Printer Communication Control for Simultaneous Camera Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct printing systems require users to wait for print processing to complete before connecting a new digital camera to a printer, leading to inconvenience and inefficient use of connection ports.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a communication system with first and second communication control means, along with link control means, to manage connections and allow new camera connections during ongoing print processing by establishing and holding connections using different protocols, and providing wait time information when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the printer maintains connection until print processing completion, then print processing reliability is improved, but connection port availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection into two independent parts: a first connection for control signals and a second connection for image data transfer. This allows the control connection to be maintained for reliability while the data connection can be established with new cameras during print processing, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliability and improving port availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension by adding a control connection layer separate from the data transfer layer. This dimensional separation allows independent management of connection states, enabling the system to maintain control connectivity while accepting new data connections during ongoing print operations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the connection port is held until print completion, then connection stability is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting connections into control and data transfer components, the system can maintain control stability while allowing data connections to be established and disconnected independently, improving user convenience during print operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control connection acts as an intermediary that maintains stable communication between printer and camera while the data transfer connection handles the actual image transmission. This intermediary control link ensures stability without forcing users to wait for print completion.
3Reliability
If the digital camera cannot detach during printing, then connection reliability is improved, but operational flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables operational flexibility by allowing the data transfer connection to be disconnected during print processing while maintaining the control connection. This segmentation permits users to detach cameras or connect new ones without compromising the reliability of the control communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically manages different connection states: the control connection remains stable and active, while the data transfer connection can be established, disconnected, and re-established during print operations, providing operational flexibility without sacrificing control reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
In a communication system including a plurality of image supply apparatuses and an image output apparatus, If communication with a first image supply apparatus using a first protocol is disconnected before completion of output processing of an image supplied from the first image supply apparatus under communication control by a second communication control unit which controls communication relating to an image using a second protocol, and a second image supply apparatus requests a connection, the image output apparatus establishes a connection of communication with the second image supply apparatus using the first protocol and holds a connection to the second image supply apparatus using the second protocol until the completion of the output processing of the image.