Printer Audio Notification via Connected Speaker

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printing devices often experience events that trigger warnings or errors, but nearby personnel may not notice these due to distraction or distance, leading to unnoticed alerts.

Innovation Solution

A printing device equipped with a memory to store audio files corresponding to events, a communications interface to connect with an audio device, and a processor that retrieves and transmits these audio files to an audio device, allowing for real-time notification of events through sound.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If printing devices use visual warnings or error notifications, then information can be displayed, but nearby personnel may not notice these events if they are distracted or far away

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevent notification reliabilityVSAvoidunnoticed alerts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual notification mechanisms with acoustic notification mechanisms. The printing device generates audible signals (beeps, tones, or voice messages) that can be perceived through hearing rather than sight, allowing personnel to be alerted to device events even when distracted or at a distance from the visual display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If personnel are distracted or far away from the printing device, then they can perform other tasks or maintain distance, but warnings and errors may go unnoticed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonnel flexibilityVSAvoidunnoticed warnings

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an acoustic intermediary (audio output device) that mediates between the printing device's event detection system and the personnel. The audio signal acts as a mediator that can reach personnel regardless of their visual attention or physical proximity to the printing device, ensuring information transmission without requiring direct visual contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the printing device transmits audio files to connected audio devices, then real-time audible notifications can be provided, but additional components and communication interfaces are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenotification deliveryVSAvoidsystem components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the printing device's communication interface multi-functional by enabling it to transmit both traditional visual notification data and audio file data to connected devices. The existing communication infrastructure is leveraged for dual purposes, reducing the need for entirely separate notification systems while improving notification reliability through audio output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240022672A1Device and Method for Playing Audio at a Connected Audio Device

Publication Date: 2024.01.18 ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORP

AI summary

An example printing device comprises: a memory configured to store audio files corresponding to printing device events; a communications interface configured to communicate with an audio device; a processor interconnected with the memory and the communications interface, the processor configured to: responsive to a printing device event, retrieve, from the memory, an audio file corresponding to the printing device event; and transmit via the communications interface, the audio file to the audio device.