Printer Charge Tutorial Interface for Printable Sheet Refill

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users may refrain from purchasing additional printable sheets due to unawareness of the purchasing process, leading to potential discontinuation of print services.

Innovation Solution

A recording system and non-transitory computer-readable medium that includes a tutorial process to guide users through the charge operation, providing a tutorial operation screen on the display unit to educate users on purchasing recording permissions, thereby promoting the purchase of recording permissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the printer provides a memory card interface for purchasing printable sheets, then the print service can be extended, but users may refrain from purchasing due to unawareness of the purchasing process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint service extensionVSAvoidpurchasing process awareness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system displays a tutorial operation screen that guides users through the purchasing process before they actually need to purchase. The tutorial screen shows the purchase flow in advance, including how to input the number of sheets to purchase and how to complete the transaction, so users are not surprised by the purchasing steps when they need to refill printable sheets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the user and the purchasing system. It detects when printable sheets remain and automatically displays the tutorial operation screen, mediating the transition from usage to purchasing by providing guidance rather than directly initiating the purchase transaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the printer automatically manages printable sheet counts, then printing convenience is improved, but users may not understand how to purchase additional sheets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting convenienceVSAvoidpurchasing method knowledge

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit provides feedback to users by detecting when printable sheets are running low and automatically displaying the tutorial operation screen. This feedback loop ensures users are informed not only of their sheet status but also of how to replenish sheets, preventing information loss about the purchasing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary education by displaying the tutorial screen before the user actually needs to purchase. The tutorial shows the purchase process in advance, including screen navigation and input methods, so users gain purchasing knowledge proactively rather than reactively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12498891B2Recording system and non-transitory computer-readable medium

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A recording system includes: an information processing device including an input interface and a display unit; and a recording device including a recording unit that executes a recording operation on a recording medium, the recording device being configured to control the recording unit to execute the recording operation within a range of a recording permission amount for permitting the recording operation by the recording unit, wherein the recording system is configured to execute a tutorial process such that, in the tutorial process, a tutorial operation screen for notifying a guidance to a user about a charge operation is displayed on the display unit, the charge operation being an operation on the input interface for purchasing the recording permission amount.