Intelligent Controller for Multifunction Peripheral Cost Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In shared document processing environments, users face challenges in accurately allocating document processing charges across multiple accounts, leading to improper charging and inefficient use of available funds, especially when multiple jobs are queued and charged to different accounts.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for multiple account document processing cost accounting, utilizing an intelligent controller in multifunction peripherals (MFPs) that allows users to log in, select cost centers, and allocate document processing jobs to appropriate accounts, displaying available account values and indicia for informed decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple account allocation is implemented, then cost accounting precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary account selection interface that mediates between the user and the multiple cost accounts. When a document processing job is initiated, the system presents available accounts to the user, allowing selection or automatic allocation based on predefined rules. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of multi-account management without requiring changes to the core document processing functionality, thus improving cost accounting precision while containing device complexity increases.
2Measurement precision
If manual account selection is required, then cost allocation accuracy is improved, but user operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing default account allocation rules in advance. These rules can be configured based on user profiles, department assignments, or cost center mappings. When a document processing job is initiated, the system automatically applies these pre-established rules to select the appropriate account, eliminating the need for manual account selection in routine cases. This maintains cost allocation accuracy while significantly reducing user operation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides dynamic account selection capability that adapts to different situations. Users can switch between automatic rule-based selection and manual account selection based on the specific job requirements. The interface dynamically presents relevant account options based on the document type, user profile, and current account balances, allowing users to make informed decisions quickly without being presented with all possible accounts in every scenario.
3Productivity
If real-time account balance display is implemented, then fund management efficiency is improved, but system resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by updating account balance information at strategically determined intervals rather than continuously. The system refreshes balance data when users interact with the interface, when jobs are queued, or at scheduled intervals during idle periods. This approach provides users with timely fund management information to make informed decisions about document processing jobs while avoiding continuous resource consumption associated with real-time updates. The balance display is updated on-demand based on user actions or system events, maintaining fund management efficiency while controlling system resource usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A system method for multiple account document processing cost accounting includes a multifunction peripheral including an intelligent controller having a processor and memory. A document processing engine operates in conjunction with an instructions issued from the intelligent controller. The intelligent controller receives into memory document processing job data associated with a user. A user interface receives user input identifying the user. The processor calculates a cost for completing a document processing operation with the document processing job data and the calculated cost is displayed. The processor identifies of cost centers associated with an identified user and displays indicia identifying them, along with their associated account values. The processor receives a user selection identifying a selected cost center and completes a document processing operation with the job data and commences a debit from the account value of the selected cost center.