Terminal Apparatus Distance Detection Command Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal apparatus systems face challenges in appropriately controlling command execution based on the distance between apparatuses, leading to inefficiencies and potential misoperations, especially when the distance is greater than a predetermined value.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a detection unit to measure the distance to an external apparatus and a control unit that suppresses command transmission and execution when the distance exceeds a predetermined value, along with a display unit to notify the user, ensuring appropriate command execution and preventing unnecessary operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If commands are transmitted between apparatuses away from each other, then convenience is improved, but inappropriate command execution occurs when distance is too great

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of remote command transmissionVSAvoidappropriateness of command execution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The external apparatus feeds back distance information to the terminal apparatus. The terminal apparatus uses this feedback to determine whether to transmit commands based on the detected distance, preventing inappropriate command execution when the apparatus is too far away.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal apparatus detects the distance to the external apparatus before transmitting a command. This preliminary distance check prevents commands from being transmitted when the apparatus is out of appropriate range, ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If distance detection and command suppression control are added, then command execution appropriateness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappropriateness of command executionVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The external apparatus serves multiple functions: it acts as both the controlled device and the distance detection device. The terminal apparatus also serves dual purposes as both the command issuing device and the command suppression control device, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The distance detection function is merged into the external apparatus, and the command suppression control is merged into the terminal apparatus. This consolidation avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10565833B2Terminal apparatus and control method of terminal apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.02.18 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A tablet terminal includes a detection unit that detects a distance to a printing apparatus, a tablet terminal radio communication unit that transmits a command indicating control of the printing apparatus, and a processing unit that suppresses transmission of a command to be transmitted by the tablet terminal radio communication unit when the distance to the printing apparatus detected by the detection unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.