Cloud Printing Payment Integration via Mediator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cloud printing and electronic payment systems face difficulties in seamless integration and processing when different companies provide cloud printing and electronic payment services, especially in environments with multiple electronic payment systems.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced that involves an information processing apparatus requesting authentication using electronic payment identification information, associating it with cloud printing identification information, registering print data with a cloud print server, and using the registration information to perform electronic payments through an electronic payment server, facilitating smooth handling of cloud printing and electronic payments across different service providers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cloud printing service and electronic payment service are provided by different companies, then service versatility is improved, but processing complexity increases and seamless integration becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice integration capabilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an information processing apparatus as an intermediary that mediates between the cloud print server and electronic payment server. This apparatus holds both cloud print identification information and electronic payment identification information, and performs authentication with both servers sequentially. The intermediary handles the complex integration logic, allowing the printing system and payment system to remain independent while achieving seamless integration through the mediating apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electronic payment systems exist, then payment service adaptability is improved, but authentication processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment system compatibilityVSAvoidauthentication processing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The information processing apparatus performs preliminary authentication with the electronic payment server before executing the print job. By conducting the authentication in advance and storing the electronic payment identification information, the system prepares the payment processing beforehand, simplifying the actual payment execution during printing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The information processing apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a cloud print client and an electronic payment client. It can hold and manage multiple types of identification information (cloud print ID and electronic payment ID) and perform both types of authentication, making it a universal device that handles diverse payment systems without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If separate authentication processes are used for cloud printing and electronic payment, then system independence is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem independenceVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the authentication processes of cloud printing and electronic payment into a unified workflow. The information processing apparatus sequentially performs authentication with both the cloud print server and the electronic payment server, combining what would otherwise be separate operations into a single integrated process that maintains system independence while improving user convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11321024B2Method of controlling printing system and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program including a two-dimensional code including information that identifies registered print data and information that identifies payment token information

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A method of controlling a printing system includes requesting, by an information processing apparatus included in the printing system, using electronic payment identification information regarding an electronic payment service, an electronic payment server included in the printing system to perform an authentication, requesting, by the information processing apparatus, using information associated with the electronic payment identification information as print identification information regarding cloud printing, a cloud print server included in the printing system to perform an authentication, and after the authentication, and registering, in the cloud print server, print data that is associated with the electronic payment service and acquiring, by the information processing apparatus, the registration information regarding the electronic payment service and the cloud printing.