Mounted Terminal Printing with Cached Data and Direct Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing apparatuses, such as printers, often have lower resolution, refresh rate, and smaller displays compared to terminal devices like smartphones, leading to reduced operability, and require cumbersome wireless setup and long data transfer times for printing, which can result in inconvenience and potential loss of printed documents.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with a mount mechanism for physically connecting to a terminal device, allowing direct communication and either transmitting print data or instructions based on file availability, reducing setup complexity and transfer times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used for printing between terminal apparatus and image processing apparatus, then operability is improved through remote operation, but data transfer time increases and setup complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-converting files to print data format and storing them in the image processing apparatus before actual printing is needed. When a print operation is initiated, the system checks whether the print data already exists in storage, and if so, immediately transmits only a small print instruction rather than the entire print data set, thereby dramatically reducing data transfer time.
2Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used for printing, then remote operation is enabled, but setup complexity and connection establishment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges wireless communication capabilities with a physical mount mechanism that enables direct mechanical connection between the terminal apparatus and image processing apparatus. This combination allows the system to automatically establish connections when devices are physically mounted together, eliminating complex manual setup procedures while maintaining remote operation capabilities through the integrated wireless interface.
3Reliability
If print data is transmitted from terminal apparatus, then printing can be performed, but transfer time increases and data loss risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates copies of print data by converting files to print data format and storing them in the image processing apparatus storage. When printing is required, the system transmits only a lightweight print instruction that references the stored copy, rather than transmitting the original large print data set again. This approach eliminates data loss risks associated with transmission while reducing transfer time to minimal instruction-level data.
4Ease of operation
If display resolution and refresh rate are reduced in image processing apparatus, then device size and cost are reduced, but operability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces the terminal apparatus as an intermediary display device with high resolution and refresh rate capabilities. The image processing apparatus maintains a small or no display, but leverages the terminal apparatus's superior display characteristics to provide high-quality visual feedback. This intermediary approach allows users to benefit from high-resolution displays without requiring the image processing apparatus itself to have large or high-performance displays.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes a storage, a communicator, an image processor, a controller, a housing, the communicator, the image processor, and the controller, and a mount mechanism. When the controller receives a print operation from a user while the terminal apparatus is mounted on the mount mechanism: the controller causes the image processor to perform printing by the communicator receiving print data from the terminal apparatus when a second file the same as the first file is not saved in the storage, the print data being acquired by converting the first file into a data format suitable for printing; and the controller causes the image processor to perform printing by the communicator receiving, from the terminal apparatus, a print instruction for instructing to print the second file instead of receiving the print data when the second file is saved in the storage.