DE10021756C2 - Systems, computer program products, tariff server systems and methods for the variable tariffing of Internet fees depending on chosen Internet offers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a system and a method for variable rate of Internet fees depending on of selected internet offers.

For electronic commerce and the provision of Services on the Internet are different procedures known. The most common is in addition to a companion payment of receivables by invoice, direct debit or cash on delivery the payment by credit card. For small Transactions, ie amounts of z. B. penny fractions up to 50 DM (so-called micropayment) are these procedures i. a. less suitable because they are relatively complicated and unprofitable because of the relatively high transaction costs are. Credit-based procedures, such as the so-called "money card" or digital coupons are because of their lower transaction costs in principle suitable for micropayments. The disadvantage, however, is that the Participation in such procedures the establishment of a good has a prerequisite for many customers Representing access barrier. Examples of credit-based ver are from US Patent 5,864,610 and WO 99/22507 known.

A need for a simple and inexpensive Micropayment system exists mainly in service who put the information on the Internet and because of the associated expense a remuneration need. Without compensation on the part of the user, who Services can avail, such providers versu to talk about advertising (eg in the form of bebannner). An advertising financing has ever but limits; In addition, the insertion of advertising in many cases disturbing or even incompatible with the  content offered. The already mentioned at the beginning another possibility of billing the used ge services by the mentioned payment method but for the here usually small amounts of payment little profitable and also requires authentication of the User, what normal "Internet surfers" rather from the Ab question of such services keeps away and thus inhibiting proliferation of such services.

As the most common access to the Internet via a dial-up Connecting a telephone carrier to an access provider it has already been suggested that the Ab invoice of used internet services on the billing of the telephone carrier (ie the tel phonogram). For this purpose sends the respective Anbie After each use of its services, a co-owner on the remuneration to be recovered for him Telephone carrier or an intermediary bill planning services. Such solutions are for example DE 197 42 858 A1, WO 99/08242, WO 99/30293 and WO 99/62036 known. U.S. Patent 5,956,391 It is proposed that a fixed access provider, the Provides access to the Internet and an area network, the traffic between user and the area network takes ernd monitors and user's data and in Be network in a Da tenbank brings together a billing of these services to allow over the phone bill. Also here receives the access provider of the respective service providers request-specific information on the used services or purchased goods.

Another solution is the company "in medias res" un offered under the name "NET900" (see http: //www.in- medias-res.com/products.htm). In this solution, the Users install a plug-in in their browser. He then accesses a paid Internet service to, the previous dial-up connection is disconnected and a new connection via a special paid telephone number,  similar to that used in Germany 0190 telephone numbers, established. Once the user has the cost dutiful service again, the Ver Connection via the specially tariffed phone number ended and rebuilt the original connection. The Cost of using the specially classified call number will be settled on the normal telephone bill net. The Internet provided by the providers must be specially designed for use on the NET900 Service, and that requires a mode fication of links to tariff-relevant offers (i.e., URLs (Uniform Resource Locator)).

Another suggestion is finally out of the US Pat. No. 5,970,477. This is on the Computer of the user a monitoring program module in stalled, which sends the user the Internet queries based on their URL and, in the case of a Request for a specific (tariff-relevant) Internet Site determines the duration of the connection to this site and then this information to a billing server sends, which carries out the billing. According to this Proposal it is also possible, not only the claim to bill for charged internet offers, but, on the contrary, a takeover of the internet Access costs during the access to a specific Internet offer by the respective provider durchzu to lead.

From US Pat. No. 5,944,795 A is a variable Ta rifierung of Internet fees known in the so-called. Enhanced Internet Services over another network be made available and settled. The purpose necessary software runs on the visited website.

From US Patent 5,991,380 A is finally a Billing system known, which is also with the Tariffing of internet fees. The billing system  receives information about the claim genome Service from the providers.

The inventors of the present invention have recognized that these known payment methods, although they are are part of the prior art, nor are not considered optimal, as they are partly a Participation of the providers, eg. B. in the form of shipping of Connection information or modification of the Internet Quotations require, as the partially performed, continued Persistent connection rebuilding may be disruptive or Si concerns about abuse.

Based on these findings, the invention lies therefore the object of a computer system and a Method for the variable tariffing of Internet fees to provide, which no vendor participation of ge called kind and no continuous connection Rebuilding required.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a computer system for the variable tariffing of Internet fees depending on selected internet offers, which is at least a user host and a tariff comprising the user host with ei equipped with a tariff program which Requests for Internet requests sent by the user host monitored for tariff relevance and in the case of Ta rifrelevanz a previously existing dial-up connection of Be disconnects user hosts to an access server to the Internet and a new dial-up connection to the rating server system builds up if the dialup connection is not already to Tari fierce system, according to which the request from the rating server system to the subject provider server, whereby the tariff server system is set up so that it tariff-relevant data of An question, and where the user host and the Tariff server system are set up so that a Tariff change without disconnecting the existing dial-up connection  due to the logging of tariff relevant Da th is enabled (claim 1). With "tariff relevant" Offered are generic terms both paid Offers meant, as well as offers under one partial or full refund of the connection fees can be obtained.

For "exotic" operating systems can be the creation of a Tariffing utility which determines the existing dialing compound according to claim 1 separates and a new one Tariff server builds, relatively expensive. Fer ner can be connected to the internet (eg over a LAN or a leased line, on off and on Wahl based solution according to claim 1 not technically feasible or - because of the additional connection costs - not economically sound. Especially for the se cases provides the invention according to a second aspect a computer system for the variable pricing of Inter depending on the selected Internet offer ready, which has at least one user host and one Classification server system, wherein the user host equipped with a tariff utility, wel ches requests sent by the user host to Inter monitored on tariff relevance and in the case of Tariff relevance over the Internet a diversion of the Anfra ge causes the tariff server system, the Tariff server system is set up so that the An ask him to go to the relevant provider server, where the tariffing server system tariff relevant data the request is logged (claim 2).

In the dependent claims are advantageous specified.

According to claim 3, the two aspects mentioned above partly no exclusive alternatives; much more are they grouped together in a computer system, which has both at least one user host From / selection according to claim 1 and at least one further  User host with Internet redirection of requests according to Claim 2, wherein the (only) Tarifierungsser system with both types of user hosts beitet.

To include user hosts with operating systems or browsers for which no such diversion has yet been Software is available, according to claim 4 also a user host is integrated into the computer system, of which all requests for Internet offers, the also means non-tariff relevant inquiries about the Tari be routed fierungsserversystem. This has the Disadvantage that the rating server system - unlike in the diversion solution according to claim 2 - a high Traffic is exposed, but for the benefit of a Integration of such hosts can be accepted can.

According to claim 5, the computer system is arranged to that for billing the logged data of the request with connection provided by the dial-up carrier data are merged. The latter is the case for example, a so-called caller detail Record (CDR), which is usually the phone number (Connection ID) of the caller (A-number), the telephone number of the called party (B-number) and the start and end numbers End time of the physical connection includes. The merging with the logged data can consist in that the physical connection in meh consecutive logical connections with possibly divided into different tariffs. The together guidance can advantageously be a synchronization of the physi kalischen beginning and end time with the appropriate, Times logged by the billing server.

To access a paid internet service too a user must traditionally au authenticate to him the access cost associated with it and can be calculated. For this the user must  traditionally with extensive personenda register once, using a user and a password. Later additions are then conventionally with a little less efforti Registration is possible, which only indicates this requires initial data. Such a procedure keeps surfers rather than using such internet services to take. According to claim 6, however, the user needs at a request to such an access protected Inter offer no such credentials; much more is the tariff server system set up so that this request for tarifierungsserversystem-related Access data (eg a master name and a Ma keyword of the rating server). Done the Access to the rating server system via a dial-up connection The device according to claim 1, the user is by his Connection identifier is authenticated, so that in this Be drive mode from the user's point of view any logon pro zedur account for paid Internet offers can. On the other hand, access to the rating server occurs on the Internet according to claim 2 or 4, it is in all mean an authentication of the user at Tari fier server system (eg by logging in with the user name and password). A single login but the tariffing server can be used for a whole session apply in which a variety of different zugangsge protected Internet offers can be queried what conventionally a variety of application areas would be required.

Claim 7 states that the tariff classification of Tari fuser server system preferably on the basis of Monitoring of ongoing inquiries is that this, the provider server the tariffer versystem but no request-related tariff data transmitted, and that the be Internet sites offered preferably no Anpas solution or modification need to be in the tariff classification of the present computer system  can. Under "inquiry-based tariff data" not general classification data (such as the co costs per minute or request) but for the respective individual request specific tariff data (such as the cost of a specific request). The An bidder does not need any technical or organizational ric modifications of its fee-based internals to make offers. He can therefore one and the same Paid Internet offers both direct Use by customers who do not comply with this Ta rifling system as well as the indirect groove provide through the tariff server system. The Equipping an internet offer with a usual zu It is not considered a "modification" hen, as also traditionally an Internet offer of course with such an access barrier is equipped, if it is paid and the costs with conventional individual billing by the users should be demanded.

According to claim 8, the "tariff-relevant offers" include both paid offers and offers with partial or full reimbursement of costs, in especially the connection costs. The latter is a wich measure to broaden the enforcement of the electronic trading, as this is the customer (the user) ko free of charge, and thus without time pressure the offer of a "electronic" department store can study, just like him this can also do with a "physical department store". In From a technical point of view, a reimbursement of all costs possible types of access. To avoid However, abuse should not be reimbursed the actual connection costs hen. These are only with access to Tarifie server via dial-up connection with certainty, but not for access via the internet, so that expected from a reimbursement in practice to be used only on dial-up access becomes.  

According to claim 9, the computer system is arranged to that in case of a change in the circle of the computer system covered tariff relevant offers, in particular in the Case of a new entry, the user host this change automatically displays on its user interface. With This measure can be a great marketing effect be by all users of the Timeweb system z. B. by a self-opening on the UI "Pop up" on a new sign up or a tariff change on be made careful.

According to claim 10, the computer system is arranged is that it's a physical choice for billing Logical connection to multiple virtual switched connections divides.

The tariffing utility may be stored (eg on a magnetic storage medium or in one volatile or non-volatile semiconductor memory of a Computers) or by signals over a network z. B. the Internet will be shipped. It needs the computer pro initially not in an immediately executable form Form to exist; rather, it can also be in one for the Installation on the user host prepared form lie, of course, packed, verschlüs selt, for possible sending via a network in packages divided and provided with transfer-related headers can be, etc.

To claim 11 it should be noted that an operating mode, at all requests to the rating server system ge be led, does not require a special program because this operating mode, by a manual entry of the Classification server as a proxy in the user's browser hosts can be achieved. With the help of tariffing utility program can automatically set this input be.  

In accordance with claim 12, in embodiments with several Operating modes the tariffing utility automatically recognize in which operating mode it should operate. The Detection is based on network settings of the user hosts.

According to claim 13, the monitoring of the egg with the help Internet browsing of Benut zerhosts performed by the tariffing utility as a proxy at the browser enters or - at Operating systems or browsers that only use the operating mode with redirection of all inquiries over the tariffing server allow - is entered by the user as a proxy. episode An entry as a proxy is all that in the internet requests to be sent first to the tariff utility program. Instead of entering as a proxy The tariff program can also be the Scan the TCP / IP traffic of the user host and the destination change the TCP / IP packets, so that this Ta rifierungsserversystem be redirected.

According to claim 14, the tariffing utility is the same set up a list of tariff-relevant In ternetangebote stores and the monitoring of the Be userhost sending requests based on this stored th list. Under a "Internet offer" is preferably a group of Internet objects of the same tariff understood by a provider. Such Group can also ent ent objects from different servers hold. For recognizing a request for a ta rifrelevanten offer is due to the stored Li No labeling of the URLs required on it indicates that this is a tariff-relevant offer delt. Preferably, the Internetange objects to HTTP documents (that is, web pages, z. In a presentation language such as HTML or XML), or video, music or other, in a streaming Procedure transmitted documents. If several  HTTP documents belong to a quote, so this one Group, it is advantageous if in the list the respective groups - and not the individual Internetange Bote of the groups - appear. It is then no Change the list required if it is within a Group comes to a change (for example, an access or path case of an HTTP document). The group is replaced by a URL defined. All documents referring to a URL that starts with the group URL, are considered as part of the group.

Basically, the user can through free "surfing" on meet a tariff-relevant offer and a corresponding Request - recognized by the tariffing utility - send. The embodiment according to claim 15 allows In addition, a "quick access" by the list of tariff-relevant Internet offers on a user interface the user host's interface can be displayed and the user from this list can select an entry, whereupon a request for the corresponding Internet offer is sent.

Ongoing, new providers with tariff-relevant offers and others fall away. According to claim 16 The tariffing utility updates the list of tariff relevant Internet offers continuously automatically through corresponding requests to the rating server. Although this is for the main features of the tariffing utility (namely, monitoring requests and Um circuit or redirection in the case of a tariff relevant Request) is not required, the tariff Utility also beneficial to the user over the ever informing about the tariffs. Advantageously updated Tariff aid program also such, with the Inter linked information. Advantageously he follows in the context of this update a reference to the UI, if it is in the range of offers to ei ner for the user worth knowing change has come about a new addition to a provider (claim 20).  

With regard to the method claims is to avoid of repetitions essentially to the above Ausfüh referred to the device claims.

The invention will now be described with reference to exemplary embodiments and the attached drawing explained in more detail. In the Show drawing:

Fig. 1 is an overview of the fields of use of a Ausfüh tion of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the process for a paid web offer; FIG.

Fig. 3, a matrix of an exemplary Zugangssteue tion for a subsidized Internet site;

Fig. 4 is an illustration of the user interface site in the fast access to a related web rate;

Fig. 5 is an illustration of Figure 4, but in the event that the user tet free surfing a request to the tariff-relevant website tet;

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the accessibility possibilities for the tariffing server with different operating modes;

Fig. 7 is an illustration of the operation mode 1;

Fig. 8 is an illustration of the operation mode 2;

Fig. 9 is an illustration of the operation mode 3;

Fig. 10 is an illustration of on-the operation mode 1 billing.

The embodiment of the inventions described below This term is sometimes referred to as "TimeWeb". Both "Internet offers" in the following is HTTP Documents (web pages), where the web pages of a Ser collectively referred to as a "website". Instead of "User" is sometimes called the term "customer" or "Surfer" used. The tariff tool will be also referred to as a "client" or "plug-in". With "the Internt"  is today's global internet with the TCP / IP protocol suite meant.

TimeWeb is a technology that creates new structures inside half of the complex Internet structure creates a va Riable billing between providers and customers to enable. In particular, it is about a zeitabhängi ge allocation of access costs to the Internet between Customers and individual providers.

TimeWeb latches into the Internet infrastructure in several places, forming a superordinate structure. TimeWeb allows:

• - a transparent embedding in the internet structure of Users and providers;
• - the interception of web page views by the User host;
• in operating mode 1 (it is the mode of claim 1, which will be explained in more detail below):
  A transparent re-dialing into an Internet access to the TimeWeb server, whereby the tariff can be changed during the connection time, whereby a new choice with tariff change becomes superfluous. If the tariff changes - for example because the user wants to transfer to another offer - the dial-up connection to the Timeweb server system will remain. If the user wishes to switch to a non-tariff web site, he may alternatively maintain the current dial-up connection to the timeweb server system, or alternatively terminate it and establish a new dial-up connection to the original access provider;
• - a redirection and "manipulation" of requests for Web pages on the part of the user, causing the user simplified and anonymized access to receives the web pages and technical effort visibly adapting websites to Anbie side is avoided.

Fig. 1 illustrates the applications of the Timeweb system. Conventionally, the user pays his nor normal access costs, which can be composed for example of the time-dependent costs for a telephone local connection and the time-dependent cost of an Internet service provider. Billing models are also common in which these two cost factors are combined in a single time-based tariff. In this case, the contractors traditionally do not receive a share of the access costs, which means that the conventional Internet is cost-neutral for them.

With the timeweb system, the user according to FIG. 1 can claim subject-matter content, wherein he remains anonymous. It pays more than the normal access costs, whereby the provider receives a substantial part of the additional payment (a smaller part receives the Timeweb system for its service).

Another application of the Timeweb system is shown in FIG. 1 is that the user querying Webangebo th is made attractive by the fact that he needs to pay less than the normal or even no access costs, so the provider part of the access costs or the entire access costs.

Technically, this happens in operating mode 1 via a variable tarification of dial-up connection where - as be was mentioned - the tariff in the course of the can change the existing dial-up connection. The Ab bill is made via the telephone carrier bill of the wenders. With the Timeweb solution is the collection effort reduced to a minimum. The provider receives z. B. mo of course a collective invoice or credit note. The time web system does not cause any technical effort for the Provider, because his complete offer remains unchanged receive. Internet surfers can still have one normal internet access d. H. without using the timeweb Systems use the provider's website to take. The Timeweb system requires only one from the provider Information about the web pages to be included (URLs) and the respective tariff. The system allows a flexi lead to cost sharing between provider and user. The An Bidder can range from "free for the user" to any temporal remuneration and / or one choose a dial-in fee.

All sites that receive indirect income from the visit Internet users achieve (for example, by fading of advertisement) or a higher interest  "Pagevisits" can cost advantage graced or freed variant of Timeweb for her brand use ting. In this case, the provider subsidizes the Visitors to his website, provided that they are the Website about the tariff server system Timeweb be search. Once the user has the offer of the provider the subsidy is terminated. Kostenredu graced or liberated offers may be made in particular in interesting cases: ad-supported In ternetangebote; Internet sites for launching Bezie to potential investors; electronic commerce; and intranet systems. For intranet systems can z. For example Sales representative of a company whose intranet be "unlocked" via the Timeweb system. The outside service workers pay normal internet surfing Access costs, access to the Intranet area of their Un business is free of charge for you.

Referring to Fig. 2, a user surfs with a user host 1 on the Internet (step S1). A user on the host 1 in stalliertes and resident classification utility (Windows plugin) monitors all Web page requests from the Web browser of the host 1 and compares it with a Li ste registered web offerings. In the event of a match, the Windows plug-in degrades the existing dial-up connection in operating mode 1, as far as it leads to a Time Web-foreign Internet provider, and establishes a new dial-up connection to the Timeweb rating server system 2 . In tariff server system 2 , a proxy monitors every single call to a web page, much as the Windows plug-in does. Depending on whether an access-protected website has been called, the Time Web server uses its proxy function to pass the selected URL or make changes to the URL. Thus, the user host 1 can access with his request access-protected web pages without the user having to know the password for these pages and without his identity being revealed to the provider. A so-called "watchdog" on the timeweb server system 2 asynchronously checks whether an access restriction occurs during the visit of a web page (this may be the case, for example, if the access duration is limited) or a so-called "Ti meout" occurs (this is for example For example, if a user is inactive for more than a certain amount of time (about three minutes) on a cost-relevant page). Then the access is interrupted or, in the case of subsidized access, subsidization ceases.

The entire Internet traffic of the user 1 via the Ti meweb server system 2 is logged. At fixed intervals, for. At the end of each month, for example, payroll data records are generated from the logged activities of the customer. Since the customer can take several different tariff rates true via one and the same dial-up connection, several virtual connections are generated for billing from a physical connection. The corresponding billing records (CDRs) are transmitted to the telephone carrier in step S2. In an embodiment (not shown in FIG. 2), prior to step S2, the telephone carrier sends to the timeweb server system 2 billing records about the physical connections representing a kind of synchronization frame for the billing records to be generated by the timeweb server system 2 . The Telefoncar rier then provides in step S3 for a collection of the fees fallen on the phone bill, which the user pays in step S4. In step S5, the telephone carrier forwards the remuneration to the timeweb system, which carries out a refund to the providers in step S6. In the case of congestion-subsidized or free-of-charge web offers, the user's payment may be reduced or eliminated in step S4 and the direction of the reimbursement in step S6 will reverse. Possibly also the direction of payment in step S5 will be reversed, depending on the extent of subsidization.

This solution allows seamless integration with the on provider. This has nothing to do technically and content  his web system. It also allows a seamless se integration with the user. This can continue via its current Internet access (eg T-Online) surfing. Only if he registered a cost-relevant Web page request, the Timeweb system will be active if it in the (described in detail below) operating modes 1 or 2 is working.

In order to make the costs for the providers calculable with subsidized Internet offers, the Timeweb system optionally has an access control, which is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 3. The access control may introduce one or more of the following restrictions:

• - a maximum of a predetermined amount of euro per time subsidize (eg day or month);
• - a maximum of a predetermined number of different Allow users per time unit;
• - a maximum of a predetermined number of users in to allow altogether;
• - a maximum of a predetermined number of entrances per Time unit or total allow.

For example, according to FIG. 3, a provider wants to allow 10,000 entrances to be released every month as part of a marketing campaign. The action may not cost more than 20,000 euros per month. It runs until the total budget of 70,000 euros is used up. Accordingly, the Timeweb server system runs a monthly access counter, a monthly counter and a total counter for the website in question. As soon as one of the counters exceeds the respective predetermined limit, subsidized access to the website is no longer possible. Such a matrix can be used to define a wide variety of market activities.

The access control can also be user-related. For example, in an electronic book shop Every user will spend twenty free minutes per month searching for books  receive. As part of customer loyalty systems For example, users who are using an electroni department store generates a monthly minimum turnover have in a special online catalog free blät order and order.

For sites with password access, the provider assigns to the timeweb server system 2 a master user name and a master password. The Timeweb server system feeds all users under this master account into the provider system without the individual user having to know the access data.

A website can be uniformly classified, it is in a website but also several, different tari fierte websites or web areas possible. This is z. B. interesting for promotions where users in be certain areas of a website should be drawn or for cases where only individual pages of a web site are ad-supported (eg by banner advertising).

The Windows plug-in is offered for download on a web page of the Timeweb server system 2 . There is also the possibility that providers may also offer them on their tariff-relevant websites for download, but this requires a corresponding (minor) modification of the provider websites. As will be explained in more detail below, the plugin offers quick access to all registered cost-relevant websites. It oversees all requests for websites and, depending on the requested website, deselects / dials or redirects to the Timeweb server system. It informs the user about tariff changes for cost-relevant web offers and about newly added cost-relevant web offers.

Fig. 4 illustrates the user interface of the user host 1 in the said shortcut. By right-clicking on the Timeweb icon on a Windows toolbar, you can open a menu list of registered, cost-relevant Web sites. This can be divided into thematically ordered submenus in the case of a larger number of web offers and, in addition, display new or specially advertised web sites in a particularly outstanding manner. In the example shown in Figure 4, the user selects a subsidized web offering from the list. It then appears a picture that informs him about the choice of a free offer and asks if he really wants to visit the chosen website. In other (not shown) embodiments, this request does not apply to cost-subsidized Websi; however, it is likely to be required for paid sites. If the user answers the question in the affirmative, he will go to the chosen website.

If the user directs a free surfing request for a registered cost-relevant website, as shown in Fig. 5, he receives without representation of the menu shown in Fig. 4 immediacy bar mentioned in Fig. 4 request whether he wants to visit the chosen website.

While the user is online on the internet, updated the plugin works independently in the background. On new bidder the user by an automatic erschei the attention of the dialog box.

In the following, the Timeweb technology is explained in more detail tert. A web offer consists of Internet content (Websites), which are offered at a certain tariff the. The tariff is usually a monetary amount per person proportional to the duration of the use of a Weban bid (ie the period between the first request for a URL belonging to the offer and the first Subsequent request for a non-offer URL or a timeout). Alternatively or he In addition, this can be a fixed (time-independent) amount  per use of the offer or an object of the Offer come. The amount of money can ne for the user negative (paid offer) or positive (subsidized offer). The tariff classification of the Bidding may vary depending on the day of the week and the time of day be given. For any time of the day, initial costs (One-time dialing costs, if the selection to the given Time of day), clock (ie the frequency billing) and fee per clock. Each Timeweb offer can handle multiple Internet areas summarize by protocol port), destination address and To handle path are defined (for example: port: 80, IP = 1.2.3.4., path = / member /). Any offer can be made in Operating mode 1 via one or more direct dial-in number can be achieved. Furthermore, for every offer be defined, which ports and thus applications) for the user is unlocked.

The Timeweb system can operate in three different operating modes, shown together in FIG . The choice of operating mode depends on whether a Timeweb client is already available for the operating system and the browser of the user host and whether the user host has the technical components of a dialing access (eg via an analogue modem or an ISDN Interface) or by leased line, a Wähllei device with dedicated line character (flatrate) or a Fe FEN network connection is connected to the Internet.

The Timeweb client is one on the local user host executed program module that at runtime the Inter monitored. The client can be said in two of them operating modes, namely 1 and 2 operate.

In mode 1 the Timeweb client monitors HTTP traffic for registered collective relevant offers and offers in the event of such a request on the user surface of the user hosts one tariff switchover by a dialog box to. In the case of a positive answer by the user, the client disconnects a possibly existing dial-up connection to another access provider and establishes a new dial-up connection via a dial-up access device 4 of the timeweb server system 2 . Operating mode 2 is selected if the user has a line that is not subject to time or volume-based compensation (eg via a leased line or a dial-in flatrate). The Timeweb client monitors - as in the first operating mode - HTTP traffic on requests for tariff-relevant offers. Unlike operating mode 1, however, it does not intervene in the connection of user host 1 to Internet 5 . In case of a request for a tariff-relevant offer, the Timeweb client redirects the request to the server 6 of the Timeweb server system 2 by using the IP address of the Timeweb server as the IP destination address. The Timeweb client returns from this redirection mode in a transparent mode via a control signal or a time out determined by the Timeweb client.

The Timeweb client knows all web offers available through the Timeweb system. The client keeps the information about the available web offers and areas in an internal database on the user host 1 . During ongoing monitoring, each requested web page is considered to be part of a registered rate-relevant offer if the user-selected URL in the start character matches a URL defined by the provider. For example, if a provider specifies the URL "http: //1.2.3.4/member", then a user-selected URL "http: //1.2.3.4/member/index.html" will match the URL specified by the provider - and thus tariff-relevant website - considered. The client now changes to the timeweb server system 2 in a manner corresponding to the respective operating mode.

It should be noted that HTTP documents of an offer Refe tions to other Internet objects which are not part of the offer (eg links to Inclusion of graphics, banner advertising, etc.). The up diving a URL of such referencing Of course not lead to a tariff change. such, Non-tariff change relevant URLs are also with the Ti meweb client saved, and will not be in the above URL monitoring included. The classification of the URLs in tarifwechselrelevante and non-tarifwecheselrelevante takes place with the Timeweb server system for each new or ge changed the HTTP document of an offer manually and / or with the aid of a suitable document analysis pro program.

The operating mode 3 is that the Timeweb server 6 is permanently registered with the browser of the user host 1 as a proxy. If done manually by the user, no Timeweb client is required. But it is also possible that the Timeweb client ensures that the Timeweb server 6 is registered as a proxy.

Timeweb server 6 is the heart of the Timeweb system. It checks the URL for each user request and handles the communication about a possible tag change with the user, depending on the operating mode. The server also changes the URL of user requests as needed and logs all user requests to a central log. This serves as the basis for creating the billing data required for billing.

An overview of the different operating modes is given in the following table:

The following explanations: as already mentioned, is in operation mode 3, a Timeweb client is not required and is therefore not listed in the table. In operating modes 2 and 3 is a manual login at Timeweb server at least for paid offers usually necessary because the user - unlike in the Operating mode 1 - not via the dial-up connection autenti is ficable. Finally, the modes of operation 2 are suitable and 3 for business reasons hardly for free and - subsidized offers, since it is because of the i. a. Unknown access costs could lead to abuse. In technical terms, it is quite possible, too offers subsidized in operating modes 2 and 3 to offer.

As shown in FIGS . 6 and 7, the user 1 in the operating mode Be 1 via a dial-up access to the Internet with time and / or volume-based pricing. The user's queries arrive via the dialing access to the time web server system 2 , which also works as a transparent proxy (ie as a proxy which is not registered as such in the browser of the user host 1 ). An access router 7 , which is part of the dial-in access device 4 , forwards each request to the timeweb server 6 , which analyzes the HTTP requests and examines them for tariff relevance. A so-called radius server of the timeweb server system 2 assigns an IP address to the respective user host 1 when establishing a dial-up connection and informs it of this. User host 1 uses this dynamically assigned IP address as the IP source address. The timeweb server 6 forwards the requests of the user host 1 to the Internet 5 , whereby they reach the provider server with the IP destination address. The provider server sends the requested document to the IP source address, so the Timeweb server 2 back, which it passes on the Wählver connection to the user host 1 .

The Timeweb client works in operating mode 1 in the dialin level. If the client finds a registered tag-relevant offer, then he separates the previous dial-up connection A after a positive answered question and sets up a new dial-up connection T via the time-win access device 4 , if such has not already existed. The Timeweb system may have several different access numbers available for access. It is possible that the user when accessing a certain number only on certain offers te can access. This is particularly advantageous in the mentioned intranet solutions, in which z. For example, an employee should have free access to his company's intranet. A special access number can be used to gain access to the intranet via the Timeweb system only. If user host 1 leaves the offer, the client offers to switch back the connection to the original dial-up access or to remain in the timeweb access. The user can use several Internet offers at different tariffs via a continuously maintained physical connection, without the need for a new dial-up.

The operation mode 2 illustrated in more detail in FIG. 8 supports flat-rate dial-up connections, lans, and leased lines. The Timeweb client monitors the web offers requested by the user. He behaves like a "change-over switch" here. When the user requests a "normal" web page, the timeweb client behaves transparently. The request thus arrives directly to the relevant provider server 3 , and the requested document reaches from there directly to the user host 1 . However, if the Timeweb client finds a request for a registered tariff-relevant offer, then it redirects the traffic to the Timeweb server 6 . The request then passes via the Internet 5 to the Ti meweb server 6 , which causes a Timeweb web server 7 via the Internet 5 first a tariff change query to the user host 1 directed. If the user answers this query in the affirmative, the timeweb server 6 forwards the request to the provider server 3 via the Internet 5 , behaving as a proxy, as explained above. The provider server 3 sends the requested Internet object to the acting as a proxy Timeweb server 6 , which forwards it to the user host 1 . In other (not shown) embodiments causes the Timeweb server 6 when forwarding the request to the bidder server 3 that this returns the requested Internet object directly to the user host 1 - ie not via the time web server 6 -.

The mode 3 shown in more detail in Fig. 9 is a compatible mode that supports Internet access with flatrate, LAN and leased lines and is suitable for exotic browsers and operating systems, since he does not need a suitable Timeweb client. The connection to the Timeweb server 6 is made by entering the Timeweb server as a proxy on the browser of the user host 1 . The Ti meweb server 6 examines all URLs and lets the user confirm any tariff changes via the browser. As in operating mode 2, the user must register, since a user identification via the CLI (telephone connection identifier) is not given here. The Ti meweb server 6 behaves as in operating mode 2, with the only difference that here the entire traffic of the user host 1 via the Timeweb server 6 is running.

Since the Internet Protocol HTTP (in the current version) is a stateless protocol, the user can visit several offers at the same time during "normal surfing" (via several browser windows) or from one offer to the next. In all three operating modes the Timeweb system allows this behavior until the user selects a registered tarifrele vantes web site (if the traffic in this state even runs on the Timeweb system). From then on, the Timeweb system enforces a defined logical user session with a defined start time. Any attempt to retrieve web pages from another provider immediately leads to a query to the user if he wants to end the user session. The session is also terminated by inactivity of the user. The timeweb server 6 recognizes this because there is no active request from the user for a certain time.

Each user request is logged in Timeweb server 2 and cached in a database for processing by a Timeweb billing server.

Each log entry contains the following information:

• - Time stamp (date and time to the second);
• - unique identification number of the offer;
• - Requested internet resource URL (usually a webpage);
• - unique user identification;
• - IP address of the user.

For users who have used tariff-relevant offers in operating mode 2 and 3, invoicing is handled using traditional collection procedures. For user activities in operating mode 1 billing is shown in Fig. 10 in more detail. First, the Timeweb server system 2 receives from the telephone company 9 , via which the user dialed into the Timeweb server system 2 , a CDR for each physical connection. This uses the timeweb server system 2 as a template for creating one or more virtual CDRs, which it returns to the named telephone company 9 . The latter processes the virtual CDRs and forwards them to the telephone company 10 of the user. For this process, a billing server 11 of the timeweb server system 2 creates billing data based on the log created by the Timweb server 6 . He goes through the log chronologically and determines the time of entry into an offer and the exit from an offer. Based on the pricing of the respective offer, the virtual CDRs are generated.

For the processing of the billing data in Betriebsmo mode 1, the billing server 11 thus uses two data sources, on the one hand of the society Telefonge 9 made available connection data and on the other hand, the logs of the Timeweb server. 6 In the sen, made available by the telephone company 9 CDR data sets, the CLI (Caller Line Identifica tion = connection identifier), the time of the connection start and the time of the connection end are detected.

The billing server 11 reads the log created by the timeweb server 6 in chronological order. From the CDRs of the telephone company 9 and the Timeweb data he generates - as explained - one or more virtual CDRs. The time specified in the original CDR data set of the physical connection start and Ver binding end form, so to speak, an absolute time frame in which the timeweb data are fitted as a relative time window. It is therefore a synchronization procedure, which avoids errors due to mögli cher deviations of the clock of the telephone company 9 of that of the Timeweb server 6 . An example of this procedure is given in the following table. It should be emphasized here that between tariff 1 and the different tariff 2 there is no deselection of the dial-up connection:

In operating modes 2 and 3, the determination of the Interlocation of Internet offers analogous to Be drive mode 1. Since there are no physical CDRs for ver However, the syn explained above is omitted chronisation. Also, the billing is not via forwarding of virtual CDRs to the telephone society, but directly with the user. As no It is with these operating modes necessary that the user has registered and the Offers can only be retrieved when he faces the Timeweb system has been authenticated.  

The Timeweb system also allows the user to retrieve password-protected Web sites without knowing the credentials and without the provider knowing from which user the offer is being retrieved. The Ti meweb server 6 checks - as stated above - each URL. If a URL is retrieved that is provided by the provider with access protection, the timeweb server 6 supplements this query by a master user name and a master password. For example, the request

<prot <: / / <ip </ <path <? <query <

changed from the timeweb server 6 to the following query:

<prot <: / / <usr <: <pwd <@ <ip </ <path <? <query <.

Where: prot = protocol (eg http), usr = ma std-username, pwd = master-password, ip = ip-adress or domain name of the provider server.

These access data (master user name and master password) are communicated to the timeweb server 6 by the provider. The provider can offer its website in parallel with the operation of a closed user group with individual billing in the Ti meweb debt collection procedure, without the need for changes to the website.

The Timeweb client is a C ++ Windows program that can be downloaded from the Timeweb server 6 . It detects when installed on the user's host 1 automatically on the basis of Netzwerkein settings of the computer 1, in which mode it is to operate. A main function is - already explained above - monitoring the queried from the user host 1 th web pages.

In operating mode 1, the user surfs the Internet to the nearest, generally via a foreign Internet provider via modem or ISDN, not via the Timeweb access. If the user requests a fee-relevant website, the Timeweb client offers (unlike mode 2, there it is the Timeweb server) via a dialog box to switch to the desired offer, and thus the desired tariff. In the case of a positive user confirmation, the client disconnects - as already explained - the dial-up connection to the foreign Internet provider and establishes a new connection to the time-web access device 4 , unless such a connection already exists. The Timeweb server 6 functions via the dial-in technology as a transparent proxy, ie it receives all the pages requested by the user, without which the Timeweb client forwards them explicitly to the Ti meweb server 6 .

If the user requests a website that is not part of the cost-relevant offer, then a confirmation is sent back after confirmation has been confirmed. The user can also surf on the Timeweb access. If a timeout is detected, the client brings a dialog box with a warning message, terminating the Internet connection so as not to incur unnecessary costs for the user. In operation mode 2, the client is entered under the address 127.0.0.1 and port 8080 as a local proxy at the browser of the user host 2 . In this mode the user is permanently connected to the Internet (eg via a leased line). The Timeweb client only monitors HTTP traffic but does not dial up or dial out.

The client starts in a transparent mode. In the In this mode, it redirects any URL that it does not use with a re Registered Timeweb offer can associate without messing up to the destination server, that is to say in the URL given vendor server or possibly a default Proxy.

If the client recognizes a first URL from the registered Timeweb offer, he immediately switches to another status in which he forwards this and all other HTTP requests - regardless of whether they belong to the same offer or not - to the Timeweb server 6 ,

In operating modes 2 and 3, the user must attend once logged in to the Timeweb system. The registration, as well all inquiries, whether a tariff change should take place, who from the Timeweb server (not the client, like the Operating mode 1) made. The timeweb server kommuni graces with the logging in user by next - instead of the user-requested website - special registration and tariff change pages to the user returns, and only after registration and Be confirmation of the tariff change to the desired website calls and returns to the user.

If, for the first time, the user wishes to use a web page of a timeweb offer (ie a registered cost-relevant offer) during a session, the timeweb server 6 requests a logon as mentioned. If the user does not yet have credentials, then he can register via a registration web page at the time web system, and receives a user ID and a password. After entering user ID and password, he receives a tariff change page. This describes the service offered, including the cost of the service. If the user confirms this page, it will be redirected to the selected website of the provider, unless there is a portal page for this offer which must be visited first. Finally, if the user requests a web page that is not part of the registered offer, then the timeweb server 6 asks the user, via an intervening web page, whether to leave the previous offer. If the user confirms, the Time Web client will return to transparent mode.

For example, a switchback URL has the following form:

http: / / <TimeWebDomain </service/client/logoff.asp?redir= <desiredURL <

If the URL component

http: //www.TimeWebDomain</service/client/logoff.asp

shows up, then this is the sign for the Timeweb Client to switch back to transparent mode. If the Timeweb client times out because of the User z. B. closed his browser or longer Time has not retrieved pages, then just done if a switch back to the transparent mode.

As the database with the tariff-relevant providers and tariffs are constantly changing, the Timeweb client needs a method of updating this information to to recognize the offers correctly and the correct Anga ben / Priese to show.

The Timeweb client updates the database of all Timeweb offers via the Internet. For this he calls an invisible non-public text file from the Timeweb server system 2 .

The text file retrievable at the given URL contains a list of all offers available via Timeweb in the following form, with the time of the last change of the offer.

http: // <TimeWebDomain </service/client/angebote/list.txt

Offer number. Timestamp of last change 1 20000718152421 2 20000612122421 3 20000712122421 AL = L <etc.

Each Timeweb offer has a unique number. Each de change an offer in the central database on the server side 2 is logged and held with a time stamp the time of change of this offer. The timestamp has the format <yyyymmddhhmmss <. The Timeweb client compares this with its own list of held offers.

Since the user PC could have a different time setting, the time base is fetched a service page:

http: //www.TimeWebDomain</service/timestamp.asp

This page returns a text file with the current Ti meweb server time.

All offers that no longer appear in the new list will be deleted, all offers that are more recent Timestamp or not in the previous list wa ren, are updated or retransmitted.

The images and graphics for the individual offers are provided in an Internet directory:

http://www.TimeWebDomain</service/client/offers/<offer_number</icon.bmp

http: / /<TimeWebDomain</service/client/angebote/<offer_number</angebot.ini,

including the associated URL's, Tariffierung and Be write-texte. The frequency of the update is adjustable on the client module.

The offer.ini is kept in the format of the Windows profile files structured as follows.
[Desc]
name = ricardo
slogan = The largest auction house on the Internet
[Urls]
allowed = http://www.ricardo.de/
allowed = http://web1.ricardo.de/
allowed = http://web2.ricardo.de/
disallowed = http://www.ricardo.de/member/personal
[Rate]
mo = 1-4, 3, 2
etc.

A similar procedure will be used to upgrade the Time web clients performed.

The Timeweb client fetches a list of all currently current program components for the operating system of the respective user host 2 via web access from the Timeweb server system 2 . New or updated program components are then loaded directly over the Internet and made available after a reboot.

For each operating system are different program areas provided.

The latest version is in the directory:

http: //www.TimeWebDomain</service/client/os/<osname</list.txt

As <osnamen <are possible (not complete)
win31, win95, win98, winnt351, winnt40, winn2000
maxos7
linux
beos
Etc.

example

http://www.TimeWebDomain</service/client/os/win98/list.txt

programs version /client.exe 1.2.3 15.08.2000 15:24:21 /abc.d11 2.12.3 16.08.2000 15:24:21 /data/x.bin 1.2.4 18.07.2000 12:23:34

The path information is relative to the program server zeichnis. The version number is divided into Versi on.Release.Build.

A difference in the build version (with the same versi ons and release numbers) does not require any substantive changes and can, but does not have to be used. Here the Timeweb client makes the suggestion on the new Ver upgrade.

A difference in the release number is definitely update. The Timeweb client indicates that Otherwise the functionality can not be guaranteed. For a difference in the version number must be on each the case will be updated.

The described embodiment of the Timeweb system thus has the following remarkable properties:

• There must be no change to the provider servers or the offered internet offers are made;
• - over one and the same physical telephone connection Several different tariffs can be deducted be reckoned;
• - with the help of the Timeweb client is already on the Calculator of the user recognized whether a Tarifrelevan te website is selected, for which no special Identification of the relevant URLs is required is;  
• - password-protected web offers can be downloaded from the Timeweb User without knowledge of access data and without Disclosure of his personal data to the Anbie be achieved.

Claims (33)

A computer system for variable tariffing of Internet fees depending on selected Internet offered, comprising at least one user host and a rating server system,
wherein the user host is equipped with a tariff utility which monitors user requests for Internet offers for tariff relevance and, in the case of tariff relevance, disconnects a previously existing dial-up connection of the user host to an access server to the Internet and establishes a new dial-up connection to the tariff rate server system the dial-up connection has not already passed the tariff server system, after which the request from the tariff server system arrives at the provider server providing the selected Internet service,
the tariff server system being arranged to proto-rate tariff-relevant data of the request,
and wherein the user host and the tariff server system are set up such that a tariff change is made possible without disconnecting the existing dialup connection due to the logging of the tariff-relevant data. 2. Computer system for the variable tariffing of Internet fees as a function of selected internal offers, comprising at least one user host and a tariff server system,
wherein the user host is equipped with a tariff utility which monitors requests for Internet offerings for tariff relevance sent by the user host and, in the case of tariff relevance via the Internet, causes the request to be diverted via the tariff server system,
wherein the tariff server system is arranged to receive the request from it to the provider server providing the selected Internet service, wherein the tariff server system tariff-relevant data of the request is logged. 3. Computer system according to claims 1 and 2, which we at least one user host according to claim 1 and we at least one user host according to claim 2 has. 4. Computer system according to one of claims 1 to 3, which at least one additional user host rejects all requests for Internet offer ten, that is also non-tariff relevant inquiries, via the tariff server system. 5. Computer system according to one of claims 1, 3 and 4, which is set up so that the settlement logged data of the request with the dialer binding carrier supplied connection data be led. 6. Computer system according to one of claims 1 to 5, at which sets up the tariff server system is that in the case of a request to a zugangsge protected tariff relevant internet offer this ask for tarifierungsserversystem-related access data added. 7. Computer system according to one of claims 1 to 6, which is set up so that the tariff classification of Classification server system based on observation of the ongoing requests, without that the provider server is the tariff server system Request-related tariff data transmitted and without that provided by the provider server Internet offers an adaptation or modification  for the tariff classification by the rating server is required. 8. Computer system according to one of claims 1 to 7, at which cost the tariff relevant offers both obligatory offers as well as offers with partial or full reimbursement of connection costs include. 9. Computer system according to one of claims 1 to 8, which is arranged so that in case of a change tion in the circle of the computer system tariff-relevant offers, especially in the case of a New addition to a tariff-relevant offer, the Be user host will automatically apply this change on its loading user interface displays. 10. Computer system according to one of claims 1, 3 to 9, which is set up so that it for the Abrech a physical dial-up connection logical in splits several virtual dial-up connections. 11. Computer system according to one of claims 2 to 10, in which the tariffing utility also can work in a mode of operation in which it All inquiries for Internet offers, so also Requests for non-tariff relevant offers, about the tariff server system forwards. 12. Computer system according to one of claims 3 to 11, where the tariff program is based on Network settings of the user host detects, in which operating mode it should operate. 13. Computer system according to one of claims 2 to 12, in which the tariff program with the Help of a browser carried Internet traffic The user's host is monitored by acting as a proxy at the browser or by the user as a proxy  is entered, or by the TCP / IP traffic scans. 14. Computer system according to one of claims 1 to 13, in which the tariff support program to one is a list of tariff-relevant Inter to save net offers and the monitoring of the User host to send requests based on this ge stored list so that it for the Recognition of tariff-relevant Internet offer no indicative modification of the URLs This internet service requires. 15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the Ta program is designed so that the List of tariff relevant Internet offers on one User interface user interface is displayed and by selecting an entry of the list by the User request for the appropriate Inter net offer is sent. 16. A computer system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the tariff program the tariff list levanten Internet offers including hereby ver The information was automatically processed on an ongoing basis corresponding inquiries to the rating server updated. 17. Computer system according to claim 16, wherein the Ta program is set up in such a way that it in case of a change in the circle of stored tariff-relevant offers, especially in the case of a New addition to a tariff-relevant offer, on the User Interface indicates this change. 18. A method for variably pricing Internet fees in dependence on selected Internet services, comprising at least one user host and one rating server system,
wherein a tariff utility of the user host hosted by the user host requests for Internet services monitored on tariff relevance and in the case of tariff relevance a previously existing dial connection of the user host to an access server to the Internet and establishes a new dial-up connection to the tariff server system if the Wählver binding did not already exist to the tariff server system has the request from the tariff server to the provider server providing the selected Internet
wherein the tariff server system records tariff-relevant data of the request,
and at a tariff change the existing Wählver connection does not disconnect, unless expressly the user's such separation is desired. 19. A method for variably pricing Internet fees in dependence on selected Internet services, comprising at least one user host and one rating server system,
wherein a tariff utility program of the user host monitors requests sent by the user host for Internet offers on tariff relevance and, in the case of tariff relevance via the Internet, causes a redirection of the request via the tariff server system,
the request then passes from the tariff server system to the provider server providing the selected Internet service, the tariff server system recording tariff-relevant data of the request. 20. The method according to claims 18 and 19, wherein we at least one user host according to claim 18 operates and at least one user host according to claim 18 works, and the rating server system, as appropriate  from which of the user hosts a request comes, according to claim 19 or 20 works. 21. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, at which at least one other user host sämtli requests for internet services, that is also Non-tariff relevant inquiries, via the Tarifie server system. 22. The method according to any one of claims 18, 20 and 21, in which for billing the logged data the request with the dial-up carrier linked connection data. 23. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 22, at which the tariff server system in the case of Request to an access-protected rate-relevant Internet offer this request to tarifierungsserver System-related access data added. 24. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 23, at which the tariff classification of the rating server system due to an observation of the ongoing Anfra is performed without the provider server the tariff server system request-related Tari transmitted without the need for any of the Provider server provided Internet offers an adjustment or modification for the Tarifie required by the tariff server system is. 25. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 24, at which cost the tariff relevant offers both obligatory offers as well as offers with partial or full reimbursement of connection costs include. 26. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 25, at which in the case of a change in the circle of the  System covered tariff relevant offers, esp in the case of a new entry of a tariff relevant Offer, the user host this change selbsttä tig on its user interface. 27. The method according to any one of claims 18, 20 to 26, in which for the billing a physical Dial-up connection logically into multiple virtual dialing is split. 28. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 27, where the tariff program is based on detects network settings of the user host, whether in the operating mode according to claim 18 or 19 to operate. 29. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 28, at which the tariff utility with help Internet browser traffic of a browser User hosts are monitored by acting as a proxy at the browser or by the user as a proxy is entered, or by the TCP / IP traffic scans. 30. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 29, at which the tariff program has a list of tariff relevant Internet offers stores and the Monitoring the request to be sent by the user host gen based on this stored list, so that it is necessary for the recognition of a tariff-relevant In There is no indicative modifica- on the URLs of this website. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the Tarifie aid program the list of tariff relevant In Internet offers on a user interface of the wenderhosts and by selecting an entry the user makes a request for the list corresponding Internet offer is sent.   32. The method of claim 30 or 31, wherein the Classification utility the list of tariff rules vanten Internet offers including hereby possibly linked The information is constantly updated automatically queries to the rating server system ak tualisiert. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the Tarifie assistance program in the event of a change in the circle the stored tariff relevant offers, esp especially in the case of a new entry of a collective agreement offer on its user interface this change indicates.