Voice-Guided Print Instruction Flow for Hands-Free Content Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing systems require manual button presses for print instructions, which is inefficient in various usage scenarios, and there is a need for improved operability in voice-controlled printing systems.

Innovation Solution

A voice-controlled printing system that includes a voice control device, management server, and a relay server to facilitate voice-activated printing instructions through a multi-function printer, allowing seamless integration and operation via wireless networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a print button is pressed on a UI screen to instruct printing, then the printing operation can be initiated, but the operability is reduced requiring manual button presses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperability of print instructionVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical interaction of pressing a physical or on-screen button with a voice-based acoustic input system. The voice control device captures spoken commands, converts them to text or direct control signals, and transmits them to the printing apparatus, eliminating the need for manual button presses while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a voice control device as an intermediary between the user and the printing apparatus. This mediator captures voice input, processes it through voice recognition, and translates it into printing commands, thereby improving ease of operation without directly modifying the core printing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If voice control is implemented for printing instructions, then the operability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperability of print instructionVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The voice control device serves multiple functions: it acts as a microphone for voice capture, a voice recognition engine for converting speech to commands, and a communication interface for transmitting instructions to the printing apparatus. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The voice control device performs self-processing of voice recognition and command generation without requiring additional external processing systems. By integrating these functions into a single device, the system avoids the complexity that would arise from distributing these functions across multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3582482B1Voice controlled printing system and server
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 CANON KK
  • EP3582482B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3582482B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3582482B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

If print target content data cannot be specified based on instruction data, transmission means (301) of at least one server (102, 103) transmits message data to inquire about a content setting item, and if the print target content data can be specified based on the instruction data, the transmission unit transmits message data to inquire about a print setting item. A voice control device (101) outputs a message by voice based on the transmitted message data. A specifying unit (301) of the at least one server specifies the content data based on a voice instruction accepted by the voice control device after the message is output by voice, and a printing apparatus (104) executes printing based on print data generated based on the specified content data.