Print Consumable Licensing for Usage-Based Printer Function Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current approaches lack supply authentication for print consumables and incur separate shipping and handling charges, making it challenging to manage and cost-effectively refill multiple printing devices across diverse locations with a common print consumable supply.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where a service provider issues licenses for print consumables, allowing end-users to consume without ownership, with consumption reporting and payment-based invoicing, enabling authorization for additional supplies and functionality adjustments in printing devices, and optimizing shipping and handling fees based on consumption data and other parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a service provider provides print consumables to multiple printing devices across diverse locations, then the coverage and service capability are improved, but the shipping and handling costs and inventory management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverageVSAvoidinventory management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal licensing system where a single license key enables a print consumable to be used across multiple printing devices from different service providers. The license contains identification information that allows the consumable to be authenticated and tracked across diverse locations and devices, eliminating the need for separate inventory management for each device location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs consumption tracking that monitors and reports print consumable usage across multiple devices. This feedback mechanism provides real-time data on consumption patterns, enabling the service provider to optimize inventory levels and shipping schedules based on actual usage rather than maintaining excess inventory across all locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If separate shipping and handling charges are incurred for each print consumable supply, then the cost recovery is improved, but the total cost to the customer and complexity of billing increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost recoveryVSAvoidbilling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate shipping and handling charges into a single consolidated fee. The system tracks all consumable supplies shipped to a customer and calculates one unified shipping charge that covers the entire order, regardless of the number of individual consumable units or devices. This merging approach maintains cost recovery while significantly simplifying the billing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a license system is implemented for print consumables, then the control over consumption and payment is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsumption controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The licensing system is designed to operate automatically without requiring manual intervention. The print consumable contains a license key that is automatically authenticated by the printing device upon installation. Consumption is tracked automatically through the printing device's operation data, and billing is generated automatically based on tracked usage, eliminating the need for manual monitoring or complex administrative processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If consumption tracking and payment verification are implemented, then the financial risk for service providers is reduced, but the monitoring and administrative overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinancial risk managementVSAvoidadministrative overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual monitoring and administrative processes with automated electronic systems. Consumption data is captured automatically by the printing device's internal sensors and processors, transmitted electronically to the service provider's system, and used to generate payment invoices automatically. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with electronic automation reduces both financial risk and administrative time requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11562337B2Printing device functionality based on consumption and payment

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

Examples for determining printing device functionality based on consumption and payment are described herein. In some examples, signals indicative of an amount of utilized print consumable by a printing device and signals indicative of payment for the amount of utilized print consumable are received at a computing device. Signals to cause the printing device to alter a functionality based on the signals indicative of an amount of utilized print consumable and the signals indicative of payment for the amount of utilized print consumable are transmitted by the computing device.