Printer Service Cost Calculation and Retrospective Charging Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems do not provide a convenient way for users to experience a printer service during a trial period without immediate usage fees, limiting user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A control device calculates print costs based on print history and displays a selection screen to choose a print plan, allowing users to use printer services without immediate charges during a trial period, followed by retrospective fee charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users are charged usage fees immediately for printer services, then revenue is secured, but user convenience is reduced due to lack of trial period
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by providing printer services during a trial period before requiring payment. The control device calculates print costs based on print history information accumulated during this trial period, allowing users to experience the service fully before being charged. This resolves the contradiction by enabling immediate service access (improving user convenience) while maintaining future revenue security through retrospective charging.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fee plans are calculated and presented to users, then informed plan selection is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device applies self-service by automatically calculating multiple print costs based on print history information without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously processes print history data, compares it against different fee plan criteria, and generates cost calculations for multiple plans. This automated self-service approach enables comprehensive plan options (improving adaptability) while minimizing the operational complexity burden on users.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device may include a controller configured to: calculate a plurality of print costs corresponding to a plurality of print plans by using print history information of a printer in a predetermined period, the predetermined period being a period during which a predetermined service related to the printer is used by a user but the user is not charged a usage fee for the predetermined service; display, on a display, a selection screen including related information which is related to the plurality of calculated print costs; and in a case where a first print plan among the plurality of print plans is selected on the selection screen, execute a first charge process for charging the user a first print cost corresponding to the first print plan among the plurality of calculated print costs.