Device Management System for Subscription Contract Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current device management systems under subscription contracts fail to effectively transfer and manage the number of printed sheets across devices, especially when device replacement occurs due to failure, leading to inadequate contract-based management.
Innovation Solution
A device management device and method that utilizes a management unit, generating unit, search unit, and acquisition unit to manage network devices by contract, generating tasks for acquiring necessary information from new devices, updating device IDs and print sheet data, and ensuring continuity of contract-based management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If device replacement is performed due to device failure, then device reliability is improved, but contract management continuity deteriorates because the number of printed sheets cannot be properly transferred between devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates device-specific information (device ID, device model) from contract-specific information (contract number, number of printed sheets). This segmentation allows the contract management data to be independently transferred to a replacement device without being tied to the original device's hardware identity, thus maintaining contract continuity while enabling device replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a management server as an intermediary between the device and the contract management system. The management server stores and manages the number of printed sheets associated with contract numbers, acting as a mediator that enables seamless transfer of contract data when devices are replaced, without requiring direct device-to-device data transfer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If device replacement is performed, then device adaptability is improved, but contract management complexity increases due to the need to track and transfer contract-specific data across multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal contract management system that can manage multiple devices under a single contract. The management server stores contract information (contract number, number of printed sheets) that is not tied to any specific device, allowing the same contract data to be applied across different device models and generations, thereby reducing management complexity while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a copying mechanism where contract information (particularly the number of printed sheets) is copied from the old device to the new device through the management server. This copying process is automated and maintains data integrity, allowing seamless transition of contract status without manual intervention, thus reducing the perceived complexity for users.
3Ease of operation
If only device-specific print sheet tracking is implemented, then device monitoring simplicity is maintained, but contract-based management effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the management server continuously monitors the number of printed sheets associated with each contract number and provides real-time feedback to users. The system tracks usage across all devices under a contract and notifies users when the contract's print sheet limit is approaching or exceeded, maintaining simplicity while ensuring effective contract management through automated monitoring and alerting.
Data Source
AI summary
Management is performed by using a contract number, a model, a device ID, and data for managing the number of printed sheets as the contract device, a task for acquiring information necessary for management as the contract device is generated in response to a detection of a new device corresponding to a contract, a device search is performed via a network, and information necessary for management as the contract device is acquired from a new device according to the task in response to a detection if the new device corresponding to a model managed as the contract device is detected by the search. Additionally, a device ID of the contract device and data for managing the number of printed sheets are updated and managed by using the information acquired from the new device in response to the detection of the new device.