System and method for managing and charging for data storage devices

• US 20070016537A1
• Filed: 07/18/2005
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation), Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation), Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Kodimer, Marianne, Singh, Harpreet, Seifi, Mustafa, Stephenson, Ken
• Granted Patent: US 7,711,656 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/400
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083

Abstract

A system and method for data service management of electronic files. A user selects the file or files to be stored on a remote storage device. The user is also able to selectively scan to archive, or storage, a document or other data. The user then selects the appropriate payment option. The user is presented with the total cost of the service, and upon acceptance, the selected service is performed. The details of the transaction are archived and the user is billed for the service. The fees charged are based on the number of pages of the document, file, or other data stored. The fees are charged at the commencement of the services, rather than each day. The fees are also based on the location form which the services are accessed based on selected criteria of such location. Renewal of the storage duration includes fees are those fees charged when the document, file, or other data was first stored.

Claims

1. A data service management system for electronic files comprising:

communication means, the communication means including receiving means adapted for receiving at least one electronic data file;

means adapted for receiving request data, which request data specifies a desired operation in connection with the at least one electronic data file;

calculation means adapted for calculating cost data representative of a fee associated with the desired operation specified by the request data;

the communication means further including means adapted for communication of the cost data to an associated user;

the communication means further including means adapted for receiving order data denoting acceptance of the cost data for performing the desired operation; and

means adapted for commencing the desired operation in accordance with the request data.

2. The data service management system for electronic files of claim 1 wherein the operation includes fee-based storage of the at least one electronic data file such that a fee is assessed at a commencement of a storage operation.

3. The data service management system for electronic files of claim 1 wherein the communication means further includes means for receiving, from the associated user, selection data representative of a selected payment method for the fee associated with the desired operation.

4. The data service management system for electronic files of claim 3 wherein the selected payment method is chosen from the group of payment options consisting of a credit card, a debit card, a funds transfer, a pre-paid account debit, a coupon submission and a promotional offering.

5. The data service management system for electronic files of claim 2 wherein the calculation means includes means adapted for calculating the cost data in accordance with at least one criterion chosen from the group consisting of a file size, a number of pages, a location from which an operation is requested and a storage location.

6. A method for data service management of electronic files comprising the steps of:

receiving at least one electronic data file;

receiving request data, which request data specifies a desired operation in connection with the at least one electronic data file;

calculating cost data representative of a fee associated with the desired operation specified by the request data;

communicating the cost data to an associated user;

receiving order data denoting acceptance of the cost data for performing the desired operation; and

commencing the desired operation in accordance with the request data.

7. The method for data service management of electronic files of claim 6, wherein the operation includes fee-based storage of the at least one electronic data file, further comprising the step of assessing a fee at a commencement of a storage operation.

8. The method for data service management of electronic files of claim 6, further comprising the step of receiving, from the associated user, selection data representative of a selected payment method for the fee associated with the desired operation.

9. The method for data service management of electronic files of claim 8, wherein the selected payment method is chosen from the group of payment options consisting of a credit card, a debit card, a funds transfer, a pre-paid account debit, a coupon submission and a promotional offering.

10. The method for data service management of electronic files of claim 7, further comprising the step of calculating the cost data in accordance with at least one criterion chosen from the group consisting of a file size, a number of pages, a location from which an operation is requested and a storage location.

11. A computer-readable medium of instructions with computer-readable instructions stored thereon for data service management of electronic files comprising the steps of:

receiving at least one electronic data file;

receiving request data, which request data specifies a desired operation in connection with the at least one electronic data file;

calculating cost data representative of a fee associated with the desired operation specified by the request data;

communicating the cost data to an associated user;

receiving order data denoting acceptance of the cost data for performing the desired operation; and

commencing the desired operation in accordance with the request data.

12. The computer-readable medium of instructions with computer-readable instructions stored thereon for data service management of electronic files of claim 11, wherein the operation includes fee-based storage of the at least one electronic data file, further comprising the step of assessing a fee at a commencement of a storage operation.

13. The computer-readable medium of instructions with computer-readable instructions stored thereon for data service management of electronic files of claim 11, further comprising the step of receiving, from the associated user, selection data representative of a selected payment method for the fee associated with the desired operation.

14. The computer-readable medium of instructions with computer-readable instructions stored thereon for data service management of electronic files of claim 13, wherein the selected payment method is chosen from the group of payment options consisting of a credit card, a debit card, a funds transfer, a pre-paid account debit, a coupon submission and a promotional offering.

15. The computer-readable medium of instructions with computer-readable instructions stored thereon for data service management of electronic files of claim 12, further comprising the step of calculating the cost data in accordance with at least one criterion chosen from the group consisting of a file size, a number of pages, a location from which an operation is requested and a storage location.

16. A computer-implemented method for data service management of electronic files comprising the steps of:

receiving at least one electronic data file;

receiving request data, which request data specifies a desired operation in connection with the at least one electronic data file;

calculating cost data representative of a fee associated with the desired operation specified by the request data;

communicating the cost data to an associated user;

receiving order data denoting acceptance of the cost data for performing the desired operation; and

commencing the desired operation in accordance with the request data.

17. The method for data service management of electronic files of claim 16, wherein the operation includes fee-based storage of the at least one electronic data file, further comprising the step of assessing a fee at a commencement of a storage operation.

18. The method for data service management of electronic files of claim 16, further comprising the step of receiving, from the associated user, selection data representative of a selected payment method for the fee associated with the desired operation.

19. The method for data service management of electronic files of claim 18, wherein the selected payment method is chosen from the group of payment options consisting of a credit card, a debit card, a funds transfer, a pre-paid account debit, a coupon submission and a promotional offering.

20. The method for data service management of electronic files of claim 17, further comprising the step of calculating the cost data in accordance with at least one criterion chosen from the group consisting of a file size, a number of pages, a location from which an operation is requested and a storage location.