Communication Device Operation Mode Control for Automatic Parameter Setting

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks with devices capable of switching between base station and slave station modes, users face difficulties in recognizing which device operates as the communication parameter providing device, making automatic setting operations challenging.

Innovation Solution

A communication device and method that determine and manage operation modes to facilitate communication parameter automatic setting, allowing devices to operate as both registrar and enrollee, and provide or receive communication parameters, ensuring only one device acts as the communication parameter providing device within the network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If devices can automatically switch between base station and slave station modes, then adaptability is improved, but device recognition difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation mode switchingVSAvoiddevice recognition

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a registrar device as an intermediary that manages and provides communication parameters to enrollee devices. This mediator simplifies the recognition process by centralizing parameter management, allowing new devices to automatically connect without manually identifying which device should serve as the base station or parameter provider.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices can operate as communication parameter providing devices, then device flexibility is improved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice flexibilityVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service functionality where devices automatically determine their roles and obtain communication parameters without user intervention. The registrar device automatically provides parameters to enrollee devices, and devices can autonomously switch between operation modes, eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If communication parameter automatic setting is enabled, then ease of operation is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter setting easeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The registrar device acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of communication parameter management. It automatically provides necessary parameters (SSID, encryption keys, authentication methods) to enrollee devices, simplifying the user experience while consolidating system complexity into a dedicated management function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2252094B1Communication device and method for controlling communication device

Publication Date: 2018.10.17 CANON KK

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AI summary

When an instruction operation given by a user to start communication parameter setting is detected, an operation mode of a communication device is determined (S402, S409). According to the determined operation mode, it is determined whether to provide (S416) a communication parameter through another communication device operating in a base station mode, or provide (S406) a communication parameter directly by the communication device.