Terminal Device Image Data Storage for Wireless System Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal devices cannot provide a user with the means to preview and confirm an image to be printed before switching communication systems, leading to potential issues in printing the desired image when using different communication systems for the terminal and printing devices.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device configured to generate and store specific image data when a print instruction is received, allowing it to switch communication systems and provide print data based on stored image data, ensuring the image can be printed without re-obtaining data from another device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the terminal device uses a first wireless communication system to obtain specific data and display the specific image, then the user can preview the image on the display, but the terminal device cannot send print data to the printing device using a different communication system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage preview capabilityVSAvoidcommunication system compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device stores the specific image data obtained from the first wireless communication system in a storage unit before switching to the second communication system. This preliminary storage action ensures that the image data is preserved and can be used for printing even after the communication system changes, resolving the contradiction between preview capability and communication compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The storage unit acts as an intermediary between the first and second communication systems. It holds the specific image data temporarily, allowing the terminal device to switch communication systems without losing the image data, thus enabling both preview functionality and cross-system printing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal device changes the wireless communication setting from the first wireless communication system to the second wireless communication system, then the terminal device can communicate with the printing device, but the terminal device loses the specific image data and cannot provide the desired print result

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication system switchingVSAvoidspecific image data

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs preliminary storage of the specific image data in the storage unit before switching communication systems. This ensures that the image data is preserved and remains available for printing even after the terminal device changes to the second wireless communication system, preventing information loss during system transitions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the terminal device obtains specific data using a specified communication system, then the terminal device can display the specific image, but the terminal device cannot retain the specific image when changing communication system settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage display functionalityVSAvoidimage data retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device stores the specific image data in the storage unit before changing communication system settings. This preliminary storage action ensures that the image data is retained stably even after the communication system changes, maintaining both display functionality and data retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The storage unit serves as an intermediary that stabilizes the image data against communication system changes. It decouples the image data from the communication system dependency, allowing the terminal device to switch systems while maintaining stable image data retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9569151B2Terminal devices that process image data in different systems based on wireless communication setting, methods of controlling such terminal devices, and media storing computer-readable instructions for such terminal devices

Publication Date: 2017.02.14 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

Non-transitory, computer-readable storage media, terminal devices, and methods are disclosed herein. The terminal device includes a processor and communicates selectively using one of many wireless communication systems comprising a first and second wireless communication system. The computer-readable media store computer-readable instructions therein. The instructions instruct the processor to generate first specific image data representing a first image when the first wireless communication system is specified. The instructions instruct the processor to store the first specific image data when the terminal device receives a first print instruction to print the first image while the first wireless communication system is specified. The instructions instruct the processor to provide first print data, based on the stored first specific image data, to the printing device when the wireless communication setting is changed from the first wireless communication system to the second wireless communication system after storing the first specific image data.