Relay Server for External User Authentication and Billing in Printing Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems connected to networks lack efficient mechanisms for authenticating and charging external users, leading to potential unauthorized use and complex cost management.
Innovation Solution
A relay server is introduced to facilitate authentication and cost charging by connecting a first printing service system with a second printing service system, enabling authentication control, printing job management, and storage of printing history information, including external user data, to manage access and billing for external users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication printing is implemented to prevent unauthorized use, then system security is improved, but the complexity of charging external users increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay server as an intermediary component that bridges the first printing service system and the second printing service system. This relay server handles authentication completion information and printing history information acquisition, acting as a mediator that simplifies the charging process for external users while maintaining security requirements. The relay server stores and manages authentication status and printing history, enabling automated billing without manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external users are permitted to use the printing system, then system versatility is improved, but the difficulty of cost management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the relay server continuously acquires printing history information from the second printing service system and stores it in association with authentication completion information. This feedback loop enables automated tracking of external user printing activities, allowing for accurate cost calculation and management. The system automatically collects data on printing jobs executed by external users and makes this information available for billing purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service functionality by automatically managing authentication and printing history tracking without requiring manual intervention for each printing job. The relay server autonomously acquires authentication completion information, stores printing history, and makes billing data available, reducing the administrative burden of cost management while allowing external users to access the system independently.
3Measurement precision
If printing history information is stored for external users, then billing accuracy is improved, but data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data storage function by introducing a relay server that specifically handles printing history information for external users, separate from the main printing service systems. This segmentation allows for organized storage of authentication completion information and printing history information in association with each other, enabling precise billing calculations. The relay server acts as a dedicated data repository that collects and manages only the necessary billing-related information.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay server 300 according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an authentication controller 331 that acquires authentication completion information indicating that a first printing service system 100 completes authentication, a printing controller 335 that acquires printing job information from the first printing service system 100 and transmits a request to cause an image forming device 600 to execute printing for the printing job information to a second printing service system 200, a storage 310 that acquires job state information corresponding to the printing job information from the second printing service system 200 and stores printing history information corresponding to the job state information, and a printing history information acquisition unit that acquires printing history information on the image forming device 600 from the storage 310. The printing history information includes external user information that is information on a user belonging to an organization different from an organization to which the image forming device 600 belongs.