Communication Apparatus Approach Detection Key Disabling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication apparatuses, such as multi-function peripherals (MFPs), risk performing unintended operations when a user's hand accidentally touches their operation panel while a mobile terminal is in close proximity, due to short distance wireless communication.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a controller that detects the approach of a mobile terminal and disables specific operation keys within a predetermined range to prevent unintended operations, using a combination of approach detection and disabling processing to minimize key disabling while ensuring user safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operation panel is made accessible for easy operation, then ease of operation is improved, but unintended operations occur when mobile terminal is in close proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the operational state of the operation panel changeable based on detected conditions. The controller dynamically switches the operation panel between enabled and disabled states according to whether a mobile terminal is detected in close proximity, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to current operational context and prevent unintended operations while maintaining ease of operation when needed
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the operation panel is disabled to prevent unintended operations, then unintended operations are prevented, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of the operation panel based on real-time detection of mobile terminals. When a mobile terminal is detected within a threshold distance, the operation panel is disabled to prevent unintended operations. When the mobile terminal moves beyond the threshold, the operation panel is re-enabled to maintain ease of operation. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by applying restrictions only when necessary
3Reliability
If a fixed disabling range is used to prevent unintended operations, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic disabling range that adjusts based on the detected position of the mobile terminal. Instead of using a fixed disabling zone, the controller calculates the distance between the mobile terminal and the operation panel, and dynamically determines the disabling range accordingly. This approach maintains reliability by preventing unintended operations while reducing device complexity by utilizing existing position detection capabilities rather than requiring separate fixed-range sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus includes: a communicating device configured to communicate with a mobile terminal according to a short distance wireless communication standard; at least one input receiver each configured to receive an input; and a controller configured to execute a processing related to the input received by the at least one input receiver. The controller is configured to execute: an approach detection processing in which the controller detects an approach of the mobile terminal to the communicating device; and a disabling processing in which the controller disables at least a portion of the at least one input receiver in response to detection of the approach of the mobile terminal in the approach detection processing.