Print Restriction Token Management for Office Cost Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current printing systems face challenges in effectively restricting printing operations, leading to increased office costs due to unchecked usage, as existing methods either lack strict user control or require significant administrative effort to monitor and enforce print limits.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that acquires and converts print data and restriction information based on the processing capabilities of output devices, allowing for secure and restricted printing operations by converting the format of the data and information to ensure tamper detection and enforcement of print limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a printing system uses address information (IP addresses) to restrict printing operations, then restrictions can be imposed on specific users, but strict management of the number of sheets cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of restricting printing operationsVSAvoidprecision of sheet quantity management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the printing control into two parts: (1) the management server that issues print right tokens with specific sheet quantity limits, and (2) the image processing apparatus that enforces these limits. This segmentation allows precise control of sheet quantities while maintaining ease of operation through automated token-based restriction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If a printing system acquires and monitors print operation logs to manage sheet quantities, then sheet limits can be enforced, but significant personnel cost is required to monitor the logs continuously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of sheet quantity managementVSAvoidtime required for administrative monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The image processing apparatus performs self-service by automatically acquiring print right tokens from the management server and enforcing the sheet quantity restrictions locally. This eliminates the need for continuous administrative monitoring of logs, as the system self-regulates printing operations based on the tokens received.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The management server issues print right tokens with predetermined sheet quantity limits before printing operations begin. This preliminary action establishes the restrictions in advance, allowing the image processing apparatus to enforce them automatically without requiring continuous monitoring or intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a printing system uses tamper detectable format for print jobs, then security and restriction enforcement are improved, but printers without this capability cannot be utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of print restriction enforcementVSAvoidcompatibility with different printer capabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The management server acts as an intermediary that issues print right tokens containing restriction information to host computers. These tokens are then embedded in print jobs sent to various printers. This intermediary approach allows secure restriction enforcement without requiring the printers themselves to have tamper detection capabilities, as the security mechanism is established before the print job reaches the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If a printing system implements comprehensive print restrictions, then unauthorized printing is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of print restriction enforcementVSAvoidcomplexity of printing system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex restriction management logic from the image processing apparatus and relocates it to the management server. The management server handles token generation, distribution, and restriction enforcement, while the image processing apparatus simply receives and executes the pre-configured restrictions from the tokens. This extraction reduces the complexity burden on individual printing devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7990558B2Information processing apparatus and data output management system to restrict printing operations

Publication Date: 2011.08.02 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus acquires print data to be printed by a printing apparatus and restriction information for restricting an output process of the print data. The information processing apparatus converts a format of the acquired print data and the restriction information based on information regarding a processing capability of the printing apparatus. Then, the information processing apparatus sends the print data and the restriction information, the format of which has been converted, to the printing apparatus.