Mobile Device Mediator for Printer Selection in Multi-Device Print Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

In office environments with multiple image forming apparatuses, users face difficulty in efficiently identifying and selecting the desired printer among a plurality of compatible devices for print data transmission, as existing short-range wireless communication techniques do not facilitate easy identification of the appropriate device.

Innovation Solution

A print processing system that utilizes a mobile device as a medium for transmitting information between a terminal device and image forming apparatuses, allowing users to physically move to the intended printer, with the mobile device writing necessary information for print data transmission, enabling seamless communication and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users rely on existing short-range wireless communication techniques to select printers, then wireless communication capability is maintained, but users face difficulty in efficiently identifying and selecting the desired printer among multiple compatible devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of printer selectionVSAvoidprinter identification information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device serves as an intermediary between the terminal device and image forming apparatuses. It carries printed matter containing identification information and transmits this information to the terminal device, enabling users to easily identify and select the desired printer without directly interacting with multiple wireless communication devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical printer selection methods (direct wireless communication between terminal and printer) with a paper-based identification system. Users physically handle printed matter with the mobile device to obtain printer identification information, substituting electronic direct communication with a physical information carrier approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple image forming apparatuses are installed in the office, then printing flexibility and availability are improved, but users face difficulty in efficiently identifying and selecting the desired printer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting flexibilityVSAvoidease of printer selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the printer selection process into two distinct parts: (1) physical printed matter containing identification information that users can handle and review, and (2) electronic transmission of this information via mobile device to the terminal. This segmentation allows multiple printers to be available while providing a clear, manageable interface for selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device acts as a mediator that bridges the physical printed matter and the electronic printer selection system. It captures or reads the printed identification information and transmits it to the terminal device, enabling users to leverage both physical handling and electronic processing for efficient printer selection among multiple options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If users manually identify and select printers from multiple options, then printer selection capability is maintained, but operational efficiency is reduced due to the complexity of the selection process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidtime for printer selection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-printing identification information on physical printed matter before the user needs to select a printer. This allows users to review and identify the desired printer in advance using the printed information, eliminating the need for real-time searching or complex selection procedures when printing is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes manual printer identification and selection processes with an automated information transmission system. Users simply handle the printed matter with their mobile device, which automatically captures and transmits the identification information, replacing time-consuming manual selection with a streamlined automated process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11736645B2Print processing system that transmits print data from terminal device to one of plurality of image forming apparatuses, according to information written in memory of mobile device

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A print processing system includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a terminal device, and a mobile device. A first controller of the terminal device is capable of writing information necessary for transmitting the print data, in the memory of the mobile device. A second controller of the image forming apparatus executes, upon reading out the necessary information written by the first controller from the memory of the mobile device, via the second wireless communication device, a first process necessary for transmitting the print data. A second controller of the image forming apparatus is capable of writing the necessary information in the memory of the mobile device. The first controller of the terminal device executes, upon reading out the necessary information written by the second controller from the memory of the mobile device, via the first wireless communication device, a second process necessary for transmitting the print data.