Printer Controller Automates Network Setup via Cartridge Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image recording devices connected to local communication networks require manual input of complex communication settings, which is time-consuming and prone to errors due to inferior user interfaces, hindering efficient Internet access and communication with service provider servers.
Innovation Solution
An image recording device with a controller that automatically obtains and stores communication settings from a cartridge, including authentication information, destination addresses, and identification data, enabling automated communication setup and reducing operator input and errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an image recording device is connected to a local communication network, then the device can access the Internet and communicate with service provider servers, but it requires manual input of complex communication settings which is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge stores communication setting information (IP address, gateway, DNS, authentication credentials) in advance before being installed in the image recording device. When the cartridge is mounted, the controller automatically reads and applies these pre-configured settings, eliminating the need for manual input during setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge acts as an intermediary carrier that holds and transfers communication settings from the service provider to the image recording device. Instead of directly configuring the device or using complex network discovery protocols, the settings are delivered through this intermediate medium (the cartridge) which simplifies the overall setup process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an image recording device is connected to a local communication network, then the device can access the Internet and communicate with service provider servers, but the inferior user interface makes manual input time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service configuration where the image recording device automatically obtains and configures communication settings without user intervention. The controller reads the cartridge information and autonomously applies the network settings, making the device configure itself rather than requiring the user to manually input complex parameters through the limited UI.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex communication setting input task is extracted from the user's responsibility and transferred to the cartridge and controller system. The cartridge contains all necessary communication parameters, and the controller handles the entire configuration process, removing the burden of manual input from the user interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If communication settings are manually input to the image recording device, then the device can be configured for network access, but operator labor and potential for errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication settings are copied from a pre-configured source (the cartridge, which contains settings provided by the service provider) directly into the image recording device's memory. This copying process ensures that the exact same verified settings are applied without manual transcription, eliminating human errors associated with manual input.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording device includes a cartridge mount configured to hold a cartridge detachably, a cartridge interface, a print engine configured to execute printing, a communication interface configured to connect to a communication network connected to the Internet, memory and a controller. The controller determines whether appropriate authentication information has been obtained from a cartridge memory of the cartridge mounted in the cartridge mount through the cartridge interface, in response to determining that the appropriate authentication information has been obtained, obtains, from the cartridge memory through the cartridge interface, a destination address of an information processing device connected to the Internet, communication setting information in the communication network, and identification information, stores the obtained communication setting information in the memory to execute communication setting, and transmits transmission data including the identification information to the obtained destination address through the communication interface after executing the communication setting.