Management Server Administrator Revenue Calculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing device management systems do not account for the revenue of administrators, preventing them from earning income from the administration of these devices.

Innovation Solution

A management server connected to an image processing device via a network, which acquires user action information, links identification information with administrator information, and calculates payment amounts based on this information, enabling revenue generation for administrators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a charging system is implemented based on user authentication and group membership, then user-based billing is achieved, but administrator revenue generation is not realized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser-based billingVSAvoidadministrator revenue

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an management server as an intermediary between the image processing device and the billing system. This server collects usage information from the device, calculates charges based on predetermined rules, and manages both user billing and administrator revenue distribution, thereby enabling administrator revenue generation while maintaining ease of user-based billing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where usage information is continuously collected from the image processing device, charging amounts are calculated based on this feedback, and results are stored and used for subsequent billing cycles. This ensures accurate tracking of usage patterns and proper revenue distribution to administrators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If charging is conducted only based on user authentication, then user billing is simplified, but administrator compensation for device administration is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebilling system complexityVSAvoidadministrator revenue loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The billing system is segmented into distinct functional modules: usage information collection, charge calculation based on usage data, user billing processing, and administrator revenue distribution. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity in user-facing operations while incorporating complex revenue-sharing logic in the background without increasing perceived complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The management server acts as an intermediary that handles the complex revenue-sharing calculations and administrator compensation logic, keeping the user-facing billing interface simple while ensuring administrators receive proper compensation for device administration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11956401B2Management server, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing management program, and image processing system that conducts charging amount to be paid to an administrator for printing number of sheets

Publication Date: 2024.04.09 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A management server includes a server communication unit connected to an office PC through a global network, an acquisition unit that acquires action information on a printer through the office PC connected to the server communication unit, a server storage unit that links a printer ID with an administrator ID and stores the printer ID and the administrator ID, and a calculation unit that calculates an amount of money paid to an administrator indicated by the administrator ID linked with the printer ID of the printer concerning the acquired action information based on the action information acquired by the acquisition unit.