Bandwidth monitoring for data plans

Abstract

Users with limited data plans for a network connection can have usage of that network connection by various applications monitored such that the user can determine how much bandwidth each application uses based on activity of that user. Upon viewing application-specific usage information and/or determining how much each application can contribute to overage charges, the user can determine how to adjust behavior to meet personal usage targets. In at least some embodiments, a user can specify limits for specific applications, after which the traffic for that application can be blocked or at least require approval from the user. Such limits also can guarantee enough bandwidth for specific applications when the user otherwise would reach or exceed the maximum amount of bandwidth under the data plan.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method of monitoring bandwidth usage, comprising:
 under control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions,
 monitoring data transmissions for a computing device over a network connection, the network connection having a bandwidth limit for the data transmissions over a first period of time; 
 determining a first application of a plurality of applications executing on the computing device, the first application corresponding to at least a first portion of the data transmissions; 
 determining a second application of the plurality of applications, the second application corresponding to at least a second portion of the data transmissions; 
 determining, for the first application, a first amount of bandwidth usage over a second period of time; 
 determining, for the second application, a second amount of bandwidth usage over the second period of time; 
 displaying the first amount of bandwidth usage; and 
 displaying the second amount of bandwidth usage. 
   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of applications includes at least one of a streaming audio application, a streaming video application, a data backup application, an email application, a gaming application, and a messaging application. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing, an amount of overage charges associated with at least one of the first application or the second application.   
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying an average amount of bandwidth usage for at least a subset of the plurality of applications over a previous period of time.   
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying a range of amounts of bandwidth usage for at least a subset of the plurality of applications over a previous period of time.   
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a limit on an amount of bandwidth usage for at least one of the plurality of applications for an upcoming period of time.   
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving an action to be taken for the first application for an upcoming period of time when the first application approaches, reaches, or exceeds a specified bandwidth limit.   
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a connection speed to be used for at least one of the plurality of applications.   
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving an instruction to block any data transmission over the network connection for at least one of the plurality of applications.   
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 identifying one or more applications on a white list, wherein transmission of data associated with applications on the white list is allowed independent of a bandwidth limit.   
     
     
         11 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions for managing data transmission, the instructions when executed by at least one processor of a computing device causing the computing device to:
 monitor data transmissions for the computing device over a network connection, the network connection having a bandwidth limit for the data transmissions over a first period of time;   determine a first application of a plurality of applications executing on the computing device, the first application corresponding to at least a first portion of the data transmissions;   determine a second application of the plurality of applications, the second application corresponding to at least a second portion of the data transmissions;   determine, for the first application, a first amount of bandwidth usage over a second period of time;   determine, for the second application, a second amount of bandwidth usage over the second period of time;   display the first amount of bandwidth usage;   display the second amount of bandwidth usage;   receive a first limit on an amount of bandwidth usage for the first application for an upcoming period of time; and   receive an action to be taken for the first application for the upcoming period of time when the amount of bandwidth usage for the first application for the upcoming period of time reaches the first limit.   
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions when executed further cause the computing device to:
 add one or more applications to a white list, transmission of data associated with applications on the white list being allowed independent of the bandwidth limit.   
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions when executed further cause the computing device to:
 display a denial notification, prompt approval of the data transmission, or prompt approval of a modified version of the data transmission.   
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 13 , wherein the modified version of the data transmission includes at least one of use of a slower data connection, transmission of a different type of data, or compression of data to be transmitted. 
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions when executed further cause the computing device to:
 display an amount of overage charges associated with at least one of the first application or the second application.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions when executed further cause the computing device to:
 display an average amount of bandwidth usage for at least a portion of the plurality of applications over a previous period of time.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions when executed further cause the computing device to:
 display a range of amounts of bandwidth usage for at least a portion of the plurality of applications over a previous period of time.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions when executed further cause the computing device to:
 receive a limit on an amount of bandwidth usage for at least one of the plurality of applications for an upcoming period of time.   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions when executed further cause the computing device to:
 receive an action to be taken for the first application for an upcoming period of time when the first application approaches, reaches, or exceeds a specified limit.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions when executed further cause the computing device to:
 receive a connection speed to be used for at least one of the plurality of applications.   
     
     
         21 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions when executed further cause the computing device to:
 receive an instruction to block any data transmission over the network connection for at least one of the plurality of applications.