Portable Terminal Printing Timing via Wireless Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

In cashierless unmanned stores, users face delays due to the need for manual operation at multifunction peripherals for printing services, as distance measurement errors occur from wireless communication between portable terminals and printing apparatuses, especially in environments with weak signal strength or when users are far from the printing apparatus.

Innovation Solution

A portable terminal apparatus with a processor and wireless communicator that acquires both printing and movement times, allowing for controlled printing initiation when the user arrives at the printing apparatus, utilizing multiple wireless communication standards like NFC, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth to ensure accurate timing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If distance measurement is performed based on wireless communication between portable terminal and printing apparatus, then user movement time can be calculated, but measurement error occurs due to weak signal strength or surrounding electric waves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wireless communication apparatus installed in the facility as an intermediary device. This apparatus measures the user's movement time from the entrance to the printing apparatus, serving as a mediator that provides more reliable measurement data than direct communication between the portable terminal and printing apparatus, especially in environments with weak signal strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system is segmented into multiple components: the portable terminal, the wireless communication apparatus installed in the facility, and the printing apparatus. By dividing the measurement function across these segments, the system overcomes the limitations of single-point measurement and improves overall measurement reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Extent of automation

If printing is started based on distance measurement from portable terminal to printing apparatus, then automated printing timing can be achieved, but printing cannot be finished at the correct time when user is far from the printing apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting automationVSAvoidprinting completion timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication apparatus acts as a mediator that accurately tracks the user's arrival at the printing apparatus. This intermediary provides reliable timing information that enables automated printing start control, ensuring printing is initiated at the precise moment the user arrives, regardless of the user's initial distance from the printing apparatus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the wireless communication apparatus regarding the user's position and movement time to dynamically control the printing start timing. This feedback mechanism ensures that printing is automatically initiated at the correct moment when the user arrives at the printing apparatus, maintaining high automation while achieving accurate timing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If manual operation is required at multifunction peripheral for printing service, then printing control can be precise, but user waiting time occurs until printed matter is output

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting operation simplicityVSAvoiduser waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by calculating the user's movement time in advance and automatically initiating printing before the user arrives at the printing apparatus. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual operation at the multifunction peripheral and ensures printing is ready when the user arrives, completely eliminating waiting time while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240103774A1Portable terminal apparatus, printing service system, non-transitory computer readable medium storing program, and method

Publication Date: 2024.03.28 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A portable terminal apparatus includes a processor, and a wireless communicator, in which the processor is configured to acquire a printing required time required for printing a file, while a user carrying the portable terminal apparatus is moving to a printing apparatus to be used for printing the file, acquire a first movement required time as a movement time of the user required for arriving at the printing apparatus from a wireless communication apparatus that is wirelessly connected to the wireless communicator and that is installed separately from the printing apparatus, and in a case where the wireless communicator is wirelessly connected to the wireless communication apparatus, perform a control of instructing the printing apparatus to print the file at a point in time when the first movement required time becomes less than or equal to the printing required time.