Cost control system for access to mobile services

A computer-implemented method of controlling costs associated with access to a mobile service through a mobile device, the method comprising:

• using a computer processor configured to execute method steps, the steps comprising:
• acquiring information regarding mobile data services available for a program on the mobile device at a current time in a current location to access to perform a function, wherein the information acquired is represented in one or more records, and a record uniquely represents the mobile device's position in a multi-dimensional space including dimensions for mobile space, time, and mobile service;
• assessing the costs for accessing available mobile data services by the mobile device at the current time in the current location;
• prioritizing the available mobile data services based on the costs to select a preferred mobile data service for access by the program, wherein prioritizing the available mobile data service comprises ordering the available mobile data services according to an expense to access the services at a current time and location;
• determining a value of the function based on a level of importance associated with the function;
• comparing the value to the costs for accessing the preferred mobile data service;
• and
• determining whether to allow the program to access the preferred mobile data service based on the comparison.

A computer system for controlling costs associated with access to a mobile service through a mobile device, the system comprising:

• a computer-readable storage medium storing executable software modules, comprising:
• an information acquisition module for acquiring information regarding mobile data services available for a program on the mobile device at a current time in a current location to access to perform a function, wherein the information acquired is represented in one or more records, and a record uniquely represents the mobile device's position in a multi-dimensional space including dimensions for mobile space, time, and mobile service;
• a cost assessment module for assessing the costs for accessing available mobile data services by the mobile device at the current time in the current location;
• a prioritization module for prioritizing the available mobile data services based on the costs to select a preferred mobile data service for access by the program, wherein prioritizing the available mobile data service comprises ordering the available mobile data services according to an expense to access the services at a current time and location;
• a value determination module for determining a value of the function based on a level of importance associated with the function;
• a comparison module for comparing the value to the costs for accessing the preferred mobile data service;
• a decision module for determining whether to allow the program to access the preferred mobile data service based on the comparison;
• and
• a processor configured to execute the software modules stored by the computer readable storage medium.

A computer system for controlling costs associated with access to a mobile service through a mobile device, the system comprising:

• a computer-readable storage medium storing executable computer instructions, the computer instructions comprising:
• means for acquiring information regarding mobile data services available for a program on the mobile device at a current time in a current location to access to perform a function, wherein the information acquired is represented in one or more records, and a record uniquely represents the mobile device's position in a multi-dimensional space including dimensions for mobile space, time, and mobile service;
• means for assessing the costs for accessing available mobile data services by the mobile device at the current time in the current location;
• means for prioritizing the available mobile data services based on the costs to select a preferred mobile data service for access by the program, wherein prioritizing the available mobile data service comprises ordering the available mobile data services according to an expense to access the services at a current time and location;
• means for determining a value of the function based on a level of importance associated with the function;
• means for comparing the value to the costs for accessing the preferred mobile data service;
• means for determining whether to allow the program to access the preferred mobile data service based on the comparison;
• and
• a processor configured to execute the computer program instructions stored by the computer readable storage medium.