Printer User Segmentation for Targeted Service Promotion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printers lack an efficient method to prompt heavy users to subscribe to related services without bothering light users, leading to ineffective service promotion and potential missed sales opportunities.
Innovation Solution
A printer system that determines user usage levels and displays service subscription prompts only on the display unit for heavy users, while refraining from displaying such prompts for light users, using a controller to analyze print history and remaining toner levels to differentiate user types and tailor the display accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If service subscription prompts are displayed for all users when toner is low, then service promotion effectiveness is improved, but light users feel bothered by unnecessary displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments users into heavy users and light users based on their printing history and toner consumption patterns. The controller analyzes accumulated usage data to classify users, then selectively displays service subscription prompts only to heavy users when toner is low, while suppressing such displays for light users. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by targeting promotions only to the user group most likely to benefit from them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the display behavior dependent on the specific user's characteristics rather than applying a uniform approach to all users. The controller adjusts the display output locally for each user based on their usage profile, showing prompts to heavy users who need them while suppressing them for light users who would find them annoying. This localized approach optimizes both promotion effectiveness and user experience.
2Productivity
If service subscription prompts are displayed frequently, then service promotion effectiveness is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to excessive displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors user printing behavior, toner consumption patterns, and interaction with display content. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts whether to display service subscription prompts and how frequently. Users who show interest or have high usage patterns receive targeted prompts, while others have the displays suppressed, creating an adaptive system that balances promotion effectiveness with user experience.
3Quantity of substance
If service subscription prompts are displayed when toner is low, then sales opportunities are increased, but light users experience unnecessary interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by accumulating and analyzing user printing history data in advance to establish usage patterns and classify users before the actual service subscription prompt is needed. The controller pre-processes this information to identify heavy users who are most likely to subscribe to services. When toner becomes low, the system is already prepared to selectively display prompts only to these pre-identified heavy users, avoiding unnecessary interruptions to light users and optimizing both subscription rates and user time.
Data Source
AI summary
In a case where a first print execution instruction including first user identification information is received from a first terminal device, a printer may execute printing and determine whether a usage amount of the printer by a first user identified by the first user identification information is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount by using first print history information in association with the first user identification information. In a case where it is determined that the usage amount of the printer by the first user is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the printer may display a first screen. In a case where it is determined that the usage amount of the printer by the first user is less than the predetermined amount, the first screen is not displayed.