Service Provision Server Authority Hierarchy Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing service provision systems for image forming apparatuses, such as printers, fail to efficiently tailor services to users based on their hierarchical levels and user groups, leading to inconsistent and unnecessary service delivery.

Innovation Solution

A server system that determines user levels and groups within a hierarchy structure, allowing higher-level users to set authorities and services for lower-level users, enabling personalized service provision through application, banner, communication, and notification services tailored to specific user groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If services are provided to all users without differentiation, then service coverage is maximized, but service efficiency deteriorates due to delivery of unnecessary services

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice efficiencyVSAvoidservice customization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments users into different hierarchical levels (e.g., administrator, manager, user) and user groups based on their roles and authorities. The service provision server divides service delivery into targeted segments rather than universal delivery, matching services to specific user segments' needs and authorities, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies local quality by providing different service levels and types to different user groups based on their specific needs and authorities. Each user group receives services tailored to their local context and requirements, rather than a uniform service approach, optimizing resource allocation and service effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If hierarchical authority management is implemented, then service customization is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice customizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service provision server acts as an intermediary that manages hierarchical authority relationships between different user groups. It mediates service delivery by automatically determining which services should be provided to which user groups based on pre-defined authority levels, simplifying the complexity of hierarchical management for end users while maintaining high service customization capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining user hierarchies, authorities, and service mappings before actual service delivery. User groups and their associated services are configured in advance, allowing the system to automatically match services to users without real-time complex decision-making, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If services are tailored to specific user groups, then service relevance is improved, but service delivery time increases due to determination processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice relevanceVSAvoidservice delivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration of user groups, hierarchical authorities, and service mappings before service delivery. This pre-processing ensures that when services need to be delivered, the system can quickly match users to appropriate services based on pre-established rules, maintaining high relevance while minimizing delivery time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where service delivery performance and user responses are monitored. This feedback allows the system to optimize service matching rules and hierarchical configurations over time, improving both service relevance and delivery efficiency by learning from actual service interactions and user needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3476081B1Providing service according to user authority
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP3476081B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3476081B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3476081B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A server may determine, with respect to a user who has accessed the server, a user level within a hierarchy structure and a user group to which the user belongs. The server may determine, according to an authority that is set by a manager at a level higher than that of the user within the user group with respect to the user level of the user, a service level of a service that is to be provided to the user. The server may provide the service to the user according to the service level.