Method and system for measuring usage of a computer network by a network user
AssigneeElectronic Data Systems Corporation
InventorPaul A. Lecheler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for monitoring a computer network used to transfer data includes measuring (112) the amount of data transferred across the network during each of a plurality of time periods. The method also includes determining (118) an actual level of network usage by a user for each of the time periods and comparing (120) the actual level of network usage generated for each time period with an authorized level of usage. The method further includes generating (122) a flag for each of the time periods in which the actual level of network usage exceeds the authorized level of usage,
Claims20
A method of monitoring a computer network used to transfer data, comprising:
- measuring at least a portion of the amount of data transferred across the network to, or by, a user of the network during each of a plurality of time periods;
- determining an actual level of network usage by the user for each of the time periods;
- comparing the actual level of network usage generated for each time period with an authorized level of usage;
- generating a flag for each of the time periods in which the actual level of network usage exceeds the authorized level of usage;
- and
- computing a bill in response to generating a flag when the actual level of network usage exceeds the authorized level of usage.
An apparatus for measuring usage of a computer network by a user, comprising:
- a counting unit for measuring at least a portion of the amount of data transferred across the network to, or by, the user during each of a plurality of time periods;
- and
- an agent connected to the counting unit, the agent being operable to receive information from the counting unit and to compute an actual level of network usage for each time period, the agent being further operable to generate a signal if the actual level of network usage exceeds an authorized level of usage, the agent being further operable to select the authorized level of usage from a tiered set made up of at least two authorized usages.
An apparatus for measuring usage of a computer network by a network user, comprising:
- at least one counting unit operable to measure at least a portion of the amount of data transferred across the network to, or by, the network user during each of a plurality of time periods;
- an agent receiving information from the counting unit, the agent being operable to select an authorized level of usage from a tiered set comprising at least two authorized usage levels and to compute an actual level of network usage for each time period, the agent being further operable to generate a signal if the actual level of network usage exceeds the authorized level of usage;
- and
- a server, wherein the server notifies the agent of the authorized usage levels of the tiered set and a duration for each of the time periods.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.