Wearable-Linked Image Forming System for Dynamic Print Content

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming systems cannot dynamically change print content based on a user's geographical movement, limiting the ability to provide personalized and location-specific printed materials unless a user has visited multiple predetermined sites.

Innovation Solution

An image forming system that includes wearable devices and network-connected image forming devices, where the system uses position information to generate and print content dynamically, allowing for location-specific printing based on the user's movement history and current location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If position information is used to control printing, then print content can be customized according to user location, but the system cannot dynamically change print content based on user movement history and current location

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint content adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A server acts as an intermediary between the wearable device and image forming devices. The server receives position information from the wearable device, determines the user's movement history and current location, and then transmits appropriate image data to the image forming device. This intermediary approach enables dynamic print content customization without requiring direct complex interactions between the wearable device and multiple image forming devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The server performs multiple functions: it manages position information from wearable devices, determines user movement patterns, selects appropriate image data based on location context, and communicates with multiple image forming devices. This multi-functional server consolidates what would otherwise require multiple specialized components, reducing overall system complexity while enabling adaptable print content.

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

2Loss of information

If the system tracks user movement history and current location, then personalized print content can be provided, but this requires complex position information management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition information utilizationVSAvoidposition information management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server serves as an intermediary that centralizes position information management. It receives position information from wearable devices, processes this data to determine user movement history and current location, and uses this processed information to select appropriate image data. This centralization simplifies the overall system architecture compared to having each image forming device independently manage position information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously receives position information from the wearable device, processes this feedback to update the user's movement history, and uses this updated information to dynamically adjust the print content. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt print content in real-time based on the user's current location and movement pattern without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If image data is transmitted based on user location, then relevant information can be provided at visited and unvisited locations, but this requires dynamic image data selection and transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint content relevanceVSAvoidimage data processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The server automatically performs image data selection and transmission based on position information received from wearable devices. The system self-services by autonomously determining which image data to transmit to which image forming device without requiring manual intervention. This automation improves operational ease while the server's efficient processing algorithms maintain productivity by quickly matching position data with appropriate image content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The server pre-processes and stores image data in association with location information and user movement patterns. When position information is received, the server can quickly retrieve and transmit the appropriate pre-prepared image data without requiring complex real-time processing. This preliminary preparation of image data improves both the relevance of printed content and the efficiency of data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3343892B1Image forming system
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP3343892B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3343892B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3343892B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image forming system (100) includes a plurality of image forming devices (1) and a server device (3). The plurality of image forming devices (1) and the server device (3) are connected to one another via a network (4). The server device (3) includes a position information history management unit (311) configured to receive the position information of a wearable device through an image forming device (1) performing short-range wireless communication with the wearable device (2) and to manage a history of the position information of the wearable device (2) and an image data generating unit (312) configured to generate image data according to a history of the position information of the wearable device (2), and transmits image data generated by the image data generating unit (312) to the image forming device (1) performing short-range wireless communication with the wearable device (2).