Joy A Mundy

US Patent:

6779034, Aug 17, 2004

Filed:

Nov 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/003808

Inventors:

Joy A. Mundy - Menlo Park CA
Andrew T. McFadden - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 300

US Classification:

709227

Abstract:

Selecting points-of-presence (POPs) to be used by client systems when accessing network resources. An access monitoring system capable of monitoring client system usage compiles usage profiles for client systems as POPs are used to access the Internet. The POPs may charge for Internet access according a flat periodic fee, hourly rates, per-port rates, or other arrangements. Periodically, the access monitoring system evaluates the usage profiles to determine whether the client systems could have obtained access for lower access costs if different POPs had been used. If so, the access monitoring system identifies the appropriate, cost-effective POPs and generates information enabling the client systems to use the appropriate POPs. To subsequently access the Internet, the client systems use the information to establish communication with the appropriate POPs. POP selection can also be conducted to balance load between various POPs based on the usage patterns described by the usage profiles.

US Patent:

63177927, Nov 13, 2001

Filed:

Dec 11, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/209632

Inventors:

Joy A. Mundy - Menlo Park CA
Andrew T. McFadden - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

WebTV Networks, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G06F 300

US Classification:

709227

Abstract:

Systems and method for selecting points-of-presence (POPs) to be used by client systems when accessing network resources from the Internet are disclosed. An access monitoring system capable of monitoring client system usage compiles usage profiles for each of a plurality of client systems as POPs are used to access the Internet. The POPs may charge for Internet access according a flat periodic fee, hourly rates, per-port rates, or other arrangements. Periodically, the access monitoring system evaluates the usage profiles to determine whether the client systems could have obtained access to the Internet for lower access costs if different POPs had been used. If so, the access monitoring system identifies the appropriate, cost-effective POPs and generates one or more scripts instructing the client systems to use the appropriate POPs. To subsequently access the Internet, the client systems execute the scripts and establish communication with the appropriate POPs. The process of monitoring usage and reevaluating which POPs should be used continues as desired.