Printer Selection via BLE Beacon Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems do not adequately select the most efficient printer for quick printing results, as displaying printer congestion information via network communication can lead to data transmission congestion.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that receives a beacon signal with data amount information from printers and measures distance using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication, allowing for the selection of printers based on data amount and proximity to minimize user wait time and avoid network congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If network communication is used to acquire printer congestion information, then printer status information can be obtained, but network transmission path becomes congested and printing data transmission is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces beacon signals as an intermediary communication mechanism. Instead of using the main network path for status queries, printers periodically broadcast congestion information through beacon signals that contain data amount information. This intermediary approach allows status acquisition without burdening the primary printing data transmission path, thus resolving the contradiction between obtaining printer status and maintaining transmission speed.
2Loss of information
If only printer congestion information is displayed, then users can see printer status, but users cannot quickly obtain printing results considering both congestion and user movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the information parameters displayed on the operation screen beyond just congestion data. It incorporates distance information from the user to each printer, creating a composite evaluation that considers both printer status (data amount) and user convenience (distance). This parameter expansion allows users to make optimized decisions that minimize total time including both printing processing time and user movement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously updating the operation screen with both congestion information and distance information. This real-time feedback loop enables users to see how their selection decisions affect overall printing time, allowing them to choose printers that optimize the combination of processing speed and physical accessibility.
3Productivity
If users select printers based on congestion information only, then network transmission efficiency is considered, but user movement time is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The operation screen serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays network transmission status (congestion information) and spatial information (distance to printers). By integrating these different types of information in one interface, the system enables users to make decisions that balance both network efficiency and personal convenience, rather than requiring separate displays or calculations for each factor.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus transmits printing data to a printing apparatus and includes: a beacon reception unit that receives a beacon signal including data amount information indicating an amount of data of a printing standby job accumulated in the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus; a distance measurement unit that measures a distance from the printing apparatus which is a transmission source of the beacon signal based on the beacon signal; and a selection unit that selects a printing apparatus which is a transmission destination of the printing data based on the distance and the data amount information of each printing apparatus.