Server Dynamic Variable Rate Benefit Provision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing device reward systems fail to provide flexible benefits tailored to diverse user printing styles and requirements, as they only adjust points based on each print execution without considering varying user needs.

Innovation Solution

A server system that communicates with printing devices to acquire usage information, determining variable rates for point awards and rewards based on specific usage states, allowing for flexible benefit provision services by adjusting point values and redemption rates dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If points are adjusted based on each print execution, then the system can provide feedback for environmentally friendly printing, but it cannot provide flexible benefits tailored to diverse user printing styles and requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of benefit provisionVSAvoidcomplexity of point adjustment system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic benefit provision by adjusting point award rates and redemption rates based on usage state information. The system transitions from static fixed rates to dynamic variable rates that change according to user behavior patterns, printing conditions, and environmental factors, enabling flexible adaptation to diverse user needs while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated rate determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters including point award rates, point redemption rates, and benefit amounts based on usage state information. By modifying these parameters dynamically according to printing conditions, user preferences, and environmental factors, the system provides tailored benefits without requiring complex manual configuration, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If variable rates are used to provide detailed benefits, then user-specific benefits can be provided, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser-specific benefit customizationVSAvoidcomplexity of rate determination system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining and adjusting benefit rates based on usage state information without requiring manual user configuration. The server autonomously analyzes printing patterns, user behavior, and environmental factors to calculate optimal point award and redemption rates, providing user-specific benefits while avoiding the complexity of manual system configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where usage state information from printing devices is continuously monitored and fed back to the server. This feedback loop enables the system to learn from user behavior patterns and automatically adjust benefit rates accordingly, providing customized benefits while using automated feedback processing to manage system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If points are awarded based on fixed rates, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot incentivize users to optimize their printing habits effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of printing habit optimizationVSAvoidsimplicity of point award system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static fixed point award rates to dynamic variable rates that automatically adjust based on usage state information. This dynamic approach enables effective incentivization of optimized printing habits through higher rewards for environmentally friendly practices, while the automated determination process maintains operational simplicity for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback from usage state monitoring to automatically adjust point award rates, creating an incentive structure that responds to user behavior. This feedback mechanism effectively incentivizes optimized printing habits by providing higher rewards for environmentally friendly practices, while the automated feedback processing maintains system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20230316323A1Server performing benefit provision process to provide benefit by using variable rate

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

In a server, a storage stores correlation information correlating a specific amount of print resources with a specific price. The computer instructs a printing device to execute printing, and acquires usage information for a user of the printing device from the printing device. A computer performs one of a first and second processes. The first process includes a process to determine a first variable rate which varies between the first usage state and the second usage state, and a process to award number of points calculated on the basis of the first variable rate and the specific price. The second process includes a process to determine a second variable rate which varies between the first usage state and the second usage state, and a process to provide the user with an amount of reward calculated on the basis of the second variable rate and the specific price.