Remote Media Printing via Communication Device Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Video and web chat systems do not effectively allow users to share media as physical hardcopies, which can be beneficial for users with visual acuity issues or in scenarios where screen sharing is impractical, limiting the engagement and sharing of media across remote distances.

Innovation Solution

A system that enables communication devices to detect media, compare it with stored versions, and instruct a remote printing device to produce a hardcopy, allowing users to physically share media during video or web chats through camera detection, database matching, and printer output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If media is shared only through electronic display screens during video or web chats, then the communication system remains simple and easy to operate, but users with visual acuity issues cannot properly view images and the ability to fully conduct the visual chat is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia sharing capabilityVSAvoidaccessibility for users with visual limitations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a printing device as an intermediary between the communication devices and the media content. The first communication device detects media, compares it with stored versions, and transmits printing-execution commands to the printing device, which then outputs a hardcopy. This intermediary system enables physical media sharing while maintaining the simplicity of electronic communication interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions media sharing from a two-dimensional electronic display format to a three-dimensional physical hardcopy format. By adding the dimension of physical tangibility through printing, users can interact with media in a different spatial form that is accessible to those with visual acuity issues who cannot properly view screens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If a system allows users to conduct video or web chats remotely across continents using smartphone or tablet apps, then communication distance is extended, but the ability to share physical media copies is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication distanceVSAvoidmedia sharing functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The printing device serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between remote electronic communication and physical media sharing. When the first communication device detects media during a remote chat session, it can transmit printing-execution commands through the network to a printing device, which produces a physical hardcopy that can be locally shared, thus extending media sharing capability beyond electronic screens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting media and comparing it with stored versions before actual sharing occurs. The first communication device compares the detected media with previously-stored media in a database to identify matches, and only then transmits printing-execution commands, ensuring accurate and intentional media sharing during remote communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If screen sharing is used during video chats, then media can be viewed on electronic displays, but screen sharing becomes impractical in certain scenarios and limits full engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia viewing flexibilityVSAvoidscreen sharing practicality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The printing device acts as an intermediary that converts digital media into physical form, providing an alternative to screen sharing. This解决了 the practicality issue by allowing media to be shared in scenarios where screen sharing is not feasible, such as when participants need to reference physical materials or when electronic displays are unavailable or impractical.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring all media viewing to occur through electronic screens, the system inverts the approach by enabling media to be output in physical hardcopy form. This provides flexibility by allowing users to choose between electronic and physical media formats based on the specific communication scenario and user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11321034B2Detected media printing with communicatively linked devices

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

An example communication device includes a camera to detect media. A processor is to link the detected media with a stored version of the detected media in a database. The processor is to instruct a printing device associated with a remote device to output a hardcopy of the stored version of the detected media.