Proximity-Based Alternative Printer Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems do not consider user convenience when determining alternative printing apparatuses, often selecting devices that are far away due to lack of distance calculation in the selection process, leading to inconvenient print job rerouting.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that uses short-distance wireless communication to calculate distances between printing apparatuses and determine the most convenient alternative based on proximity, using both Wi-Fi and BLE connections to establish communication with the selected apparatus for print job transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If alternative printing apparatus is determined without considering distance, then any available printing apparatus can be selected, but the selected apparatus may be far away from the user reducing convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces distance as a new parameter for selecting alternative printing apparatus. The system calculates the distance between the user terminal and each available printing apparatus, then uses this parameter to rank and select the most convenient alternative. This transforms the selection criterion from merely availability to availability plus proximity, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual selection of alternative printing apparatus with an automated distance-based selection system. The terminal automatically calculates distances to multiple printing apparatuses and selects the nearest one without requiring user intervention, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving adaptability through intelligent automated decision-making.
2Ease of operation
If distance calculation is added to the selection process, then the most convenient alternative printing apparatus can be selected, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a distance calculation module as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between available printing apparatus information and the selection decision. This module automatically computes distances using terminal location and apparatus location data, then feeds the results to the selection logic. By encapsulating the complexity in a dedicated intermediary module, the overall system remains manageable while achieving distance-based convenient selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal automatically performs distance calculations and alternative apparatus selection without requiring user input or configuration. The system self-services by autonomously gathering location data, computing distances, and making the selection decision, thereby improving user convenience while keeping the interface simple and the overall system complexity manageable through automation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses only Wi-Fi connection for print job transmission, then network-based printing can be achieved, but connection reliability decreases when the alternative apparatus is on a different network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the terminal具备 dual communication capabilities: both Wi-Fi for network-based printing and BLE for direct device-to-device communication. The system can switch between these two modes depending on network availability. This multi-functionality ensures that print jobs can be transmitted reliably whether the alternative printing apparatus is on the same network (using Wi-Fi) or on a different network (using BLE), thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares both Wi-Fi and BLE communication channels in advance before print job transmission is needed. By having BLE connection capability pre-configured as a backup, the system cushions against the potential failure of Wi-Fi connection when devices are on different networks. This prior preparation ensures connection reliability without sacrificing network-based printing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system includes an information processing terminal and a printing apparatus. The printing apparatus includes: a distance calculation section that calculates respective distances between the printing apparatus and other printing apparatuses and a distance information transmitting section that transmits distance information indicating the distances calculated by the distance calculation section to the information processing terminal. The information processing terminal includes: a distance information receiving section that receives the distance information; and an alternative printing apparatus determination section that determines which of the other printing apparatuses is to be used as an alternative printing apparatus determination section that performs a printing process instead of the printing apparatus on the basis of the distance information received by the distance information receiving section.