Patent Publication Number: US-2006002189-A1

Title: System and method for determining service availability and soliciting customers

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates to power line communications systems and similar communications systems generally. More specifically, this invention relates to determining service availability and soliciting customers for such communications systems.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the popularity of network computing, using networks such as the Internet and other networks. Such networks provide connectivity that is desirable for many applications. As the applications used by such networks have increased in size and complexity, and as high-bandwidth applications have gained increasing popularity, the need for increased-bandwidth communications capabilities within such networks has also increased.  
      Many people that access networks, such as the Internet, have begun to do so by means other than standard telephone modems or other traditional connections. New connection techniques have been developed, and some are widespread today. For example, digital subscriber line (DSL) is capable of providing increased bandwidth over standard telephone lines. Another popular method for providing access to networks, such as the Internet, uses existing cable television cables, which can provide broadband access to such networks.  
      In recent years, techniques have been developed for providing communications by way of electrical power distribution systems. These systems are frequently referred to as power line communications systems (PLCS). Because of the ubiquity of standard power lines and the far-reaching infrastructure already in place, there is a tremendous market potential for providing users access to networks, such as the Internet, by way of such power lines. Such access may comprise broadband access. Examples of systems and methods that provide such power line communications systems can be seen, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/641,689, filed Aug. 14, 2003 and entitled “Power Line Communication System and Method of Operating the Same,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.  
      Because some power line communications systems are built out gradually, such systems may not be available at all user locations. Additionally, some potential customers, such as existing Internet users, for whom such systems are available and may be desirable, may not know those systems exist or are available to them.  
      Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop a system and method for determining if service via such power line communications systems is available for one or more given users, and to solicit such users as customers.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Accordingly, one or more embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for determining service availability and soliciting customers. For example, according to one or more embodiments, a method is provided that includes determining a general area of a customer location, and determining whether the general area is at least partially coincidental with a service area where a power line communications service is available. If it is determined that the general area is at least partially coincidental with a service area where a power line communications service is available, then it is determined if the customer location is enabled for the power line communications service. If it is determined that the customer location is enabled, an offer related to the power line communications service is provided to an entity associated with the customer location. Finally, this embodiment may also receive and process a response from the entity, such as a request to subscribe to the PLCS service, which may include receiving user information and processing received payment information.  
      According to another embodiment of the invention, a processor-readable medium including code representing instructions to cause a processor to perform operations is provided. The code is configured to cause the processor to determine if a customer location is enabled for a power line communications service. The code is also configured to cause the processor to provide an offer related to the power line communications service to an entity associated with the customer location, if it is determined that the customer location is enabled.  
      According to another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided that establishes a communication link with a device and receives information of a network address of the device. The method determines a first geographic area of the device based on the information of the network address and determines if the first geographic area is at least partially coincidental with at least one power line communications service area. If the first geographic area is at least partially coincidental with at least one power line communications service area, an offer related to the power line communications service may be communicated.  
      Further features of the invention, and the advantages offered thereby, are explained in greater detail hereinafter with reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are indicated by like reference designators. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example power line communications system;  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an example network system;  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an example network system;  
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of a technique for determining service availability and for providing an offer, according to an example embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of a technique for determining service availability, according to an example embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of a technique for determining service availability, according to an example embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of a technique for determining service availability and for providing an offer, according to an example embodiment of the invention; and  
       FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of a technique for determining service availability and for communicating an offer, according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS  
      A system and method for determining PLCS service availability and soliciting customers is provided. As will be evident from the description below, many embodiments of the invention utilize the potential customer&#39;s network link (e.g., for Internet access link) and therefore, the potential customer is already an existing internet user. Consequently, in such cases, such users have demonstrated a need for network access prior to solicitation.  
      By way of one or more embodiments of the invention, a customer location (e.g., the location of a user or a user&#39;s computer) can be analyzed to determine if service via a power line communications system is available for that customer location. If service via a power line communications system is available for the customer location, then an entity associated with a user (e.g., a user, a user&#39;s agent, a user&#39;s computer, etc.) can be solicited for such service (e.g., by way of providing an offer, or otherwise communicating an offer). Finally, this embodiment may also receive and process a response from the entity, such as a request to subscribe to the PLCS service, which may include receiving user information and processing received payment information (e.g., credit card data).  
      According to one or more embodiments of the invention, a customer location associated with a user is determined. This may occur in one of several ways. For example, an administrator of a communications system can dynamically determine this information from a customer Internet protocol (IP) address. Additionally, or alternatively, information regarding a customer location can be obtained from a customer&#39;s network service provider (NSP), or another third party. The information associated with the customer location can include, for example, an address of a user or a user&#39;s computer, or a general geographic area associated with a user or a user&#39;s computer (e.g., city, state, zip code, area code, telephone prefix, etc.).  
      Next, it is determined whether the customer location is serviceable via the power line communications system. Once it is determined that the user is serviceable by a power line communications system (i.e., that service is available at or around the customer location), the user can be provided an offer in a number of ways. For example, an offer could be provided directly to such a user, by way of email or other network communications, postal mail, telephone, or other suitable technique or presenting the user with offers. Alternatively, an offer can be presented to a user indirectly, such as by way of the user&#39;s network service provider. The network service provider can, for example, present the user with a network communication (e.g., email, instant message, etc.), a postal mailing, a telephone call, or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, the network service provider of the user can provide advertising to a user that has been determined to be within a service area of a power line communications system.  
      An offer can be indirectly presented to a user by way of a third party other than a network service provider, which either communicates directly with the user, or with the user&#39;s network service provider. For example, a third party can be used to present the user with an offer by way of a network communication (e.g., email, instant messaging, etc.), postal mail, telephone, or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, a third party can present a user with advertising relating to the offer being provided to the user. For example, online advertising can be presented to a user by a third party when the user accesses the third party&#39;s website, either in a traditional, graphical advertisement form (e.g., banner advertisements, pop-up advertisements, etc.), or in other forms (e.g., sponsored links, etc.).  
      As used herein, the terms “user” and “customer” can be interchanged. For example, a “user” or a “user location” can be referred to as a “customer” or a “customer location,” respectively, as each user with which one or more embodiments of the invention can be used, is considered a potential customer.  
      As used herein, the term “network service provider” or “NSP” is used for any device, entity, or organization that acts as access point or otherwise provides a user access to an external network, such as the Internet, and/or applications that operate over such a network. For example, an NSP can include an Internet service provider (ISP), an application service provider (ASP), an email server or host, a bulletin board system (BBS) provider or host, a point of presence (POP), a gateway, a proxy server, or other suitable connection point to such a network.  
      As used herein, the term “offer” refers to a direct or indirect communication to a user, in whatever form, intended to solicit a response from the user to enter into a relationship with the PLCS service provider (e.g., to solicit a user to become a customer of a PLCS service or provide the user with information relating to the PLCS service). Offers are provided or otherwise communicated to users from a computer system such as a web server, email service or other system according to the type of offer provided. Examples of offers may include, but are not limited to: a direct or targeted mailing (electronic or otherwise), a network or electronic communication, a targeted advertisement (electronic or otherwise), instant messaging, short message service messages, a telephone offer, or a personal solicitation (in-person or otherwise).  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example power line communications system (PLCS)  100 . For example, the power line communications system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  can correspond to one or more systems described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/641,689 (Attorney Docket No. CRNT-0178) incorporated herein by reference. It is by way of such a power line communications system  100  that access to a network (e.g., broadband access), such as the Internet, can be provided using the infrastructure of an existing power distribution system.  
      In the power line communications system  100 , power transmitted from a power generation station (not shown) is carried by way of one or more high-voltage (HV) power lines  102 . According to one or more embodiments of the invention, the high voltage power lines  102 , which are sometimes referred to as high voltage transmission lines or high-tension lines, can be capable of carrying higher voltages, such as voltages in the range of approximately 69 kV-800 kV. The high voltages carried by way of the high voltage power lines  102  are stepped-down, or converted to a lower voltage, by a substation  104 . The substation  104  transforms the voltages received over the high voltage power lines  102  using one or more transformers  106 , which are configured to transform the high voltage received to a medium voltage.  
      Medium voltage power is transmitted by way of one or more medium-voltage (MV) power lines  108 , over which it is distributed closer to locations where it is to be used. The medium-voltage power lines  108  may carry voltages in the range of 1 kV-100 kV, depending on the architecture of the electrical power distribution system.  
      Typically, the voltage from the medium-voltage power line  108  must again be stepped-down prior to being supplied to customer locations. Thus, at various locations where lower voltage is required, a distribution transformer  110  can be provided, which transforms the medium voltage received via a medium voltage power line  108  to low voltage. The low voltage power is transmitted to one or more customer locations  112  by way of one or more low voltage (LV) power lines  114 . The lower voltages carried by way of the low voltage power line  114  can include voltages in the range of approximately 100V-240V in the United states, and may comprise other ranges according to the architecture of the electric power distribution system.  
      This example PLCS includes a backhaul point (BP)  116  that acts as an interface or gateway between the power line communications system  100  and a non-power line telecommunications network (e.g., a fiber optic cable, wireless link, etc.). In this example PLCS, the backhaul point  116  is configured to provide data communications via the medium voltage power line  108 . One or more backhaul points  116  can communicate with an aggregation point (AP)  118 , which can serve as a point of presence (POP) to a network external to the power line communications system  100 , such as the Internet, or other suitable network.  
      In this example PLCS, data communicated via the medium voltage power line  108  from the backhaul point  116  cannot be reliably transmitted across the distribution transformer  110 . Consequently, a bypass device (BD)  120  can be used to communicate the data signal from the medium voltage power line  108  to the low-voltage power line  114 . The bypass device  120  can be, for example, a transceiver capable of receiving the data signal from the medium voltage power line  108  and transmitting that data signal to the/low voltage power line  114 , and vice versa. One example bypass device comprises a low voltage modem, a medium voltage modem and a router as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/641,689, which is incorporated by reference above. The bypass device  120  communicates data to and from those customer locations (e.g., homes and/or businesses) that receive power from the low voltage power line to which the bypass device  120  is communicatively connected.  
      To access the data communicated via the low voltage power line  114  to the one or more customer locations  112 , one or more power line interface devices (PLIDs)  122  can be employed at each of the one or more customer locations  112 . The power line interface device  122  can be, for example, a power line modem or power line wireless modem, or other device capable of transmitting and receiving data via a low-voltage line  114 . For example, according to one or more embodiments of the invention, such a device can be configured to plug into a standard wall power socket (e.g., a 110V socket) and receive or send signals via the wall power socket. Using such a power line interface device  122 , data can be both received and transmitted over the power line communications system  100 . Thus, data communicated from the power line interface devices  122  can trace the reverse route described above of data received by the power line interface devices  122 , and can optionally be communicated to a network outside the power line communications system  100  via the backhaul point  116  and/or the aggregation point  118 .  
      In other PLCSs, data may be communicated via the medium voltage power line and then communicated wirelessly to and from the customer location (e.g., using an IEEE 802 protocol). In other examples PLCSs, the data may be transmitted through the distribution transformer to the customer location (e.g., with or without a repeater on the low voltage power line). In another example PLCS, surface waves are communicated on the medium voltage power line instead of, or in addition to, conventional conductive signals. These PLCSs employ the medium voltage power line. In still another example PLCS, the data may be communicated to and from the customer locations via the low voltage power lines, which are communicatively coupled to a traditional communications medium such as a fiber optic cable, a coaxial cable, a wireless link. Thus, the invention is not limited to a particular PLCS, PLCS architecture, or topology.  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an example network system  200  with which one or more embodiments of the invention may be used. The network system  200  shown in  FIG. 2  includes a device (processor system  210 ) that is in communication with the power line communications system  100  (e.g., by way of a PLID  122 , etc.). This example device is a processor system  210  capable of communicating via the power line communications system  100 , by which it can communicate with one or more devices external to the power line communications system  100 . For example, the processor system  210  can communicate via the power line communications system  100  with another network  250  (e.g., the Internet, etc.).  
      The processor system  210  illustrated in  FIG. 2  can be, for example, a commercially available personal computer, a network appliance, a portable electronic device (e.g., electronically device wirelessly connected to a PLID  122 ), or a less complex computing or processing device (e.g., an IP telephone or a device that is dedicated to performing one or more specific tasks), or any other device capable of communicating via a network, such as the power line communication system  100  or another network  250 . Although each component of the processor system  210  is shown as being a single component in  FIG. 2 , the processor system  210  can include multiple numbers of any components illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Additionally, multiple components of the processor system  210  can be combined as a single component, where desired.  
      The processor system  210  includes a processor  212 , which according to one or more embodiments of the invention, can be a commercially available microprocessor capable of performing general processing operations. For example, the processor  212  can be selected from the 8086 family of central processing units (CPUs) available from Intel Corp. of Santa Clara, Calif., or other similar processors. Alternatively, the processor  212  can be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a combination of ASICs, which is designed to achieve one or more specific functions, or enable one or more specific devices or applications. In yet another alternative, the processor  212  can be an analog or digital circuit, or a combination of multiple circuits.  
      The processor  212  can optionally include one or more individual sub-processors or coprocessors. For example, the processor can include a graphics coprocessor that is capable of rendering graphics, a math coprocessor that is capable of efficiently performing mathematical calculations, a controller that is capable of controlling one or more devices, a sensor interface that is capable of receiving sensory input from one or more sensing devices, and so forth.  
      The processor system  210  can also include a memory component  214 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the memory component  214  can include one or more types of memory. For example, the memory component  214  can include a read only memory (ROM) component  214   a  and a random access memory (RAM) component  214   b.  The memory component  214  can also include other types of memory not illustrated in  FIG. 2  that are suitable for storing data in a form retrievable by the processor  212 , and are capable of storing data written by the processor  212 . For example, electronically programmable read only memory (EPROM), erasable electrically programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, as well as other suitable forms of memory can be included within the memory component  214 . The processor  212  is in communication with the memory component  214 , and can store data in the memory component  214  or retrieve data previously stored in the memory component  214 .  
      The processor system  210  also can include a controller  216 , which can optionally be internal to the processor  212 , or external thereto, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The controller  220  can be configured to control the one or more devices associated with the processor system  210 . For example, the controller  216  can be used to configure one or more devices integral to the processor system  210 , such as input or output devices, sensors, or other devices configured to form part of the processor system  210 . Additionally, or alternatively, the controller  216  can be configured to control one or more devices external to the processor system  210 , which may be accessed via an input/output (I/O) component  220  of the processor system  210 .  
      The various components of the processor system  210  can communicate with one another via a bus  218 , which is capable of carrying instructions from the processor  212  and/or the controller  216  to other components, and which is capable of carrying data between the various components of the processor system  210 . Data retrieved from or written to memory  214  is carried by the bus  218 , as are instructions provided by the controller  216  and/or processor  212 .  
      The processor system  210  and its components can communicate with devices external to the processor system  210  by way of an input/output (I/O) component  220  (accessed via the bus  218 ). According one or more embodiments of the invention, the I/O component  220  can communicate using a variety of suitable communication interfaces. According to one or more embodiments of the invention, the I/O component can include a power line interface device  122  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) configured to communicate with a power line communications system  100 . The I/O component  220  also can include, for example, wireless connections, such as infrared ports, optical ports, Bluetooth wireless ports, wireless LAN ports, or the like. Additionally, the I/O component  220  can include, wired connections, such as standard serial ports, parallel ports, universal serial bus (USB) ports, S-video ports, large area network (LAN) ports, small computer system interface (SCSI) ports, and so forth.  
      By way of the I/O component  220  the processor system  210  can communicate with devices external to the processor system  200 , such as peripheral devices  230  that are local to the processor system  210 . The I/O component can include a component configured to communicate via one or more communications protocols used for communicating with devices, such as the peripheral devices  230 . The peripheral devices  230  in communication with the processor system  210  can include any of a number of peripheral devices  230  desirable to be accessed by or used in conjunction with the processor system  210 . For example, the peripheral devices  230  with which the processor system  210  can communicate via the I/O component  220 , can include a communications component, processor, a memory component, a printer, a scanner, a storage component (e.g., an external disk drive, database, etc.), or any other device that a user desires to connect to the processor system  210 .  
      The processor system  210  is shown in communication with a power line communications system  100  via the I/O component  220 . The processor system  210  can, according to one or more embodiments of the invention, be a device used at a customer location  112  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) that accesses the power line communications system  100  via a power line interface device  112  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The processor system  210  can communicate with other devices within the power line communications system  100  by way of such an interface device.  
      The processor system can also communicate with a network  250  external to the power line communications system  100 , such as the Internet or other network. For example, the processor system  210  can communicate with the external network  250  by way of a backhaul point  116  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and/or an aggregation point  118  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The aggregation point serves as a point of presence (POP) on a standard communications network, such as the Internet, for all devices within or communicating via the power line communications system  100 , such as the processor system  210 .  
      Other devices  260  can also access the external network  250  using a network service provider (NSP)  270 . According to one or more embodiments of the invention, the network service provider  270  provides access to the network  250  and/or applications via the network  250  for the devices  260 . For example, the network service provider can serve as an Internet service provider (ISP), an application service provider (ASP), an email server or host, a bulletin board system (BBS) provider or host, a point of presence (POP), a gateway, a proxy server, or other suitable connection point to such a network for the devices  260 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , multiple devices  260  can use a single network service provider  270  to access the network  250 . It will be understood that, although only a single network service provider  270  is shown in  FIG. 2 , multiple network service providers  270  can connect to the network  250 , each of which can provide access to the network  250  for one or more devices  260 .  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an example network system  300  that includes a PLCS with which an embodiment of the invention may be used. The network system  300  shown in  FIG. 3  includes the power line communications system  100 , which is shown in communication with the network  250 . The block diagram of  FIG. 3  is intended to show in greater detail how the power line communications system  100  might interface with a standard or external network  250 , and devices in communication with that network  250 . It should be understood that, although the processor system was shown as being outside of the power line communications system  100  in  FIG. 2 , they can also be considered within the power line communications system  100 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , according to one or more embodiments of the invention.  
      In the network system  300  in  FIG. 3 , a power line communications system  100  is shown having multiple devices  210  (e.g., processor systems) in communication with multiple power line interface devices  112 . Although only one device  210  is shown connected to each power line interface device  112 , according to one or more embodiments of the invention, it is possible for multiple devices  210  to be in communication with a single power line interface device  112 . One or more power line interface devices  112  may be in communication with a bypass device  120 , which communicates with a backhaul point  116 . Each bypass device  120  may communicate with multiple power line interface devices  112 . Similarly, each backhaul point  116  may communicate with multiple bypass devices  120 .  
      Each bypass device  116  acts as an interface or gateway for the multiple devices  210  within the power line communications system  100  that are in communication with the bypass device  116 . More specifically, each bypass device  116  acts as an interface or gateway between the medium voltage power line and a non-power line communications medium, which may be communicatively coupled to an aggregation point or POP. The power line communications system  100  may include an aggregation point that is capable of communicating with multiple backhaul points  116  and may aggregate data from one or more backhaul points  116 . The aggregation point  118  may act as a point of presence (POP) for those backhaul points  116  (and the devices  210  in communication therewith).  
      Multiple devices  260  outside of the power line communications system  100  can communicate with the external network  250  (e.g., the Internet) by way of a network service provider  270 , as discussed above. The network service provider  270  can provide each of the devices  260  connected thereto with one or more services related to the network  250 . For example, the network service provider  270  can provide email access, transmission control protocol (TCP) data, IP data, web page downloads, network application access, general network connectivity, and so forth.  
      In addition to the devices  260  connected to the network  250  via the network service provider  270 , one or more devices  310  can be connected to the network  250  in different ways. For example, a device  310 , which can be similar to or different from the processor system  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), can be connected to the network  250  directly, without any network service provider  270 . Moreover, a gateway  320  or a point of presence (POP)  330  can be connected to the network  250 . Each of these devices can provide access to the network  250  for multiple devices connected thereto (not shown). It should be recognized, however, that a gateway  320  and a point of presence  330  also can be considered a network service provider  270 . Similarly, any device  310  accessing the network  250  directly, can act as a network service provider  270  for one or more devices.  
      In many of the embodiments described in detail below, the system or method first determines user location information. This information can be related to the specific location or the general area of the user. The information may be determined through analytical means or may be requested of either a network service provider or a third party. In response to the request, the third party or the network service provider can provide the requested user information. Optionally, the system or method can request the information directly from the user, and the user can respond directly to provide the requested information. In some embodiments, more specific location is determined. Depending on the embodiment, and often based on the specific or general location information, the method of system may determine whether or not the user location is enabled for power line communications system service and if so, provide an offer to the user.  
      A request for information can be made in any way suitable to convey to the receiving party (e.g., the user, the NSP, or the third party) what information is desired regarding the user. For example, according to one or more embodiments of the invention, a computer system (e.g., a web server) can request information using a network communications technique (e.g., email, instant messaging, etc.), or other suitable techniques (e.g., postal mail, telephone communications, etc.). The information requested by the computer system can include a variety of information of interest, such as an address or general location (e.g., city, state, zip code, area code, telephone prefix, IP address, etc.) of a customer location associated with the user, or other information (e.g., network usage, browsing habits, demographic information about the user, psychographic information about the user, etc.).  
      Alternatively, user information can optionally be provided by the network service provider, a third party, or the user (either via the network service provider, a third party, or directly) without receipt of a request from the communications system. For example, a third party may obtain information about a user through techniques unrelated to the communications system (e.g., via surveys, purchased customer lists from an NSP or others, etc.). This information can be provided to the communications system on a selected basis when the communications system requests user information from the third party that the third party already possesses. If the third party does not possess the information, however, it can also request the information from the network service provider or the user.  
      User information obtained by the computer system (whether obtained from the network service provider, the third party, or directly from a user) allows the computer system to determine whether or not to provide an offer to the user. If it is determined that an offer should be provided, the computer system can provide such an offer indirectly to the user by way of the network service provider or using a third party, as desired. Alternately, the computer system can provide information of those users to whom an offer should be provided to a second computer system that provides the offer.  
      If offer is provided to a user using a network service provider, the offer can be provided from the network service provider, for example, as an email offer, a postal mailing offer, a telephone offer, an advertising offer, or the like. Alternatively, the computer system can actually provide an offer directly to a user, either by the same means available to the network service provider, or by alternate means.  
      The computer system can provide an offer indirectly to the user using a third party. For example, the computer system can request a third party to provide an offer to a user, which the third party can provide to the user either directly or indirectly (e.g., via a network service provider). For example, the third party can provide an offer directly to a user using targeted mailings (e.g., electronic, postal, etc.), other network communications, telephone calls, advertising, or any other suitable means possible. The information of users to whom an offer should be provided can be stored in memory (e.g., a database) and used to transmit automated email or automated postal mailing.  
      According to one or more embodiments of the invention, where the third party is an entity that runs a third-party website, an advertising offer can be placed on that third-party website when it is detected that the user is using that website. One example of such a technique can be executed where the third party operates a search engine or is responsible for advertising on a search engine. In such a scenario, when the user requests information regarding pertinent topics (e.g., regarding power line communications systems, etc.), the third party can determine information regarding the user&#39;s location and determine whether or not such service is available at the user&#39;s location. In other embodiments, the search engine or other website may provide such advertising irrespective of what kind of search, if any, is performed. Information regarding the user&#39;s location can be provided either intentionally (e.g., by a form, survey, etc.) or unintentionally. If it is determined that the user is in a location that is enabled by a power line communications system, then advertising could be correlated with the search results presented to the user, either in the form of graphical advertising, banner ads, pop-up ads, sponsored links, and so forth. It may also be desirable to determine whether the user already has broadband access, and if so, at what cost. If the cost is determined, the offer may then be customized to be more desirable than the existing broadband service of the user.  
      According to one or more embodiments of the invention, the user can unintentionally provide location information simply by accessing the website and making the user&#39;s IP address known to the third party, the third party can, in some cases, determine the geographic location of the user. Alternatively, information, such as an IP address can be transmitted to the communications system by the third party, and the communications system or its affiliates can dynamically determine the geographic location of the user from the IP address. For example, according to one or more embodiments of the invention, the invention, either the third party or the communications system or its affiliates can use a translation application such as the IP 2 Location application available from the Hexa Software Development Center (HSDC) of Penang, Malaysia.  
      Several techniques for determining service availability for a user, and providing an offer to a user for such service (e.g., attempting to solicit the user as a customer) are described below and in the associated figures. Although the remaining figures illustrate alternative techniques for determining service availability for a user and providing an offer to that user, it should be recognized that aspects of each of these techniques can be incorporated in the other techniques, where the techniques are compatible and where such a combination is feasible and desirable.  
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of a technique  500  for determining service availability and for providing an offer, according to an embodiment of the invention. In the technique  500  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , at step  501  user location information is determined followed by a general determination of whether or not the user location is enabled occurs in step  502 . If the user location is enabled, an offer can be provided in step  504  to the user associated with that location. On the other hand, if it is determined in step  502  that the user location is not enabled, then the technique  500  optionally can report in optional step  506  that there is no service availability, and the technique ends. Information reported in step  506  can be stored in a database, and can be used for different purposes (e.g., to determine the desirability of expanding a communications system to an area in which multiple unsuccessful determinations have occurred).  
      According to one or more embodiments of the invention, the technique  500  shown in  FIG. 4  can be executed by a processor (e.g., by a processor system  210  or similar device) via a network connection. For example, the steps shown in FIGS.  4  (as well as the remaining figures) can be in the form of computer code representing instructions to cause a processor to perform the technique  500 .  
      The determination of location information in step  501  can occur in one of many ways, some of which have been discussed above. For example, an IP address of a user device can be analyzed to dynamically determine a geographical location (e.g., a street address, community, neighborhood a street, a zip code, a city, a county, etc.). The user location information is compared to locations that are enabled, and if it is determined that the geographic location associated with that user location information (e.g., street address, street, city, etc.) is enabled, then the determination in step  502  is positive. Location information for a user can be obtained through one of many ways (e.g., via a third party vendor, via a network service provider, directly from a user, from a survey, etc.). If it is determined that the address of the user is enabled, then an offer can be provided in step  504 .  
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of a technique  600  for determining service availability, according to an embodiment of the invention. The technique  600  shown in  FIG. 5  is a technique that can be used to supplement the technique  500  shown in  FIG. 4 . Specifically, the steps shown in  FIG. 5  can precede the determination  502  of  FIG. 4 , and the technique  600  of  FIG. 5  can continue in the technique  500  of  FIG. 4 .  
      The technique  600  shown in  FIG. 5  represents one alternative technique for determining general serviceability of a user location by determining general area information of a user and deciding whether that general area is an area where power line communications systems are offered. After this occurs, the technique  500  shown in  FIG. 4  can further specifically determine for the specified user whether the user&#39;s location is enabled (e.g., in step  502  of  FIG. 4 ).  
      The technique  600  shown in  FIG. 5  begins by the determination of the general area of the user in step  602 , or by receiving the general area information of the user. The determination made in step  602  can include determining the general area of a user from one or more possible parameters that can be requested by and/or communicated to a computer system. For example, the user&#39;s IP address, zip code, area code, telephone prefix, city, state, or other information can be used in step  602  to determine the general geographic area of a user. This information can be obtained by one of a variety of means. For example, the information can be obtained from a third party, such as a data-mining corporation, network service provider, or other third party vendor. Alternatively, the information can be dynamically determined from network activities of a user. For example, Internet history or cookie information can be used to determine a general area of a user. Alternatively, an IP address of a user can be resolved and associated with a general area, as discussed above. Also, information regarding a user&#39;s location can be determined from a telephone modem number used by the user to access a network service provider, or from the location of the network service provider used by the user. The general area need not be a contiguous area, but instead could be a plurality of non-contiguous land areas such as, for example, separate towns.  
      Another method for determining the general geographical area of the user in step  602 , is that such information can be provided. For example, the user can fill out a survey providing such information. Alternatively, a network service provider or other third party can provide such information (e.g., pursuant to a customer agreement with the user).  
      Once the general area of the user has been determined in step  602 , a determination is made in step  606  regarding whether the general area in which the user is located is serviceable (at least in part). For example, in a case where a zip code or city is determined for a user, and that zip code or city correspond to an area where power line communication services are offered, that general geographic area can be determined to be serviceable in step  606 . If the location of the user is determined in step  606  not to be serviceable, a report can be generated  608  (and stored, if desired), and the technique  600  ends. From the report information generated in step  608 , proprietors of power line communications systems can determine the desirability of installing a power line communications system in a general geographic location for which the determination of step  606  has been unsuccessfully made. Once it is determined that the general location of the user is serviceable in step  606 , the technique  600  continues with the technique  500  illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of a technique  502  for determining service availability, according to an embodiment of the invention. The technique  502  shown in  FIG. 6  is one technique in which it can be determined whether a user location is enabled in step  502  of  FIG. 4 . This determination is made by comparing a user&#39;s location information (e.g., such as a street address, county, street, etc.) with information of enabled locations in step  702 . For example, according to one or more embodiments of the invention, the street address of a user can be compared with a list of enabled street addresses to determine if the user&#39;s address is on the list.  
      In step  704 , it is determined whether the user&#39;s location information (e.g., such as a street address, county, street, etc.) and information of enabled locations are within a similarity threshold. For example, where a user&#39;s street address is compared to a list of enabled addresses, the user&#39;s address may be on the list of enabled addresses, but may be listed in a slightly different format (e.g., using approved postal abbreviations, etc.). Alternately, and as another example, where a user&#39;s street (e.g., when the user&#39;s specific address is unknown) is compared to a list of enabled addresses, the user&#39;s street may be on the list of enabled addresses, while not all addresses on the street are listed. In some embodiments similarity threshold will have been met, as determined in step  704 , and the user will be provided with an offer in step  504  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). If, on the other hand, a similarity threshold is not met in step  704 , then a report can be generated in step  706 , and the technique  502  ends.  
      As discussed, information more general than a specific street address may used in the comparison. For example, medium voltage power lines used by many PLCSs often run along a street, which may be enabled in its entirety. Consequently, in some embodiments a street name may be compared with a list of enable streets to provide the comparison (e.g., even if the specific user address is known). Likewise, neighborhoods or communities are often served off the same medium voltage power line and may be enabled in its entirety. Therefore, a neighborhood, community, complex, township, or other such information may be compared with a list of similar areas. In addition, information of enabled areas may also comprise areas that are to be enabled in the near future such as one week, a month, or two months.  
       FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of a technique  1000  for determining service availability and for providing an offer, according to an embodiment of the invention. The technique  1000  illustrated in  FIG. 7  begins by requesting address information of a user in step  1002 . This information is received in step  1004 , and a determination is made in step  1006  regarding whether or not the location of that user is enabled. If the location of the user is not enabled, as determined in step  1006 , then a report can be optionally generated in optional step  1008 , and the technique  1000  ends. Alternatively, however, if it is determined in step  1006  that the location of the user is enabled, an offer can be provided to that user in step  1010 . The steps in this process (such as steps  1002  and  1004 ) may form part of another process, such as the user providing address information when completing an online purchase form. The determination step  1006  in  FIG. 7  may be accomplished in any suitable manner such as those described for step  502  in  FIGS. 4 and 6 .  
       FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of a technique  1200  for determining service availability and for communicating an offer, according to an embodiment of the invention. The technique  1200  begins at step  1202  by establishing communications with a user&#39;s device, which may be located at a customer location, for example. As will be evident to those skilled in the art, the step of establishing communications with a user device may also be employed in other embodiments herein. Network address information is received from the user&#39;s device in step  1204 , either in response to a request from a computer system or by other means. For example, a user&#39;s IP address may be obtained dynamically when the user accesses a network site.  
      In step  1206 , a first geographic area associated with the user is determined. The first geographic area can be, for example, determined automatically from the network address information received in step  1204 , or by other means. For example, the first geographic area can be determined from information possessed by a third party or a network service provider, which is communicated to the computer system. Once the first geographic area has been determined, a determination is made in step  1208  regarding whether the first geographic area is serviceable. As will be evident to those skilled in the art, the determination in step  1208  may be accomplished via the method described elsewhere herein such as, for example, in the descriptions associated with  FIGS. 4-6 . If it is determined in step  1208  that the first geographic area is not serviceable, an optional report can be generated in optional step  1210 , and the technique  1200  ends. Alternatively, if it is determined that the first geographic area is serviceable, an offer can be communicated in step  1212 . The offer can be communicated in step  1212  either directly or indirectly (e.g., via a third party, an NSP, etc.), in any manner suitable for the offer being communicated.  
      As an alternative, prior to communicating an offer in step  1212 , an additional determination can optionally be made in optional step  1214  regarding whether or not the specific location of the user is enabled. If it is determined in step  1214  that the specific location of the user is enabled, then the offer can be communicated in step  1212 . If it is determined in step  1214  that the location is not enabled, such a determination can optionally be reported in optional step  1216 , and the technique  1200  ends. According to one or more embodiments of the invention, multiple offers can be provided in step  1212  after each determination  1208 ,  1214  of the technique  1200  or in any of the embodiments herein. For example, a generalized offer can optionally be made in step  1212  after it is determined in step  1208  that the first geographic area is serviceable, and a more specific offer can be made in step  1212  after it is determined in step  1214  that the specific location of the user is enabled. According to such an embodiment, the computer system can sample interest for a service in a general geographic area where services are offered, even if service to the user&#39;s specific location may not be available.  
      In another embodiment, a power line communication system network element (e.g. a device communicatively coupled to an MV power line) may include a wireless transceiver and may detect a customer premises wireless network. Upon detection, the network element may communicate the offer directly, or provide information of the detection to a remote computer system that transmits the offer. In either instance, the transmission may be accomplished via the wireless transceiver of the network element. In some instances, the wireless network may be inaccessible, in which case the offer may be transmitted via any other suitable method described herein with the destination determined by those customer premises from which the network element could detect the wireless network (e.g., those customer premises on that street block) and that do not already have the PLCS service. Preferably, the detection and offer transmission are automated in software.  
      In another similar embodiment, a network element may detect a Homeplug or other in-home power line network via the low voltage power lines. Upon detection, the network element may communicate the offer directly, or provide information of the detection to a remote computer system that transmits the offer. In either instance, the transmission may be accomplished via the low voltage power lines by the network element. In some instances, the power line in-home network may be inaccessible, in which case the offer may be transmitted via any other suitable method described herein with the destination determined by those customer premises to which the network element is communicatively coupled via the low voltage power lines and that do not already have the PLCS service. Preferably, the detection and offer transmission are automated in software.  
      From the foregoing, it can be seen that a system and method for determining service availability and soliciting customers are discussed. Specific embodiments have been described above in connection with determining availability of network service using a power line communications system for one or more users, and providing or communicating an offer to one or more users for whom such network service is available. In addition, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that not all steps in each embodiment are necessary and that steps in some embodiments may be used in other embodiments. While many of the above embodiments are described as being performed by a computer system, such as a web server, (which may be substantially similar to a processor system  210 ), the steps in the embodiments may be performed by numerous computer systems that may be co-located or remote from each other.  
      It will be appreciated, however, that embodiments of the invention can be in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, while some embodiments have been described in the context determining availability of and providing an offer for network service relating to a power line communications system, the techniques described above can be used in a variety of other contexts. Moreover, although many examples of offers provided specifically to individual users have been provided, general offers can be made to multiple individuals (e.g., in the form of general advertising, mass-mailings, etc.) in areas where significant interest in communications systems exists (e.g., as determined by inquiries by individuals in non-serviceable areas, etc.), or where it is desired to generate such interest (e.g., as determined by demographic information, etc.). Additionally, it should be appreciated that all components, network configurations, and techniques are examples of possible implementations, but can be modified as dictated by design requirements or other parameters.  
      The presently disclosed embodiments are, therefore, considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.