Systems and methods of split billing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10686944-B2
Application number	US-201715587157-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 4, 2017
Priority date	Nov 6, 2015
Publication date	Jun 16, 2020
Grant date	Jun 16, 2020

Abstract

A method includes receiving input during execution of a first application at an electronic device. The input indicates that data usage of the electronic device is to be billed to a first data usage account of a plurality of data usage accounts associated with the electronic device. The method further includes generating a request during execution of a second application at the electronic device. The method also includes, based on the input, encapsulating, by the electronic device, the request to generate an encapsulated request that identifies a destination endpoint provisioned for the first data usage account. The method further includes transmitting the encapsulated request from the electronic device to a network element.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
receiving input during execution of a first application at an electronic device, the input indicating that data usage of the electronic device is to be billed to a first data usage account of a plurality of data usage accounts associated with the electronic device, wherein the input corresponds to a selection of the first data usage account of the plurality of data usage accounts;
generating a request during execution of a second application at the electronic device; and
responsive to the request being generated and responsive to the selection of the first data usage account during execution of the first application:
selecting a first destination endpoint based on the first data usage account, wherein the first destination endpoint is selected independent of the second application;
encapsulating, by the electronic device, the request to generate an encapsulated request that identifies the first destination endpoint; and
transmitting the encapsulated request from the electronic device to a network element.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first data usage account is associated with the first destination endpoint, and wherein a second data usage account of the plurality of data usage accounts is associated with a second destination endpoint distinct from the first destination endpoint.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network element comprises a server that corresponds to the first destination endpoint.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first destination endpoint comprises a voice call endpoint.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first destination endpoint comprises a virtual private networking endpoint or a business endpoint.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first destination endpoint comprises a service platform.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the service platform hosts a socket secure proxy.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first application comprises a workspace application that enables switching between the plurality of data usage accounts and that enables execution of other applications from within the workspace application.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein data usage associated with each of the plurality of data usage accounts is billed separately.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is configured to refrain from encapsulating requests while a second data usage account of the plurality of data usage accounts is selected.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, after transmitting the encapsulated request:
receiving second input during execution of the first application, the second input corresponding to a selection of a second data usage account of the plurality of data usage accounts; and
generating a second request during execution of the second application at the electronic device.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
based on the selection of the second data usage account, encapsulating the second request to generate a second encapsulated request that identifies a second destination endpoint that is distinct from the first destination endpoint and that is provisioned for the second data usage account; and
transmitting the second encapsulated request.

13. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first data usage account is associated with the first destination endpoint, and wherein a second data usage account of the plurality of data usage accounts is associated with a second destination endpoint distinct from the first destination endpoint.

14. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the network element comprises a server that corresponds to the first destination endpoint.

15. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first destination endpoint comprises a voice call endpoint.

16. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first destination endpoint comprises a virtual private networking endpoint or business endpoint.

17. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first destination endpoint comprises a service platform.

18. A computer-readable storage device storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
receiving input during execution of a first application at an electronic device, the input
indicating that data usage of the electronic device is to be billed to a first data
usage account of a plurality of data usage accounts associated with the electronic device, wherein the input corresponds to a selection of the first data usage account of the plurality of data usage accounts;

generating a request during execution of a second application at the electronic device;
responsive to the request being generated and responsive to the selection of the first data usage account during execution of the first application:
selecting a first destination endpoint based on the first data usage account, wherein the first destination endpoint is selected independent of the second application;
encapsulating, by the electronic device, the request to generate an encapsulated request that identifies the first destination endpoint; and
transmitting the encapsulated request from the electronic device to a network element.

19. The computer-readable storage device of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of data usage accounts includes an enterprise account and a personal account.

20. An electronic device comprising:
a processor; and
a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to perform operations comprising:
receiving input during execution of a first application, the input indicating that data usage of the electronic device is to be billed to a first data usage account of a plurality of data usage accounts associated with the electronic device, wherein the input corresponds to a selection of the first data usage account of the plurality of data usage accounts;
generating a request during execution of a second application; and
responsive to the request being generated and responsive to the selection of the first data usage account during execution of the first application:
selecting a destination endpoint based on the first data usage account, wherein the destination endpoint is selected independent of the second application;
encapsulating, by the electronic device, the request to generate an encapsulated request that identifies the destination endpoint; and
transmitting the encapsulated request from the electronic device to a network element.

Assignees

• At & T Ip I Lp
• At & T Mobility Ii Llc

Inventors

• Haslestad Maryann
• Alto George
• Banoor Kiran
• Bourg Gus
• Didio Diane
• Genz Jonathan
• Herrera Gregory
• Keller Brian
• Malee Daniel P
• Mnich Richard J
• Rivard Marcel Theodore
• Roman Mildred
• Subramaniam Shilpa
• Wills Laury Ann
• Young Scott

Classifications

• H04M15/10

  Metering calls from calling party {, i.e. A-party charged for the communication} · CPC title

• H04M15/56

  for VoIP communications · CPC title

• H04M15/77

  involving multiple accounts per user · CPC title

• H04W4/24

  Accounting or billing · CPC title

• H04M15/8033

  location-dependent, e.g. business or home · CPC title