Switching Contracted Image Forming Devices Without Service Disruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience when switching contracted image forming devices, as they cannot use the fixed price service during the period between canceling the old device contract and receiving contracted consumables for the new device, leading to a service disruption.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows the information processing apparatus to accept a request for switching the contracted device, enabling the new device to use contracted consumables immediately while allowing the old device to continue using existing consumables for a predetermined period, thereby minimizing service disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the contract is canceled with the old device and a new contract is concluded with the new device, then the switching of contracted device is completed, but the user cannot use the fixed price service during the period between cancellation and receiving contracted consumables
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by allowing the new device to be registered and activated for the fixed price service before the old device contract is fully canceled. The information processing apparatus stores the new device information in advance and prepares the contracted consumables allocation beforehand, so that when the switch occurs, there is no service interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous service availability by allowing the user to use the fixed price service with the new device during the transition period. The information processing apparatus maintains the service entitlement active while the physical consumables are being transferred or allocated to the new device, eliminating gaps in useful action.
2Reliability
If the contracted consumables are exclusively associated with the contracted device, then the appropriate use of contracted consumables is secured, but the user experiences service disruption when switching devices
Solution Approach 1:
The information processing apparatus acts as an intermediary that manages the association between contracted consumables and devices. It stores device information, manages contract data, and coordinates the transfer of consumables between devices, allowing the exclusivity requirement to be maintained while facilitating smooth device switching through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically updates the association between contracted consumables and devices. When a device switch is requested, the information processing apparatus dynamically reassigns the consumable entitlement from the old device to the new device, maintaining the one-to-one association rule while adapting to the changing device configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes an accepting step of causing an information processing apparatus to accept a request for switching a contracted device from a first image forming apparatus to a second image forming apparatus, the contracted device being an image forming apparatus allowed to use contracted consumables accommodating printing materials based on a contract, an enablement-establishing step of causing the information processing apparatus to establish a first enabled state in which the second image forming apparatus is allowed to use a contracted consumables, in response to acceptance of the request, and an enablement-continuing step of causing the information processing apparatus to establish a second enabled state in which the first image forming apparatus is allowed to continuously use the contracted consumables that has been previously used in the first image forming apparatus for a predetermined period, in response to acceptance of the request.