Marking Agent Credit Adjustments for Sponsored Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of internet-connected printers may delay or forego printing print jobs sent by others due to concerns about printing costs, which can lead to unsatisfied consumers and reduced adoption of sponsored printing services.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows content providers to sponsor print jobs by adding marking agent credits to the user's account, covering or partially covering the printing costs through marking agent credit adjustments, facilitated by a host computer system connected to the printer via a network, using formulas to determine the adjustment amount based on the amount of marking agent consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users print sponsored print jobs, then content providers can distribute interesting content globally, but users incur printing costs that may delay or forego printing
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a sponsor as an intermediary who pays for the marking agent credits on behalf of the user. The sponsor computing device sends credits to the user's printer account, allowing the user to print sponsored content without directly incurring costs. This mediator (sponsor) resolves the contradiction by bearing the cost burden while enabling content distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-loading marking agent credits into the user's printer account before the print job is executed. The sponsor purchases and transfers credits in advance, so when the user receives a sponsored print job, the credits are already available, eliminating the need for the user to pay at the time of printing and removing the cost concern barrier.
2Extent of automation
If marking agent credits are adjusted automatically, then sponsored printing is enabled, but system complexity increases with credit management
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling automatic credit adjustment through pre-configured formulas and sponsor-initiated credit transfers. Once the sponsor purchases credits and the formula is set up, the system automatically applies credits to print jobs without requiring manual intervention for each print operation. The complexity is centralized in the automated management system rather than requiring complex user actions.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one example of the disclosure, account data that is indicative of marking agent credits attributed to a printer is stored. The printer is a printer connected to a supply of marking agent. A marking agent credit is to authorize consumption of a credit amount of marking agent from the supply according to a subscription. A print job is received from a sponsor computing device. The account data is adjusted to add credits in an adjustment amount that is a function of marking agent consumption to print the job. The job is sent to the printer for printing.