Printer Battery State Prediction From User Job History

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing print management systems fail to predict battery depletion during printing operations, leading to potential interruptions.

Innovation Solution

A server system that predicts battery consumption based on user usage patterns, using a communication unit, storage unit, and control unit to analyze battery voltage and job execution data to determine the printable state of a printer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a print management system is implemented to monitor printing operations, then printing reliability is improved, but the system cannot predict battery depletion leading to potential interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting reliabilityVSAvoidbattery status information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary prediction of battery depletion timing before actual battery exhaustion occurs. By calculating remaining printable jobs based on current battery voltage and historical consumption patterns, the system provides advance warning to users, allowing them to plan printing operations accordingly and avoid interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors battery voltage and compares it against historical data to provide feedback about battery status and predicted depletion timing. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adaptively track battery consumption patterns and provide accurate predictions about remaining operational capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If battery monitoring is added to the print management system, then battery status information is provided, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery status informationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs multiple functions using the same infrastructure: it manages print jobs, monitors battery voltage, predicts depletion timing, and provides notifications. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional system rather than adding separate dedicated components, the increase in complexity is minimized while achieving comprehensive battery management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its existing print management infrastructure and historical job data to self-determine battery consumption patterns without requiring external monitoring devices. The server leverages its own accumulated usage data to predict battery depletion, eliminating the need for additional specialized hardware or complex integrated systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250377840A1Server and method of controlling server
Publication Date: 2025.12.11 TOSHIBA TEC KK
  • US20250377840A1 patent drawing
  • US20250377840A1 patent drawing
  • US20250377840A1 patent drawing

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a server includes a communication unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The communication unit communicates with a printer. The storage unit stores a first value which is the number of executed jobs per day associated with a user, and a second value which is a battery voltage consumption per job associated with the user. The control unit receives a battery voltage of the printer via the communication unit when the user logs in to the printer, predicts a printable state of the printer based on the first value, the second value, and the battery voltage, and transmits a result of the prediction to the printer via the communication unit.