Usage Amount Management System with Period Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for managing the usage amount of multifunction devices, such as printing sheets, face challenges in balancing short-term ease of management with the need to adapt to changing usage patterns, often leading to administrative overload and inefficiencies in resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a usage amount management system that divides a first period into multiple second periods, allowing for the allocation and carryover of remaining usage amounts, enabling more flexible and efficient management by transmitting executability information and updating usage amounts based on requests, thereby optimizing resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a predetermined period for usage amount management is set as a relatively long period (e.g., one year), then the total cost of ownership can be reduced through comprehensive management, but individual users and administrators become overloaded with management of usage amounts

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTotal cost of ownershipVSAvoidEase of usage amount management

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a long predetermined period (first period) into multiple shorter second periods. This segmentation allows usage amounts to be managed in smaller, more manageable intervals while still achieving comprehensive long-term cost control. The upper limit value set for the first period is allocated across multiple second periods, making individual period management easier while maintaining overall TCO reduction goals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a predetermined period for usage amount management is set as a relatively short period, then ease of management is improved, but it becomes impossible to cope with changes in usage amount according to times

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEase of usage amount managementVSAvoidAdaptability to usage amount changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic usage amount management system where remaining usable amounts from past second periods can be carried forward to subsequent periods. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing usage patterns over time while maintaining ease of management within each short period. The carryforward mechanism provides flexibility to cope with usage amount changes according to times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of time

If the predetermined period is extended to reduce administrative burden, then long-term cost control is improved, but responsiveness to user demands and usage pattern changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAdministrative burdenVSAvoidResponsiveness to user demands

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the long first period into multiple shorter second periods, the system reduces the administrative burden of managing large usage amounts while maintaining long-term cost control. Each short period is easier to manage administratively, yet the cumulative effect across all periods achieves the desired long-term TCO reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary allocation of the upper limit value across multiple second periods before usage occurs. This preliminary action allows for proactive resource allocation and planning, enabling the system to respond more effectively to user demands and usage pattern changes while maintaining overall cost control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If usage amounts are strictly managed within each short period without carryforward, then ease of tracking is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEase of usage amount trackingVSAvoidResource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the remaining usable amount from each second period is calculated and carried forward to the next period. This feedback loop allows the system to track usage amounts effectively while optimizing resource utilization. The transmitter provides feedback information to the request source about availability, enabling informed decisions about resource allocation and usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9946499B1Information processing apparatus, function usage amount management system, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a transmitter and an update unit. The transmitter refers to a memory in response to an availability determination request with designation of a requested usage amount of a function. The memory stores a usable amount for each of second periods which are set by dividing a first period into plural periods. An upper limit value of a usage amount of the function which it is not allowed to exceed being set to the first period. The usable amount for each of the second periods is set as an initial value by allocating the upper limit value to the second periods. The transmitter transmits executability information to a request source of the availability determination request when the function in the requested usage amount is executable. The update unit updates the usable amounts stored in the memory based on the requested usage amount.