Communication Device Sharing Setup via Power Line

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in unifying and managing communication setup information across multiple wireless communication devices, leading to cumbersome operations and potential security issues when changing settings, especially when devices have different security levels.

Innovation Solution

A communication device and system that enable wireless communication using common setup information, with a power line interface for sharing configuration data between devices, allowing seamless roaming and secure authentication through operating modes that facilitate unified setup sharing and secure configuration changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If communication setup information is manually configured in each communication device, then unified wireless communication can be achieved, but user operations become troublesome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunified communication setupVSAvoidmanual configuration operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The communication device automatically shares setup information with other devices through the power line interface without requiring user intervention. The device autonomously transmits ESSID, encryption settings, and other configuration data to newly connected devices, eliminating the need for manual configuration and achieving unified communication setup automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The power line interface serves as an intermediary channel for transmitting setup information between communication devices. Instead of requiring direct user input or wireless transmission, the system uses the existing power line infrastructure as a mediator to automatically distribute configuration data across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If communication setup information is shared across all communication devices, then seamless wireless roaming is enabled, but network security may be compromised when devices with different security levels join

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless roaming capabilityVSAvoidnetwork security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains different security characteristics for different parts of the network. Each communication device retains its own security level settings, and setup information is shared selectively based on compatibility requirements. When a device with lower security requirements joins, only the necessary configuration data is transmitted, while the core network maintains its original security standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The setup information is segmented into different components: essential configuration data (ESSID, basic parameters) that is shared across all devices, and security-specific parameters that are transmitted selectively based on device compatibility and security level requirements. This segmentation allows seamless roaming while preserving network security architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If setup information is automatically shared through power line interface, then user operations are simplified, but devices located out of coverage areas or separated by building walls can still communicate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic setup sharingVSAvoidwireless communication coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power line interface acts as a mediator that bypasses wireless coverage limitations. Setup information is transmitted through the power line infrastructure, which is不受限制 by building walls or coverage areas. This allows devices in different physical locations to share configuration data automatically, enabling seamless roaming even when devices are outside each other's wireless coverage zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2562985B1Communication device, communication system and method of sharing communication setup information
Publication Date: 2016.02.10 BUFFALO CORP LTD
  • EP2562985B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2562985B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2562985B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication device (100a - 100c) including a wireless communicator (111) that controls the communication device to function as a wireless access point based on communication setup information; a wired communicator (112) that controls the communication device to communicate via a wired interface (160); an operating mode setter (113) that sets the communication device to operate in one of two operating modes including a first operating mode in which the communication device provides another communication device with the communication setup information and a second operating mode in which the communication device receives the communication setup information from another communication device operating in the first operating mode; and a provider (114) that controls the wired communicator to provide the another communication device operating in the second operating mode with the communication setup information via the wired interface (160) when the communication device operates in the first operating mode.