Operation Terminal QR Linking for Cross-Device File Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to efficiently facilitate cooperation between various electronic apparatuses and information processing devices for enhanced utility and service provision.

Innovation Solution

An operation terminal and output system that integrates an information storage apparatus with smartphones and tablets, enabling communication and cooperative functions through a WebApi and QR code technology to manage and convert files for printing or projection based on device capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If various electronic apparatuses and information processing devices are used in cooperation to improve utility values, then service provision capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice provision capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a host session management server as an intermediary component that coordinates communication between information processing devices and electronic apparatuses. This server manages session information, device capabilities, and file format conversions, thereby enabling cooperative service provision while abstracting the underlying system complexity from end users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs a universal file conversion mechanism that can handle multiple file formats (PDL, PDF, JPEG, etc.) through a single conversion interface. The host session management server provides multi-functional capabilities including session management, device discovery, file format conversion, and print job coordination, reducing the need for device-specific implementations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If automatic file format conversion is performed without user intervention to improve ease of operation, then user convenience is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary file format conversion by converting source files to target device-compatible formats (PDL, PDF, JPEG) before printing or projection. The host session management server pre-processes files and stores converted versions, so when a user initiates a print or projection request, the conversion is already complete or can be quickly executed without user intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic file conversion system operates autonomously without requiring user intervention. The host session management server automatically detects the target device type, selects appropriate conversion parameters, and executes the conversion process in the background, allowing users to simply select files and devices without worrying about format compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3525082B1Operation terminal, method of controlling operations of the same, and output system
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3525082B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3525082B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3525082B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An operation terminal has a camera function and a display function, and is configured for communication over a network (N1) with an information storage apparatus (10), the operation terminal (11) being configured to, obtain, from the information storage apparatus (10), a file list of files stored in the information storage apparatus (10), display the obtained file list using the display function, receive, in response to an operator input, a selection of one file from the file list of files, obtain, from the information storage apparatus (10), the file selected from the file list, display, using the display function, a screen that includes an image of the file obtained from the information storage apparatus (10), display using the display function, in response to an operator input, a QR code reading screen, obtain, by reading from a QR code taken by the camera function, information for communicating with one of a plurality of electronic apparatuses (13), send, to the electronic apparatus (13), an output request for outputting the file displayed using the display function.