CLIAMS:We claim:

1. A method of processing telephone resource utilization parameter at a mobile device, said method comprising:
receiving or setting (step 120) in respect of at least one contact, an upper limit for the telephone resource utilization parameter;
monitoring and updating (step 122) the telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact based on one or more interactions involving said contact.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
providing (step 130) information regarding the updated telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein providing information regarding the updated telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact comprises providing balance resource related data.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein providing information regarding the updated telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact comprises providing telephone resource utilization for a predetermined time period.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein providing information regarding the updated telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact comprises providing the information at a time of interaction with the contact.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein providing information regarding the updated telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact comprises providing the information during a time of non-interaction with the contact.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
triggering (step 132) an alarm if the updated telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact reaches a pre-determined value.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
ceasing interaction (step 134) with the contact if the updated telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact reaches a pre-determined value.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the telephone resource includes one or more of time period for voice based communication; number of messages; internet packet data consumption; amount of money for voice based communication; amount of money for messages; amount of money for internet packet data consumption.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interactions involving said contact deplete one or more of time period for voice based communication; number of messages; internet packet data consumption; amount of money for voice based communication; amount of money for messages; amount of money for internet packet data consumption.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein setting comprises automatically defining the upper limit for the telephone resource utilization parameter to said at least one contact based on one or more of historic data or a type of relation with the contact.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a contact is uniquely identified on basis of one or more of a contact’s number, a contact’s e-mail data, a contact’s image, a contact’s login details, or a contact’s profile.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein receiving or setting the upper limit for the telephone resource utilization parameter to at least one contact includes receiving or setting the upper limit for the telephone resource utilization parameter to at least one contact for a predetermined amount of time period.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact is stored in a memory of the mobile device.

15. A mobile device (200) for processing telephone resource utilization parameter, said mobile device comprising:
an input unit (202) for receiving or setting in respect of at least one contact, an upper limit for the telephone resource utilization parameter;
a memory unit (204) for storing the upper limit for the telephone resource utilization parameter in association with the contact; and
a processor (206) adapted to monitor and update the telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact based on one or more interactions involving said contact.
,TagSPECI:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to methods and system for managing telephone resource utilization and in particular relates to apportioning the telephone resource utilization.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Tracking telephone resource usage is essential for every subscriber in today’s world. With the introduction of internet data as a resource for consumption via the mobile device and with the advent of internet based applications through the telephone system within the last decade, types of telephone resources have increased and today range from voice calls to SMS, to internet data. While on the one hand the types of resources available are increasing, on the other hand, owing to various reasons, including, non-availability of appropriate technology, tracking and monitoring of such resources is becoming extremely difficult.

As far as the state of the art with respect to the concept of a telephone resource usage tracking is concerned, subscribers may set expenditure limits for one or more communication applications associated with the telephone device. For example, as per prior arts expenditure allocation for “SMS” can be set as USD 100.

Likewise, prior art also describes controlling web browsing costs incurred when accessing the world-wide web via a connection subject to charge. This is accomplished by selecting a preferred browser strategy from a variety of browser strategies that correspond to respective levels of estimated browsing costs. Then, the device browses one or more web pages using that preferred browser strategy.

Thus, the prior arts or any other existing art merely describe user options to set expenditure limits for various communication media configured within the subscriber’s telephone device.

The aforesaid strategy however, does not ensure that one or more contacts are reserved certain amount of telephone resources. The lack of such resource allocation to specific contacts results in two scenarios. The first scenario being utilization of the resources in such a manner that the same results in non-availability of a desired amount of resources for later use in respect of one or more remaining contacts. The second scenario being utilization of the resources on one or more remaining contacts in such a manner that the same results in non-availability of a desired amount of resources for later use in respect of the one or more contacts.

Accordingly, there has been a long felt need to earmark resources for one more contacts for the purposes of future consumption. Another long felt need has been to a keep a record of contact specific telephone resource utilization as incurred through various communication applications and display the same intuitively in the form a statistical analysis.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide for a method of processing telephone resource usage such that telephone resource utilization can be allocated and controlled on basis of contact details.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
Accordingly, the present invention proposes a method and a device for setting up of an upper limit corresponding to a telephone resource utilization parameter for one or more contact. Such setting up of the contact specific upper limit is either done manually by a telephone user or automatically performed. The upper limit on the telephone resource utilization parameter can be based on frequency of interactions of the subscriber with the contact, a business or social relation or any other parameter denoting significance of the contact to the subscriber. The present invention further describes updating the telephone resource utilization parameter. The update is done based on a monitoring step, which includes monitoring an ongoing interaction, determining if the interaction involves the specific contact and if the interaction involves the specific contact, monitoring the telephone resource consumed during the interaction. The updated information relating to the telephone resource utilization is then made available at the mobile device for use.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Figures:
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a flow chart corresponding to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows a detailed internal construction of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a detailed internal construction of the apparatus in accordance with figure 2 of the present invention;
Figure 4 shows an exemplary first control flow diagram implemented within the apparatus as described in Fig. 2 of the present invention;
Figure 5 shows an exemplary second control flow diagram implemented within the apparatus as described in Fig. 2 of the present invention;
Figure 6 shows an exemplary user interface representation depicting another outcome of the invention;
Figure 7 shows another exemplary user interface representation depicting the outcome of the present invention;
Figure 8 shows another exemplary user interface representation depicting the outcome of the present invention; and
Figure 9 shows another exemplary user interface representation depicting the outcome of the present invention.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

Detailed Description:
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Now referring to figure 1, it can be seen that the present invention provides a method of processing telephone resource utilization parameter at a mobile device, said method comprising:
receiving or setting (step 120) in respect of at least one contact, an upper limit for the telephone resource utilization parameter;
monitoring and updating (step 122) the telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact based on one or more interactions involving said contact.

In another embodiment of the invention, the invention further comprises providing (step 130) information regarding the updated telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact.

In still another embodiment, wherein providing information regarding the updated telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact comprises providing balance resource related data.

In a further embodiment of the invention, wherein providing information regarding the updated telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact comprises providing telephone resource utilization for a predetermined time period.

In yet another embodiment, wherein providing information regarding the updated telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact comprises providing the information at a time of interaction with the contact.

In another embodiment, wherein providing information regarding the updated telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact comprises providing the information during a time of non-interaction with the contact.

In yet another embodiment, the invention further comprises triggering (step 132) an alarm if the updated telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact reaches a pre-determined value.

In a further more embodiment of the invention, the invention further comprises ceasing (step 134) interaction with the contact if the updated telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact reaches a pre-determined value.

In another embodiment, wherein the telephone resource includes one or more of time period for voice based communication; number of messages; internet packet data consumption; amount of money for voice based communication; amount of money for messages; amount of money for internet packet data consumption.

In another embodiment, wherein the interactions involving said contact deplete one or more of time period for voice based communication; number of messages; internet packet data consumption; amount of money for voice based communication; amount of money for messages; amount of money for internet packet data consumption.

In another embodiment, wherein the interactions involving said contact deplete one or more of time period for voice based communication; number of messages; internet packet data consumption; amount of money for voice based communication; amount of money for messages; amount of money for internet packet data consumption.

In another embodiment of the invention, wherein setting comprises automatically defining the upper limit for the telephone resource utilization parameter to said at least one contact based on one or more of historic data or a type of relation with the contact.

In still another embodiment, wherein a contact is uniquely identified on basis of one or more of a contact’s number, a contact’s e-mail data, a contact’s image, a contact’s login details, or a contact’s profile.

In a further embodiment of the invention, wherein receiving or setting the upper limit for the telephone resource utilization parameter to at least one contact includes receiving or setting the upper limit for the telephone resource utilization parameter to at least one contact for a predetermined amount of time period.

In yet another embodiment, wherein the contact is stored in a memory of the mobile device.

Referring to figure 2, the present invention also provides a mobile device (200) for processing telephone resource utilization parameter, said mobile device comprising:
an input unit (202) for receiving or setting in respect of at least one contact, an upper limit for the telephone resource utilization parameter;
a memory unit (204) for storing the upper limit for the telephone resource utilization parameter in association with the contact; and
a processor (206) adapted to monitor and update the telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to the contact based on one or more interactions involving said contact.

Referring to figure 3, yet another typical hardware configuration of the network node 200 in the form of a computer system 200 is shown. The computer system 200 can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system 200 to perform any one or more of the methods disclosed. The computer system 200 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.

In a networked deployment, the computer system 200 may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The computer system 200 can also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-line telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while a single computer system 200 is illustrated, the term "system" shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.

The computer system 200 may include a processor 302 e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. The processor 302 may be a component in a variety of systems. For example, the processor 302 may be part of a standard personal computer or a workstation. The processor 302 may be one or more general processors, digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, servers, networks, digital circuits, analog circuits, combinations thereof, or other now known or later developed devices for analysing and processing data The processor 302 may implement a software program, such as code generated manually (i.e., programmed).

The computer system 200 may include a memory 304, such as a memory 304 that can communicate via a bus 308. The memory 304 may be a main memory, a static memory, or a dynamic memory. The memory 304 may include, but is not limited to computer readable storage media such as various types of volatile and non-volatile storage media, including but not limited to random access memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic tape or disk, optical media and the like. In one example, the memory 304 includes a cache or random access memory for the processor 302. In alternative examples, the memory 304 is separate from the processor 302, such as a cache memory of a processor, the system memory, or other memory. The memory 304 may be an external storage device or database for storing data. Examples include a hard drive, compact disc ("CD"), digital video disc ("DVD"), memory card, memory stick, floppy disc, universal serial bus ("USB") memory device, or any other device operative to store data. The memory 304 is operable to store instructions executable by the processor 302. The functions, acts or tasks illustrated in the figures or described may be performed by the programmed processor 302 executing the instructions stored in the memory 304. The functions, acts or tasks are independent of the particular type of instructions set, storage media, processor or processing strategy and may be performed by software, hardware, integrated circuits, firm-ware, micro-code and the like, operating alone or in combination. Likewise, processing strategies may include multiprocessing, multitasking, parallel processing and the like.

As shown, the computer system 200 may or may not further include a display unit 310, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, a printer or other now known or later developed display device for outputting determined information. The display 310 may act as an interface for the user to see the functioning of the processor 302, or specifically as an interface with the software stored in the memory 304 or in the drive unit 316.

Additionally, the computer system 200 may include an input device 312 configured to allow a user to interact with any of the components of system 200. The input device 312 may be a number pad, a keyboard, or a cursor control device, such as a mouse, or a joystick, touch screen display, remote control or any other device operative to interact with the computer system 200.

The computer system 200 may also include a disk or optical drive unit 316. The disk drive unit 316 may include a computer-readable medium 322 in which one or more sets of instructions 324, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, the instructions 324 may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described. In a particular example, the instructions 324 may reside completely, or at least partially, within the memory 304 or within the processor 302 during execution by the computer system 200. The memory 304 and the processor 302 also may include computer-readable media as discussed above.

The present invention contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions 324 or receives and executes instructions 324 responsive to a propagated signal so that a device connected to a network 326 can communicate voice, video, audio, images or any other data over the network 326. Further, the instructions 324 may be transmitted or received over the network 326 via a communication port or interface 320 or using a bus 308. The communication port or interface 320 may be a part of the processor 302 or may be a separate component. The communication port 320 may be created in software or may be a physical connection in hardware. The communication port 320 may be configured to connect with a network 326, external media, the display 310, or any other components in system 200 or combinations thereof. The connection with the network 326 may be a physical connection, such as a wired Ethernet connection or may be established wirelessly as discussed later. Likewise, the additional connections with other components of the system 200 may be physical connections or may be established wirelessly. The network 326 may alternatively be directly connected to the bus 308.

The network 326 may include wired networks, wireless networks, Ethernet AVB networks, or combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network, an 802.11, 802.16, 802.20, 802.1Q or WiMax network. Further, the network 326 may be a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to TCP/IP based networking protocols.

In an alternative example, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement various parts of the system 200.

Applications that may include the systems can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more examples described may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

The system described may be implemented by software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in a non-limited example, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement various parts of the system.

The system is not limited to operation with any particular standards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) may be used. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed are considered equivalents thereof.

In the following paragraphs a detailed description about implementation of the aforesaid method and device and exemplary manifestations of the results flowing out of the present invention are provided. It should however, be understood every implementation of the method and device and every manifestation of the invention results need not follow the scenario as mentioned in the following paragraphs. Thus, the scope of the claims is intended to be restricted only on the basis of the claims and their equivalents and not on the basis of the examples provided herein below.

EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION:
A setting up of a telephone resource utilization parameter upper limit with respect to a particular contact member may be performed manually by a telephone device owner, through the aforesaid input unit 202 within the device 200, based upon certain parameters like a historic frequency of interaction with the contact member, a type of contact member group (e.g. family member, workplace, business clients, business vendors), a priority of the contact member to the telephone device owner (e.g. a family physician who often needs urgent attention) and other like parameters. Likewise, such setting up of the telephone resource utilization parameter upper limit may also be performed automatically by the device 200 itself based on automatic receipt of said parameters.

Thus, by way of a first example, telephone resource utilization parameter upper limit of let’s say 35 % can be set for contact member 1. In this event, 35% of all the telephone resources will be allocated to contact member 1. By way of example, 35% of voice calls will be allocated to contract member 1, 35% of SMS will be allocated to contact member 1 and 35% of internet data usage will be reserved for contact member 1.

Thus, by way of a second example, telephone resource utilization parameter upper limit of let’s say 95 USD can be set for contact member 1. In this event, 95 USD will be available for making voice calls to contact member 1 or to send SMS to contact member 1 or for consumption of internet data wherein contact member 1 is a party involved.

As applicable to both user defined and automatic setting up of telephone resource utilization parameter upper limit towards a particular contact member, there may be either a lump-sum setting up of the telephone resources, or setting up of a number of sub-limits that collectively represent the telephone resource utilization upper limit towards the contact member. The contact member specific sub-limit can correspond to a communication application specific upper limit. For example, the sub-limits may be allocated specifically to either of a voice call involving the contact member, or SMS involving the contact member, or applications involving consumption of internet data, the internet data being consumed in relation to the contact member.

Thus, by way of a third example, a lump-sum telephone resource utilization parameter upper limit of let’s say 95 USD can be set for contact member 1 and there can be sub-limit of USD 50 defined for voice calls, USD 30 for SMS and USD 15 for internet data. In this event, 50 USD will be available for making voice calls to contact member 1, USD 30 will be available to send SMS to contact member 1 and USD 15 will be available for consumption of internet data wherein contact member 1 is a party involved.

Thus, by way of a forth example, there can be sub-limit of 50 minutes of voice calls, 30 SMS and 300 MB of internet data allocated to contact member 1.

In an alternative, the sub-limits may also refer to limits defined for a certain periods of time. For example, a contact member may be allocated a particular telephone resource utilization upper sub-limit for a time period, say from June to July, and a different expenditure sub-limit for another time period say from August to September in a calendar year. In an alternative, a first telephone resource utilization upper sub-limit can be prescribed for Monday to Friday and a second telephone resource utilization upper sub-limit can be prescribed for Saturday and Sunday. In yet another alternative, different telephone resource utilization upper sub-limit can be prescribed within a single day, say a first telephone resource utilization upper sub-limit can be chosen for 9 AM till 5 pm, a second telephone resource utilization upper sub-limit can be chosen for 5 pm till 9 pm and a first telephone resource utilization upper sub-limit can be chosen for 9 PM to 9 AM.

Post setting up of the expenditure limits or sub-limits through the input unit (202), the description of forthcoming figures 4 and 5 elaborates upon a control flow operation among different components and modules of the device (200).

Referring to figure 4, once resource consumption starts, a session is created by an interaction session creator module (406). The interaction session creator module queries a communication application module (402), which in turn queries contacts member database (404). The contact member database 404 determines whether the current session is with respect to one or more contact members and if the session involves one or more contact members, relevant information pertaining to the currently communicated contact member like a unique contact member identifier, a corresponding email address, etc. are fetched and communicated to the interactions session creator module (406) via the communication application module (402). The communication application module determines the type of application which is consuming the resource and provides this information (app_id) to the interaction session creator module. Upon receiving the details of the contact member(s) pertaining to the particular ongoing session and details of the type of application, the session can be identified as Session (contact _id, app_id).

During the ongoing the interaction session, telephone resources are consumed. For example, if a phone call is going on, then amount will be deducted as per the call rate. If voice chat is going on, then internet data will be consumed as per data plan. Resource manager (408) captures and updates the resource amount in real time according to the ongoing interaction session type. The resource manager records data in the set consisting of “type of resource”, amount available in the type of resource for device as a while and consumed amount till that instance of time.

As per the embodiment, contact specific resource monitor module (410) will gather the resources consumed for a contact. For doing so, the contact specific resource monitor module (410) can take inputs from the interaction session creator module (406) and the resource manager module (408). Based on the inputs obtained from the interaction session creator module (406), the contact specific resource monitor module (410) can deduce the contact being involved in the interaction and the type of application which is being used for interaction with the particular contact. Based on the inputs from the resource manager, the contact specific resource monitor module can track real time change in resource amount. Therefore, using the inputs as obtained from the interaction session creator module and the resource manager, the contact specific resource monitor module can deduce the contact(s) involved in the interaction, the application used for interaction and the real time updates of the resource. Hence, the consumed resource can be mapped with associated contact and associated application.

The contact specific resource monitor module can store the data thus deduced in a database (412). The database can also store an upper limit for the telephone resource utilization parameter, which was provided (or automatically set) previously. The database can be updated such that a revised upper limit for the telephone resource utilization parameter can be determined, after taking into consideration the real time contact specific consumption and deducting the same from the previously stored upper limit. A sample manner in which the data can be stored in the database (412) is illustrated as the table (414), which includes contact details, application details, used resource details and allocated resource details.

While till above the actions involved in tracking (or monitoring) and updating the telephone resource utilization parameter corresponding to one or more contact, based on the interactions in which the said contact(s) are involved has been explained, the invention also provides for communicating the aforesaid information to the user.

Referring to Figure 5, the device 200 further includes an ‘Event Manager’ 502 that acts as a sensing module. The event manager 502 senses whether the user has navigated to an appropriate user interface, in which a display of the contact member specific telephone resource consumption can be provided. In an example, if the user has navigated to a particular contact detail page, the event manager 502 refers to the database (412) to obtain the corresponding contact specific details such as the original allocated upper limit for the telephone resource, the current consumption, the remaining balance, etc. It may also refer to the ‘Resource manager’ 408 for obtaining the consumption pattern, overall allocated or consumed resources. This information is forwarded to a ‘Display Type Manager’ 504 which selects a kind of display to present to the user. The contact specific consumption information may be statistically displayed in several possible formats such as in the form of graphs, pie-charts, etc. Such graphical representation displays information related to the overall consumption towards the specific contact member as a result of interaction with the contact member and comparison with the initial upper limits.

A drop down box option (or any other analogus user driven control typical to a GUI) may be provided to switch the display from an overall contact specific consumption detail to a particular communication application related consumption information with respect to the specified contact. In addition, the contact specific consumption related information can be displayed as a contact specific consumption pattern (variation or fluctuation) as a function of time, either based on a specific time period in a calendar year (say, July 20th – August 20th) or as a function of time-frame within a particular day of day (say, 2 pm – 3 pm). Also, the contact specific consumption may be displayed as positive (lying below the limit) or negative (exceeding the limit) with reference to the upper limit for the contact member. These details of the consumption pattern for the contact member can be also displayed in terms of different communication media against the applicable expenditure sub-limits.

In addition to the aforesaid drop box control, another GUI based control may be exhibited alongside the aforesaid drop down box to enable the user in switching to other modes of consumption pattern display, e.g. switching from a pie chart to line chart, probability density functions, transforms etc.

It may be understood that the resource manager 408, contact specific resource monitor 410, event manager 502 may collectively refer to the processor 206 of device 200, while the contact database 404 and the database 412 collectively denote the memory unit 204.

Further, apart from modules as afore-mentioned, though additional modules have not been depicted in the figure, in case the total consumption towards the contact member reaches a pre-determined value substantially closer to the set upper limit, a visual or audio alarm may be provided to the telephone device user. Such alert may be provided either during the interaction with the contact member or while navigating through the contact member profile in the electronic address book or any other similar application. Likewise, the interactions (call or messaging) with the contact member is altogether aborted or debarred from happening in case the consumption happens to reach the upper limit.

EXEMPLARY MANIFESTATION OF RESULTS:
The forthcoming description of Fig. 6-9 example depicts an exemplary user interface representation of the outcome of the present invention when implemented in a telephone device, preferably a mobile phone. However, it may be strictly understood that the forthcoming exemplary user interface manifestations shall not be construed as being limitations towards the present invention and the present invention may be extended to cover analogous manifestations through other type of like mechanisms.

Referring to Figure 6, the user interface representation 600 displays a contact specific latest updated consumption (or the consumption incurred till date) as a function (e.g. a percentage) of the already set upper limit through a bar diagram 602. The dark segment represents percentage of consumed resources, while the light segment depicts a percentage of left-over resources (non-consumed resources) below the set upper limit.

As shown in the figure, the user interface has been depicted along with mobile phone specific details 604. The current user interface representation includes an “in-call window” 606 that may appear while dialing a contact or during an interaction with the contact, said window including “a set of control buttons” 606 for operating upon the “current call in progress” in respect of the dialed contact. In case the dialed contact member’s details include an image as a part of stored contact’s details in the address book of the telephone device, such image 608 is also displayed within the “in-call window”.

Coming back to the displayed contact specific current consumption, the displayed consumption depicts an overall consumption incurred towards the dialed contact member. However, such displayed consumption may also be further refined to depict a communication application specific consumption with respect to the contact member. For example, the displayed consumption may point to either of a voice call, an SMS, or internet messaging etc. related consumption towards the contact member. In such a scenario, the communication application specific consumption is shown in respect of an consumption sub-limit set towards a particular communication application (e.g. whats app, viber, hike, facebook, Chat on etc.) that has been utilized to execute either the call or messaging. The consumption sub-limit forms a sub-set of the overall consumption limit as dedicated to the particular contact member.

Similarly, the aforesaid consumption sub-limit may also refer to various limits defined for a period of time. For example, a contact member may be allocated a particular consumption sub-limit for a time period, say from June to July, and a different expenditure sub-limit for another time period say from August to September in a calendar year. Likewise, as far as a particular day is concerned, the set consumption sub-limit may differ across various time frames within a single day, say from 2 pm till 5 pm, 6 pm till 9 pm, etc.

Accordingly, the displayed consumption as shown in Fig. 6 may be refined down to communication application wise consumption, the consumption in relation to a particular time period in the calendar year, or a particular time frame in a particular day. The bar diagram may display the consumption pattern as a percentage/fraction of the communication application related sub-limit, time period related sub-limit or a particular day’s time frame specific sub-limit. To enable such value additions, the user interface may include a drop box facility to showcase the consumption incurred either with respect to the overall consumption limit or with respect to consumption sub-limits. For such purpose. the drop box may include corresponding options and sub-options.

Although, in a preferred implementation, the upper limit or consumption incurred has been showcased in terms of amount of billed money, in other implementations, such expenditure may also be contemplated in terms of consumption of talk time, internet data download, internet data communication, number of messages, etc. All these parameters may be collectively referred to as a telephone resource utilization parameter.

In other implementation, the contact specific current consumption displayed in the form of currently shown bar diagram 602 may also be showcased over a chat window during an ongoing chat session with the contact member.

Referring to Fig. 7, the user interface representation 700 displays the latest updated consumption associated with the contact member in the form of a pie chart 702, wherein such user interface representation 700 corresponds to a stored profile of the registered contact member within the electronic address book of the subscriber. Accordingly, said user interface 700 may come into action during a time of non-interaction with said contact member. As shown in the figure, the user interface representation includes a contact member image 704, the pie chart 702 showing the latest updated consumption as a fraction of the total allocated upper limit, as well other details 706 as relevant for the stored contact member profile (like designated telephone numbers, e-mail addresses).

It may be understood that both the bar diagram 602 and the pie chart 702 shown in Fig. 6 and 7 denote the latest updated consumption as a function of the upper limit and accordingly may be interchangeably utilized. Moreover, such representations of Fig. 6 and 7 with respect to the contact member may be shown in terms of a particular communication application for which consumption sub-limit has been set.

Referring to Fig. 8, the user interface representation 800 displays the latest updated consumption associated towards the contact member in the form of a line chart 802, wherein such user interface may correspond to a stored profile of the registered contact member within the electronic address book of the subscriber. As shown in the figure, the user interface representation 800 includes a contact member image 804, the line chart 802 showing the latest updated consumption as fraction of the upper limit or allocated sub-limits, as well as other details as relevant for the stored contact member profile (like designated telephone numbers, e-mail addresses). Associated controls in the form of a drop box application may be provided to switch the display from the upper limit to the individual sub-limits.

Upon selecting the display with respect to sub-limit, another set of sub-options may be provided to select a particular type of sub-limits, in respect of which the line chart shall be displayed. For example, the line chart 802 may depict a variation of the consumption till date over a given period of time, say from June 24th to July 24th. In other example, such variation may also be depicted as a function of different time periods during a day, say from 2 pm till 3 pm on July 24th. All such options related to selection of a time frame may be assisted by the help of an instantiated calendar and clock based application. In addition, the line chart 802 may be graduated with two markings 806, one 806-1 denoting the latest consumption figure and the other one 806-2 denoting the upper limit as already allocated earlier to the present contact member.

Accordingly, one may easily visualize the variation (or divergence) of the consumption with respect to the set upper limit or the sub-limits. Moreover, the consumption specific to the contact member may be termed as either positive or negative with respect to the set upper limit or upper sub-limits.

Referring to Fig. 9, the line chart representation as shown in the Fig. 8 is now shown over a user interface representation 900 corresponding to an in-call screen as depicted in Fig. 6, while dialing a contact member. Likewise, the line chart representation of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 may be shown against a chat window during an ongoing chat session with the contact member. Further, as aforesaid, the line chart shown in Fig. 9 may also be shown in terms of a particular communication application, time period, and time frame within a particular day, in respect of which a consumption sub-limit has been already set. Such consumption sub-limits constitute the upper limit as set towards the contact member.

It may be understood that the bar diagram, pie chart and the line charts are merely exemplary representations of an expenditure pattern specific to a contact member and accordingly, the consumption pattern may be depicted through other analytical representations like histograms, probability density functions, standard deviations, transform functions etc.

It is envisaged that the present invention facilitates a real time display of a contact specific consumption across different communication media relative to an allocated upper limit in an intuitive, meaningful and effective way to assist users.

Thus, a telephone device owner is enabled to monitor an amount of consumption till date with respect to a particular contact, a pattern of consumption towards that contact and an amount of the consumption relative to the set upper limit or upper sub-limit, using an intuitive user interface. As aforesaid, the pattern of expenditure denotes variation of consumption over a period of time (as function of interval of days, or different time of day) and across different communication applications.

The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.