Abstract:
A method of brokering a network resource  10  includes providing a service broker processor  12  and a service broker registry  13 . On receiving a request at the service broker processor to register a network resource to provide a network service, the service broker processor authenticates the request and authorises registration in the service broker registry. A network client  14  is updated with the availability of the registered network resource so that on receiving a third party request for the network service, the network client requests allocation of the registered network resource. A bearer path  54  is set up between the third party 21 and the network resource  10  to provide the requested network service.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to communication networks and in particular to brokering network resources on a communication network.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     When an end-user seeks network services or resources, such as teleconferencing, voicemail and database services, from a network operator, the network operator creates a bespoke solution by approaching individual vendors and obtaining the required services from different vendors to create a multi-vendor solution. The network operator cannot obtain the services from a single source.  
         [0003]     That is, the network resources are held in closed environments which are proprietary implementations, so that the network resources are not available, or even visible, to other users.  
         [0004]     Moreover, the same network resources are replicated to provide services to different users, for example in different time zones, even although a network resource in one time zone may be idle while a corresponding network resource in another time zone is in use, and vice versa.  
         [0005]     It is desirable to maximise use of network resources and bandwidth, to make different services available from a single source and, in particular, to avoid unnecessary multiplication of network resources.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of brokering a network resource comprising the steps of: providing a service broker processor and a service broker registry; receiving a request at the service broker processor to register in the service broker registry a network resource for providing a network service; the service broker processor authenticating the request and authorising registration to establish an authenticated and authorised network resource; the service broker processor registering the authenticated and authorised network resource in the service broker registry to establish a registered network resource; the service broker processor updating a network client with the availability of the registered network resource; the network client receiving a third party request for the said network service; the network client requesting allocation of the registered network resource; and the network client setting up a bearer path between the third party and the network resource.  
         [0007]     Advantageously, the method comprises an additional step of providing a resource manager and the resource manager checking a status of the registered network resource before updating the network client with the availability of the registered network resource.  
         [0008]     Preferably, the method comprises a further step of the service broker processor monitoring availability of the registered network resource.  
         [0009]     Conveniently, the step of updating a network client includes the network client activating the service provided by the registered network resource.  
         [0010]     Advantageously, the step of the network client requesting allocation of the registered network resource includes the network client determining the availability of the registered network resource.  
         [0011]     Advantageously, the step of the network client requesting allocation of the registered network resource comprises the network client requesting allocation of a plurality of registered network resources to provide the said network service by succession brokering of the plurality of registered network resources.  
         [0012]     Preferably the step of the network client setting up a bearer path includes the step of the network client monitoring use of the network resource and billing the third party user.  
         [0013]     According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of registering a network resource comprising the steps of: providing a service broker processor and a service broker registry; receiving a request at the service broker processor to register in the service broker registry a network resource for providing a network service; the service broker processor authenticating the request and authorising registrations to establish an authenticated and authorised network resource; and the service broker processor registering the authenticated and authorised network resource in the service broker registry to establish a registered network resource.  
         [0014]     Advantageously, the method comprises an additional step of providing a resource manager and the resource manager checking a status of the registered network resource before updating the network client with the availability of the registered network resource.  
         [0015]     Preferably, the method comprises a further step of the service broker processor monitoring availability of the registered network resource.  
         [0016]     Conveniently, the step of updating a network client includes the network client activating the service provided by the network resource.  
         [0017]     According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of requesting a network service from a network client comprising the steps of: providing a service broker processor and a service broker registry containing an authenticated and authorised registered network resource for providing the network service; the network client receiving a third party request for the said network service; the network client requesting allocation of the registered network resource; and the network client setting up a bearer path between the third party and the network resource.  
         [0018]     Conveniently, the step of the network client requesting allocation of the registered network resource includes the network client determining the availability of the registered network resource.  
         [0019]     Advantageously, the step of the network client requesting allocation of the registered network resource comprises the network client requesting allocation of a plurality of registered network resources to provide the said network service by succession brokering of the plurality of registered network resources.  
         [0020]     Preferably, the step of the network client setting up a bearer path includes the step of the network client monitoring use of the network resource and billing the third party user.  
         [0021]     According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided computer executable software code stored on a computer readable medium, the code being for brokering a network resource comprising the steps of: providing a service broker processor and a service broker registry; receiving a request at the service broker processor to register in the service broker registry a network resource for providing a network service; the service broker processor authenticating the request and authorising registration to establish an authenticated and authorised network resource; the service broker processor registering the authenticated and authorised network resource in the service broker registry to establish a registered network resource; the service broker processor updating a network client with the availability of the registered network resource; the network client receiving a third party request for the said network service; the network client requesting allocation of the registered network resource; and the network client setting up a bearer path between the third party and the network resource.  
         [0022]     According to an fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided one or more programmed computers for brokering a network resource comprising the steps of: providing a service broker processor and a service broker registry; receiving a request at the service broker processor to register in the service broker registry a network resource for providing a network service; the service broker processor authenticating the request and authorising registration to establish an authenticated and authorised network resource; the service broker processor registering the authenticated and authorised network resource in the service broker registry to establish a registered network resource; the service broker processor updating a network client with the availability of the registered network resource; the network client receiving a third party request for the said network service; the network client requesting allocation of the registered network resource; and the network client setting up a bearer path between the third party and the network resource.  
         [0023]     According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a network resource broker including a service broker processor and a service broker registry, the service broker processor comprising: a receiver module adapted for receiving a request to register in the service broker registry a network resource for providing a network service; an authenticator module adapted for authenticating the request and to authorise registration to establish an authenticated and authorised network resource; a registration module adapted for registering the authenticated and authorised network resource in the service broker registry to establish a registered network resource; and an updating module adapted for updating a network client with the availability of the registered network resource; such that when the network client receives a third party request for the said network service, the network client requests allocation of the registered network resource; and sets up a bearer path between the third party and the network resource.  
         [0024]     Preferably, the network resource broker further comprises a resource manager adapted for checking a status of the registered network resource before updating the network client with the availability of the registered network resource.  
         [0025]     Advantageously, the service broker processor further comprises a monitor adapted for monitoring availability of the registered network resource.  
         [0026]     According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a network resource registration module including a service broker processor and a service broker registry, the service broker processor comprising: a receiver to receive a request to register in the service broker registry a network resource for providing a network service; an authentication module to authenticate the request and authorise registrations to establish an authenticated and authorised network resource; and a registration module to register the authenticated and authorised network resource in the service broker registry to establish a registered network resource.  
         [0027]     Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a method, according to the invention, of registering a network resource on a broker registry for brokering network services;  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of the method of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a method, according to the invention, of using a brokered network resource registered on the broker registry of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of the method of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of broker service information flow using the method of  FIG. 3 ; and  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart of the information flow of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0035]     Throughout the description, identical reference numerals are used to identify like parts.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the registration of a multimedia conferencing resource  10  for the provision of a multimedia conferencing service by a network supplier to a network user, using a service broker application  12  and a service broker resource registry  13  according to the invention. In order to make available the multimedia conferencing resource  10 , a multimedia conferencing resource management module  11 , finds and contacts, step  41 , over a network, an application programming interface front-end  121  of the service broker application  12 . In an authentication and authorisation interchange, step  42 , the service broker application  12  and multimedia conferencing resource management module  11  match the facilities of the multimedia conferencing service  10 , e.g. assigning a security protocol, with the needs of the service broker application  12 , to determine, step  43 , agreed facilities to be brokered.  
         [0037]     The multimedia conferencing resource  10  and the agreed facilities are registered, step  44 , by the multimedia conferencing resource management module  11  in the service broker resource registry  13  associated with the service broker application  12 .  
         [0038]     That is, a network resource owner registers a network resource with a network and, after passing relevant security procedures, enters details of the network resource into a network repository. The repository is a logical, i.e. virtual, entity and can be located anywhere in the network.  
         [0039]     The multimedia conferencing resource management module  11  updates, step  46 , a network client such as a soft switch  14  using a policy rule to advertise the availability of the multimedia conferencing resource  10 . The policy rule may, for example, define a time slot during which the service is available. That is, the network is characterised to ensure optimal operation by interaction with a policy management infrastructure by updating access points on the network to indicate that the registered network resource is available. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the network client  14  activates, step  47 , the service by updating a universal translation module  15 .  
         [0040]     In this manner the service broker resource registry  13  provides a central registry of network resources  10  available to a network. That is, network resource suppliers register network resources with the service broker resource registry  13  to form a collection of network resources which can be offered to third party users.  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a third party user  21 , requiring a multimedia conferencing resource  10 , requests a conference call from a network client such as soft switch  14 . The soft switch  14  handles, step  52 , the request by passing the uninterpreted request from the third party user to the universal translation module  15  which interprets the request from look-up tables as a request for conference call service and passes the interpreted request back to the soft switch  14 . The soft switch  14  determines from the service broker resource registry  13  the availability of a multimedia conferencing resource  10  meeting the third party&#39;s requirements, for example least-cost routing or a particular quality of service. The service broker resource registry  13  monitors use of registered network resources so that at any time the registered network resources which are available are known. That is, the interface monitors usage of registered network resources by counting how many of the network resources are in use and allowing no more users access once all the network resources are in use. When a network resource of a particular type is in use, a notification is sent to the service broker service registry to decrement the number of network resources of that type available. The number of network resources available from this pool of network resources is increased only as the pool becomes empty. If a multimedia conferencing resource  10  meeting the third party&#39;s requirements is available, a request for the multimedia conferencing resource  10  is passed, step  53 , by the soft switch  14  to the multimedia conferencing resource  10  and a transmission link bearer path is set up, step  54 , between the third party user  21  and the multimedia conferencing resource  10  meeting the third party&#39;s requirements. The third party user  21  is then able to make, step  55 , conference calls through a real time protocol portal  101  of the multimedia conferencing resource  10 . The soft switch  14  monitors the use of the multimedia conferencing resource  10  by the third party  21  in order to create, step  56 , a bill for use of the network resource by the third party.  
         [0042]     In this manner, the third party  21  is billed only for actual use of the multimedia conferencing resource  10 , and the network resource can be made available to other potential users when riot in use by the third party.  
         [0043]     More generally, a user requesting a network resource accesses a familiar resource management network entity and once the user has been authenticated by security procedures, the user can access a network resource. The familiar resource management network entity may be an internet web page which provides access to a network portal giving access to the broker. The request for a network resource may require updating of a service profile associated with the user. That is, a list of services to which the user is allowed access is updated by adding the brokered network resource to the list, so that the network will accept a request for the brokered service from the user. This updating may be handled by interaction with a software resource adaptation layer. The user can then interact with an interface of the network resource to action the user&#39;s request for service.  
         [0044]     An information flow of a further embodiment of the invention, for providing a menu-driven interactive voice recognition service, is illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . A network operator application  31 , requesting, step  61 , an interactive voice recognition service  32  sends a FindServiceBroker message  71  to a service broker application  12  including a registry  13 . The service broker application  12  requests, step  62 , the creation of an interactive voice recognition service specifying the required service attributes. The service broker application  12  selects, step  63 , an available voice recognition service  32  with the required attributes from the service broker service registry  13  and assigns, step  64 , a resource policy to the request. The request for service is populated, step  65 , from the registry  13  with a location of the interactive voice recognition service  32  and a serviceLocationInfo message  72  is passed to the network operator application  31 . The network operator finds, step  66 , the interactive voice recognition service  32  using the received serviceLocationlnfo message, and the network operator accesses an interface of the interactive voice recognition service and begins using, step  67 , the network resource, by exchanging, step  73 , commands between the network operator application  31  and the interactive voice recognition service  32 . It will be understood that the invention is not limited to registering any particular types of network resource for providing any particular type of network service. Examples of network resources which may be registered, but to which the invention is not limited, include network resources providing any telecommunication or information technology service, such as teleconferencing, multimedia conferencing, telephone service, call forwarding service, voicemail service, internet telephone service, user validation service, billing service, gaming service, database services and data back-up services.  
         [0045]     The invention provides an advantage of allowing a network operator to broker network resources to enable a distributed service infrastructure. For example, by providing a platform with an applications programming interface to define a broker capability, network services are made available to third parties, so that a network resource may be allocated on a time basis, for example for the working hours in a particular time zone, and the third party billed based on usage of the network resource. Outside the working hours of the particular time zone, the network resource can be made available to other users. Moreover, end-users can obtain all their telecommunication and information technology services from a single virtual source. The applications programming interface therefore handles requests for access to the broker, finds a service within the broker registry meeting the service requirements of the request, informs the user making the request of the location of the required network resource, assigns policy information to the request, for example time slots in which the service is to be provided, and records the usage time by the user of the network resource in order to bill the user for the actual usage.  
         [0046]     The applications programming interface may provide succession brokering where, for example for a gaming service, a first registered network resource from a first vendor provides user validation, a second registered network resource from a second vendor provides secure access to a gambling site and a third registered network resource from a third vendor provides consequential billing.  
         [0047]     Alternative embodiments of the invention can be implemented as a computer program product for use with a computer system, the computer program product being, for example, a series of computer instructions stored on a tangible data recording medium, such as a diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, or fixed disk, or embodied in a computer data signal, the signal being transmitted over a tangible medium or a wireless medium, for example microwave or infrared. The series of computer instructions can constitute all or part of the functionality described above, and can also be stored in any memory device, volatile or non-volatile, such as semiconductor, magnetic, optical or other memory device.  
         [0048]     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.