Invoice Amount Calculation for Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for calculating invoice amounts for inkjet printer usage include costs for maintenance ink consumption, making the business model unviable for suppliers with low print volumes, as customers are charged for ink used in maintenance operations beyond actual printing.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates an invoice amount based on actual print volume, with a flexible approach that includes a fixed amount for low print volumes and a variable amount based on the actual print volume for high volumes, ensuring the business model is viable for both customers and suppliers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the invoice amount is calculated based on total ink consumption (including maintenance volume), then the revenue for the ink supplier is improved, but the customer satisfaction deteriorates because customers are charged for ink used in maintenance operations beyond actual printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments ink consumption into two distinct components: actual print volume (APV) and maintenance volume (MV). By separating these volumes, the system can apply different billing strategies to each component, allowing customers to pay only for actual printing while ensuring suppliers receive adequate revenue through the fixed invoice amount that covers maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a threshold parameter (specific volume V1) that changes the billing mode. When APV ≤ V1, a fixed invoice amount is applied; when APV > V1, a variable invoice amount based on APV is applied. This parameter-based approach allows the system to adapt the billing strategy to different usage scenarios, balancing customer satisfaction and supplier revenue.
2Ease of operation
If the invoice amount is calculated based only on actual print volume, then the customer satisfaction is improved by eliminating charges for maintenance ink, but the business model becomes unviable for suppliers serving customers with low print volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic billing system that automatically adjusts the invoice amount based on the relationship between actual print volume and a specific volume threshold. The system transitions between fixed and variable billing modes depending on usage patterns, ensuring the business model remains viable for both low-volume and high-volume customers while maintaining fairness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a reference framework by comparing actual print volume against a predetermined specific volume (V1). This reference copying approach allows the system to determine the appropriate billing mode by referencing established thresholds, ensuring consistent and fair billing across different customers and usage scenarios.
3Loss of energy
If a fixed invoice amount is applied for low print volumes, then the business model viability for suppliers is improved, but the billing flexibility for high volume customers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between fixed and variable billing modes based on actual print volume relative to a specific volume threshold. This dynamic adaptation ensures that low-volume customers benefit from the stability of fixed pricing while high-volume customers enjoy the flexibility and potential cost benefits of variable pricing based on their higher usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to transition between billing modes. By monitoring whether actual print volume exceeds the specific volume threshold (V1), the system automatically adjusts the billing calculation method, providing both fixed pricing stability and variable pricing flexibility as needed for different customer segments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a variable invoice amount based on actual print volume is applied for high print volumes, then the billing flexibility for customers is improved, but the revenue stability for suppliers with low print volumes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic billing that adapts to customer usage patterns. For high-volume customers, the variable billing mode provides flexibility and potential cost savings based on actual usage. For low-volume customers, the fixed billing mode ensures revenue stability. The system automatically transitions between these modes based on the APV versus V1 comparison, optimizing outcomes for both suppliers and customers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter-based billing mode selection where the specific volume threshold (V1) serves as a critical parameter. When actual print volume exceeds this parameter, variable billing is activated providing flexibility; when it remains below, fixed billing provides stability. This parameter-driven approach ensures both revenue stability and billing flexibility are maintained appropriately.
Data Source
AI summary
A manufacturer server 110 that determines a first invoice amount or calculates a second invoice amount for an inkjet printer has a billing status acquisition unit 342 that acquires billing status information including actual print volume PV. An actual print volume calculation unit 343 determines (i) if PV is less than or equal to a specific volume V1, in which case the first invoice amount, which is a fixed amount, is determined, and (ii) if PV exceeds V1, in which case the second invoice amount is calculated. An invoice amount calculation unit 344 determines or calculates the first or second invoice amount.