Consumables Ordering Control with User-Defined Purchase Prohibitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing consumables ordering systems for electronic devices lack the ability to prevent automatic ordering when prohibited, leading to potential inefficiencies and unnecessary consumable purchases.

Innovation Solution

A consumables ordering system and program that includes an input device, storage device, and control device, which utilize ordering prohibition information to prevent automatic ordering when instructed and allow ordering when permitted, ensuring compliance with user-defined restrictions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automatic ordering is implemented without prohibition checks, then ordering efficiency is improved, but unauthorized or unnecessary purchases occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveordering efficiencyVSAvoidordering compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary checks of ordering prohibition information before executing automatic ordering. The control device checks whether ordering prohibition information exists and whether it indicates prohibition before placing an order, preventing unauthorized purchases while maintaining automatic ordering functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the control device continuously monitors ordering prohibition information and adjusts ordering behavior accordingly. When prohibition information is detected or updated, the system immediately stops automatic ordering, ensuring compliance while maintaining efficiency when permitted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If ordering prohibition information is continuously monitored, then ordering compliance is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveordering complianceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs multiple functions: it manages automatic ordering, monitors ordering prohibition information, and controls order placement decisions. By integrating these functions into a single control device rather than separate systems, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically checks and responds to ordering prohibition information without requiring manual intervention. The control device autonomously determines whether to place orders based on current prohibition information status, reducing the need for additional monitoring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4607434A1Consumables ordering system and consumables ordering program
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4607434A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4607434A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4607434A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A consumables ordering system (20) includes an input device (23, 61), a storage device (24), and a control device (25). The input device (23, 61) receives an input of an instruction of a user. The storage device (24) contains ordering prohibition information, indicating whether ordering of consumables used in an electronic device (30, 40) is prohibited. The control device (25) acts as an automatic ordering device (25A). The automatic ordering device (25A) keeps from ordering the consumables, when the ordering prohibition information is indicating that the ordering of the consumables is prohibited, and orders the consumables when the ordering prohibition information is indicating that the ordering of the consumables is not prohibited. The automatic ordering device (25A) causes the ordering prohibition information, upon receipt of an instruction to prohibit the ordering of the consumables through the input device (23, 61), to indicate that the ordering of the consumables is prohibited.