Unified Print Manager Access for Multi-Client License Billing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Configuring and managing multiple client printing systems is time-consuming and inefficient due to isolated access, control, and billing issues, particularly for organizations providing managed print services.

Innovation Solution

A computing device integrates multiple printing manager software instances, provides a data structure with expandable objects, determines license usage across systems, and enables unified billing and access to manage multiple client printing systems from a single interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple printing manager instances are managed separately, then each system can be controlled independently, but the time and effort required for configuration and management increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of managementVSAvoidtime for configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple printing manager instances under a single parent printing manager, allowing centralized control and management. This merging enables administrators to manage multiple client printing systems through one interface rather than accessing each instance separately, thereby reducing configuration time while maintaining independent control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The parent printing manager is designed with universal functionality to control multiple child printing manager instances simultaneously. It provides unified access, centralized licensing management, and consolidated billing capabilities across all connected printing systems, eliminating the need for separate management procedures for each instance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate access and control are provided for each printing system, then system independence is maintained, but integrated billing and license management becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem independenceVSAvoidcomplexity of billing management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges billing and licensing management functions into the parent printing manager, which consolidates data from multiple child instances. This allows integrated billing and license tracking while preserving the operational independence of individual printing systems through the hierarchical structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple separate logins are required for different printing systems, then security is maintained, but user convenience and operational efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a unified authentication mechanism at the parent printing manager level that provides single sign-on access to multiple child printing manager instances. This maintains security through centralized credential verification while eliminating the need for users to log in separately to each printing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12591399B2Systems and methods for operating multiple client printing systems

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 VASION INC

AI summary

A method for operating multiple client printing systems is described. The method includes creating an administration account. The method also includes instantiating a printing manager instance for each of the multiple client printing systems. The multiple client printing systems are associated with the administration account. The method further includes presenting a data structure comprising an object associated with each of the multiple client printing systems. The method additionally includes determining license usage data for the multiple client printing systems based on the printing manager instances. The method also includes presenting the license usage data.