Remote Printing Device Status Monitoring via Automated Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for retrieving life meters for copiers, printers, and MFP devices are cumbersome, requiring onsite visits or extensive end-user interaction, and lack efficient remote management capabilities for status monitoring and consumable tracking.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a local network with diagnostic units on printing devices, a connecting device for data collection, and a remote processor for processing and storing data in a digital repository, enabling remote monitoring, asset discovery, and cost analysis through a communication server network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If manual download and installation of application is required, then device status information can be collected, but end user interaction and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the printing device to automatically detect its own status, collect consumption data, and transmit information without requiring end user intervention. The device autonomously performs asset discovery, meter reading, and data transmission to the remote server, eliminating the need for users to manually download applications or provide status information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (physical visits, manual data entry, telephone reporting) with automated electronic systems. The printing device automatically communicates status information through network protocols to a remote server, substituting human-mediated data collection with automated digital transmission and processing.
2Measurement precision
If onsite visits are conducted to retrieve life meters, then accurate device status can be obtained, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical onsite visits with automated remote communication. The printing device automatically transmits life meter and status information through network protocols to a remote server, eliminating the need for physical travel and manual data retrieval while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous automated data collection without interruption. Instead of periodic onsite visits, the device continuously monitors and transmits status information, ensuring always-up-to-date records without time loss associated with travel and manual measurement.
3Extent of automation
If remote management system is implemented, then automated data collection is enabled, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal multi-functional components that handle multiple tasks. The printing device's built-in communication module serves multiple purposes: status monitoring, data collection, asset discovery, and automated transmission. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to dedicated separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary that simplifies the architecture. The server handles complex data processing, storage, and analysis functions, allowing the printing device to remain relatively simple. This intermediary approach distributes complexity to a centralized system that can be optimized independently.
4Measurement precision
If comprehensive status monitoring is implemented, then consumable tracking accuracy improves, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts complex data processing functions from the printing device and relocates them to a remote server. The device simply collects and transmits raw data, while the server performs comprehensive analysis, consumption calculations, and status monitoring. This extraction reduces processing complexity at the device level while maintaining tracking accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote server acts as an intermediary that handles complex information processing. It receives raw data from the printing device, performs comprehensive analysis and calculations, then presents simplified results. This intermediary approach maintains measurement precision while concentrating complexity in a centralized system better suited for handling complex computations.
Data Source
AI summary
The system comprises a local network including several printing devices provided with a diagnostic unit collecting various device working data's; and at least a connecting device connecting a plurality of printing devices, whereby the connecting device is adapted for collecting data's from a plurality of printing devices and for storing said data's in a digital repository, whereby said digital repository is in a form readable by a processor comprising instructions for treating at least some data's of the digital repository.