Ink Jet Recording Apparatus Communication Unit Protocol Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording apparatuses face challenges when communicating with devices using different protocols, requiring costly protocol changes or converters, and existing solutions do not account for increased device connections or user-developed protocols, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a program storage unit with a communication program area that supports multiple protocols and an extension area for user-installable software, allowing seamless communication with higher-level devices without modifying the higher-level device, by using pre-installed and user-created external communication protocol function programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a communication protocol converter is introduced to enable communication between devices with different protocols, then communication compatibility is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ink jet recording apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple communication protocols (USB, Ethernet, wireless) natively, eliminating the need for external protocol converters. The communication unit can directly handle different protocols without requiring additional conversion devices, thus maintaining communication compatibility while avoiding the cost and complexity of converters.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple communication protocol support functions are merged into the single ink jet recording apparatus itself, rather than using separate converter devices. The communication unit integrates capabilities to handle USB, Ethernet, and wireless protocols simultaneously, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate devices into one unified system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If communication protocols are diversified to support more devices, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication unit is segmented into distinct functional modules, each handling a specific communication protocol (USB module, Ethernet module, wireless module). This modular segmentation allows the system to support multiple protocols without creating a monolithic complex structure, as each protocol handler operates as an independent functional unit that can be managed separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication unit employs dynamic protocol selection and activation, where different communication protocols can be enabled or disabled based on the connection requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain support for multiple protocols while keeping the active complexity manageable by only activating the necessary protocol handlers for each specific communication scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording apparatus which is able to be operated by communication from a higher-level device includes a printing head that ejects ink, a communication unit which is able to perform communicating with the higher-level device, a program storage unit that stores a program, and a printing control unit that controls the printing head, and the program storage unit includes a communication program storage area in which a program corresponding to a predetermined communication protocol is stored in advance, and the program storage unit includes an extension area in which a program corresponding to a communication protocol different from the predetermined communication protocol is installable.