Printing Apparatus Offline Consumable Tracking via User Terminal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses lack a mechanism to transmit their use state to a management server when they cannot communicate directly with the server.
Innovation Solution
The printing apparatus includes a mechanism to restrict printing and output a code for transmitting information to the management server via a user terminal when it cannot communicate with the server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the printing apparatus restricts printing when it cannot communicate with the management server, then the management of consumable product usage is maintained, but the productivity of the printing apparatus decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a user terminal as an intermediary device that bridges the printing apparatus and the management server. When the printing apparatus cannot communicate directly with the server, it outputs information to the user terminal, which then transmits the data to the management server. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to maintain reliable management of consumable product usage while preserving printing productivity, as the printing apparatus can continue operating and the user terminal handles the communication relay function.
2Reliability
If the printing apparatus outputs information to transmit use state to the management server via user terminal, then the reliability of usage tracking is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user terminal serves as a simple intermediary that receives information from the printing apparatus and forwards it to the management server. This approach improves usage tracking reliability without significantly increasing device complexity, as the user terminal is a common device that users already possess and operates with straightforward communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the user terminal's existing capabilities to perform the communication function. The printing apparatus simply outputs information to the terminal, and the terminal uses its own processing and communication resources to transmit data to the server. This self-service approach avoids adding complex dedicated communication hardware while still achieving reliable usage tracking.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus which serves as a target of a service in which a user can use the printing apparatus at a flat rate, the printing apparatus includes one or more processors, and at least one memory having stored thereon instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the printing apparatus to: restrict the printing performed by the printing apparatus in a state where the printing apparatus cannot communicate with a management server that manages the service and a use amount of a consumable product resulting from printing performed by the printing apparatus satisfies a predetermined condition, and output a code for transmitting information regarding the printing apparatus to the management server via a user terminal.