US 10,313,532 B2Granted

Platform for enabling users to sign up for sponsored functions on computing devices

AssigneeKajeet, Inc.

InventorDaniel John Neal

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for sponsoring functions of computing devices associated with users. A sponsor may define a sponsorship that includes rules for sponsoring certain functions available to a user via a computing device. The execution of the functions may be facilitated, in some instances, by a service provider that may also specify rules and policies that control the functions. As such, when the user executes one or more of the sponsored functions by way of the computing device, instead of charging the associated cost to the user, the service provider may charge the cost to the sponsor based on the associated rules and policies.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A method for using a sponsorship associated with a computing device of a subscriber, the method comprising:

sending first information to an exchange platform configured to support a use of the computing device, wherein the exchange platform is associated with a service provider, and wherein the first information is usable by the exchange platform to generate a subscription associated with the subscriber, the subscription comprising:
(a) a selection of a service provided by the service provider for supporting the use of the computing device, the subscription including a plurality of features that specify functionalities that the computing device of the subscriber can execute in association with a core network and independently of the core network, and
(b) units of value for paying for the service;
sending, to the exchange platform, second information indicative of a selection of the sponsorship by the subscriber, wherein the second information is usable by the exchange platform to associate the sponsorship with the subscription, wherein the sponsorship comprises a rule for applying the sponsorship to the use of the computing device and is associated with an account of a sponsor, wherein the rule specifies that the sponsorship applies to the use of the computing device based at least in part on any or a combination of:
a location-based condition, a time-based condition, or a cost-based condition, wherein the rule is usable to determine in real time whether the service is allowed to be accessed by the computing device based on one or more conditions, and wherein the one or more conditions do not include consumption of an advertisement or other notifications in exchange for access to the service;
and
using the computing device, the use causing the exchange platform to:
(c) determine whether the use is covered by the sponsorship based at least in part on the selection and the rule,
(d) determine whether to charge a cost to the account of the sponsor or to the units of value of the subscription based at least in part on the rule, the cost being associated with the use, and
(e) charge the cost to the account of the sponsor or the units of value based at least in part on the determination in (d).

7 more elements

A system configured to facilitate a selection of a sponsorship for sponsoring a computing device, the system comprising:

a processor;
a memory having stored thereon instructions that, upon execution by the processor, cause the system to at least:
generate data usable to render an interface to a first user, wherein the interface is operative to allow the first user to select the sponsorship for sponsoring the computing device, wherein the first user is associated with the computing device, wherein the sponsorship is offered by a second user, wherein the sponsoring of the computing device is being supported by way of a service provided by a service provider, wherein the first user is subscribed to the service of the service provider, wherein the second user offers the sponsorship by way of the service provider, wherein the sponsorship comprises a rule for applying the sponsorship to the computing device, wherein the rule specifies that the sponsorship applies to the use of the computing device based at least in part on any or a combination of:
a location-based condition, a time-based condition, or a cost-based condition, wherein the rule is usable to determine in real time whether the service is allowed to be accessed by the computing device based on one or more conditions, and wherein the one or more conditions do not include interaction with an advertisement or other notifications in exchange for access to the service;
receive the selection of the sponsorship from the first user by way of the interface;
and
send information indicative of the selection to an exchange platform configured to provide the service, wherein the information is usable by the exchange platform to apply the sponsorship to the computing device by charging a cost associated with the sponsorship to the second user or to units of value associated with the first user based at least in part on the rule, and wherein the service of the service provider includes one or more features that specify functionalities that the computing device of the first user can execute in association with a core network and independently of the core network.

4 more elements

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, upon execution on a system configured to allow a user to accept a sponsorship associated with sponsoring a computing device, cause the system to perform operations comprising:

receiving information associated with one or more sponsorships configured to sponsor the computing device by effecting payment by an entity other than the user for a use of the computing device, wherein the payment for the use of the computing device is based at least in part on one or more rules specified by the one or more sponsorships, wherein the one or more rules specify that the sponsorship applies to the use of the computing device based at least in part on any or a combination of:
a location-based condition, a time-based condition, or a cost-based condition, wherein the one or more rules is usable to determine in real time whether the use is allowed by the computing device based on one or more conditions, and wherein the one or more conditions do not include presentation of an advertisement or other notifications in exchange for access to the use;
selecting at least a sponsorship from the one or more sponsorships based at least in part on the received information;
and
sending information indicative of the selection to an exchange platform configured to facilitate the use of the computing device, wherein in response to the information indicative of the selection, the exchange platform charges a cost associated with the use of the computing device to an account of the entity or to units of value associated with the user based at least in part on the one or more rules specified by the sponsorship, wherein the use of the computing device includes one or more features that specify functionalities that the computing device can execute in association with a core network and independently of the core network.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.