Terminal Device Data Sending Timeout Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal devices lack the ability to appropriately control data sending processes based on the type of data being transmitted, leading to inefficiencies and user dissatisfaction, particularly in scenarios where data transmission times exceed predetermined limits or when communication with external devices is unstable.

Innovation Solution

The terminal device employs a dual sending process mechanism, allowing for continued data transmission until completion or cancellation based on user instructions and data type, with additional features like time measurement and user notification to manage data sending effectively, and includes a determining unit to prevent premature cancellation of data transmission when data is actively being sent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If data sending is automatically canceled after a predetermined time limit, then time efficiency is improved and user waiting is reduced, but data integrity may be compromised and transmission reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission waiting timeVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic timeout handling where the timeout period is not fixed but adapts based on whether data is actively being transmitted. The determining unit dynamically adjusts the timeout behavior: if data transmission is detected as ongoing, the timeout cancellation is prevented; if transmission has stalled, the timeout cancellation proceeds. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by making the system responsive to actual transmission conditions rather than applying a static timeout rule.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the determining unit continuously monitors data transmission status and uses this information to control the timeout cancellation behavior. The system receives feedback about whether data is being sent and adjusts its timeout handling accordingly, preventing premature cancellation when transmission is active while still enabling cancellation when transmission stalls, thus maintaining both time efficiency and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If data sending continues until completion regardless of time elapsed, then data integrity is maintained, but time efficiency decreases and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission completenessVSAvoiddata transmission duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts data sending behavior based on real-time transmission status. Rather than continuously sending data regardless of conditions, the system uses the determining unit to assess whether transmission is making progress. When transmission is active, sending continues; when stalled beyond the timeout period, sending is canceled. This dynamic control maintains data integrity when appropriate while preventing excessive waiting time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preemptively canceling data sending when the determining unit detects that transmission has stalled beyond the predetermined timeout period. This prevents the harmful effect of indefinite waiting and potential resource waste, while the condition-based cancellation logic ensures that legitimate ongoing transmissions are not prematurely terminated, thus maintaining data integrity when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Loss of time

If timeout cancellation is implemented without checking actual data transmission status, then time efficiency is improved, but false cancellation occurs and data integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimeout response timeVSAvoidfalse cancellation rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The determining unit provides critical feedback about actual data transmission status before timeout cancellation is executed. The system only cancels data sending when the determining unit confirms that transmission has stalled, not merely when the timeout period elapses. This feedback mechanism prevents false cancellation of legitimate transmissions while still enabling timely cancellation of stalled transmissions, resolving the contradiction between quick timeout response and accurate cancellation timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The determining unit performs preliminary verification of transmission status before the timeout cancellation takes effect. By checking whether data is actually being sent before executing cancellation, the system ensures that timeout cancellation only occurs when appropriate. This preliminary action prevents false cancellation while maintaining the time efficiency benefits of timeout-based cancellation for genuinely stalled transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If data sending control is simplified to automatic timeout cancellation, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different data types and conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata sending control complexityVSAvoiddata type adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The determining unit enables the system to self-assess transmission status and automatically make intelligent decisions about timeout cancellation without requiring complex external control logic. The system serves itself by monitoring its own transmission state and adjusting timeout behavior accordingly, achieving adaptability to different data types and conditions while maintaining relatively simple overall system architecture. This self-service capability provides sophisticated adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2416240B1Terminal device
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP2416240B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2416240B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2416240B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal device (10) may be configured to perform a first sending process for sending a first type of data to an external device (200). The terminal device (10) may be configured to perform a second sending process for sending a second type of data to the external device (200). The terminal device (10) may be configured to measure time related to a period of duration of the second sending process. The terminal device (10) may continues to perform the first sending process until sending all of the first type of data is completed. The terminal device (10) may continue to perform the second sending process until the time elapses first predetermined time and cancel to perform the second sending process when the time elapses the first predetermined time even if sending all of the second type of data has not been completed.