Image Processing Device Local Billing Cache for Network Outages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image processing devices may fail to execute jobs due to issues with the billing server or network troubles, even if users have sufficient funds, leading to user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system where the billing server manages user funds, authenticates users, and determines a savings amount to be stored locally on the image processing device, allowing jobs to be executed even if communication with the billing server is lost, by deducting charges from the saved amount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image processing device requires data communication with the billing server to execute jobs, then billing management reliability is improved, but device availability deteriorates when network issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing device performs preliminary actions by storing billing information, user authentication data, and job execution records locally in its storage unit before network communication is needed. This allows the device to execute jobs and perform billing operations independently when the billing server is inaccessible, resolving the contradiction between requiring server communication for reliability and maintaining availability during network issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage unit acts as an intermediary between the image processing device and the billing server. It caches essential billing data and authentication information locally, enabling the device to function as an autonomous billing entity when needed, while still allowing centralized management when the server is accessible. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by providing both centralized control and local independence.
2Measurement precision
If the billing server centrally manages all billing operations, then billing control accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The billing system is segmented into two independent functional units: the billing server for centralized management and the image processing device for local execution. The storage unit in the device maintains local billing data, authentication records, and job information independently. This segmentation allows accurate centralized control when needed while reducing system complexity by enabling autonomous local operation, eliminating the need for constant server-device communication infrastructure.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the image processing device stores billing information locally, then operation continuity is improved during network failures, but data security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the state of billing data from exclusively centralized (on server) to a hybrid state with local caching. The storage unit stores billing information, user data, and job records locally, but the image processing device can still communicate with the billing server to synchronize and update this data when network conditions permit. This parameter change enables continuous operation during network failures while maintaining security through periodic synchronization and controlled data access.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing system includes an image processing device executing a job and a billing server performing billing process in response to execution of the job connected through a network. The billing server includes: a remaining amount management part for managing a remaining amount of each user's available funds; and a savings amount transmission part for determining a savings amount in the image processing device based on a user's available funds and sending the determined savings amount to the image processing device. The image processing device includes: a savings amount storage part for storing therein the savings amount in accordance with the user; a job execution part for executing a job with an instruction by the user; and a billing processing part for performing billing process to charge to the user in response to execution of the job.