Server Consumable Notification System with Escalation Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users may fail to order new consumable articles due to unread warning emails, leading to insufficient supplies, as existing systems rely solely on email notifications without secondary reminders.

Innovation Solution

A server system that sends a first notification via email when consumable levels reach a threshold and a second notification using a different communication method if the initial notification is not responded to, ensuring the user is reminded to order replacements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single email notification method is used to prompt consumable article orders, then the notification system is simple and easy to implement, but the user may not read the notification leading to insufficient consumable supplies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsumable supply sufficiencyVSAvoidnotification system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system dynamically adapts its communication method based on user response. It starts with email notification and transitions to terminal device notification if the user does not respond, making the system flexible and adaptive rather than static

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by monitoring whether the user has read or responded to the first notification. Based on this feedback, it determines whether to send a second notification through an alternative communication channel, creating a closed-loop notification system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If multiple notification methods are implemented to ensure users read the notification, then consumable supply sufficiency is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenotification delivery reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification process is segmented into two distinct stages: first notification via email and second notification via terminal device. Each segment uses an appropriate communication method for its specific purpose, dividing the overall notification task into manageable parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by sending the first notification through email before resorting to more complex terminal device notifications. This preliminary attempt uses a simpler, less intrusive method before escalating to more direct communication channels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11354552B2Server, non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable instructions for server, and method executed by server

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

The server may receive consumable article information including usage information from an external device and determine by using the usage information included in the consumable article information whether a first notification condition is satisfied. In a case where it is determined that the first notification condition is satisfied, the server may send by using a first communication method a first notification for prompting an order of a new consumable article to external. After the first notification has been sent to external, the server may determine whether a second notification condition is satisfied. In a case where it is determined that the second notification condition is satisfied, the server may send by using a second communication method a second notification for prompting the order of the new consumable article to external.