Purpose-Based Print Job Processing for Accurate Multi-Organization Billing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing virtual MFP systems require manual selection of print job purposes, which can lead to incorrect billing due to user error, especially when using multiple organizations' printers.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that automatically sets the purpose of a print job based on the identification information of the terminal device, ensuring accurate billing by associating the job with the correct organization or user account.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual selection of print job purpose is implemented, then users can freely choose printing destinations across multiple organizations, but billing accuracy deteriorates due to user error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting destination selection flexibilityVSAvoidbilling accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device automatically determines the purpose of the print job by itself based on its own identification information, without requiring manual user input. The system extracts the organization ID from the terminal's identification information and automatically sets the purpose, making the system self-configuring and eliminating human error in purpose selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user by displaying the automatically determined purpose on the print setting screen, allowing the user to confirm or modify the purpose if needed. This feedback mechanism ensures transparency while maintaining automatic determination for accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If purpose selection is made easier through default settings, then ease of operation improves, but reliability deteriorates because specific purpose cannot be forced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepurpose selection convenienceVSAvoidpurpose assignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using fixed default settings that may be incorrect, the terminal device automatically determines the appropriate purpose by extracting organization information from its own identification information. This self-service approach ensures that the purpose is always correctly assigned based on the actual terminal's affiliation, while still requiring minimal user input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If all print jobs are displayed regardless of purpose, then information completeness is maintained, but information management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint job information completenessVSAvoidjob list management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The print job list is segmented and filtered based on the purpose determined for each job. The system separates jobs by purpose (e.g., Organization A jobs, Organization B jobs, personal jobs) and displays them in an organized manner, reducing the complexity of managing and navigating through all jobs regardless of purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250306819A1Method of processing print job, information processing apparatus, image forming system, and medium

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus has a communication device. The information processing apparatus holds purpose information associated with identification information related to a terminal device; receives the identification information related to the terminal device from the terminal device; transmits purpose information associated with the received identification information to the terminal device as a purpose selectable in the terminal device; and receives and stores, from the terminal device, a print job associated with a selected purpose.