MFP Function Enablement by Service Plan Setting Instructions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to appropriately enable functions in multi-function peripherals (MFPs) based on the content of service plans, leading to improper function settings.
Innovation Solution
A management system and server that transmit setting instructions to MFPs via a communication interface, enabling functions according to the selected service plan, and the MFPs receive and execute these instructions to enable or disable functions accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the printer only transmits use starting request information to the server and the server transmits status information including contract status, then the system can determine service contract status, but the system cannot perform settings to enable functions based on the content of the service plan in multi-function peripherals
Solution Approach 1:
The server transmits setting instructions to the multi-function peripheral in advance, before the user requests service usage. These setting instructions configure which functions should be enabled based on the service plan content. When the user later requests service usage, the MFP already has the appropriate functions enabled, eliminating the need for complex real-time function configuration during service activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces setting instructions as an intermediary mechanism between the server and the multi-function peripheral. These setting instructions carry function enablement information from the server to the MFP, serving as a mediator that translates service plan content into concrete function settings without requiring complex direct interaction between the user and the system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the multi-function peripheral has multiple functions available, then the device provides greater versatility, but the system cannot properly control which functions are enabled based on service plan content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling specific functions selectively in the multi-function peripheral based on the service plan content. Instead of enabling all functions uniformly or requiring complex user configuration, the system enables only the specific functions that correspond to the purchased service plan, achieving precise local control over function availability while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The server changes the functional parameters of the multi-function peripheral by transmitting setting instructions that modify which functions are enabled. This parameter change approach allows the system to dynamically adjust function availability based on service plan content, ensuring that only authorized functions are accessible while maintaining accurate and reliable function settings.
Data Source
AI summary
A management system includes: a multi-function peripheral; a server which manages a service related to the multi-function peripheral and including a plurality of plans; and a communication interface. The server transmits, to the multi-function peripheral via the communication interface, a setting instruction to set a function of the multi-function peripheral to be enabled in accordance with a plan for which a user of the multi-function peripheral applied. Further, the multi-function peripheral receives the setting instruction via the communication interface, and sets the function in accordance with the plan to be enabled, based on the received setting instruction.