Printing Job Management System with User Restriction and Billing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems lack the ability for administrators to impose restrictions on user printing and manage billing effectively, especially in distributed printing scenarios where users print from various devices outside the company network.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that includes a terminal device, a mobile terminal, and an information processing device, which allows users to create and transmit printing jobs with user information, sets a destination for the printing job based on device identification, and manages printing usage information to enforce restrictions and billing through a server-based management system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users can operate any printer registered on the server without restriction, then printing accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but administrative control and billing management capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments printing operations into two distinct phases: job submission (by terminal device) and job execution (by mobile terminal after authentication). This segmentation allows different access levels and control mechanisms for different user scenarios, enabling both unrestricted access for authorized users and controlled access for billing management.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary between users and printers, mediating all printing operations. The server receives printing jobs, manages authentication, controls job release, and handles billing calculations. This intermediary role enables the system to maintain both user accessibility and administrative control through centralized management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If printing jobs are stored on the server for later retrieval, then printing flexibility and adaptability are improved, but system complexity and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing printing jobs on the server with associated user information and authentication data. This preliminary storage enables flexible retrieval and execution at any time through the mobile terminal, while the server maintains security through centralized credential management and controlled job release mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing device includes: a first communicator that receives a printing job including user information; a storage that stores the printing job received by the first communicator; a second communicator that receives a printing request including the user information and identification information of a printing device; a controller that acquires, from the storage, the printing job including the user information included in the printing request and sets a destination of the acquired printing job to the printing device corresponding to the identification information of the printing device included in the printing request; and a management unit that manages printing usage information for each of one or more pieces of user information, in which the second communicator transmits the printing job.