Communication Apparatus Automatic Parameter Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for setting communication parameters in wireless communication systems between digital still cameras and printers are cumbersome and prone to errors, particularly when registering SSID and encryption keys, leading to overwriting of existing settings and frequent changes in wireless parameters.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus and method that automatically sets wireless communication parameters by identifying device capabilities and provision attributes, allowing devices to determine their roles as provision or reception devices, thereby simplifying the setting process and minimizing user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional methods are used to set communication parameters manually, then users can control the setting process, but the operation becomes cumbersome and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The communication apparatus automatically determines its own role (provision device or reception device) based on device capabilities and autonomously sets communication parameters without requiring manual user input. The system performs self-configuration by exchanging capability information and automatically selecting appropriate parameters, eliminating the cumbersome manual setting process while ensuring reliable and consistent parameter configuration.
2Ease of operation
If automatic parameter setting is implemented, then user operation is simplified, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automatic role determination mechanism that acts as an intermediary between device capabilities and parameter settings. This mechanism exchanges capability information between devices, automatically determines the provision device and reception device roles, and selects appropriate communication parameters based on the determined roles. This intermediary process simplifies user operation while managing device complexity through structured automated negotiation rather than complex embedded logic.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual parameter registration is performed, then users can customize settings, but parameter overwriting and frequent changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The communication apparatus performs preliminary role determination and parameter selection based on pre-defined capability attributes before actual communication begins. By automatically determining which device should be the provision device and which should be the reception device based on their capabilities, the system establishes stable parameter configurations in advance, preventing parameter overwriting and frequent changes that occur with manual registration methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A device capability attribute regarding a setting on communication parameters, and provision attribute information indicative of whether or not a communication terminal is in a state that it can provide communication parameters to another communication terminal are stored in advance. The communication terminal, where the device capability attribute has at least a provision capability of the communication parameters, is selected as a provision device. In a case where there are plural communication terminals where the device capability attribute has a communication parameter provision capability, a communication terminal where the device capability attribute has the communication parameter provision capability only is preferentially selected. In a case where the device capability attributes of respective communication terminals are equal, a communication terminal storing the provision attribute information indicative of the state that it can provide the communication parameters is selected as a provision device.