Voice Controlled Printing System Notification Architecture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current notification systems for printing apparatuses lack usability, particularly in providing effective and user-friendly methods for notifying users of messages and status updates, especially when errors occur during printing.

Innovation Solution

A communication system that integrates an audio control device, a management server, a relay server, and a printing apparatus, allowing voice-controlled interactions and notifications through both audio and visual interfaces, enabling users to manage printing services and receive status updates via a smart speaker and smartphone, with prioritization of error states and ink levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If notification systems are implemented to notify users of printing status, then information delivery is improved, but usability and user-friendliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification deliveryVSAvoidusability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional visual/mechanical notification systems (display screens, physical indicators) with voice-based acoustic notifications. The printing apparatus and information processing apparatus use speakers to deliver status information verbally, making notifications accessible without requiring users to visually check displays or interact with complex interfaces.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The notification system is designed to work across multiple devices and platforms (printing apparatus, information processing apparatus, smartphones) through voice output. This multi-functional approach allows the same notification mechanism to serve various users and scenarios, improving both information delivery and ease of use.

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

2Loss of information

If multiple notification channels are added to improve notification effectiveness, then information delivery is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a voice notification intermediary that translates printing status data into spoken messages. Rather than directly presenting raw status information through multiple complex interfaces, the system uses voice synthesis as an intermediary layer to convey essential information simply and effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts only the most critical notification information (printing status, errors, completion) and delivers it through voice channels, separating essential notifications from detailed status data that can be accessed through other means. This reduces the complexity of the notification system while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3582100B1Voice controlled printing system and server
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 CANON KK
  • EP3582100B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3582100B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3582100B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention offers a system including transmission means for transmitting, based on a reception of predetermined information, first notification information for causing an audio control device to audibly notify a user of a first message related to a printing apparatus, and second notification information for causing a terminal device outside the audio control device and outside the printing apparatus to notify, through a notification screen, the user of a second message related to the printing apparatus and including a message not included in the first message.