Fee Charging Device for Wireless Cache Data Usage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems fail to accurately charge users for data usage from a local cache in wireless access networks, as fees are not charged when data is reused multiple times.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system with a second fee charging device measuring data usage directly from the application server and sending results to a first fee charging device, enabling accurate fee calculation based on usage amounts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a local cache is provided in the wireless access network to hold data, then data transfer time to wireless terminals is reduced and usability is improved, but fees cannot be correctly charged when data is used multiple times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer timeVSAvoidfee charging accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a fee charging device as an intermediary component between the cache server and the billing system. This device intercepts and monitors data usage requests, measures the actual amount of data accessed from the cache, and generates accurate billing information. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by enabling precise measurement of cache data usage without affecting the cache's performance in reducing data transfer time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If data is held in the local cache of the wireless access network, then access speed is improved, but the system cannot track and charge for multiple uses of the same data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata access speedVSAvoidusage amount information
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the fee charging device continuously monitors data access patterns from the cache server, measures usage amounts, and provides billing information back to the billing system. This feedback loop ensures that usage information is captured and transmitted accurately, resolving the issue of losing usage amount information while maintaining fast data access speeds through the cache.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If a cache server is deployed in the wireless access network to improve usability, then data delivery efficiency is increased, but accurate fee charging for data usage becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata delivery efficiencyVSAvoidfee charging system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fee charging functionality into a dedicated fee charging device that operates independently from the cache server. This segmentation allows the cache server to focus on efficient data delivery while the separate fee charging device handles usage measurement and billing information generation. The division of responsibilities maintains high data delivery efficiency while adding fee charging capability without excessive system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3448007B1Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method and program
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3448007B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3448007B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3448007B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a system in which a wireless network and another network are connected to each other, a fee is charged in a case where data held in an application server disposed in the wireless network is used. In the system in which the wireless network and the other network are connected to each, an information processing device measures a data usage amount when a wireless terminal uses data relating to an application in an application server that holds the application and the data.