Print Receipt Verification Before Charging for Facility Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users are charged for printed matter without having the opportunity to check it, even if the printed matter is not obtained due to issues with the multifunction machine.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that provides a grace period for users to inspect printed matter by transmitting print data and receipt information to a designated facility, authenticating users, and charging them only after confirming receipt.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the system charges the user immediately upon detecting receipt of printed matter, then payment efficiency is improved, but the user loses the opportunity to check the printed matter before payment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment efficiencyVSAvoiduser ability to check printed matter

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides a grace period after the user receives the printed matter before initiating the charge. During this grace period, the user can check the printed matter without pressure to pay immediately. The charge is only initiated after the grace period expires and the system confirms the user has not requested a reprint, ensuring the user had adequate opportunity to verify the printed matter before payment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the system provides a grace period for users to check printed matter, then user satisfaction is improved, but payment efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser ability to check printed matterVSAvoidpayment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors user behavior during the grace period by detecting whether the user requests a reprint of the same document. If a reprint request is detected, the system interprets this as feedback that the original printed matter had issues (such as being blank or incorrect), and cancels the charge. This feedback mechanism allows the system to balance user protection with payment efficiency by only charging when the printed matter is successfully received and verified.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If the system charges the user without verification, then transaction speed is improved, but erroneous charges increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction speedVSAvoidcharge accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by providing a grace period during which the user can check the printed matter before the charge is initiated. This preliminary action prevents erroneous charges by ensuring the user had adequate opportunity to verify the printed matter was correctly received and printed, while still maintaining relatively fast transaction processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12495117B2Information processing apparatus, information processing system, non-transitory computer readable medium storing information processing program, and information processing method that allow user to check printed matter before payment

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to receive print data and designation of a facility selected by a user from a user terminal operated by the user, transmit the print data to an apparatus that is installed in the designated facility, transmit receipt information, which is information that enables reception of a printed matter related to the print data, to the user terminal, and charge the user for the printed matter in a case in which the user who has entered the facility receives the printed matter using the receipt information and leaves the facility.