Image Forming Apparatus Wireless Signal User Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses lack user-friendliness in automatically detecting and setting modes for users approaching the device, often requiring users to carry non-contact IC cards or operate complex interfaces, and struggle to identify specific users among multiple individuals.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a communication unit to detect and analyze wireless LAN radio waves from registered host devices, determining user identification and setting the device to the appropriate mode based on signal intensity and duration, eliminating the need for user operation or additional equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus uses non-contact IC cards for user identification, then user identification capability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring additional equipment and complex user actions
Solution Approach 1:
The communication unit automatically detects wireless LAN signals from host devices and performs user identification without requiring users to carry IC cards or perform any special operations. The system serves itself by autonomously acquiring user information through existing wireless communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the user identification function from the communication unit itself rather than requiring a separate IC card reading device. The communication unit leverages its existing wireless signal reception capability to identify users based on their host device signals, eliminating the need for dedicated identification hardware.
2Ease of operation
If the apparatus automatically detects users approaching, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity worsens due to requiring additional sensors or detection equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The communication unit performs multiple functions: it not only communicates with host devices for printing operations but also detects user approach and performs user identification. By making the communication unit multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate detection sensors or equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the user approach detection function and user identification function into the existing communication unit. Instead of adding separate sensors and processing systems, these functions are merged into the wireless communication infrastructure already present in the apparatus.
3Ease of manufacture
If the apparatus requires users to operate complex interfaces for mode setting, then manufacturing precision is improved through explicit user control, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting user approach and pre-setting the operating mode before the user actually operates the device. The communication unit identifies the user and configures appropriate settings in advance, so when the user approaches, the device is already prepared with correct modes, eliminating the need for complex interface operations.
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
This solution enhances user-friendliness by automatically configuring the device to the user's preferred settings before they can operate it, saving time and simplifying the user experience while maintaining a straightforward structure without additional costs or complex sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a communication unit (16), configured to receive from the host device (60) a wireless signal including a user identification information item (IUID) that is stored in the host device (60) and identifies the host device (60), and determine an intensity of the received wireless signal
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store identification information identifying an information terminal device and mode information indicating a mode corresponding to the information terminal device in association with each other; a communication unit configured to receive from the information terminal device a wireless signal including identification information that is stored in the information terminal device and identifies the information terminal device, and determine an intensity of the received wireless signal; and a control unit configured to, when determining that the determined intensity of the received wireless signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined intensity, read from the storage unit the mode information corresponding to the identification information included in the received wireless signal, and set the image forming apparatus to the mode indicated by the read mode information.