Communication Apparatus Concurrent Station AP Handover Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication apparatuses face challenges in establishing wireless LAN connections when the partner device's wireless LAN function is OFF or unavailable, leading to failed handovers between communication schemes like NFC and wireless LAN, with no effective method to handle such scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with units for short-distance wireless communication, wireless LAN, and determination of concurrent station and access point functions, allowing direct connection or reconnection based on the partner device's capabilities, enabling appropriate communication settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the communication apparatus performs setting of the second communication scheme using the first communication scheme, then the handover between communication schemes is enabled, but the communication cannot be finally performed when the partner apparatus's second communication scheme function is OFF
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by checking whether the partner apparatus supports the second communication scheme before attempting to establish a connection. The communication apparatus performs a capability verification step in advance, and only proceeds with the handover process if the partner device is confirmed to support the target communication scheme, thereby avoiding futile connection attempts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the first communication scheme to exchange capability information between apparatuses. The partner apparatus provides feedback about its supported communication schemes, allowing the initiating apparatus to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with handover, creating a closed-loop control mechanism
2Ease of operation
If the communication apparatus disconnects from the external access point to directly connect to the other communication apparatus, then direct wireless LAN connection is established, but the connection to the external access point is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the network connection mode flexible and changeable based on operational needs. The communication apparatus can dynamically switch between infrastructure mode (connecting via access point) and ad-hoc mode (direct peer-to-peer connection), allowing the system to adapt its connectivity architecture to the specific requirements of each communication task
3Adaptability or versatility
If the communication apparatus maintains connection to both external access point and directly connects to other apparatus, then network coverage is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the communication apparatus to simultaneously perform both station function (connecting to access points) and access point function (enabling other devices to connect). This universal design allows a single device to fulfill multiple roles in the network, enhancing flexibility and adaptability without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus starts short distance wireless communication with another communication apparatus while joining a wireless LAN created by an external access point (AP) as a station, determines whether the communication apparatus can concurrently perform a station function and an AP function of the wireless LAN in accordance with the start of the short distance wireless communication, directly connects to the other communication apparatus by the wireless LAN by disconnecting from the external AP when it is not determined that the station function and the AP function can be concurrently performed, reconnects to the external AP as the station when the direct connection fails, and directly connects to the other communication apparatus by the wireless LAN without disconnecting from the external AP when it is determined that the station function and the AP function can be performed concurrently.