Terminal Device Automatic Reconnection for Print Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users need to repeatedly perform operations on a terminal device to send print data to a multifunction peripheral (MFP) even after the MFP becomes capable of receiving data again, as existing techniques do not automatically re-establish communication after a failure or change in state.
Innovation Solution
A terminal device is configured to automatically re-establish communication with an MFP by sending polling signals via NFC and Wi-Fi interfaces, determining the state of the MFP, and re-initiating the print process without user intervention when predetermined conditions are met, such as successful connection or resolution of errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the terminal device waits for user input to re-establish communication after MFP becomes available, then user control is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates due to repeated manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device automatically detects MFP availability changes and re-establishes communication without user intervention. The notification receiving unit obtains availability information, the determination unit assesses whether to reconnect, and the communication unit automatically re-establishes the connection, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual user operations.
2Extent of automation
If the terminal device automatically re-establishes communication without user input, then user convenience improves, but device complexity increases due to additional monitoring and determination mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The notification receiving unit, determination unit, and communication unit are integrated within the terminal device's existing processing architecture. The determination unit leverages the terminal's existing capability to assess communication states, and the communication unit reusesthe device's existing communication interfaces, merging new automated functionality with existing components to minimize overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If the terminal device continuously monitors MFP availability, then communication reliability improves, but energy consumption increases due to continuous polling
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the terminal device uses periodic event-driven monitoring where the notification receiving unit waits for MFP to send availability change notifications. This periodic check approach maintains communication reliability by detecting state changes when they occur while consuming minimal energy during idle waiting periods, avoiding the energy waste of continuous active polling.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal device may supply a communication executing instruction to an OS program. The OS program may supply a signal sending instruction to a first wireless interface in response to obtaining the communication executing instruction, and the first wireless interface may start sending a polling signal in response to obtaining the signal sending instruction and establishes a first wireless connection with the communication device. The first wireless connection may be for causing the communication device to execute a specific process. After the first wireless connection has been established with the communication device, the terminal device may determine whether a predetermined condition is fulfilled; and in a case where it is determined that the predetermined condition is not fulfilled, may supply the communication executing instruction to the OS program without the specific instruction being inputted.