Communication Apparatus Connection Mode Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of wireless communication devices, such as digital cameras, face the inconvenience of needing to perform operations each time they connect to an external apparatus to select whether to allow the external device to access their image data, which can be time-consuming and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with multiple connection modes, including a simple connection mode that allows automatic selection of a registered external device with minimal user operation, and operation modes where content selection can be performed either on the device or the external apparatus, reducing the need for repeated user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the user selects whether to open image data each time the camera is connected to an external apparatus, then the security and control over content transmission is maintained, but the user operation becomes repetitive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by registering connection destination apparatuses in advance in the camera. When a registered apparatus is connected, the camera automatically identifies it and proceeds directly to content selection without requiring the user to manually confirm or re-register the device, thus saving time while maintaining security through pre-authorized access
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the camera to automatically manage the connection process for registered devices. The camera autonomously identifies connected apparatuses from its registration list, determines appropriate operation modes, and facilitates content transmission without requiring continuous user intervention, thereby reducing repetitive operations
2Ease of operation
If the camera allows the external apparatus to select content, then the user operation on the camera is reduced, but the camera must open its content storage to the external apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection and content selection processes into distinct operation modes. The connection unit handles apparatus identification and connection management, while the selection unit manages content selection based on the connected apparatus type. This segmentation allows the camera to offer simplified operation for content selection while maintaining structured control over different connection scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamics by making the operation mode flexible and adaptive. The control unit dynamically determines whether to enable first operation mode (camera-based content selection) or second operation mode (external apparatus-based content selection) based on which apparatus is connected. This dynamic adjustment optimizes ease of operation while managing device complexity through context-aware mode switching
3Adaptability or versatility
If the camera provides multiple connection modes with different operation requirements, then the adaptability to different external apparatuses is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the connection unit and control unit to handle multiple connection scenarios through a unified framework. The same basic components manage both first connection mode (requiring predetermined operations) and second connection mode (requiring fewer operations), allowing the camera to adapt to different external apparatuses without requiring separate dedicated systems for each mode, thus managing complexity while maintaining versatility
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus is connected to an external apparatus in a connection mode selected from a plurality of connection modes including a first connection mode in which an external apparatus is connected in accordance with a predetermined operation on the communication apparatus and a second connection mode in which an external apparatus is connected in accordance with an operation whose operation amount is smaller than the predetermined operation. The communication apparatus has a plurality of operation modes to select at least one of contents saved in a recording medium. When connecting the external apparatus in the second connection mode, an operation mode in which the contents are selected based on the operation on the external apparatus is selected out of the plurality of operation modes.