Applying an Offer Scheme to Usage Data Using a User Interface

Field of the Invention

[0001]           The present invention relates to software, and more particularly to a user interface for evaluating and selecting an offer.

Background

[0002]           Traditionally, a service provider that provides billable services calculates the chargeable activity of each of its customers periodically based on a pre-arranged contract.    The service provider then produces a bill that is calculated according to the pre-arranged contract with the customer.  The bill is typically mailed to the customer for payment.  In this way, customers are locked into the pre-arranged contract without the opportunity to select a better arrangement.

[0003]           Additionally, existing billing solutions calculate the bills at a location of the service provider.  This may require that the service provider has a large facility to support bill generation for large numbers of customers.  There is thus a need for addressing these and/or other issues associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY

[0004]           A system, method, and computer program product are provided for applying an offer scheme to usage data using a user interface.  In operation, usage data associated with a user is received from a server.  Additionally, one or more offer schemes are displayed to the user utilizing a user interface.  Furthermore, the user is allowed to apply the one or more offer schemes to the usage data, utilizing the user interface.  Still yet, the user is allowed to select one of the one or more offer schemes based on a result of the application, utilizing the user interface.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005]           Figure 1 illustrates a network architecture, in accordance with one possible embodiment. 

[0006]           Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary system, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0007]           Figure 3 shows a method for applying an offer scheme to usage data using a user interface, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0008]           Figure 4 shows a system for applying an offer scheme to usage data using a user interface, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0009]           Figures 5A and 5B show a method for applying an offer scheme to usage data using a user interface, in accordance with another embodiment.

Detailed Description

[0010]           Figure 1 illustrates a network architecture 100, in accordance with one possible embodiment.  As shown, at least one network 102 is provided.  In the context of the present network architecture 100, the network 102 may take any form including, but not limited to a telecommunications network, a local area network (LAN), a wireless network, a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, peer-to-peer network, cable network, etc.  While only one network is shown, it should be understood that two or more similar...