Remote Operation Billing Accuracy via Input Source Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional remote support techniques for information processing systems may inadvertently cause users to be charged for jobs executed by operators during remote operations, leading to unnecessary charges when errors occur.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system with a determining unit that distinguishes between user and operator inputs, preventing charges for jobs executed by operators through remote operation by accurately tracking and storing operation information to differentiate between user-initiated and operator-initiated tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote operation is enabled to allow operators to assist users, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential erroneous job execution and unintended charges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an operation information storage unit as an intermediary between the operation receiving unit and the execution unit. This intermediary stores operation information before execution, allowing the system to verify whether the operation originated from user or operator input, thereby preventing erroneous charges while maintaining remote operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where operation information is stored and then referenced by the charging determining unit to verify the source of the operation. This feedback loop ensures that only user-initiated operations are charged, preventing reliability issues caused by operator-induced erroneous charges
2Reliability
If operation information is stored and verified to prevent erroneous charges, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional storage and determination units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging determination process into distinct functional units: an operation information storage unit that stores operation data, and a charging determination unit that retrieves and analyzes this data. This segmentation allows for reliable charge verification while keeping each unit's complexity manageable and well-defined
3Measurement precision
If the system distinguishes between user and operator operations through additional processing, then accuracy of billing is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing operation information at the moment of input, before the execution and charging processes occur. This advance storage eliminates the need for complex real-time analysis during job execution, maintaining billing accuracy while minimizing time loss through efficient batch verification
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system includes an information processing apparatus that is capable of being remotely operated by a remote operation terminal via a network, an execution unit that executes a job in accordance with operation, a first operation receiving unit that receives operation of the remote operation terminal for the execution unit, a second operation receiving unit that receives operation for the execution unit, a determining unit that determines whether operation is received by the first operation receiving unit or the second operation receiving unit, a charging determining unit that determines whether the job executed by the execution unit is an object for charging in accordance with the result determined by the determining unit, and a storing unit that stores therein the result determined by the determining unit.