Communication Apparatus Multicast Unicast Function Notification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Communication apparatuses that do not receive multicast signals experience a time lag in detecting changes in functions provided by other apparatuses, as they rely on inquiries sent by function using apparatuses, which can lead to delayed detection of function changes.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus determines whether another apparatus receives a multicast packet and sends a unicast packet containing function information only to those that do not receive the multicast, ensuring timely notification of function changes to all connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a communication apparatus sends a multicast packet to notify function information, then unspecified number of apparatuses can be notified, but apparatuses that do not receive multicast signals experience time lag in detecting function changes
Solution Approach 1:
The notification mechanism is segmented into two distinct paths: multicast packets for general notification to unspecified apparatuses, and unicast packets for targeted notification to specific apparatuses that do not receive multicast signals. This segmentation ensures that each apparatus receives notifications through the most appropriate channel, eliminating detection time lags while maintaining the ability to notify a large number of apparatuses.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication apparatus acts as an intermediary that determines whether other apparatuses receive multicast signals and selectively sends unicast packets as a supplementary notification mechanism. This intermediary role ensures that apparatuses which cannot receive multicast signals still receive timely notifications through unicast packets, resolving the time lag issue without requiring all apparatuses to use the same notification method.
2Reliability
If a function using apparatus sends a unicast signal to inquire about function changes, then it can detect changes, but there is a time lag from when the change is made until detection
Solution Approach 1:
The communication apparatus performs preliminary action by proactively sending unicast packets containing function information changes to apparatuses that do not receive multicast signals, before these apparatuses would otherwise need to send inquiry signals. This preliminary notification eliminates the waiting time associated with inquiry-based detection mechanisms while ensuring reliable function change detection.
3Loss of time
If unicast packets are sent to all apparatuses, then all apparatuses receive notification immediately, but communication bandwidth is wasted on apparatuses that already receive multicast signals
Solution Approach 1:
The notification strategy applies local quality by sending unicast packets selectively only to apparatuses determined to not receive multicast signals, while continuing to use multicast packets for apparatuses that do receive them. This localized approach ensures immediate notification to all apparatuses without wasting communication bandwidth on apparatuses that already receive notifications through multicast, optimizing both timing and resource efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a communication apparatus that can notify other communication apparatuses that do not receive a multicast signal, of information on a function provided by the communication apparatus when the communication apparatus sends the multicast signal to notify the information on the function provided by the communication apparatus. The communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention sends a unicast packet containing the information about the function together with the multicast packet to another communication apparatus which does not receive the multicast packet, but does not send the unicast packet together with the multicast packet to another communication apparatus determined as receiving the multicast packet.