POS Device Wireless Printer Setup via Encoded Pattern

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication settings between POS terminals and peripheral devices, such as receipt printers, are complicated due to the lack of input interfaces in devices like receipt printers, which cannot read communication addresses, making it difficult to establish connections.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication system where the POS device encodes and decodes a communication setting pattern to establish a connection with the printer, including a processor to generate and verify the communication setting pattern, allowing for automatic configuration of communication channels and addresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If wireless communication setting is performed by reading communication address using scanner, then communication setting can be automated, but devices without input interfaces (such as receipt printers) cannot read communication address making setting complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of communication settingVSAvoidease of communication setting
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a communication address storage unit that stores communication addresses in advance, and a setting pattern generation unit that generates setting patterns containing these addresses. This intermediary mechanism allows devices without input interfaces to receive communication settings passively through the pattern, resolving the contradiction between automation and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication addresses are stored in advance in the communication address storage unit before actual communication occurs. This preliminary action enables the system to automatically provide communication settings without requiring real-time input from devices, thus achieving both automation and operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If communication setting is performed manually on devices without input interfaces, then communication can be established, but the setting process becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to establish communicationVSAvoidtime for communication setting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service communication setting where the POS device automatically reads the setting pattern from the output device, extracts communication addresses, and establishes communication without manual intervention. This eliminates the time-consuming manual configuration process while ensuring reliable communication establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (physically configuring devices) with an automated information-based system where setting patterns are generated, outputted, and read automatically. This substitution dramatically reduces setting time while maintaining communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If communication channel is changed dynamically, then wireless communication can adapt to different conditions, but additional communication setting is required increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of communication channelVSAvoidcomplexity of communication setting
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple communication addresses corresponding to different communication channels are stored in advance in the communication address storage unit. When channel change is needed, the system simply retrieves the pre-stored address for the new channel, avoiding complex reconfiguration procedures while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3293990B1Wireless communication system, information output device, and merchandise sales information processing device
Publication Date: 2020.02.05 TOSHIBA TEC KK
  • EP3293990B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3293990B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3293990B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless communication system includes a point-of-sale (POS) device and a printer. The printer includes a first wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication at a predetermined communication frequency, a memory that stores a communication address by which the POS device can wirelessly communicate with the printer, and a processor configured to generate a communication setting pattern by encoding the communication address and the predetermined communication frequency. The POS device includes a reader, a second wireless communication unit, and a processor configured to decode the communication address and the communication frequency from the communication setting pattern after the reader acquires the communication setting pattern, and control the second wireless communication unit to transmit a confirmation response to the communication address at the communication frequency.