Mobile Terminal Orientation Sensor for Intuitive Print Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of methods for intuitively setting the print orientation of a mobile device with respect to a recording sheet, making it difficult for users to perform print settings without a dedicated button or screen.

Innovation Solution

A nonvolatile storage medium and mobile terminal system that includes sensors for detecting movement and orientation, a communication module for image forming, and a program that determines and transmits image forming parameters to an image forming apparatus, allowing users to set print orientation by changing the device's orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a dedicated print-orientation-setting button or screen is provided, then print setting functionality is achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation are worsened due to additional interface elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint setting capabilityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal automatically determines print orientation by using its own physical orientation (detected via sensors) as the setting parameter, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The device serves itself by converting its spatial state directly into print configuration parameters, thereby avoiding additional interface elements while maintaining full print setting capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of buttons and screens with an automatic sensor-based system. Orientation sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) detect the device's physical orientation and automatically translate this into print orientation parameters, substituting manual interface interaction with automated physical sensing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual print orientation setting interface is provided, then print setting functionality is achieved, but ease of operation is worsened due to non-intuitive operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint setting capabilityVSAvoidoperation intuitiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically uses its current physical orientation as the print orientation setting, making the operation as intuitive as physically holding the device in the desired print orientation. Users simply rotate the device to the desired orientation, and the system automatically configures print parameters accordingly, eliminating complex menu navigation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter input method from abstract menu selections to concrete physical orientation parameters. The system maps the device's three-dimensional spatial parameters (detected by sensors) directly to print orientation parameters, creating a direct and intuitive relationship between user action and system response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables users to intuitively and conveniently set print orientation without a dedicated button or screen, enhancing user convenience and simplifying the printing process by using the device's orientation to trigger print settings.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor configured to output sensor information indicating at least one of a movement and an orientation of the mobile terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOrientation sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS8937735B2Non-transitory storage medium storing image-forming-data transmitting program, mobile terminal, and control method therefor transmitting movement and orientation information of mobile terminal

Publication Date: 2015.01.20 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A nonvolatile storage medium storing an image-forming-data transmitting program readable by a computer of a mobile terminal including: a sensor for outputting sensor information indicating at least one of a movement and an orientation of the mobile terminal; a communication portion for communicating with an image forming apparatus for forming image based on image forming data; and a display for displaying an image based on image data. The image-forming-data transmitting program has the computer function as: a parameter determining section for determining a parameter for image forming based on the sensor information; an image-forming-data-creation controlling section for controlling a first creating section to create image forming data based on the image data, by using the determined parameter; and an image-forming-data-transmission controlling section for controlling the communication portion to transmit the created image forming data to the image forming apparatus.