Communication Apparatus Beacon Signal Parameter Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, devices face difficulties in easily and quickly identifying a providing apparatus for communication parameter auto-configuration due to differences in configuration procedures and message formats, leading to challenges in establishing compatible connections.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus and method that enables a terminal to function as both a providing and receiving apparatus, using a control unit to manage communication parameter configuration, including a providing function notification unit that adds device information to beacon signals and probe responses, allowing easy detection of communication parameter providing devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wireless device transmits probe requests to search for providing apparatuses, then the device can attempt to find communication parameter providing devices, but other devices may respond instead of the intended providing apparatus, making it difficult to settle on a providing apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of providing apparatus identificationVSAvoidease of searching for providing apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a beacon signal as an intermediary that carries providing apparatus identification information. Instead of direct probe request/response interactions that cause confusion, the beacon acts as a mediator that clearly identifies which device is the providing apparatus, allowing receiving devices to reliably identify the correct target without ambiguity from other devices responding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If communication parameters are provided using auto-configuration methods, then configuration can be performed automatically between compatible devices, but devices incompatible with a common method cannot configure parameters together

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of communication parameter configurationVSAvoidcompatibility between different devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal beacon signal mechanism that can be used across different device types and communication scenarios. The beacon carries standardized providing apparatus identification information that any device can interpret, making the auto-configuration approach universally applicable regardless of device compatibility with specific manufacturer methods, thus enabling cross-vendor and cross-platform parameter configuration.

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

3Reliability

If providing apparatuses do not always respond to search signals, then devices can maintain security and control, but receiving devices cannot easily search for and identify providing apparatuses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity and control of providing apparatusVSAvoiddifficulty of detecting providing apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having providing apparatuses proactively transmit beacon signals containing their identification information before any probe requests are received. This allows receiving devices to easily detect and identify providing apparatuses without needing to actively search, while the providing apparatus maintains control over when and how it announces its availability through the beacon transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3447969B1Communication apparatus, control method thereof, and computer program
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 CANON KK
  • EP3447969B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3447969B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3447969B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication apparatus for performing a communication parameter configuration process as one of a communication parameter providing apparatus and a communication parameter receiving apparatus comprises receiving means for receiving a request signal that has been transmitted from another communication apparatus and transmission means for transmitting, in a case where the communication apparatus operates as the communication parameter providing apparatus, a response signal as a response to the request signal that has been received by the receiving means, wherein the response signal includes information indicating that the communication apparatus is operating as the communication parameter providing apparatus, and the response signal further includes information indicating that the communication apparatus functions as a display apparatus for displaying authentication information used for authentication processing or information indicating that the communication apparatus functions as an input apparatus for inputting the authentication information.