Printing Permission Logic for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing apparatuses are unable to perform printing processes when the sum of printed sheets exceeds the contracted upper limit, leading to halted operations unless the prescribed period elapses or payment is made.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a controller that manages mode information, upper limit information, and actual print sheet numbers, allowing printing permission even when the sum of specified and actual print sheet numbers exceeds the upper limit, as long as the actual print sheet number is below the limit, enabling printing without waiting for the period to elapse or payment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the printing apparatus strictly enforces the upper limit of print sheet numbers during a contract period, then contract compliance is maintained, but printing operations are halted when the limit is reached even if actual usage is below the limit
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by checking the actual print sheet number already printed during the contract period before making the printing permission decision. This preliminary action allows the system to anticipate that strict enforcement would incorrectly halt operations, and proactively adjust the judgment logic to permit printing when actual usage is below the limit, even if the sum exceeds the contracted upper limit.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the judgment parameter from comparing the sum of specified and actual print sheet numbers against the upper limit, to comparing only the actual print sheet number against the upper limit. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by making the enforcement accurate to actual usage while maintaining contract compliance.
2Reliability
If the printing apparatus requires waiting for the contract period to elapse or payment to be made before permitting printing, then contract terms are enforced, but operational efficiency is reduced due to halts
Solution Approach 1:
The printing apparatus performs self-verification by internally checking the actual print sheet number against the upper limit using its own recorded data, without requiring external validation through payment processing or waiting for contract period expiration. This self-service mechanism eliminates time loss while maintaining contract enforcement through accurate tracking of actual usage.
3Reliability
If the printing apparatus uses the sum of specified and actual print sheet numbers for permission judgment, then contract upper limit is protected, but false rejections occur when actual print sheet number is below the limit
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the actual print sheet number from the sum calculation and uses it as the sole basis for permission judgment. By taking out the specified print sheet number from the comparison, the system eliminates the source of false rejections while maintaining upper limit protection through accurate tracking of actual usage against the contracted limit.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main memory, and a controller. The main memory stores mode information indicating whether the image forming apparatus is set to a contract mode, an upper limit to which printing can be performed during a prescribed period, and an actual print sheet number actually printed during the prescribed period. The controller performs a printing permission process in a case that mode information indicates the contract mode and the actual print sheet number is less than the upper limit when the controller receives a print job even in a case that a sum of a specific print sheet number specified in advance in the print job and the actual print sheet number is greater than the upper limit. The printing permission process permits printing for the specific sheet number as a permission print sheet number.