Handy Terminal Master Slave Kitting Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for setting up and managing information terminals, such as kitting, are cumbersome and inefficient, particularly in associating terminal IDs with individual devices, requiring manual registration and extensive device configuration, leading to increased time and resource consumption.

Innovation Solution

A terminal management system where one handy terminal acts as a master device to configure and manage multiple slave devices using either two-dimensional code scanning or direct wireless LAN communication, allowing for the association of terminal IDs with serial numbers and storage of setting information in a management register list without the need for an access point or server.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual registration and extensive device configuration are used for kitting, then terminal settings can be individually customized, but the setup time and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekitting processVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables terminals to perform self-configuration through automatic settings. When a terminal is powered on for the first time, it automatically acquires settings from a server without manual intervention, including wireless LAN parameters, scanner configurations, and application installations. This eliminates the need for manual kitting operations while maintaining full customization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Settings are prepared and stored on the server in advance before the terminal is deployed. The terminal simply needs to connect to the server automatically upon first power-on to retrieve pre-configured settings. This preliminary preparation eliminates time-consuming manual configuration during deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If MDM technique with server communication is used to associate terminal ID with serial number, then terminal identification accuracy improves, but device complexity and configuration burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal identification accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal automatically performs identification and association with the server without manual configuration. Upon first power-on, the terminal automatically transmits its serial number to the server, receives authentication, and has the terminal ID associated with the serial number automatically. This eliminates manual kitting operations while maintaining accurate identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of attaching labels and performing physical configuration is replaced with automated electronic communication. The terminal uses its built-in communication capabilities to automatically exchange identification information with the server, eliminating the need for manual label attachment and physical configuration operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If barcode scanning and printing are used for setting information transfer, then setting accuracy improves, but the number of required devices and operational steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting information accuracyVSAvoidnumber of required devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical barcode scanning and printing system is replaced with wireless communication. The terminal uses its built-in wireless communication capabilities to automatically transmit and receive setting information directly from the server, eliminating the need for barcode printers, scanners, and associated hardware infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal's built-in wireless communication interface serves multiple functions: it enables automatic settings acquisition, terminal identification, authentication, and application installation. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated devices for each function, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3588858B1Information terminal and program

Publication Date: 2022.01.05 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary

A handy terminal 10A includes a providing means which provides setting information to be applied by handy terminals 10B to 10E, an obtaining means which obtains individual identification information from the handy terminals 10B to 10E to which the setting information was provided, and a registration means which associates the obtained individual identification information of the handy terminals 10B to 10E with the setting information provided to the handy terminals 10B to 10E and registers the individual identification information and the setting information as management register information. The handy terminal 10A obtains the individual identification information by reading first symbols displayed by the handy terminals 10B to 10E based on the setting information provided to the handy terminals 10B to 10E.