Automatic Data Backup via Beacon Signal Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data backup methods require user-initiated operations, making them inconvenient, especially when the necessity for backup is high, such as when the number of pictures on a smartphone increases, and may not execute automatically unless the user actively performs a backup function.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a beacon signal, like a Bluetooth communication standard, to automatically detect the presence of a device with a backup function and initiate notification or backup processing when the terminal apparatus approaches within a predetermined threshold distance, allowing for automatic data backup without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If backup is executed only when user actively performs operation, then user can control backup timing, but backup is not executed timely when necessity is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser controlVSAvoidbackup timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal apparatus automatically executes backup without requiring active user operation by monitoring its own state (storage full condition) and autonomously transmitting data to the printer, thereby resolving the contradiction between user control and timely backup execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the terminal apparatus's storage state monitoring to trigger automatic backup when the storage is full, ensuring timely backup execution while maintaining user control through prior settings or automatic mode selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If automatic backup is implemented, then backup executes timely without user intervention, but user may not understand backup function benefits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup timingVSAvoiduser awareness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal apparatus performs preliminary monitoring of its storage state and proactively initiates backup before the storage becomes completely full, ensuring timely backup execution while the user can still understand the function's benefits through notifications or status indicators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system acts as an intermediary by providing notifications or status information to the user about the automatic backup process, maintaining user awareness of the function's benefits while still executing backup automatically without active user intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If beacon signal is used for detection, then device presence is detected automatically, but communication load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice detectionVSAvoidcommunication load

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal apparatus periodically monitors beacon signals from the printer rather than continuously communicating, achieving automatic device detection while reducing communication load and energy consumption through interval-based monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables convenient and automatic data backup by eliminating the need for complex user operations, ensuring timely backups even when the user is unaware of the backup function or its benefits, and optimizing network usage by reducing the load during printing operations.

Implementation Method 1

a communication unit that receives a beacon signal from an electronic apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeacon signal transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11163648B2Computer-readable recording medium in which program is recorded, terminal apparatus, and communication system

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

There is provided a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium in which a program is recorded, the program causing a computer to function as: a communication unit that receives a beacon signal from an electronic apparatus; and a processing unit that controls communication of the communication unit, in which the processing unit performs notification processing of a backup function of backup data into the electronic apparatus in a case where it is determined that the electronic apparatus from which the beacon signal is transmitted is an apparatus having a backup function and that a distance from the electronic apparatus is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value based on a reception radio wave intensity of the beacon signal.