FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and method for data usage management
in an electronic device, and more particularly, to a system and method for
providing enhanced control over estimate and overall cost and consumption of
data in electronic devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Today is an era of smart phone wired or wireless devices such as but not limited
to Tablets, Phablets, PDA, touch phone, feature phone, wearable computing
devices, handheld devices, flexible devices, etc. As the usage of smart phone
devices increase so is the uses of associated technology such as but not limited to
internet surfing, web chatting, instant messaging, etc. Also there are certain
applications which run in background. However, a user of the device is mostly
unaware of the data usage of the various applications or technologies which are
running. The effect of this unawareness is that user has to bear the additional cost
of the data download.
One can say that there are several ways in which the user can identify the data
usage, like using the "data usage" setting in the Android devices. However these
are all limited to the fact that the usage is shown in the form of data units, like
MBs (Megabytes) or in GBs (Gigabytes) or the like. The user is more concerned
about the cost of the data used and is least concerned with the technical terms of
the data units.
Conventional solution describes a postage metering and printing system in which
there is flexibility that device can be used to print the postage stamp of any
desired denomination of any country. The flexibility of changing the local
currency helps in customizing the stamp as per local requirements.
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Conventional solution describes a system and method of providing a notification
to the mobile device in case the thresholds of certain variables are reached.
However, notification is only for the threshold reached.
The disclosed prior art does not give user a firsthand experience where he can
check his instantaneous data usage or the flexibility to check the data usage in the
form of currency of his choice. The present invention describes a system and
method to provide a user with the flexibility to check the data usage by incurred
cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention describes a system and method for helping user to save cost
by providing enhanced control over cost and data usage in mobile devices.
In one aspect, the present invention describes a system and method to show
estimated cost by enabling people to view the price they will have to pay for
consuming content before, after and during downloading of the data or streaming
content.
In another aspect, the present invention describes a system and method that will
provide a notification to a user when certain thresholds have been reached or
exceeded or about to be exceeded as set by user, relating to data consumption in
the form of data usage notifications for a particular time period such as but not
limited to daily notification, monthly notification, etc. to keep track and manage
the data usage by the user. It also provides a system and method that will allow a
user to set restrictions on data usage and downloading.
In another aspect, the present invention describes a system and method to track
the download expenses in currency set by the user such as but not limited to local
currency, currency of a foreign country, etc., as data usage in data units is not
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understood by users and budgeting in terms of money is easier rather than data
units.
In another aspect, the present invention describes widgets or applications and data
displays for monitoring data cost for a time period.
In another aspect, the present invention describes a system and method to provide
Data Handover on Roaming.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, an Application data usage
indication is provided which allows the users to view the amount of data being
consumed in indicator area, while accessing the application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent
from the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates the system of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates the data usage management system.
Figure 3 illustrates the viewing of the estimated cost.
Figure 4 illustrates the implementation of notification.
Figure 5a illustrates a widget or an application.
Figure 5b illustrates a widget or an application, checking data plan and current
data usage and displaying red or green circle depending on the result.
Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart for data handover on roaming in multi SIM phone.
Figure 7 illustrates the cost estimation unit.
Figure 8 illustrates the notification generation unit.
Figure 9 illustrates the handover unit.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for monitoring a mobile
communication device is provided. The system provides enhanced control over
overall cost and consumption of data in mobile devices by providing estimate of
the cost of download before, after and during downloading of the data. The system
comprises a cost estimation unit for cost estimation of the download before, after
and during downloading of the data; a notification generation unit for displaying
notifications and restricting data usage, when a threshold is reached; a widget or
an application and data displays for graphical representation of consumed data; a
handover unit for switching data services in multi SIM phones from roaming SIM
to non roaming SIM; and an application data usage unit.
Roaming SIM is the SIM which is outside the home network i.e., the SIM whose
connectivity service is extended in a location that is different from the home
location, where the service was registered.
However, the home SIM or non roaming SIM is inside the home network or inside
a particular boundary where the SIM is registered.
Data handover is the process of transferring the data services from one SIM to
another SIM i.e., from roaming SIM to home SIM or non roaming SIM.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cost estimation unit of the
system of present invention further comprises: means for calculating the size of
selected file; means for reading cost details from settings; means for estimating
cost; and display unit for viewing the estimated cost.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the notification generation unit of
the system of present invention further comprises: means for calculating data
usage threshold; means for checking data usage by reading consumed data usage
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details from radio and/or network interface; means for showing notifications; and
means for restricting data usage based on threshold.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the handover unit of the system
of present invention further comprises: means for reading SIM data preference
setting; means for checking current data subscription of the SIM; means for
switching the data services to other SIM; and means for enabling data services.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for data usage
management in an electronic device is provided. The method comprises the steps
of: viewing estimated cost of download by a cost estimation unit; implementing
data usage notifications for display to user of the electronic device by a
notification generation unit; tracking download expenses in currency set by the
user; monitoring data cost by a widget or an application and data displays;
switching data services in multi SIM phones from roaming SIM to non roaming
SIM by handover unit; and indicating application data usage by application data
usage unit.
The method for viewing estimated cost comprises the steps of: selecting file to
download; calculating the size of the file by means for calculating the size of
selected file; reading data cost details from setting by means for reading cost
detail; calculating estimated cost for downloading by means for estimating cost;
and displaying estimated cost by display unit for viewing estimated cost.
The method for implementing data usage notifications comprises the steps of:
calculating data limit for a time period by means for calculating data usage
threshold; reading consumed data usage details from radio and/or network
interface by means for checking data usage; displaying data usage notification by
means for showing notifications, if data usage exceeds limit; and restricting data
usage if it exceeds limit by means for restricting data usage based on threshold.
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The method for switching data services in multi SIM phones from roaming SIM to
non roaming SIM comprises the steps of: reading SIM data preference setting by
means for reading SIM data preference setting; checking current data subscription
SIM by means for checking current data subscription of the SIM; switching the
data services to other SIM by means for switching to other SIM, if the current data
subscription SIM is Roaming SIM; and enabling data services, if the SIM data
preference setting is not Roaming SIM.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for data handover on
roaming in multi SIM phone is provided. The method comprises the steps of:
switching data services to home SIM from the roaming SIM, when the non
roaming SIM data preference is set before the SIM is moved from home area to
roaming area; and switching data services to the non roaming SIM from roaming
SIM, when the SIM is already in roaming and the non roaming SIM data
preference setting is turned on after moving to roaming area, wherein the data
services are switched by handover unit by means for reading SIM data preference
setting, means for checking current data subscription of the SIM, means for
switching to other SIM and means for enabling data services and all the means are
controlled by a Handover Unit (HU) Controller.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the system and method of present
invention provides option to track and control individual applications so that they
do not consume data in background and during, but not limited to roaming. The
system and method of the present invention gives users, the reminder to switch to
Home network for data usage.
The system of the present invention always shows the details of data usage in
currency set by the user. Present invention shows the user the estimated cost and if
user thinks the cost is too high he can schedule the download for later when
another type of data communication channel;, such as but not limited to WiFi,
Bluetooth, etc.; is available. Also he can choose to share this download cost with
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people nearby using separate application Data Pooling. He can also decide to add
this file to his wishlist and download it later.
The system and the method of the present invention gives user notification, when
user is about to exceed data limit. This will help user to control the usage such as
but not limited to on daily and monthly basis. User can set the threshold for
notification generation. The widget on home screen notifies by changing colour
such as but not limited to becoming red when the threshold is reached. This keeps
user conscious of his data usage. The notification can be in other form also such
as but not limited to vibration alert, popup, warning, etc.
The present invention provides option to restrict certain applications from using
Mobile Data during, but not limited to, roaming. This helps in saving data cost
incurred by applications in roaming.
In multi SIM phones, the system and the method of the present invention gives
users the reminder to switch to Home network for data usage. This applies when
user has multiple SIMs, atleast one in home network and others being in Roaming
network and when user is using Roaming network for Data Usage. It enables user
to restrict background data for certain applications. This ensures that application
do not consume heavy data without user’s acknowledgement.
The system and the method of the present invention track and control individual
applications so that they do not consume data in background and also during, but
not limited to, roaming. It helps in tracking download expense in the currency set
by users such as but not limited to local currency, currency of foreign country, etc.
The widget gives easy visualization of data consumed. It also gives a quick access
to control data.
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The present invention shows the usage details in widget for easy monitoring and
control. It enables user to set his/her data plan and customize application
accordingly.
The system and the method of the present invention helps user to save cost via
easy data management by data usage meters such as but not limited to surfing
meter, data download meter, data estimation meter, etc.
Figure 1 illustrates the system (10) of the present invention, comprising: Data
Usage Management System (11), User Input Unit (12), Output Unit (13), Network
Interface Unit (14) and Handover Unit (15), wherein all the units are bidirectional
units and are connected to a common system bus. The system gives output based
on the input given by user.
Figure 2 illustrates Data Usage Management System (DUMS) (11), comprising:
Cost Estimation Unit (16), Size Calculator (17), Cost Database (21), Application
Data Usage Unit (18), Notification Generation Unit (19), Widget Controller (20),
Time Period Estimator (22), DUMS Memory (23), Display Controller Interface
(24) and User Input Interface (25).
In a preferred embodiment, Figure 3 shows the viewing of the estimated cost. The
system will share data cost set by user per KB or per MB or in any other data
units. When user download any content, data usage cost will be calculated as:
Estimated Cost= (File Size (KBs or MBs or GBs) * data rate(per KB/MB/GB))
Without departing from the scope of the invention, this estimated cost can be
further rounded off to two decimal digit for the convenience of user
Viewing estimated cost comprises the steps of: selecting file to download;
calculating the file size in KBs or per MBs or in any other data units by a browser;
reading data cost details from the user defined setting; and calculating estimated
cost for downloading.
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Figure 4 shows the implementation of notification such as daily/ monthly/ weekly
/ quarterly/ etc. notification.
Based on monthly limit, daily limit will be calculated. And then user can set daily
data usage notification. When daily data usage limit is crossed, notification will be
displayed to user. Daily usage notification will protect end user for excess
download in case of prorated data usage calculation.
A sample calculation is as under for daily notifications:
Daily Data Usage Limit= Monthly Limit/30
Set daily notification<=Daily Data usage Limit
The same calculation can be implemented for setting notifications for other time
periods such as, but not limited to daily, monthly, quarterly and annually without
departing from the scope of the invention.
The implementing data usage notifications comprises the steps of: setting data
usage limit and notification in settings; reading consumed data usage details from
radio and/or network interface and calling framework Application Programming
Interface (API) to notify, If data usage exceeds threshold set by user.
Figure 5a illustrates a widget or an application and data displays, which is a
graphical representation of Data Consumed where the entire circle represents the
Data Limit.
1. Green area represents the data consumed within the data warning range.
Once the warning range is reached, green area is replaced by red one and
we get a notification. The colour mentioned could be different as per user
choice or system defined without departing from the scope of the
invention.
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2. Once the entire area has been filled with Red, it represents the data limit
has been reached and we get a notification from Network Layer.
The Widget periodically checks for the data consumed on network such as but not
limited to Cellular Network, Wifi network, Bluetooth network, etc. for a given
data cycle and compares the consumed data with the Data Warning Values or
Threshold. The Widget applies the red circle at the calculated index, if the
consumed value exceeds from the Data Warning value and applies the green circle
at the calculated index, if the consumed value does not exceeds from the Data
Warning value.
a) Widget periodically check for the data consumed on Cellular Network for
a given data cycle.
b) It then calculates the index(0 to 15) for the appropriate circles from the list
of either green Circles or Red Circles
In Figure 5b, in step 201, the widget checks the data plan.
In step 202, the current data usage is checked.
In step 203, depending upon the result the red or green circle is displayed. If the
data usage exceeds the data plan, red circle is displayed. if the data usage does not
exceed the data plan, green circle is displayed.
c) It then compares the consumed data with the Data Warning Values (set in
NetworkPolicy class).
d) If the consumed value exceeds from the Policy Warning Value, it applies
the red circle at the calculated index else applies green circle.
Figure 6 shows a data Handover on Roaming in multi SIM phone. If one SIM is
moved from Home area to Roaming area, data services will be switched to other
Home SIM, provided the KEY_DATA_ROAMING_STATUS settings is true.
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If one SIM is already in Roaming and user then checks the setting for home SIM
data preference, it will switch the data services to other Home SIM. This means
that if the setting was turned on after moving to roaming area, then also the
functionality would work.
SIM1- Home Area
SIM2- Roaming Area
Setting: Home SIM data preference “true”
In Figure 6, in step 101, the SIM data preference setting, N, is read.
In step 102, the SIM data preference setting, N, is compared with Roaming SIM.
In step 103, if the SIM data preference setting is Roaming SIM, then current data
subscription of the SIM is checked.
In step 104, if the current data subscription SIM is Roaming SIM, the data
services will be switched to other SIM i.e. to home network SIM.
In step 105, if the SIM data preference setting is not Roaming SIM, data services
are enabled.
In application data usage indication, when any application launch, framework will
broadcast the launched application package detail and this solution will get the
data usage detail based on application ID from RIL layer and notify the usage to
user.
a) The system will identify the application launched by using its application
ID (appID)
b) It then queries INetworkStatsSession class (provided by Network Layer)
for the Data consumed by the entire applicaitons for a given cycle which is
given in the form of NetworkStats
[INetworkStatsSession.getSummaryForAllUid(NetworkTemplate,
startDate, endDate, boolean)]
c) It then iterate the NetworkStat for each NetworkStats.Entry and compare
the uid for the desired application.
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d) Once it get the Desired NetworkStats.Entry, it calculates the data
consumed for the given application (NetworkStats.Entry.rxBytes+
NetworkStats.Entry+txBytes).
e) Based on the calculation it may or may not generate a notification with the
data consumed by a currently launched application in the Notification
Panel.
Without departing from the scope of the invention the network could be LAN,
WAN, MAN, MANET, WiFi, Bluetooth, Peer-to-peer, or like which are known in
the art.
Figure 7 illustrates the cost estimation unit (16) of the system of present invention,
wherein means for calculating the size of selected file (161), means for reading
cost details from settings (162), means for estimating cost (164) and display unit
for viewing the estimated cost (165) are all connected to a Cost Estimation Unit
(CEU) Controller (163).
Figure 8 illustrates the notification generation unit (19) of the system of present
invention, wherein means for calculating data usage threshold (191), means for
checking data usage (192), means for showing notifications (194), and means for
restricting data usage based on threshold (195) are all connected to a Notification
Generation (NG) Controller (193).
Figure 9 illustrates the handover unit (15) of the system of present invention,
wherein means for reading SIM data preference setting (151), means for checking
current data subscription of the SIM (154), means for switching to other SIM
(155) and means for enabling data services (152) are all connected to a Handover
Unit (HU) Controller (153).
Complete flow can be divided into several steps.
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1. Configure the data usage meter
- Set your data plan - Data to be used in a month in Kilobyte, Megabytes
or Giga Bytes or any other data unit. Set the cost of this data and define the
currency.
- Set a desired threshold for showing notification.
- Select applications for which background data should always be
restricted or can be provided based on user preferences.
- Select applications to restrict background data on Roaming or can be
provided based on user preferences.
2. Data usage meter widget
Enable data usage meter widget. The widget can be placed on home
screen, however it is not mandatory.
3. After configuration :
User will be able to see notification whenever he is about to download any
file. This notification will display the estimated cost of download (based
on the plan set by user during configuration). User can decide to download
the file right away or decide to schedule it later when another type of data
communication channel;, such as but not limited to WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.;
is available. If user selects later option file will be downloaded
automatically when another type of data communication channel;, such as
but not limited to WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.; is connected. User will get
notification when the threshold value for data has been reached for a time
period like in a day or in a month. Applications for which Background
data has been restricted will not be consuming any data when running in
background. When user is in roaming networks, applications restricted for
roaming will not access any data in roaming network.
Present invention shows the estimation of cost before the cost is actually incurred
to help in taking informed decision. Knowing the details of data consumed in the
currency set by user helps in better understanding of the cost incurred. There is
option to schedule the download on another type of data communication channel;,
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such as but not limited to WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.; to save cost. Constant monitoring
of data helps in making the best of the data available. Warning notifications could
be customized as per users choice or could be system default as provided with the
widget. Data cost is reduced by restricting data usage of certain apps on
background and in roaming.
The present invention helps in tracking download expense in the currency set by
user. It shows the usage details in widget or an application and data displays for
easy monitoring and control. It enables user to set his/her data plan and customize
application accordingly. The data usage meter widget gives easy visualization of
data consumed. It also gives a quick access to control data consumption.
The present invention shows an estimate of the cost of download before, after and
during downloading of the data. User can check the estimated cost for download
and decide to download now or later. User can also chose to select whether to
download content from cellular data communication network or by other type of
data network as per the estimated cost. It always shows the details of data usage in
the currency set by user and it provides option to restrict certain applications from
using Mobile Data during, but not limited to, roaming. This helps in saving data
cost incurred by applications in roaming.
In multi SIM phones, the present invention gives users the reminder or
notification to switch to Home network for data usage. This applies when user has
multiple SIMs, one in home network and others in Roaming network and when
user is using Roaming network for Data Usage.
The system of the present invention enables user to restrict background data for
certain applications. This ensures that application do not consume heavy data
without user’s acknowledgement.
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The system of the present invention shows the user, the estimated cost and if user
thinks the cost is too high he can schedule the download for later when another
type of data communication channel;, such as but not limited to WiFi, Bluetooth,
etc.; is available. Also he can choose to share this download cost with people
nearby using separate application Data Pooling. He can also decide to add this file
to his wishlist and download it later. The present invention provides option to
restrict certain applications from using Mobile Data during, but not limited to,
roaming. This helps in saving data cost incurred by applications in roaming.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary
skills to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof,
those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations,
combinations and equivalents of the specific embodiments method and details
herein.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and
illustrated, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without
departing from the scope of the invention.
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WE CLAIM:
1. A method for data usage management in an electronic device, comprising:
viewing estimated cost of download by a cost estimation unit;
implementing data usage notifications for display to a user of the
electronic device by a Notification Generation unit;
tracking download expenses in a currency set by the user;
monitoring data cost by a widget or an application and data displays;
switching data services in multi SIM phones from a roaming SIM to a non
roaming SIM by handover unit; and
indicating application data usage by application data usage unit.
2. The method for data usage management in an electronic device as claimed
in claim 1, wherein viewing estimated cost comprises the steps of:
selecting file to download;
calculating size of the file by means for calculating the size of selected
file;
reading data cost details from setting by means for reading cost detail;
calculating estimated cost for downloading by means for estimating cost;
and
displaying estimated cost by display unit for viewing estimated cost.
3. The method for data usage management in an electronic device as claimed
in claim 1, wherein implementing data usage notifications comprises the
steps of:
calculating data limit for a time period by means for calculating data usage
threshold;
reading consumed data usage details from radio and/or network interface
by means for checking data usage;
displaying data usage notification by means for showing notification, If
data usage exceeds limit; and
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restricting data usage if it exceeds limit by means for restricting data usage
based on threshold.
4. The method for data usage management in an electronic device as claimed
in claim 1, wherein the widget periodically check for the data consumed
on cellular network for a given data cycle and compares the consumed
data with the Data Warning values.
5. The method for data usage management in an electronic device as claimed
in claim 1, wherein the widget applies the red circle at the calculated
index, if the consumed value exceeds from the data warning value.
6. The method for data usage management in an electronic device as claimed
in claim 1, wherein the Widget applies the green circle at the calculated
index, if the consumed value does not exceeds from the data warning
value.
7. The method for data usage management in an electronic device as claimed
in claim 1, wherein switching data services in multi SIM phones from the
roaming SIM to the non roaming SIM comprises the steps of:
reading SIM data preference setting by means for reading SIM data
preference setting;
checking current data subscription SIM by means for checking current
data subscription of the SIM;
switching the data services to other SIM by means for switching to other
SIM, if the current data subscription SIM is the roaming SIM;
enabling data services, if the SIM data preference setting is not the
roaming SIM.
8. A method for data handover on roaming in multi SIM phone, comprising
the steps of:
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switching data services to home SIM from the roaming SIM, when the
non roaming SIM data preference is set before the SIM is moved from
home area to roaming area; and
switching data services to the non roaming SIM from roaming SIM, when
the SIM is already in roaming and the non roaming SIM data preference
setting is turned on after moving to roaming area,
wherein the data services are switched by handover unit by means for
reading SIM data preference setting, means for checking current data
subscription of the SIM, means for switching to other SIM and means for
enabling data services and all the means are controlled by a Handover Unit
(HU) Controller.
9. A system for data usage management in an electronic device, comprising:
a cost estimation unit for viewing cost estimation of download before,
after and during downloading of the data;
a Notification Generation unit for displaying notifications and restricting
data usage, when a threshold is reached;
a widget or an application and data displays for graphical representation of
consumed data;
a handover unit for switching data services in multi SIM phones from
roaming SIM to non roaming SIM; and
an application data usage unit.
10. The system for data usage management in an electronic device as claimed
in claim 1, wherein the system provides option to track and control
individual applications so that they do not consume data in background
and while roaming.
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11. The system for data usage management in an electronic device as claimed
in claim 1, wherein the system gives users the reminder to switch to home
network for data usage.