1. MyTriz Competition 2012
Part 3

2. Question
• Part 3: (contribute 50% to the total score)
Select one of the problems that you have
encountered. Try to visualize and document the
problem. Solve the identified problem using TRIZ
process & tools. Note that the problem should
have a certain level of complexity with impact or
benefits if solved. Write down the assumption
and boundary condition, if any in the steps to
solve the problem.

3. Typical
problem
solving
process flow

4. Problem Statement
Hard copy text books are part of the study materials;
however most of the university students prefer to
photocopy the text book rather than purchase the
original copy. The main reason was the cost of the text
books are too expensive to purchase. On the other
hand, the entrepreneurs, who runs the Photostat shop
seem making more money with huge demand on
photocopy of the text book. The copyright act aims to
protect the works of the authors and publishers have
been ignored.

5. Benefits and/or impact if problem is
solved
• The authors’ works are being protected from the
unethical entrepreneurs who reproduce the original
text bank into photocopy unit.
• Royalty for authors are more secured through
producing their works and sharing knowledge.
• Students will be exposed to the original copy and thus
it will develop the knowledge of ethical issue compared
to students holding photocopy unit.
• Reduce the frequency of the text book being
photocopied.

6. TRIZ process used

7. Identify the TRIZ tools used and why
it is being used
• Engineering Contradiction - Contradiction Matrix
Based on problem statement, to avoid student from
photocopy the text books, incentive principal 30 can be
applied: Flexible shells and thin films, improving the
features by add in thin films on every pages of the text
book to reduce the chances on the text book being
photocopied.
Once the book placed on the photocopy machine, the thin
film on the pages will reflects the ultra-light from the
Photostat machine lens hence it will not snap the text from
the text book’s pages.
On other hand, the worsen features; it might increase the
thickness of the pages as well as the cost involved.

8. Identify the TRIZ tools used and why
it is being used
• S-Curve

9. Identify the TRIZ tools used and why
it is being used
• S-Curve
The reason that we apply the multiple s-curve is
to show the new system change and adapt it to
the highly specialized field (the technology such
as laptop and ipad). On top of that, improving
functionality requires a disproportionate amount
of resources (go environment friendly, save the
tree).

10. Potential solutions
• Principle 1 “Segmentation” shall be applied by dividing
the system into independent parts such as propose
market segmentation to student. Means, clustering
prospective students into groups that have common
needs (student with same subjects)
• Principle 3 “Local quality”. Look on for local authors
and produce local books which is much cheaper
compared to other well know publisher.
• Principle 5 “Merging”. Cross selling the original books
in sets with discounted packages (e.g. 1+1 for price of 1
unit).

11. Potential solutions
• Principle 15 “Dynamization” can be applied by
implementing flexible policy for price of book versus
quantity of books.
• Principle 17 “Another dimension”. Plan on multiple
source of information that able to reach students such
as, e-book, virtual modeling, digital version.
• Principle 20 “Continuing of useful action”. Nurturing
students loyalty towards copyright issues and
originality.
• Principle 23 “Feedback”. Listen to students feedback on
the photocopy.

12. Potential solutions
• Principle 26 “ (inverted). Anti-copying”. Build
awareness among students on unethical and
negative associations in photocopying books.
• Principle 27 “Cheap short-living object”. Educate
student to buy second-hand books from senior
students.
• Principle 35 “Parameter changes”. Change the
concentration or consistency by introducing
virtual purchase (e.g. Amazon.com) or special
offers during book fair in campus.