Billing Management System Using Simplified Table for CPU Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional billing systems for image processing jobs, such as those executed by MFPs, face increased CPU load and processing time due to detailed billing calculations, leading to potential budget exceedance and high costs when trying to perform accurate billing in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A billing management system that includes an image processing apparatus and a billing management server, where the apparatus acquires a balance and a simpler second billing table, calculates a provisional fee, compares it to the balance, and cancels the job if it exceeds the balance, while transmitting necessary information for actual fee calculation after job execution using a more detailed first billing table.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If billing calculation is performed in parallel with job execution using a detailed billing table, then billing accuracy is improved, but CPU load increases and processing time is lengthened
Solution Approach 1:
The billing calculation process is segmented into two distinct phases: a preliminary phase using a simplified billing table to perform initial billing calculations in parallel with job execution, and a final phase using a detailed billing table to perform accurate billing calculations after job execution. This segmentation allows the system to maintain billing accuracy while reducing CPU load during the critical job execution period.
2Reliability
If billing calculation is performed in parallel with job execution, then budget management is improved, but processing time is lengthened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary billing calculations using a simplified billing table before the detailed billing calculation is completed. This preliminary action establishes an initial billing amount that can be used for budget management during job execution, while the final accurate billing is computed afterward using the detailed billing table, thus avoiding time delays during job execution.
3Measurement precision
If a high-powered CPU is equipped to handle detailed billing calculations in parallel, then billing accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the complexity parameter of the billing table based on the execution phase. During job execution, a simplified billing table with fewer parameters is used to reduce computational requirements. After job execution, the detailed billing table with comprehensive parameters is used for accurate billing. This parameter change allows standard CPUs to handle billing calculations without requiring high-powered processors.
4Power
If billing calculation is performed after job execution, then CPU load is reduced, but advance budget management is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The billing calculation is segmented into preliminary calculation using a simplified billing table performed during/after job execution start, and final calculation using a detailed billing table performed after job completion. The preliminary billing result enables advance budget management, while the final calculation ensures accuracy, and the segmentation avoids excessive CPU load during job execution.
Data Source
AI summary
Before executing a job, a printer performs an estimation of a billing amount with use of a simplified billing table, and if the estimated billing amount exceeds a balance, execution of the job is cancelled, and if within the balance, the job is executed. After the job is finished, the printer judges whether the estimated billing amount is correct according to detailed job information and a detailed billing table. If an error exists, the printer corrects the error and performs the correct billing.