Terminal Apparatus Printer Selection via NFC Position Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in enabling users to select suitable printers and storing position information for printers without GPS receivers, particularly in environments where multiple printers are available for printing services.
Innovation Solution
A terminal apparatus system that allows users to select suitable printers by registering and storing printer position information using NFC communication between the terminal apparatus and printers, even without a GPS receiver, by utilizing the terminal apparatus's GPS unit to determine the printer's position and transmit it via NFC for storage in the printer's non-volatile storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a GPS receiver is installed in each printer to obtain position information, then the printer position information can be automatically acquired, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal apparatus serves as an intermediary device that possesses GPS functionality. The terminal obtains the printer's position information through NFC communication and then stores it in the printer's non-volatile storage, eliminating the need for each printer to have its own GPS receiver
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal apparatus performs multiple functions: it acts as a GPS receiver to obtain position information, as a communication device via NFC to transmit data, and as a storage device to save position information in the printer's non-volatile storage
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple printers are available for printing services, then users have more printing options, but it becomes difficult for users to select the most suitable printer
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to the user by displaying the position information of available printers. The terminal apparatus obtains position information from printers through NFC communication and presents this information to the user, enabling informed selection based on location
Solution Approach 2:
The printer position information is pre-stored in each printer's non-volatile storage before the user needs to select a printer. This preliminary action ensures that when the user initiates a printing task, the position information is already available for immediate display and selection
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to conveniently select and use suitable printers by accurately storing and retrieving printer position information, improving user experience and security by ensuring the printer closest to the user is chosen for printing, while also reducing resource usage on the terminal device.
Implementation Method 1
a first position receiving unit configured to receive current position information indicating a current position of the terminal apparatus by using a GPS function
Implementation Method 2
a first transmission unit configured to transmit the current position information to the printer by using NFC communication when the printer and the terminal apparatus are in a state in which the NFC communication is executable
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A terminal apparatus includes: a first position receiving unit configured to receive terminal position information indicating a position of the terminal apparatus; a receiving unit configured to receive a plurality of distance information corresponding to each of printers that are printer candidates to execute a printing, wherein each of the plurality of distance information is generated on the basis of coordinate information, which includes information of a latitude and a longitude indicating a position of the corresponding printer, and the terminal position information; a choosing unit configured to preferentially choose a printer having a short distance to the terminal apparatus from the printers based on the distance information; and a printing instruction unit configured to transmit a printing instruction for printing execution to a specific printer of the one or more chose printers.