Mobile Terminal Automatic Printer Selection via Server Location Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face operational burdens when selecting appropriate image forming devices and communication media for mobile terminals, as they need to register devices and choose between multiple connection methods, leading to inconvenience and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device and method that automatically acquires and presents suitable image forming devices and communication media by comparing first and second information related to the device, allowing for seamless selection without user awareness, utilizing a print system with a mobile terminal, image forming device, and print server connected via networks, including Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, and the Internet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users manually select and register image forming devices for mobile terminals, then device selection flexibility is improved, but operational burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal automatically performs device discovery, information acquisition, and device selection without user intervention. The terminal queries the server for available image forming devices, compares acquired device information, and autonomously determines the closest device based on stored location data, eliminating manual registration and selection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-stores location information of image forming devices on the server before the mobile terminal needs to print. When printing is required, the terminal simply queries this pre-prepared information and performs automatic selection based on the stored location data, avoiding real-time manual device search and registration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication media are available for printing, then communication flexibility is improved, but selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal automatically determines the appropriate communication medium based on the selected image forming device and stored communication information, without requiring users to manually choose between Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other communication methods. The system autonomously selects the optimal communication path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users register multiple image forming devices, then device availability is improved, but registration burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
A server acts as an intermediary between mobile terminals and image forming devices. The server stores location information of multiple image forming devices and provides this information to mobile terminals upon request. This eliminates the need for users to manually register each device on every terminal, as the server centrally manages device information.
4Ease of operation
If automatic device selection is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server serves as an intermediary that centralizes the complex information processing tasks. It stores location information of image forming devices and provides this data to mobile terminals. The terminal then performs relatively simple comparison operations based on the provided information and its own stored location data, rather than handling complex device management itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile terminal is connected to a server and an image forming device that store image forming device information in such a manner that the mobile terminal can communicate with the server and the image forming device. The mobile terminal acquires image forming device information from the selected server and/or image forming device. When the acquired image forming device information includes duplication of an image forming device, an image forming device list is generated by removing the duplication. Information of an image forming device to be used is displayed on a user interface of the mobile terminal. A usable image forming device is selected and presented to a user.