Shared Printer Job Selection via Touchless Mobile Authentication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems do not adequately allow users to select their preferred method of outputting electronic data, particularly in shared output apparatuses, and do not support touchless printing of reserved jobs.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that allows users to register print jobs remotely through a user terminal, associate them with a unique identifier, and authenticate the output apparatus using short-range wireless communication to print reserved jobs without direct interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users directly operate the shared output apparatus to select and print electronic data, then printing functionality is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates due to required physical contact and interaction with shared device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable terminal as an intermediary device between the user and the shared output apparatus. The terminal displays a list of reserved print jobs and allows users to select which job to print without touching the shared output apparatus. The terminal acts as a mediator that handles the selection interface, while the output apparatus only needs to receive the selection result and execute printing, thus improving user convenience while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having users reserve print jobs in advance through their portable terminals before approaching the shared output apparatus. When users arrive at the output apparatus, they only need to authenticate and select from pre-loaded job lists displayed on their terminals, rather than managing the entire printing workflow at the shared device. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity of interaction required at the shared apparatus
2Ease of operation
If users authenticate and select jobs at the shared output apparatus, then printing is enabled, but user convenience worsens due to lack of touchless operation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The portable terminal serves as an intermediary that enables touchless operation at the shared output apparatus. Users can view job lists and make selections on their personal terminals using familiar interfaces, then transmit the selection result to the output apparatus wirelessly. This separates the complex interaction requirements from the shared apparatus, allowing touchless operation while maintaining reliable job selection through the terminal's display and input interface
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the job selection interface on the user's portable terminal, mirroring the functionality needed for job selection without requiring physical interaction with the shared output apparatus. The terminal displays a replicated view of available print jobs and selection controls, allowing users to complete the selection process remotely and wirelessly, thus enabling touchless operation while preserving the reliability of the selection process
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides comprehensive job selection interface at the output apparatus, then job selection flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional display and input requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex job selection interface functionality from the shared output apparatus and relocates it to the user's portable terminal. The output apparatus is reduced to providing authentication capabilities and receiving selection results, while the terminal handles displaying the complete job list, allowing users to view job details, and managing the selection process. This extraction maintains full job selection flexibility while significantly simplifying the output apparatus structure
Solution Approach 2:
The portable terminal leverages its existing multi-functional capabilities (display, wireless communication, input interface) to provide the comprehensive job selection interface that would otherwise require dedicated hardware at the output apparatus. By using the terminal's universal functions for job selection, the system achieves flexible job selection without adding specialized components to the output apparatus, thus avoiding increased device complexity
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 select and print reserved jobs from a shared output apparatus without touching it, reducing operational interaction and enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
authenticate an output apparatus using short-range wireless communication
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An output apparatus (30), an output apparatus, an information processing system (1), an output method, and a carrier means. The output apparatus (30) receives setting information related to use of the output apparatus (30) from a user terminal (10) of a user and controls, based on the setting information, whether to output electronic data received from a service providing system (50), or to receive list information indicating a list of electronic data from the service providing system (50) and output the electronic data selected from the list information by the user.