the compensation to the service provider's account. This means that neither the service provider node101nor the financial service provider node103needs to save the signals S1in order to transfer the correct compensation to the service provider's account at a later stage.

Embodiments Comprising the Variable Cost Per Service Part Alternative

Exemplifying embodiments comprising the variable cost per service part alternative will now be described in more detail.

In some embodiments, in order to enable a variable cost per service part alternative, a bidirectional communication is provided between the service provider node and the client's communication device102.

By means of the communication device102, the client visits the service provider web site, selects the service, and a specific variant of it (if different variants exist).

The communication device102communicates the selection to the service provider's service provider node101. This communication may be wrapped within a session involving authentication of one or both parties, and means for adding confidentiality and/or non-repudiation of the communication. The possible scope of the allowed variations, from both the client and the service provider perspective, may also be sent to the service provider node101. In some embodiments, the scope of the allowed variations of the price may not exceed Y units, e.g. Y monetary units.

The service provider, by means of the service provider node101, responds to the client's communication device102with an acceptance of the overall terms. Here may also information be provided necessary for the client to access/initiate the media stream, and the payment stream (which may be run from two different servers on the providers side). This information may be a Universal/Uniform Resource Locator (URL), a Service Data Point (SDP), or the like.

By means of the communication device102, the client initiates the access to the service provider node101. The protocol used by the service provider node101for delivering the media service to the client's communication device102may be any well-known protocol, such as a Service Request Transport Protocol (SRTP), Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) (DASH), HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), or any other protocol.

The client, by means of the communication device102, initiates the “payment protocol” by sending the signal S1to the service provider node101.

As previously mentioned, the signal S1comprises information identifying the service provider, the service provider node101, the service, the service variant to be valid during the agreement, and the part cost paid for it. The signal S1may include a digital signature by the client's communication device102, if non-repudiation is part of the protocol. The signal S1may be encrypted for confidentiality reasons. The signal S1may also comprise information describing a change of the terms that has been used up until the current agreement, which then will be valid for this and upcoming agreements.

The service provider node101may return a response to the received signal S1. The signal S1may be used by the service provider node101to announce that it will change the terms of the following agreements, and it may also comprise information describing the amount of service that the service provider nodes sees the received compensation to reward under the terms valid. It may also comprise information about the current “payment balance” as the service provider node101sees it, i.e. the difference between the accumulated cost parts received, and the amount of service provided.

The response sent from the service provider node101may comprise one or more of an identifier of the service provider, the service provider node101, the specific service, the client, the client's communication device102, the amount of service (with unit) the current signal S1generates; the current differential amount of service (with unit) between the accumulated payment and the accumulated service provided, incl. the compensation comprised in the current signal S1; an identifier of the new agreement that will start to be valid from the accumulated service provided so far (if the different variants were described in the overall agreement, with associated identifiers, else the full description may have to be sent); and a digital signature that is calculated on all the above data.

The service flow and the compensation flow may then continue with the possible changes as described above. At some point the service flow and/or the compensation flow will be terminated. The service flow will be terminated when the service has come to its conclusion. The compensation flow may be terminated by the client's communication device102terminating the payment flow, which leads to a termination of the service flow. The service flow and/or the compensation flow may also be terminated by the service provider node101or by some protocol/technical/unknown error.

Embodiments herein do also relate to a computer program product for providing data packets relating to parts of a service to the communication device102. The computer program product is loadable into a memory of a computerized device and comprises software code portions adapted to perform one or more of the actions described herein and/or to realize one or more of the features described herein.

Although the description above contains many specifics, they should not be construed as limiting but as merely providing illustrations of some presently preferred embodiments. The technology fully encompasses other embodiments which may become apparent to those skilled in the art. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed hereby. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the described technology for it to be encompassed hereby.

When using the word “comprise” or “comprising” it shall be interpreted as non-limiting, in the meaning of “consist at least of”.

When using the word action/actions it shall be interpreted broadly and not to imply that the actions have to be carried out in the order mentioned. Instead, the actions may be carried out in any suitable order other than the order mentioned. Further, some action/actions may be optional.

The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described examples. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above examples should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appending claims.