Wireless LAN Parameter Pre-sharing via Bluetooth Low Energy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication devices require manual input of communication parameters, such as SSID and password, for switching between Bluetooth Low Energy and wireless LAN, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when data transfer or user operations are involved.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus with a control unit that shares communication parameters via a second wireless communication unit, like Bluetooth Low Energy, before initiating a connection request through a first wireless communication unit, such as Wi-Fi, to facilitate seamless switching to wireless LAN without user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If connection intervals are extended to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but response and communication speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidresponse and communication speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-sharing communication parameters (SSID, password, etc.) via Bluetooth Low Energy before the wireless LAN connection is actually needed. This preparation phase allows the system to switch to Wi-Fi quickly when data transfer is required, as the parameters are already available and don't need to be manually entered or exchanged during the actual connection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If connection intervals are shortened to improve response and communication speed, then response and communication speed increase, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse and communication speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the parameter sharing action in advance during low-power Bluetooth communication, so that when high-speed Wi-Fi communication is needed, the connection can be established immediately without sacrificing Bluetooth's power efficiency during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If communication parameters are exchanged after switching to wireless LAN communication is instructed, then the switching process can be initiated, but it takes a long time to establish the connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic switching capabilityVSAvoidconnection establishment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by completing the parameter exchange via Bluetooth Low Energy before the wireless LAN connection is actually initiated. This ensures that when the user triggers the wireless LAN connection, all necessary parameters are already available, eliminating delays associated with parameter exchange during the connection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Bluetooth Low Energy serves as an intermediary communication channel that facilitates the transfer of wireless LAN parameters before the actual Wi-Fi connection is established. This intermediary step enables seamless transition to high-speed Wi-Fi communication without manual intervention or delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If manual input of communication parameters is required for switching between Bluetooth Low Energy and wireless LAN, then connection security is maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidswitching efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Bluetooth Low Energy acts as an intermediary that automatically transfers wireless LAN parameters (including security credentials like passwords) from one device to another. This eliminates manual parameter input while maintaining security, as the parameters are exchanged through an authenticated Bluetooth connection before Wi-Fi connection is established.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically handling the parameter exchange and connection establishment process without requiring user intervention. The devices autonomously share parameters via Bluetooth and initiate wireless LAN connections, improving productivity while maintaining security through automated credential verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10142825B2Communication apparatus communicating with external apparatus by wireless communication, method for controlling communication apparatus, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 CANON KK

AI summary

A communication apparatus includes a first wireless communication unit, a second wireless communication unit, and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs control to execute processing for sharing a communication parameter with an external apparatus via the second wireless communication unit before a request for connecting via the first wireless communication unit becomes able to be communicated with the external apparatus via the second wireless communication unit, where the communication parameter is used in connecting to the external apparatus via the first wireless communication unit.