Shared Apparatus Presence Detection for Office Socializing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In shared office settings, socializing among users is often hindered by the lack of awareness of other users' presence around shared apparatuses, as users typically visit these locations at different times, limiting spontaneous interactions.

Innovation Solution

A socializing support apparatus that includes a detector to identify visiting users and a controller to notify terminal users of their presence, using user characteristic matching and notification frequency settings to facilitate social interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a shared apparatus is installed in a place used by multiple persons, then socializing among users can take place around the shared apparatus, but users are unlikely to visit the shared apparatus at the same time by chance, limiting socializing opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesocializing opportunityVSAvoidwaiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting user presence in advance and notifying other users before they arrive at the shared apparatus. The notification is sent to terminal apparatuses of other users, allowing them to prepare for potential socializing opportunities, thus eliminating the need to wait for coincidental simultaneous arrivals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If notification is provided to terminal users of visiting users, then socializing opportunities are enhanced, but the system complexity increases due to detector and controller components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesocializing support capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shared apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, serving both its primary function (e.g., copying, printing) and an additional socializing support function. By integrating the detector and notification controller into the existing shared apparatus, the system avoids adding separate dedicated devices, thus reducing overall system complexity while enhancing socializing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11240191B2Socializing support apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A socializing support apparatus includes a detector that detects presence of a visiting user, the visiting user being a user visiting a shared apparatus, and a first controller that controls notification of first notification information, the notification being provided from a terminal apparatus to a terminal user if a notification condition is satisfied, the notification condition being detection of presence of the visiting user, the first notification information being information indicative of presence of the visiting user, the terminal user being a user of the terminal apparatus different from the visiting user.