KR102359467B1 - Method and system for billing based on storage utilization history - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and system for setting a cost based on a storage utilization history are disclosed. The storage cost setting method includes: recording utilization information for storage in a cloud environment; and updating billing information according to the utilization information for the storage.

Description

Pricing method and system based on storage utilization history

The description below relates to the technology for setting the cost of the cloud storage service.

In general, cloud storage service is a service that configures physically separated storage devices into one logical storage, allocates hard disk space by capacity whenever a customer requests it, and provides it in real time.

This cloud storage service bundles the built-in storage of networked servers into one and provides virtual storage space to users based on quota and usage period.

Existing cloud storage services provide IDs with download and upload rights to individual users or organizations such as companies and clubs. Accordingly, users who access the cloud storage service through wired/wireless user terminals perform authentication through the corresponding ID and then allocate and use the storage space. will do

In this case, users may receive a large amount of virtual space quota according to the usage fee they pay, extend the period of use, and be given a plurality of access IDs.

These cloud storage services provide backup services for security, virus risk removal, and loss prevention for data uploaded or downloaded from a virtual space assigned to each user.

All functions of cloud storage services operate based on data, and each cloud service provider is launching differentiated storage functions and competitively priced cloud storage services.

A method and system for setting a storage cost based on a storage utilization history in a cloud storage service are provided.

CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A storage pricing method executed on a computer device, the computer device comprising at least one processor configured to execute computer readable instructions contained in a memory, the storage pricing method comprising: , recording utilization information for storage in a cloud environment; and updating, by the at least one processor, charging information according to the utilization information for the storage.

According to one aspect, the storage cost setting method may process billing according to the use of a PaaS (Platform as a Service).

According to another aspect, the storage cost setting method may process billing according to the use of a function specified by a cloud provider among PaaS functions.

According to another aspect, the recording may include: calling an API for accessing data on the storage; and performing a cloud watch operation for recording usage information on the storage through the API.

According to another aspect, the recording may include recording the utilization information for a call permitted by an access control list (ACL).

According to another aspect, the performing may trigger the cloud watch operation when the storage indicated by the API call is a storage using a differential charging process.

According to another aspect, in the performing step, monitoring and logging of an event occurring through the API may be performed, and the API call may be tracked to store information according to the use of PaaS.

According to another aspect, the updating may include: inquiring a billing discount policy according to a utilization weight of the storage; and updating information on differential billing for the storage by using the billing discount policy.

It provides a computer-readable recording medium in which a computer program for executing the storage cost setting method in a computer device is recorded.

A computer device comprising: at least one processor configured to execute computer readable instructions contained in a memory, and by the at least one processor, recording utilization information for storage in a cloud environment; There is provided a computer device characterized in that the billing information is updated according to the usage information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a differential charging policy may be implemented by setting a storage cost based on a storage usage history in a cloud storage service environment.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a storage cost setting method that a server can perform according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 illustrates an example of a system architecture for setting storage cost in an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to techniques for setting a cost for cloud storage.

The cloud started as a service that provides data storage space, and now provides services such as development tools, database management tools, business analysis and applications as well as data storage space.

Most general cloud storage services focus on response speed based on access frequency, and plan mainly depends on object size, period, response time, etc.

Cloud storage services are largely divided into IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), and SaaS (Software as a Service).

IaaS refers to a cloud service that provides hardware resources such as CPU or memory, and PaaS refers to a cloud service that provides a platform including tools for software development including an operating system and tools for data analysis. SaaS refers to a cloud service that provides a program, that is, software in the cloud.

This cloud storage service can be explained by the difference in cost between in-bound traffic and out-bound traffic when data is transmitted to the cloud.

Most cloud providers set the cost of data inflow to the cloud lower than that of data export.

Cloud operators need technology to set storage costs based on access frequency in that they can maximize overall revenue as users use more data on the storage they are using.

Embodiments including those specifically disclosed herein may set a storage cost for differential charging based on a storage usage history on a cloud storage service.

The storage cost setting method according to embodiments of the present invention may be performed through at least one computer device. In this case, the computer program according to an embodiment of the present invention may be installed and driven in the computer device, and the computer device may perform the storage cost setting method according to the embodiments of the present invention under the control of the driven computer program. have. The above-described computer program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium in order to be combined with a computer device and execute the method for setting the storage cost in the computer.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network environment according to an embodiment of the present invention. The network environment of FIG. 1 shows an example including a plurality of electronic devices 110 , 120 , 130 , 140 , a plurality of servers 150 , 160 , and a network 170 . 1 is an example for explaining the invention, and the number of electronic devices or the number of servers is not limited as in FIG. 1 .

The plurality of electronic devices 110 , 120 , 130 , and 140 may be a fixed terminal implemented as a computer system or a mobile terminal. For example, an AI speaker, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a navigation device, a computer, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Personal Digital Assistants) of the plurality of electronic devices 110, 120, 130, 140 portable multimedia players), tablet PCs, game consoles, wearable devices, Internet of things (IoT) devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, and the like. As an example, in FIG. 1 , the shape of an AI speaker is shown as an example of the electronic device 110 , but in the embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device 110 is substantially configured to communicate with another device through the network 170 using a wireless or wired communication method. It may refer to one of various physical computer systems capable of communicating with the electronic devices 120 , 130 , 140 and/or the servers 150 and 160 .

The communication method is not limited, and a communication method using a communication network (eg, a mobile communication network, a wired Internet, a wireless Internet, a broadcasting network, a satellite network, etc.) that the network 170 may include, as well as a short-distance wireless communication between devices may be included. can For example, the network 170 may include a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a campus area network (CAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), and a broadband network (BBN). , the Internet, and the like. In addition, the network 170 may include any one or more of a network topology including a bus network, a star network, a ring network, a mesh network, a star-bus network, a tree or a hierarchical network, etc. not limited

Each of the servers 150 and 160 communicates with the plurality of electronic devices 110 , 120 , 130 , 140 and the network 170 through a computer device or a plurality of computers that provides commands, codes, files, contents, services, etc. It can be implemented in devices. For example, the server 150 may be a system that provides a first service to a plurality of electronic devices 110 , 120 , 130 , 140 connected through the network 170 , and the server 160 is also a network ( It may be a system that provides the second service to the plurality of electronic devices 110 , 120 , 130 , and 140 connected through 170 . As a more specific example, the server 150 provides a service (eg, a cloud storage service) targeted by the application through an application as a computer program installed and driven in the plurality of electronic devices 110 , 120 , 130 , and 140 . The first service may be provided to the plurality of electronic devices 110 , 120 , 130 , and 140 . As another example, the server 160 may provide a service for distributing a file for installing and driving the above-described application to the plurality of electronic devices 110 , 120 , 130 , and 140 as the second service.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The server 150 described above may be implemented by the computer device 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , the computer device 200 may include a memory 210 , a processor 220 , a communication interface 230 , and an input/output interface 240 .

The memory 210 is a computer-readable recording medium and may include a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and a permanent mass storage device such as a disk drive. Here, a non-volatile mass storage device such as a ROM and a disk drive may be included in the computer device 200 as a separate permanent storage device distinct from the memory 210 . Also, an operating system and at least one program code may be stored in the memory 210 . These software components may be loaded into the memory 210 from a computer-readable recording medium separate from the memory 210 . The separate computer-readable recording medium may include a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy drive, a disk, a tape, a DVD/CD-ROM drive, and a memory card. In another embodiment, the software components may be loaded into the memory 210 through the communication interface 230 instead of a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the software components may be loaded into the memory 210 of the computer device 200 based on a computer program installed by files received through the network 170 .

The processor 220 may be configured to process instructions of a computer program by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and input/output operations. The instructions may be provided to the processor 220 by the memory 210 or the communication interface 230 . For example, the processor 220 may be configured to execute a received instruction according to a program code stored in a recording device such as the memory 210 .

The communication interface 230 may provide a function for the computer device 200 to communicate with other devices (eg, the storage devices described above) through the network 170 . For example, a request, command, data, file, etc. generated by the processor 220 of the computer device 200 according to a program code stored in a recording device such as the memory 210 is transmitted to the network ( 170) to other devices. Conversely, signals, commands, data, files, etc. from other devices may be received by the computer device 200 through the communication interface 230 of the computer device 200 via the network 170 . A signal, command, or data received through the communication interface 230 may be transferred to the processor 220 or the memory 210 , and the file may be a storage medium (described above) that the computer device 200 may further include. persistent storage).

The input/output interface 240 may be a means for an interface with the input/output device 250 . For example, the input device may include a device such as a microphone, keyboard, or mouse, and the output device may include a device such as a display or a speaker. As another example, the input/output interface 240 may be a means for an interface with a device in which functions for input and output are integrated into one, such as a touch screen. The input/output device 250 may be configured as one device with the computer device 200 .

Also, in other embodiments, the computer device 200 may include fewer or more components than those of FIG. 2 . However, there is no need to clearly show most of the prior art components. For example, the computer device 200 may be implemented to include at least a portion of the above-described input/output device 250 or may further include other components such as a transceiver and a database.

Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of a method and system for setting a storage cost in a cloud storage service will be described.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method that a server may perform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the server 150 provides a cloud storage service to a plurality of electronic devices 110 , 120 , 130 , and 140 that are clients, the server 150 may set a storage cost based on a storage utilization history.

The processor 220 of the server 150 may control the server 150 to perform the steps S310 to S350 included in the storage cost setting method. For example, the processor 220 may be implemented to execute an instruction according to the code of the operating system included in the memory 210 and the code of at least one program.

The processor 220 may read a necessary command from the memory 210 in which the command related to the control of the server 150 is loaded. In this case, the read command may include a command for controlling the processor 220 to execute steps S310 to S350 to be described later.

In step S310, the processor 220 calls an API (application program interface) for storage provided to the user in the cloud storage service. The processor 220 calls an external API for accessing data on the cloud storage.

In step S320, the processor 220 determines a service access target based on an access control list (ACL). The API server called in step S310 performs an ACL-based access control operation. In this case, the ACL information may simultaneously serve as a delimiter for the call target service. That is, ACL information can be used as information for recognizing whether triggering in the PaaS service is performed.

In step S330, the processor 220 performs a cloud watch operation. Cloud watch operates to record storage utilization information for calls allowed by ACL. In this case, whether the cloud watch operates may trigger an operation when the storage indicated by the corresponding API call uses a differential charging process. Information on storage supporting differential charging may utilize information on metadata storage.

In step S340, the processor 220 records the call target service information. In this embodiment, differential charging may be supported based on PaaS, and the processor 220 may record PaaS information that is a storage service call target. The processor 220 determines a call target service using data pipeline or continuous integration (CI)/continuous delivery (CD) information of a service call API, or call link information of a microservice architecture. can do.

In step S350, the processor 220 inquires the price policy information and updates the differential charging information. After inquiring the PaaS-based charge policy information, the processor 220 may update the information on the differential billing for the storage target by using the corresponding charge policy information.

4 illustrates an example of a system architecture for setting storage cost in an embodiment of the present invention.

The system for setting the storage cost is included on the server 150 implemented as the computer device 200 , and as shown in FIG. 4 , a load balancer 401 , an API server 402 , and an ACL The provision unit 403, the cloud watch execution unit 404, the fee policy provision unit 405, the metadata storage 406, the blob storage 407, and the payment server 408 are provided. may include

The server 150 provides the PaaS function 410 as a cloud storage service. The PaaS function 410 collectively refers to services that providers providing cloud storage additionally provide platform-based functions. For example, it provides advanced functions such as machine learning and data analysis, and provides a data pipeline or microservice-based development environment that reads data by connecting the operator's storage and processes it. Compared to the IaaS function, PaaS is expensive per hour, and it can be said that PaaS is a service with high added value for each operator.

The load balancer 401 provides a load balancer role for processing get and put commands for external storage.

The API server 402 provides a function corresponding to the storage in the form of an API.

The ACL providing unit 403 provides a storage-related access right management function.

The cloud watch execution unit 404 provides a function for monitoring and logging all events that occur through the API server 402 as a cloud watch operation. The cloud watch execution unit 404 tracks API calls for PaaS-related functions, and stores information about which block or bucket (higher concept of block) the function accesses. in charge

The rate policy providing unit 405 may provide a discount policy according to the storage utilization weight. The fee policy providing unit 405 differential charging for functions specified by the cloud provider among the PaaS functions 410, for example, a function with a high hourly cost, a function with a high profit compared to the operating time, a function using idle resources, etc. Provides the function to apply active policy.

The metadata storage 406 serves to store metadata information of a storage target. For example, the metadata information of the storage target may include a storage location, replication information, and an access policy according to a grade.

The blob storage 407 corresponds to storage that stores actual data, and the blob storage 407 may be configured by connecting a plurality of storages.

The billing server 408 serves to store billing information according to service use. For example, when the operator provides a differential charging policy according to the use of PaaS, the charging information according to the use of PaaS is triggered through the cloud watch execution unit 404 and stored on the charging server 408 .

The description of the technical features described above with reference to FIG. 3 may be applied to FIG. 4 as it is, and thus a redundant description will be omitted.

In order to store and utilize individual data for a long period of time in an environment with individual data sovereignty, such as MyData, a payment entity is required. requirements can be met. In other words, if the data subject is willing to store and the data utilization side is willing to pay for the data, the cloud storage-based data storage base is used, but the payment is made based on the access history (utilization history). You can pay the cost required to store the data in the form.

For example, the server 150 interworks with the hospital platform to provide personal medical information including an electronic medical record (EMR), an electronic health record (EHR), a personal health record (PHR), etc. of each patient who has agreed to use the information. It can be stored and managed on cloud storage (eg, blob storage 407, etc.) You can charge the company that uses it directly. The server 150 may provide a cloud storage service for storing personal medical information based on My Data for a medical institution, and in this case, the storage in which the personal medical information is actually used is utilized Billing based on history can be processed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of storing and managing personal medical information by burdening the cost at the place where the personal medical information is to be utilized based on user consent.

As such, according to embodiments of the present invention, a differential charging policy may be implemented by setting a storage cost based on a storage usage history in a cloud storage service environment.

The device described above may be implemented as a hardware component, a software component, and/or a combination of the hardware component and the software component. For example, the apparatus and components described in the embodiments may include a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and a programmable logic unit (PLU). It may be implemented using one or more general purpose or special purpose computers, such as a logic unit, microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions. The processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications executed on the operating system. A processing device may also access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to execution of the software. For convenience of understanding, although one processing device is sometimes described as being used, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the processing device includes a plurality of processing elements and/or a plurality of types of processing elements. It can be seen that can include For example, the processing device may include a plurality of processors or one processor and one controller. Other processing configurations are also possible, such as parallel processors.

Software may comprise a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more thereof, which configures a processing device to operate as desired or is independently or collectively processed You can command the device. The software and/or data may be embodied in any tangible machine, component, physical device, computer storage medium or device for interpretation by or providing instructions or data to the processing device. have. The software may be distributed over networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data may be stored in one or more computer-readable recording media.

The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded in a computer-readable medium. In this case, the medium may be to continuously store a program executable by a computer, or to temporarily store it for execution or download. In addition, the medium may be various recording means or storage means in the form of a single or several hardware combined, it is not limited to a medium directly connected to any computer system, and may exist distributed over a network. Examples of the medium include a hard disk, a magnetic medium such as a floppy disk and a magnetic tape, an optical recording medium such as CD-ROM and DVD, a magneto-optical medium such as a floppy disk, and those configured to store program instructions, including ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. In addition, examples of other media may include recording media or storage media managed by an app store that distributes applications, sites that supply or distribute other various software, and servers.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with reference to the limited embodiments and drawings, various modifications and variations are possible from the above description by those skilled in the art. For example, the described techniques are performed in an order different from the described method, and/or the described components of the system, structure, apparatus, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components Or substituted or substituted by equivalents may achieve an appropriate result.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims are also within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (15)

A storage pricing method implemented on a computer device, comprising:
the computer device comprises at least one processor configured to execute computer readable instructions contained in a memory;
The method of determining the storage cost is,
recording, by the at least one processor, utilization information for storage in a cloud environment; and
Updating, by the at least one processor, charging information according to the utilization information for the storage
including,
The method of determining the storage cost is,
Handles billing according to the use of PaaS (Platform as a Service),
The recording step is
calling an API to access data on the storage;
determining a service access target based on an access control list (ACL); and
performing a cloud watch operation to record usage information for the storage through the API
including,
The determining step is
Using the ACL information that performs the ACL-based access control operation through the API and serves as a separator for the call target service as information for recognizing whether triggering in the PaaS is used
A storage pricing method characterized by delete According to claim 1,
The method of determining the storage cost is,
Processing charges for the use of functions specified by the cloud service provider among the functions of PaaS
A storage pricing method characterized by delete According to claim 1,
The recording step is
Recording the usage information for calls allowed by access control list (ACL)
A storage pricing method characterized by According to claim 1,
The performing step is,
Triggering the cloud watch operation when the storage pointed to by the API call is storage using a differential charging process
A storage pricing method characterized by According to claim 1,
The performing step is,
Monitoring and logging the events that occur through the API, tracking API calls, and storing information according to the use of PaaS
A storage pricing method characterized by According to claim 1,
The updating step is
inquiring a billing discount policy according to the storage utilization weight; and
Updating information on differential billing for the storage by using the billing discount policy
Storage pricing methods that include. A computer-readable recording medium in which a computer program for executing the storage cost setting method of any one of claims 1, 3, and 5 to 8 in a computer device is recorded. A computer device comprising:
at least one processor configured to execute computer readable instructions contained in memory
including,
by the at least one processor;
Record usage information for storage in the cloud environment,
update billing information according to the utilization information for the storage;
by the at least one processor;
Handles billing according to the use of PaaS (Platform as a Service),
by the at least one processor;
calling an API to access data on the storage;
Determining the service access target based on ACL (access control list),
performing a cloud watch operation to record usage information for the storage through the API;
by the at least one processor;
Using the ACL information that performs the ACL-based access control operation through the API and serves as a separator for the call target service as information for recognizing whether triggering in the PaaS is used
A computer device comprising a. 11. The method of claim 10,
by the at least one processor;
Processing charges for the use of functions specified by the cloud service provider among the functions of PaaS
A computer device comprising a. delete 11. The method of claim 10,
by the at least one processor;
Recording the usage information for calls allowed by the ACL
A computer device comprising a. 11. The method of claim 10,
by the at least one processor;
Triggering the cloud watch operation when the storage pointed to by the API call is storage using a differential charging process
A computer device comprising a. 11. The method of claim 10,
by the at least one processor;
Inquire the billing discount policy according to the utilization weight of the storage,
Updating information on differential billing for the storage using the billing discount policy
A computer device comprising a.

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