Autonomous Document Scanning via Wireless Session Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming devices require user input to switch between scan and print modes when a USB memory is connected, limiting autonomous operation and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A function performing apparatus and communication apparatus system that uses wireless communication interfaces (Wi-Fi and NFC) to automatically detect document presence and initiate scanning without user instruction, by establishing a communication session and sending scan instructions based on document status, allowing for autonomous scanning and image data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the device requires user input to switch between scan and print modes, then the device can accurately determine user intent, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidtime for mode switching

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically detects document presence using a sensor and autonomously determines whether to perform scanning or printing operations without requiring user input for mode selection. The control unit judges the operation mode based on detection results, enabling the device to serve itself and eliminate manual mode switching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs preliminary detection of document presence before the user issues a command. By detecting whether a document is placed on the document table in advance, the device prepares the appropriate operation mode (scan or print) beforehand, so that when the user simply presses a single button, the pre-determined operation executes immediately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the device automatically scans when a document is detected, then the productivity increases, but the device may perform unwanted scans when no document is present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning efficiencyVSAvoidscan accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously receives feedback from the document detecting sensor about whether a document is present on the document table. Based on this real-time feedback, the control unit dynamically adjusts the operation mode - enabling automatic scanning only when a document is detected, and disabling it when no document is present, thus preventing unwanted scans while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9807271B2Function performing apparatus, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions for communication apparatus, and communication apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A function performing apparatus may perform: judging whether the function performing apparatus is in a placed state or a non-placed state; causing a scan performing unit to perform a scanning of the document, in a first case where a communication session is established while the function performing apparatus is in the placed state; not causing the scanner to perform the scanning of the document, in a second case where the communication session is established while the function performing apparatus is in the non-placed state; creating, in a case where the scanning of the document is performed, image data based on a scan result obtained from the scanner; and sending the created image data to a communication apparatus via an interface by using a wireless network.