Adaptable Print Job Accounting System with Dynamic Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional accounting systems for print jobs often fail to effectively manage and update user information dynamically across three critical dimensions: authentication location, funds availability, and image limits, leading to inefficiencies and incomplete tracking of print job activities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that dynamically updates accounting information for print jobs by integrating print devices and servers via a network, allowing for real-time management of user privileges, funds, and image limits, regardless of authentication location, and separates authentication and authorization activities to support various accounting mechanisms and external systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional accounting systems are used for print jobs, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot dynamically update user information across authentication location, funds availability, and image limits dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the accounting system into multiple independent modules: authentication module, authorization module, accounting module, and dynamic update module. Each module handles specific dimensions (authentication location, funds availability, image limits) separately, enabling dynamic updates without requiring complete system redesign. This modular segmentation allows the system to adapt to different accounting scenarios while maintaining manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic updating mechanisms that allow user information, privileges, and quotas to be modified in real-time during print job execution. The system transitions from static accounting parameters to dynamic ones, where user rights and limits can be adjusted based on current account status, authentication location, and available funds, without requiring system reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If authentication and authorization are combined in traditional systems, then the system operation is simple, but the system cannot support various accounting mechanisms and external systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent explicitly separates authentication (verifying user identity) from authorization (determining user rights and quotas). The authentication module handles user identification across different locations, while the authorization module manages user privileges and limits. This separation allows the system to support multiple accounting mechanisms and external authentication systems without complicating the core operation flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authorization module between authentication and account execution. This intermediary layer translates authenticated user identities into specific user rights and quotas based on account type, funds availability, and image limits. The intermediary handles the complexity of supporting various accounting mechanisms while presenting a simplified interface to users.
3Adaptability or versatility
If accounting information is stored only in print device databases, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot dynamically update accounting information across networked devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal database architecture where accounting information can be stored and accessed across multiple locations (print device databases and server databases). The system supports both local and remote database operations, allowing accounting information to be updated centrally on servers while being accessible to multiple print devices. This multi-functional database system enables dynamic updates across the network without requiring separate systems for each device.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for accounting for a print job includes a print device having a database, and a server having a database. The print device and the server communicate via a network. The print device and/or the server have means for dynamically updating accounting information for the print job that communicates with the print device and the server via the network. The accounting information resides in the database of the print device and/or the database of the server. A method for accounting for a print job includes providing at least one print device having at least one database and at least one server having at least one database. The method includes communicating between the print devices and the servers via a network for dynamically updating accounting information for the print job stored on the databases of the print devices and/or the databases of the servers.