Mobile Terminal Printer Selection via Distance Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional print systems using short distance notification transmission lead to increased selection operations and prolonged standby times due to overlapping signal regions of nearby printers, making it difficult for users to recognize printer status and maintain the linkage between print destination selection, authentication, and printed material output.

Innovation Solution

An information processing terminal equipped with a reception unit for wireless signals, a specifying unit to determine positional relationships with printers, and a control unit to perform print control based on these relationships, allowing for efficient printer selection and congestion status display, thereby reducing authentication and standby times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If short distance notification transmission is applied, then the signal region overlaps that of a nearby printer, but it increases the number of selection operations and authentication steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal coverageVSAvoidnumber of selection operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic printer selection based on measured distance without requiring user intervention. The terminal automatically identifies the closest printer and initiates printing, eliminating manual selection operations while maintaining wide signal coverage for multiple printers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the selection criterion from user-choice to distance-based automatic selection. By measuring distance as a parameter and using it to automatically select the closest printer, the system resolves the contradiction between wide coverage and operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If short distance notification transmission is applied, then the signal region overlaps that of a nearby printer, but it prolongs the standby time of printing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal coverageVSAvoidstandby time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal measures distance and selects the printer in advance before the printing process begins. This preliminary automatic selection eliminates waiting time during authentication and setup, allowing the printing process to start immediately once the user initiates it

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously measures distance and provides feedback to automatically adjust printer selection. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures the closest printer is always selected without requiring user intervention or causing delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If card authentication printing is used, then the number of selection operations is reduced, but the signal region does not overlap and printer selection flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of selection operationsVSAvoidprinter selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the selection mechanism from manual card authentication to automatic distance-based selection. By using distance measurement as the selection parameter, the system maintains operational simplicity while enabling flexible selection among multiple printers in overlapping signal regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10353653B2Information processing terminal, information processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for specifying a position of a printer, measuring a distance range in plural communication modes

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 CANON KK

AI summary

According to this invention, in printing from a mobile terminal to a printer, the distance between them is measured in an LE mode, and when the distance reaches a predetermined distance, print data is transmitted to the printer in a normal mode and held in the printer. When the distance becomes shorter, a print execution instruction is issued to the printer in the normal mode, thereby causing the printer to execute printing.