Information processing system, information processing device, collection method, and collection program

Abstract

Collect data from storage at an appropriate frequency. [Solution] The information processing system includes a user terminal, a storage device, and an information processing device. The storage device stores or deletes data in the storage device in response to a request from the user terminal. The information processing device collects data usage information for the user stored in the storage device from the storage device via a network at a predetermined frequency, determines changes in usage over a predetermined period, and adjusts the predetermined frequency based on the results of the determination.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Online storage services are services that rent storage to users and charge them according to the amount of storage they use. For example, the storage itself may be delivered to the user's home or other location and used there.

[0003] 11 is a diagram illustrating a conventional online storage service. For example, a user 10 connects a terminal device 11 of the user 10 to a storage 20 wirelessly or via a wired connection, and reads and writes data directly from and to the storage 20.

[0004] The user 10 can use only the pre-selected contracted capacity of the storage capacity of the storage 20. For example, even if the storage capacity of the storage 20 is 100 TB, if the contracted capacity is 20 TB, the user 10 can only use up to 20 TB of the 100 TB.

[0005] Here, the online storage service is designed so that the user 10 obtains the usage rate of the storage 20 via the data collection and billing server 30. This is because there may be restrictions on the amount of usage of the storage 20 depending on the contracted capacity of the user 10. In the following explanation, the amount of data used by the user 10 stored in the storage 20 will be referred to as "usage amount."

[0006] The data collection and billing server 30 collects usage amounts from the storage 20 and calculates the usage rate based on the collected usage amounts and the contracted capacity of the user 10. When the data collection and billing server 30 receives an inquiry from the user 10 regarding the usage rate of the storage 20, it notifies the user 10 of the usage rate data.

[0007] Since the data collection and billing server 30 and the storage 20 are installed in separate locations, the data collection and billing server 30 collects the usage amount from the storage 20 by batch processing or on-demand transaction processing.

[0008] Batch processing is a method in which the data collection and billing server 30 periodically collects usage amounts from the storage 20 and updates the data. In batch processing, by shortening the interval at which usage amounts are collected, it is possible to accumulate the latest usage amounts in the data collection and billing server 30, and when a request for a usage rate is received from a user 10, it is possible to immediately refer to the usage amount of the user 10.

[0009] On-demand transaction processing is a method in which the data collection and billing server 30 collects usage from the storage 20 when a request for a usage rate is received from the user 10. In the on-demand transaction method, the usage rate can be calculated based on the usage rate of the storage 20 when a request for a usage rate is received from the user 10.

[0010] Patent Document 1 and the like disclose a technique for optimizing the timing at which a communication terminal collects data from an information DB held by a server. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-257671 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-115166 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology is unable to collect data on usage, etc. from the storage at an appropriate frequency so as to suppress discrepancies that may occur between the usage amount at the time a request for usage rate is received from a user (usage amount accumulated in the data collection and billing server 30) and the actual usage amount of the storage 20, while suppressing communication load.

[0013] For example, in batch processing, the latest usage amount accumulated in the data collection and billing server 30 is the usage amount at the time of collection from the storage 20. For this reason, a discrepancy may occur between the usage amount at the time of receiving a request for a usage rate from the user 10 (the usage amount accumulated in the data collection and billing server 30) and the actual usage amount of the storage 20. Note that in batch processing, the discrepancy can be reduced by shortening the interval at which the usage amount is collected, but shortening the interval at which the usage amount is collected increases the communication load.

[0014] On the other hand, in on-demand transaction processing, the usage amount is collected from the storage 20 when a request for the usage rate is received from the user 10, so it takes time to calculate the usage rate, resulting in a slow response to the user 10.

[0015] In addition, Patent Document 1 and other documents are based on the premise that the server itself has an information database, and as explained in Figure 11, they do not assume a system in which the data collection and billing server 30 and the storage 20 are separate, so it is difficult to apply the technology of Patent Document 1 and other documents.

[0016] In one aspect, the present invention aims to provide an information processing system, an information processing device, a collection method, and a collection program that can collect data from storage at an appropriate frequency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] In a first proposal, the information processing system includes a user terminal, a storage device, and an information processing device. The storage device stores or deletes data from the storage device in response to a request from the user terminal. The information processing device collects data usage information for the user stored in the storage device from the storage device via a network at a predetermined frequency, determines changes in usage over a predetermined period, and adjusts the predetermined frequency based on the results of the determination. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] Data can be collected from storage at an appropriate frequency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the usage amount history table. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the contract data table. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the collection frequency table. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for providing a supplementary explanation of the first condition. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the on-site server according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for collecting usage data. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for processing to respond to an inquiry about the usage rate. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that realizes the same functions as the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a conventional online storage service. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the information processing system, information processing device, collection method, and collection program disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. [Example]

[0021] An example of an information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the information processing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 5 includes terminal devices 51A and 51B, on-site servers 60A and 60B, and an information processing device 100.

[0022] Terminal devices 51A and 51B, on-site servers 60A and 60B, and information processing device 100 are connected to a network 70. Terminal devices 51A and 51B and information processing device 100 perform data communication via the network 70. On-site servers 60A and 60B and information processing device 100 perform data communication via the network 70.

[0023] The terminal device 51A is connected to the on-site server 60A wirelessly or by wire, etc. The terminal device 51B is connected to the on-site server 60B wirelessly or by wire, etc.

[0024] The terminal device 51A is a terminal device used by the user 50A, and is a PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc. The terminal device 51A accesses the on-site server 60A in response to an operation from the user 50A, and writes or deletes data.

[0025] In response to an operation by user 50A, terminal device 51A transmits an inquiry about the usage rate of on-site server 60A to information processing device 100. Terminal device 51A displays the result of the inquiry about the usage rate received from information processing device 100 on the display unit.

[0026] On-site server 60A receives access from terminal device 51A and stores or deletes data. When on-site server 60A receives an inquiry about usage from information processing device 100, on-site server 60A transmits usage data to information processing device 100.

[0027] For example, the usage data includes storage identification information, date and time, and usage amount. The storage identification information is information that uniquely identifies the on-site server 60 (60A). The date and time is the date and time when the usage data was generated. The usage amount is the amount of data used by user 50A stored in on-site server 60A.

[0028] For example, the on-site server 60A stores and deletes data in response to access from the terminal device 51A, and if 20 TB of data is stored at the time of receiving an inquiry about usage, the usage data is set to "20 TB."

[0029] Terminal device 51B is a terminal device used by user 50B, and is a PC, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like. Terminal device 51B accesses on-site server 60B in response to an operation from user 50B, and writes or deletes data. Other explanations regarding terminal device 51B are the same as those regarding terminal device 51A.

[0030] On-site server 60B receives access from terminal device 51B and stores or deletes data. When on-site server 60B receives a usage inquiry from information processing device 100, it transmits usage data to information processing device 100. Other details regarding on-site server 60B are the same as those regarding on-site server 60A.

[0031] In the following description, when there is no particular distinction between users 50A and 50B, they will be referred to as "users 50." When there is no particular distinction between terminal devices 51A and 51B, they will be referred to as "terminal devices 51." When there is no particular distinction between on-site server 60A and on-site server 60B, they will be referred to as "on-site server 60." On-site server 60 is an example of a "storage device."

[0032] The information processing device 100 is a device that manages the amount of usage of the on-site server 60 by the user 50. The information processing device 100 has a usage amount history table 141 and a contract data table 142.

[0033] The usage history table 141 stores the history of the usage of the on-site server 60 by the user 50. The contract data table 142 stores the contract capacity selected by the user 50.

[0034] For example, the information processing device 100 executes a process for collecting usage data and a process for responding to an inquiry about a usage rate.

[0035] An example of the process by which the information processing device 100 collects usage data will be described. The information processing device 100 collects usage data from the on-site server 60 via the network 70 and registers the usage data in the usage history table 141. The information processing device 100 executes the process of collecting usage data from the on-site server 60 at a "predetermined frequency." As will be described below, this predetermined frequency is adjusted according to changes in the usage of the on-site server 60 by the user 50. The initial value of the predetermined frequency is set to "every 30 minutes."

[0036] The information processing device 100 refers to the usage history table 141 and determines whether the change in usage over a predetermined period is a "slight change" or a "sudden change."

[0037] If the change in usage amount in the predetermined period is "slight change", the information processing device 100 adjusts the predetermined frequency to "120 minute intervals". On the other hand, if the change in usage amount in the predetermined period is "sudden change", the information processing device 100 adjusts the predetermined frequency to "10 minute intervals".

[0038] Next, an example of processing performed by the information processing device 100 in response to an inquiry about a usage rate will be described. When the information processing device 100 receives an inquiry about the usage rate of the user 50 from the terminal device 51, the information processing device 100 acquires the latest usage amount of the user 50 from the usage amount history table 141. In addition, the information processing device 100 acquires the contracted capacity of the user 50 from the contract data table 142.

[0039] The information processing device 100 calculates the usage rate based on the contracted capacity of the user 50 and the latest usage amount of the user 50. The information processing device 100 notifies the terminal device 51 of the user 50 of the usage rate data. The usage rate is set in the usage rate data.

[0040] As described above, the information processing device 100 adjusts the frequency of collecting usage data from the on-site server 60 depending on the determination result of whether the change in usage over a predetermined period is a "slight change" or a "sudden change." This allows the information processing device 100 to collect usage data from storage at an appropriate frequency.

[0041] For example, if the change in usage is "slight," the usage of user 50 is unlikely to change significantly in a short period of time, and therefore the frequency of collecting usage data from on-site server 60 can be reduced to reduce the communication load. On the other hand, if the change in usage is "sudden," the usage of user 50 may change significantly in a short period of time, and therefore the frequency of collecting usage data from on-site server 60 can be increased to reduce discrepancies that may occur between the usage at the time a request for the usage rate is received from user 50 (the usage accumulated in the usage history table) and the actual usage of on-site server 60.

[0042] Next, an example of the configuration of the information processing device 100 shown in Fig. 1 will be described. Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the information processing device 100 includes a communication unit 110, an input unit 120, a display unit 130, a timer 135, a storage unit 140, and a control unit 150.

[0043] The communication unit 110 transmits and receives information to and from the terminal device 51, the on-site server 60, and other external devices via the network 70. The communication unit 110 is realized by a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like.

[0044] The input unit 120 is an input device for inputting various pieces of information to the control unit 150 of the information processing device 100. The input unit 120 is a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like.

[0045] The display unit 130 is a display device that displays information output from the control unit 150.

[0046] The timer 135 is a timer that outputs current date and time information to the control unit 150.

[0047] The storage unit 140 includes a usage history table 141, a contract data table 142, and collection frequency data 143. The storage unit 140 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or memory.

[0048] The usage history table 141 is a table that stores the history of usage of the on-site server 60 by the user 50. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the usage history table. As shown in Fig. 3, the usage history table 141 has storage identification information and usage history.

[0049] The storage identification information is information that uniquely identifies the onsite server 60. For example, the storage identification information that identifies the onsite server 60A is "ST60A", and the storage identification information that identifies the onsite server 60B is "ST60B".

[0050] The usage history is a history of usage collected by the information processing device 100 from the on-site server 60. For example, the usage history includes a time series of the relationship between the collection date and time and the usage amount.

[0051] The contract data table 142 is a table that stores the contracted capacity of the user 50. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the contract data table. As shown in Fig. 4, the contract data table 142 has user identification information, storage identification information, and contracted capacity.

[0052] The user identification information is information that uniquely identifies the user 50. For example, the user identification information that identifies the user 50A is "U50A." The user identification information that identifies the user 50B is "U50B." The storage identification information in FIG. 4 is information that indicates the on-site server 60 used by the user 50 and is information that uniquely identifies the on-site server 60. The contracted capacity is a contracted capacity that has been selected in advance for the user 50.

[0053] 4, it is shown that user 50A uses on-site server 60A and has a contracted capacity of "20 TB." User 50B uses on-site server 60B and has a contracted capacity of "10 TB."

[0054] The collection frequency data 143 sets the frequency at which usage data is collected from the on-site server 60. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the collection frequency table. As shown in Fig. 5, the collection frequency data 143 associates storage identification information with a frequency.

[0055] The storage identification information is information that uniquely identifies the on-site server 60. The frequency is the frequency at which usage data is collected from the on-site server 60.

[0056] In the example shown in Figure 5, it is indicated that the frequency at which usage data is collected from on-site server 60A is "every 120 minutes." It is indicated that the frequency at which usage data is collected from on-site server 60B is "every 10 minutes." The initial frequency value is "every 30 minutes."

[0057] Returning to the description of Fig. 2, the control unit 150 includes a collection unit 151, a determination unit 152, an adjustment unit 153, a calculation unit 154, and a notification unit 155. The control unit 150 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like.

[0058] The collection unit 151 collects usage data from the on-site server 60 at the frequency set in the collection frequency data 143, and registers the collected usage data in the usage history table 141. For example, the collection unit 151 stores (adds and registers) the relationship between the date and time and the usage amount in the usage history corresponding to the storage identification information of the usage data in the usage history table 141.

[0059] The collection unit 151 collects (receives) usage data from the on-site server 60 by transmitting a usage request (usage inquiry) to the on-site server 60 via the network 70.

[0060] The determining unit 152 determines whether the change in the usage amount collected by the collecting unit 151 during a predetermined period is a slight change or a sudden change based on the usage amount history table 141, and outputs the determination result to the adjusting unit 153. For example, the predetermined period is set to "four weeks."

[0061] More specifically, when the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the determination unit 152 determines that the change in the usage amount is a "slight change." On the other hand, when the first condition is not satisfied or when the second condition is not satisfied, the determination unit 152 determines that the change in the usage amount is a "sudden change."

[0062] The first condition will be explained. The first condition is that the growth rate for a predetermined period X (X=4 (weeks)) calculated by formula (1) is within a predetermined growth rate. For example, the predetermined growth rate is set to "±15%." Formula (1) is based on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) or the like.

[0063] Growth rate = [(average usage for X weeks / average usage for 1 week)^(1 / (X-1))-1)] × 100 (1)

[0064] FIG. 6 is a diagram for providing additional explanation of the first condition. The vertical axis of graph G1 in FIG. 6 represents the usage of on-site server 60. The horizontal axis of graph G1 represents time (date). Line segment L1 indicates the relationship between usage and time. Average av1 is the average of usage in the first week (1st to 7th days). Average av2 is the average of usage in the second week (8th to 14th days). Average av3 is the average of usage in the third week (15th to 21st days). Average av4 is the average of usage in the fourth week (22nd to 28th days).

[0065] The determination unit 152 calculates the growth rate for the predetermined period X based on formula (1) each time one week passes. For example, when the fourth week has passed (when the 29th day arrives), the determination unit 152 calculates the growth rate for the first to fourth weeks based on formula (1). In this case, the determination unit 152 calculates the growth rate for the first to fourth weeks by substituting the average of the usage amounts for the first to fourth weeks as the average of the usage amount for X weeks and average av4 as the average of the usage amount for one week in formula (1). If the growth rate is within a predetermined growth rate, the determination unit 152 determines that the first condition is satisfied. If the growth rate is not within the predetermined growth rate, the determination unit 152 determines that the first condition is not satisfied.

[0066] The second condition is that the variance for a predetermined period X is within a predetermined variance. For example, the predetermined variance is set to "10".

[0067] The determination unit 152 calculates the variance for the predetermined period X every time one week passes. For example, when the fourth week passes (when the 29th day arrives), the determination unit 152 calculates the variance for the first to fourth weeks. If the variance is within the predetermined variance, the determination unit 152 determines that the second condition is met. If the variance is not within the predetermined rate of increase, the determination unit 152 determines that the second condition is not met.

[0068] The determination unit 152 executes the above process every time one week passes, determines whether the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, determines whether the change in usage amount is a slight change or a sudden change, and outputs the determination result to the adjustment unit 153. The determination unit 152 also assigns storage identification information of the corresponding on-site server 60 to the determination result.

[0069] The adjustment unit 153 adjusts the frequency of the collection frequency data 143 based on the determination result. For example, if the change in the usage of the storage identification information "ST60A (on-site server 60A)" is a "slight change," the adjustment unit 153 adjusts the frequency corresponding to the storage identification information "ST60A" in the collection frequency data 143 to "120-minute intervals." If the change in the usage of the storage identification information "ST60A" is a "sudden change," the adjustment unit 153 adjusts the frequency corresponding to the storage identification information "ST60A" in the collection frequency data 143 to "10-minute intervals."

[0070] If the change in usage of storage identification information "ST60B (on-site server 60B)" is "slight change", the adjustment unit 153 adjusts the frequency corresponding to storage identification information "ST60B" in collection frequency data 143 to "120-minute intervals". If the change in usage of storage identification information "ST60B" is "sudden change", the adjustment unit 153 adjusts the frequency corresponding to storage identification information "ST60B" in collection frequency data 143 to "10-minute intervals".

[0071] The adjustment unit 153 repeatedly executes the above process every time it obtains a determination result from the determination unit 152.

[0072] The calculation unit 154 executes the following process when it receives usage rate request data (inquiry about usage rate) from the terminal device 51. Note that the usage rate request data includes user identification information, the IP address of the terminal device 51, and the like.

[0073] The calculation unit 154 identifies the storage identification information and the contract capacity corresponding to the user identification information based on the user identification information set in the usage rate request data and the contract data table 142. Based on the identified storage identification information and the usage history table 141, the calculation unit 154 acquires the latest usage amount from among the usage amounts registered in the usage history corresponding to the identified storage identification information.

[0074] The calculation unit 154 calculates the usage rate (%) based on the formula (2).

[0075] Usage rate = Latest usage / Contract capacity × 100 (2)

[0076] Calculation unit 154 outputs the calculation result of the usage rate to notification unit 155. The calculation result is provided with the address of terminal device 51 set in the usage rate request data.

[0077] The notification unit 155 notifies the terminal device 51 having the IP address set in the calculation result of the usage rate of the usage rate.

[0078] The calculation unit 154 and the notification unit 155 repeatedly execute the above process each time the calculation unit 154 receives usage rate request data from the terminal device 51.

[0079] Next, a description will be given of an example of the configuration of on-site server 60 shown in Fig. 1. Here, the configuration of on-site server 60A will be described. Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the on-site server according to this embodiment.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 7, the on-site server 60A includes a communication unit 61, an interface unit 62, a storage unit 63, and a control unit 64.

[0081] The communication unit 61 transmits and receives information to and from the information processing device 100 via the network 70. The communication unit 61 is realized by an NIC or the like.

[0082] The interface unit 62 is connected to the terminal device 51A by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information.

[0083] The storage unit 63 stores data (user data) acquired from the terminal device 51 A. The storage unit 63 is an HDD, a memory, or the like.

[0084] The control unit 64 includes a reception unit 64a and a usage amount notification unit 64b. The control unit 150 is a CPU or the like.

[0085] When the reception unit 64a receives a data write request from the terminal device 51A, the reception unit 64a stores the data acquired from the terminal device 51A in the storage unit 63. When the reception unit 64a receives a data deletion request from the terminal device 51A, the reception unit 64a deletes the target data from the storage unit 63.

[0086] When the usage amount notification unit 64b receives a usage amount request from the information processing device 100, it identifies the usage amount of data stored in the storage unit 63. The usage amount notification unit 64b generates usage amount data that includes the identified usage amount, storage identification information of the on-site server 60A, and the current date and time. The usage amount notification unit 64b transmits the usage amount data to the information processing device 100.

[0087] The usage notification unit 64b may obtain the current date and time in any manner. For example, the usage notification unit 64b may obtain the current date and time from a timer set in the on-site server 60A, or from an external device on the network 70.

[0088] Next, an example of a processing procedure of the information processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Here, a process of collecting usage amount data and a process of responding to an inquiry about a usage rate executed by the information processing device 100 will be described in order.

[0089] 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for collecting usage data. As shown in FIG. 8, the collection unit 151 of the information processing device 100 acquires current date and time information from the timer 135 (step S101). If the collection time for the usage data has not yet arrived based on the collection frequency data 143 (step S102, No), the collection unit 151 proceeds to step S101.

[0090] On the other hand, when the time for collecting usage data based on the collection frequency data 143 has arrived (Yes in step S102), the collection unit 151 communicates with the on-site server 60 and collects usage data (step S103). The collection unit 151 stores the collected usage in the usage history table 141 (step S104).

[0091] If one week or more has not passed since the previous determination (step S105, No), the determination unit 152 of the information processing device 100 proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, if one week or more has passed since the previous determination (step S105, Yes), the determination unit 152 proceeds to step S106.

[0092] If the change in usage is slight based on the usage history table 141 (Yes in step S106), the determination unit 152 proceeds to step S107. The adjustment unit 153 of the information processing device 100 adjusts the frequency of the collection frequency data 143 to an interval of 120 minutes (step S107), and proceeds to step S101.

[0093] On the other hand, if the change in usage amount is not a slight change (if it is a sudden change) (step S106, No), the determination unit 152 proceeds to step 108. The adjustment unit 153 adjusts the frequency of collection frequency data 143 to 10-minute intervals (step S108), and proceeds to step S101.

[0094] 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for processing to respond to an inquiry about a usage rate. As shown in FIG. 9, calculation unit 154 of information processing device 100 receives usage rate request data from terminal device 51 (step S201).

[0095] The calculation unit 154 acquires the usage amount from the usage amount history table 141 (step S202). The calculation unit 154 acquires the contracted capacity of the user from the contract data table 142 (step S203).

[0096] The calculation unit 154 calculates the usage rate based on the acquired usage amount and contracted capacity (step S204). The notification unit 155 of the information processing device 100 notifies the terminal device 51 of the calculation result of the usage rate (step S205).

[0097] Next, the effects of the information processing system 5 according to this embodiment will be described. The information processing device 100 of the information processing system 5 collects usage data from the on-site server 60 via the network 70 at a predetermined frequency. The information processing device 100 determines changes in usage data over a predetermined period (for example, determines whether the collected changes in usage data are slight or sudden), and adjusts the predetermined frequency based on the determination result. This makes it possible to collect usage data from storage at an appropriate frequency.

[0098] When the information processing device 100 receives a request for a usage rate from the terminal device 51, it calculates the usage rate based on the usage amount in the usage amount history table 141 and the contracted capacity in the contract data table 142, and notifies the terminal device 51 of the usage rate. This allows the terminal device 51 to be notified of an appropriate usage rate.

[0099] When the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the information processing device 100 determines that the change in the collected usage amount is a slight change. On the other hand, when the first condition is not satisfied or the second condition is not satisfied, the information processing device 100 determines that the change in the collected usage amount is a sudden change. This makes it possible to appropriately determine whether the change in the collected usage amount is a slight change or a sudden change.

[0100] In the example of the information processing device 100 described above, when the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the information processing device 100 determines that the change in the collected usage amount is slight. However, this is not limiting. For example, the information processing device 100 may determine that the change in the collected usage amount is slight when either the first condition or the second condition is satisfied. In this case, the information processing device 100 determines that the change in the collected usage amount is sudden when neither the first condition nor the second condition is satisfied.

[0101] Next, an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that realizes the same functions as the information processing device 100 described in the above embodiment will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that realizes the same functions as the information processing device according to the embodiment.

[0102] 10, computer 200 includes CPU 201 for executing various types of arithmetic processing, input device 202 for receiving data input from a user, and display 203. Computer 200 also includes communication device 204 for communicating with terminal device 51, on-site server 60, etc. via a wired or wireless network, and interface device 205 for connecting to other devices. Computer 200 also includes RAM 206 for temporarily storing various types of information, and hard disk drive 207. Each of devices 201 to 207 is connected to bus 208.

[0103] The hard disk device 207 includes a collection program 207a, a determination program 207b, an adjustment program 207c, a calculation program 207d, and a notification program 207e. The CPU 201 reads out each of the programs 207a to 207e and loads them into the RAM 206.

[0104] The collection program 207a functions as the collection process 206a. The determination program 207b functions as the determination process 206b. The adjustment program 207c functions as the adjustment process 206c. The calculation program 207d functions as the calculation process 206d. The notification program 207e functions as the notification process 206e.

[0105] The processing of the collection process 206a corresponds to the processing of the collection unit 151. The processing of the determination process 206b corresponds to the processing of the determination unit 152. The processing of the adjustment process 206c corresponds to the processing of the adjustment unit 153. The processing of the calculation process 206d corresponds to the processing of the calculation unit 154. The processing of the notification process 206e corresponds to the processing of the notification unit 155.

[0106] It should be noted that each of the programs 207a to 207e does not necessarily have to be stored in the hard disk drive 207 from the beginning. For example, each of the programs may be stored in a "portable physical medium" such as a flexible disk (FD), CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk, or IC card that is inserted into the computer 200. Then, the computer 200 may read and execute each of the programs 207a to 207e. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 51A, 51B Terminal equipment 60A, 60B On-site Server 61,110 Communications Department 62 Interface section 63,140 storage unit 64,150 Control unit 64a Reception 64b Usage amount notification section 100 Information processing device 120 Input section 130 Display section 141 Usage History Table 142 Contract Data Table 151 Collection Department 152 Judgment section 153 Adjustment section 154 Calculation Unit 155 Notification Department

Claims

1. An information processing system including a user terminal, a storage device, and an information processing device, the information processing device being connected to the storage device via a network, the storage device stores or deletes data in the storage device in response to a request from the user terminal; The information processing device includes: a collection unit that collects the amount of data usage of the user stored in the storage device at a predetermined frequency; a determination unit that determines a change in the usage amount over a predetermined period of time; an adjustment unit that adjusts the predetermined frequency based on a determination result by the determination unit; An information processing system comprising:

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the information processing device further has a calculation unit that, when receiving a request from the user's terminal for the usage ratio of the user's data stored in the storage device, calculates the usage ratio based on the user's data usage amount and the user's contracted capacity, and a notification unit that notifies the user's terminal of the usage ratio.

3. the determination unit determines that the change in the usage amount is a slight change when the value related to the change in the usage amount is less than a reference value, and determines that the change in the usage amount is a sudden change when the value related to the change in the usage amount is equal to or greater than the reference value; The information processing system of claim 1, characterized in that the adjustment unit reduces the frequency with which the collection unit collects the data usage when the change in usage is the slight change, and increases the frequency with which the collection unit collects the data usage when the change in usage is the sudden change.

4. The information processing system described in claim 3, characterized in that the judgment unit judges that the change in usage is a slight change if the increase rate of the usage calculated based on a first average value of the usage collected by the collection unit during a first period and a second average value of the usage collected by the collection unit during a second period longer than the first period is less than a predetermined increase rate, and judges that the change in usage is a sudden change if the increase rate is equal to or greater than the predetermined increase rate.

5. The information processing system of claim 4, characterized in that the determination unit further calculates the variance of the usage collected by the collection unit during the second period, and determines that the change in usage is a sudden change if the variance is greater than or equal to a predetermined variance and the increase rate is greater than or equal to the predetermined increase rate.

6. a collection unit that collects, at a predetermined frequency, via a network, the amount of usage of the user's data stored in the storage device from the storage device that stores or deletes data in the storage device in response to a request from the user's terminal; a determination unit that determines a change in the usage amount over a predetermined period of time; an adjustment unit that adjusts the predetermined frequency based on a determination result by the determination unit; 1. An information processing device comprising:

7. collecting, at a predetermined frequency, via a network, the amount of data usage by the user stored in the storage device, which stores or deletes data in the storage device in response to a request from the user's terminal; determining a change in the amount of use over a predetermined period of time; The predetermined frequency is adjusted based on the determination result. A collection method characterized in that the processing is performed by a computer.

8. collecting, at a predetermined frequency, via a network, the amount of data usage by the user stored in the storage device, which stores or deletes data in the storage device in response to a request from the user's terminal; determining a change in the amount of use over a predetermined period of time; The predetermined frequency is adjusted based on the determination result. A collection program that causes a computer to execute processing.

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