Antenna Placement for Multi-Standard Wireless Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face usability issues when trying to wirelessly communicate with portable devices using different short distance wireless communication standards, as the positions for NFC and BLE antennas are often distinct, making it difficult for users to determine where to place their devices for effective pairing.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a target portion with a mark on its outer cover, positioned below the operating unit, which houses both NFC and BLE antenna modules, ensuring that the communication terminal can be placed close to a single designated area for easy wireless communication regardless of the standard used, with the NFC antenna's range within the BLE antenna's range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas for different wireless communication standards are mounted at separate positions, then compatibility with multiple portable devices is improved, but usability deteriorates because users cannot easily determine where to place their devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple antenna systems (NFC antenna and BLE antenna) into a single integrated antenna unit located at one position on the image forming apparatus. This allows the apparatus to support multiple wireless communication standards while providing a single designated placement area for portable devices, thereby resolving the contradiction between multi-standard compatibility and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate antenna positions are provided, then support for different communication standards is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna systems into a single integrated unit, reducing the number of separate components and their corresponding mounting positions. This integration simplifies the overall structure while maintaining support for multiple wireless communication standards, effectively resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
3Reliability
If antenna placement areas are separated, then specific communication functions can be optimized, but the risk of accidental operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple antenna systems into a single integrated unit with one designated placement area. This reduces the likelihood of users accidentally initiating communication operations by placing devices in wrong locations, while still maintaining optimized communication functions for different standards through the integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an operating unit, including a display portion, for being operated by a user; an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet; an outer cover provided below the operating unit and constituting at least a part of the outer casing; a first antenna communicatable with a mobile communication terminal, the first antenna portion being provided at a position covered by the outer cover and below the operating unit; a second antenna communicatable with a mobile communication terminal having a communicatable range broader than that of the first antenna, and a target portion provided on the outer cover and functioning as a mark to which the mobile communication terminal is to be approached. The communicatable range of the first antenna portion is within the communicatable range of the second antenna portion.