Server Selection via Mediator for Image Processing Cost Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image processing systems, users face difficulties in selecting the most suitable configuration of image processing servers that meet their needs, as existing systems often result in conflicts between calculated and actual costs due to incorrect interactions between image processing services.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system comprising an image forming apparatus and multiple image processing servers that cooperatively perform services in a predetermined order, where each server selects the most preferred server based on obtained server selection information, allowing for efficient service execution and cost optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple image processing servers are used to perform different image processing operations, then the image forming apparatus does not need to have complex structure and all functions, but it becomes difficult to select the most suitable configuration of servers that meets user needs
Solution Approach 1:
An information management server is introduced as an intermediary between the image forming apparatus and multiple image processing servers. This mediator collects service information from all image processing servers, manages the information centrally, and provides it to the image forming apparatus, thereby simplifying the selection process for users while maintaining the distributed server architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The information management server performs multiple functions: collecting service information from various image processing servers, storing and managing this information centrally, and providing it to the image forming apparatus. This multi-functional component resolves the contradiction by handling the complexity of server configuration selection centrally
2Measurement precision
If a high-performance central server is used to analyze information of all image processing servers, then the user can find a perfect configuration of servers, but the system requires expensive high-performance hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the information management function from the image processing functions. The information management server handles only the collection, storage, and provision of service information, while image processing servers handle actual image processing. This segmentation allows using ordinary hardware for information management rather than requiring high-performance central servers
Solution Approach 2:
The information management function is extracted from the image processing servers and placed in a dedicated information management server. This extraction allows the information management task to be performed by a separate, less resource-intensive server, eliminating the need for high-performance hardware while maintaining accurate server configuration analysis
3Productivity
If charge information is calculated based on registered information from all image processing servers, then users can select services for minimal cost, but conflicts arise between calculated total cost and actual total cost due to incorrect interactions between services
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of service compatibility and interaction effects before finalizing the service configuration and cost calculation. The information management server collects and organizes service information in advance, allowing the image forming apparatus to identify potential conflicts and adjust selections to avoid incorrect interactions, ensuring both cost optimization and accurate cost prediction
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of image processing servers in charge of a first-order service individually transmit their server selection information to a plurality of image processing servers in charge of a second-order service, and those in charge of the second-order service individually select one of those in charge of the first-order service as the most preferred server based on the server selection information received therefrom. Similarly, a plurality of image processing servers in charge of a third-order service individually select one of those in charge of the second-order service as the most preferred server based on the server selection information of those in charge of the second-order service received therefrom. Also similarly, an image forming apparatus selects one of a plurality of image processing servers in charge of the final service as the most preferred server based on the server selection information of those in charge of the final service received therefrom.