Wireless Printing Handover via Cellular Network Fallback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional direct printing techniques face challenges in connecting multiple terminal devices to a printing apparatus simultaneously due to hardware limitations and security concerns, leading to difficulties in executing print jobs when the printing apparatus is already connected to another device, resulting in standby times and battery consumption for terminal devices.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a terminal apparatus with a first communication unit for short-distance wireless communication, an acquisition unit to gather information for communication with a device, a transmission unit to send print jobs, and a control unit to determine if the device is available for processing; if not, it transmits the job via another communication unit to another apparatus, allowing immediate print job execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a printing apparatus operates in ad hoc mode and is connected to one terminal apparatus, then direct printing is enabled, but it cannot be connected to a new terminal apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The printing apparatus dynamically switches between ad hoc mode (for direct printing) and access point mode (for multiple connections) based on the number of connected terminal apparatuses and printing job status, enabling flexible adaptation to different connection scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The printing apparatus acts as an intermediary by receiving print jobs from multiple terminal apparatuses via NFC handover, determining its own printing status, and either executing the job directly or notifying the terminal apparatus to retry later, thus mediating between multiple clients and the printing resource
2Adaptability or versatility
If a printing apparatus serves as an access point to connect multiple terminal apparatuses, then simultaneous connection is enabled, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing apparatus dynamically switches between ad hoc mode (requiring simpler hardware) and access point mode (enabling multiple connections) based on demand, avoiding the need for always-expensive hardware while maintaining flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The printing apparatus is designed with multi-functional capability to operate in both ad hoc mode and access point mode, allowing it to serve different connection scenarios with the same hardware, thus avoiding the need for specialized expensive hardware
3Reliability
If a terminal apparatus stands by until print job in progress ends, then printing apparatus availability is maintained, but standby time and battery consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal apparatus performs preliminary NFC handover to transfer communication conditions and determine printing status before attempting print job transmission, enabling it to know in advance whether the printing apparatus is available, thus avoiding unnecessary standby time
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanism where the terminal apparatus receives notification from the printing apparatus about job execution status, and based on this feedback, either transmits the print job immediately or is notified to retry later, optimizing the timing of print job transmission
Data Source
AI summary
The invention allows a terminal apparatus to immediately execute print job transmission even if it is impossible to execute a direct print job by a handover. When, therefore, a mobile phone functioning as a mobile terminal performs short distance wireless communication with a printing apparatus, it receives information about peer-to-peer communication via a wireless LAN and information indicating whether the printing apparatus currently executes printing. If it is determined that another user is already executing printing, the mobile phone connects to a mobile telephone line network, and transmits a print job to a printing server for transmitting a print job to the printing apparatus.