Multifunction Peripheral Customer Registration via Location Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current remote administration systems for multifunction peripherals (MFPs) face challenges in accurately registering and managing devices, leading to user errors and inefficiencies, particularly when transitioning from a device-centric to a customer-centric view for billing, maintenance, and configuration purposes.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that automatically generates and maintains a customer-centric view by utilizing device properties such as customer name, GPS location, IP address, and other indicators, dynamically updating customer lists and eliminating manual errors through a cloud-based server system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual device registration is used, then device information can be entered, but user errors and inefficiencies occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of device registrationVSAvoidefficiency of device registration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-registration of devices by comparing device properties (MAC address, IP address, GPS location) against customer location data. The device automatically identifies its customer and registers itself without manual intervention, eliminating user errors while maintaining high efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as an intermediary that receives device registration requests, automatically compares device properties with stored customer location data, and performs the association. This automated intermediary process eliminates manual errors while maintaining registration efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If device-centric view is used for registration, then simple device tracking is achieved, but customer-specific configuration and billing efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of device trackingVSAvoidefficiency of customer-specific configuration and billing

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system inverts the traditional device-centric approach by using customer location data as the primary reference. Instead of manually assigning devices to customers, the system automatically determines customer identity by comparing device location properties against stored customer location data, enabling efficient customer-centric configuration and billing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The server continuously monitors device properties (GPS location, IP address) and automatically updates customer associations based on real-time data. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate customer identification for configuration and billing purposes while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If technicians are kept available for on-site support, then device failures can be addressed quickly, but cost overhead and employee underutilization increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponsiveness to device failuresVSAvoidnumber of technicians required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical approach of having physical technicians on-site with automated electronic monitoring. The server continuously monitors device status, detects failures, and automatically dispatches technicians only when needed, reducing the number of technicians required while maintaining reliable response to failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary monitoring and detection of device failures automatically. By continuously monitoring device status before failures occur, the system can detect issues early and dispatch technicians proactively, reducing the need for constant technician availability while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10027841B1System and method for document processing device administration

Publication Date: 2018.07.17 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

A system and method for registering network devices in accordance with customer identification includes a network interface that receives device identification data corresponding to a newly installed multifunction peripheral. The network interface also receives incoming location data corresponding to a physical location of the multifunction peripheral. A memory stores customer list data corresponding to identification of existing customers associatively with stored location data corresponding to existing customer locations. A processor compares incoming location data against the customer list data and associates a customer name with received identification data in accordance with a comparison of the incoming location data and the customer list data.