Printing Authority Management System for Shared Device Point Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prepaid printing systems do not effectively utilize free authority information to increase the allowable printing amount for multiple users sharing a printing device, leading to low convenience and inefficient use of accumulated service points.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and printing authority management system that associates free authority information with the identification of a printing device, allowing users to increase the allowable printing amount by utilizing shared accumulated service points, which are generated based on paid printing authority purchases, thereby enhancing convenience and promoting prepaid printing service utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If free authority information is given to a printing device instead of a specific user, then multiple users sharing the device can benefit from increased allowable printing amount, but the system complexity increases due to needing to manage device-associated free authority information and utilization applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an information processing apparatus as an intermediary between users and the printing device. This intermediary manages the free authority information associated with the device, handling the conversion of paid authority to free authority and processing utilization applications from multiple users. This mediator approach allows multiple users to benefit from increased printing capacity without each user needing to directly manage the complex authority information, thus improving ease of operation while containing system complexity within the intermediary system.
2Quantity of substance
If paid authority information is repeatedly purchased to accumulate free print guarantee amount, then the allowable printing amount increases for free, but the system requires tracking and managing accumulated service points across multiple transactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically converting paid authority information into free authority information and accumulating service points in advance of when they are needed. The system pre-processes the conversion and accumulation of printing amounts, so that when users need printing capacity, it is already available without requiring complex real-time calculations or manual tracking of accumulated points across multiple transactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically managing the accumulation and conversion of service points without requiring manual intervention. The information processing apparatus autonomously tracks paid authority purchases, converts them to free authority, accumulates service points, and makes them available for utilization, eliminating the need for complex manual management systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If free authority information is associated with a printing device rather than a specific user, then all users of the device can utilize the free guaranteed printing amount, but the authorization process becomes more complex requiring device identification and association
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by associating free authority information with the printing device itself rather than with specific users, making the authority universally accessible to all users of that device. The information processing apparatus manages this device-level association, processing utilization applications from any user and allocating printing capacity based on the device's accumulated free authority, thereby enabling multi-user accessibility while containing authorization complexity within the management system.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus, which is communicable with a printing device, includes a control device configured to: receive an obtainment application of paid authority information guaranteeing a paid guaranteed printing amount by a purchasing user; add a value of the paid guaranteed printing amount relating to the corresponding paid authority information to a value of an allowable printing amount for the printing device; associate free authority information guaranteeing a free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the paid guaranteed printing amount with identification information of the printing device; receive a utilization application of the free authority information associated with the identification information of the printing device; and add a value of a utilized printing amount within the free guaranteed printing amount corresponding to the free authority information to the value of the allowable printing amount.