Cloud Print System Usage Data Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing print jobs and tracking billing data for users accessing public or commercial print devices is cumbersome, as it requires owners to manually handle access and billing for multiple users, leading to inefficiencies in tracking usage and consumable replenishment.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based print system that registers network-connected print devices and tracks print jobs separately for users, providing subscription, pre-paid, and consumable refill services, allowing users to access any registered device while crediting owners for usage without manual billing data tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual billing data tracking is implemented for users accessing print devices, then billing accuracy is improved, but device complexity and administrative burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically tracks usage data and generates billing information without requiring manual intervention. The print device itself records print jobs, consumes consumables, and transmits this data to the service provider, who automatically generates billing information. This self-service approach maintains billing accuracy while eliminating the administrative burden of manual tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic feedback loops where usage data from print devices is continuously transmitted to the service provider, who then generates and communicates billing information back to device owners. This automated feedback mechanism ensures billing accuracy is maintained through systematic data collection and processing without requiring manual administrative intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users are granted access to public print devices, then user accessibility is improved, but tracking usage and billing data becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The service provider acts as an intermediary between multiple users and the print device owner. The system automatically collects usage data from all users, processes this information, and generates consolidated billing data for the device owner. This intermediary mechanism enables high user accessibility while simplifying usage tracking through automated data aggregation and processing.
3Measurement precision
If device owners manually manage access and billing for multiple users, then billing control is improved, but time consumption and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service billing control by automatically collecting usage data from the print device, processing this information, and generating billing records. This eliminates the need for device owners to manually manage access and billing for multiple users, maintaining precise billing control while eliminating time-consuming manual tasks.
4Productivity
If a cloud-based system automatically tracks usage data, then productivity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based system acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of automated tracking. The print device simply transmits usage data to the cloud service, which then processes, stores, and generates billing information. This intermediary approach improves productivity through automated tracking while containing system complexity in the cloud infrastructure rather than in the print device itself.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes providing access to a database of a plurality of print devices registered to a print system, and receiving print data that identifies a print job for a print device among the plurality of print devices and a first account for a first service of the print system. The method further includes managing the print job including applying usage data for the print job to the first account based on the print data, and applying consumption data for the print job to a second account based on the print data, the second account being associated with the print device and a second service of the print system.