Plug-in Charging Management for Image Processing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems face challenges in managing and charging for complex services that combine both incorporated and external functions, as they struggle to accurately and separately charge for each service provider when multiple jobs are involved, especially in cases where services are executed in parallel or with varying success and failure conditions.
Innovation Solution
The system includes an image processing apparatus with a plug-in adding section, an additional-charging-information adding section, and a charging section that utilizes charging tables and conditions (AND, OR) to manage and charge for plug-in functions, allowing for fine-grained charging based on job success and failure, and supports composite services by adding additional charging information for each plug-in, enabling separate billing for each service provider.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple plug-in functions are added to provide complex services, then service functionality and versatility are improved, but charging management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments charging management into separate charging information records for each plug-in function. Each plug-in has its own charging information including job names, charging units, and unit prices, allowing independent management and calculation of charges for each function while maintaining overall system coordination through the image processing apparatus.
2Measurement precision
If charging information is managed separately for each plug-in, then billing accuracy is improved, but information management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal charging information structure that can accommodate multiple plug-in functions with different job types and charging models. The standardized record format includes plug-in identifiers, job names, charging units, and unit prices, enabling consistent management across diverse functions while allowing each plug-in to specify its unique charging requirements.
3Measurement precision
If fine-grained charging is implemented for each job outcome, then charging precision is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific charging conditions to individual jobs within each plug-in. Each job has its own charging unit (e.g., per page, per job) and unit price, allowing differentiated charging based on job characteristics and outcomes. This enables precise charging for successful operations while maintaining simple overall processing through standardized evaluation rules.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes an image processing section that processes an image, a plug-in adding section that adds a plug-in, the plug-in being a function executed in corporation with the image processing section, an additional-charging-information adding section that adds additional charging information as the plug-in is added by the plug-in adding section, the additional charging information being set for a job included in the plug-in, and a charging section that charges for a job on a basis of the additional charging information, in a case where the job to be executed is included in at least one job included in the additional charging information and the job to be executed is executed.