Patent ID: 8234373

Claim:
In a communication system wherein web content is transmitted over a communication path from a content server to a client station in response to a request from the client station, a method carried out while the web content is in transit from the content server to the client station and has thus left the content server but has not yet arrived at the client station, the method comprising the following functions: receiving the web content at an intermediation system in the communication path; the intermediation system computing a size-based cost to access the received web content; the intermediation system engaging in interstitial communication with the client station to receive user approval to pay the computed size-based cost; and after receiving the user approval, the intermediation system sending the web content along the communication path to the client station, wherein the communication path extends from the content server, over a packet-switched network, and through an access channel to the client station, and wherein the intermediation system is within the access channel.