Communication Apparatus Switching Between Network Waiting and Searching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication apparatuses struggle to establish connections with partner devices when no other communication apparatus has recognized the network information of the partner device.

Innovation Solution

The communication apparatus is configured to wait for connections to its own network, acquire connection information from another connected apparatus, search for additional networks, and switch between waiting and searching to establish a connection with the partner device using both Access Point (AP) and Client (CL) functions sequentially or in parallel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the communication apparatus waits for connections to its own network to acquire connection information, then it can establish connections when other apparatuses are available, but it cannot acquire connection information when no other apparatus has recognized the partner device's network

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishment reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to network recognition scenarios

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communication apparatus dynamically switches between two operational modes: waiting for connections to its own network and searching for other networks. This dynamic state change allows the apparatus to adapt to different network recognition scenarios, resolving the contradiction between reliability in established networks and adaptability when no apparatus has recognized the partner device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus changes its operational parameter from passive connection waiting to active network searching. By changing the state parameter of its communication mode, it can acquire connection information through different methods depending on the network recognition status, thereby maintaining both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the communication apparatus only waits for connections to its own network, then the process is simple, but it fails to acquire connection information when no other apparatus has recognized the partner device's network

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection process complexityVSAvoidconnection establishment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection process is segmented into two distinct phases: first waiting for connections to the own network, and if that fails, then searching for other networks. This segmentation allows the apparatus to maintain a relatively simple primary process while adding a secondary backup process, thus improving reliability without excessively increasing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus performs a preliminary action of waiting for connections to its own network before attempting to search for other networks. This preliminary approach allows it to maintain simplicity when conditions are favorable, while having a prepared secondary action to ensure reliability when the primary approach fails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the communication apparatus searches for other networks actively, then it can find networks to acquire connection information, but it increases the complexity of the connection process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork discovery capabilityVSAvoidconnection process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus dynamically activates network searching only when needed, rather than continuously. This dynamic approach allows it to maintain high adaptability and network discovery capability while keeping the overall process complexity manageable by activating the more complex function only when the simpler approach fails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the communication apparatus switches between waiting and searching modes, then it can acquire connection information in various scenarios, but it increases the complexity of control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishment reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control logic is segmented into distinct, sequential phases: first the waiting phase, then the searching phase. Each phase has its own simple control logic, and the transition between phases is clearly defined. This segmentation reduces overall control complexity while maintaining the ability to handle various connection scenarios reliably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12363242B2Communication apparatus and method for managing communications between different networks

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 CANON KK

AI summary

A communication apparatus includes at least one memory storing instructions, and at least one processor that, upon execution of the instructions, is configured to: wait for connections from other communication apparatuses to a first network built by the communication apparatus, acquire connection information from a first other communication apparatus connected to the first network, search for a second network built by other communication apparatuses, acquire connection information from a second other communication apparatus found in the search, connect to a connection destination indicated by the connection information from the first other communication apparatus and the second other communication apparatus, and wherein the communication apparatus is controlled to switch between waiting for connections and searching for the second network.