Multifunction Printer Role Management with Automatic Assignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing role management systems for multifunction printers impose a heavy burden on administrators when assigning new roles due to the need for updating data tables, making it cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A role management system that includes a first management unit, a second management unit, an acquisition unit, and a first control unit, which facilitates easy assignment of new roles by utilizing a local role table and a distribution role table, enabling communication between the multifunction printer and a server to manage and distribute roles efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If role management is performed based on a data table that manages which role is assigned to a user, then role assignment can be tracked and controlled, but a heavy burden is imposed on workers when assigning new roles due to the need to update the data table

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverole assignment controlVSAvoidrole assignment process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a role assignment notification unit that acts as an intermediary between the data table update and the actual role assignment. When a new role is added to the data table, the notification unit automatically notifies terminal devices assigned to that role, eliminating the need for manual updates and reducing the burden on workers while maintaining reliable role assignment control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic role assignment and notification without requiring manual intervention. The data table update automatically triggers notifications to relevant terminal devices, allowing the system to serve itself by automatically propagating role changes across the network without worker involvement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If role management is performed based on a data table, then centralized control is achieved, but the complexity of updating and managing the data table increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized role managementVSAvoiddata table management system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a preliminary notification mechanism where terminal devices are pre-configured with role identifiers before roles are assigned. When roles are added to the data table, the system automatically matches these pre-configured identifiers with the new roles and sends notifications, simplifying the management process by preparing the system in advance rather than requiring complex real-time updates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12445564B2Role management system, role management device, and multifunction printer

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a role management system includes a first management unit, a second management unit, an acquisition unit, and a first control unit. The first management unit manages a role assigned to a user identified by an identifier in correlation with the identifier. The second management unit manages a role to be assigned to an assignee identified by an identifier in correlation with the identifier. The acquisition unit individually acquires two identifiers as a first identifier and a second identifier. The first control unit controls the first management unit so that the role managed by the second management unit in correlation with an identifier acquired as the second identifier by the acquisition unit is managed as a role assigned to a user identified by an identifier acquired as the first identifier by the acquisition unit.