Automated Billing Destination Sorting for Print Services

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing systems require users to explicitly specify billing destinations for print services, which can be time-consuming and inefficient, especially when managing expenses for both regular and side jobs.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that includes an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus, where the image processing apparatus transmits identification information and billing information to the information processing apparatus, which then performs billing processes automatically for each billing destination, allowing for automatic sorting and aggregation of billing information without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If users explicitly specify billing destinations for print services, then billing information can be accurately sorted and assigned, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebilling information sorting accuracyVSAvoidtime spent on billing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines billing destinations by analyzing document metadata and storage locations without requiring user input. The billing information is self-sorted and self-assigned to appropriate destinations based on pre-configured rules, eliminating the need for users to manually specify billing destinations while maintaining accurate sorting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures billing destination rules and metadata templates before printing occurs. By establishing these rules in advance, the system can automatically and quickly sort billing information without requiring real-time user decisions, thus reducing processing time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual sorting of billing information is performed, then billing accuracy can be maintained, but productivity decreases due to additional manual work

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebilling accuracyVSAvoidbilling processing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical sorting processes with automated computer-based processing. The system uses software algorithms to automatically analyze document metadata, determine billing destinations, and sort billing information, thereby eliminating manual labor while maintaining or improving billing accuracy and significantly enhancing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The billing system performs self-sorting and self-processing without human intervention. By automatically analyzing metadata and applying pre-configured rules, the system achieves both high accuracy and high productivity, eliminating the trade-off between manual sorting and automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If billing information is manually managed, then control over billing processes is maintained, but device complexity increases due to additional manual tracking requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebilling process controlVSAvoidbilling management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically manages billing information by analyzing document metadata and storage locations, eliminating the need for manual tracking and control mechanisms. This self-service approach reduces operational complexity while maintaining reliable billing process control through automated validation and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system integrates multiple functions into a single automated billing management module, including document analysis, metadata extraction, billing destination determination, and information sorting. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity by replacing multiple manual processes with one unified automated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11099792B2Information processing system, image processing apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium for sorting billing information into billing destinations

Publication Date: 2021.08.24 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing system includes an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes a printing unit that prints a document selected by a user and a transmitting unit that transmits, to the information processing apparatus, identification information on a storage location having stored the document and billing information on billing related to printing the document. The information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit that receiving from the image processing apparatus the identification information and the billing information and a bill processing unit that performs by using the billing information a billing process on each billing destination corresponding to the identification information.