Communication Apparatus Managing Peripheral Device Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for updating firmware and changing settings on peripheral devices for image pickup apparatuses, such as cameras, are complex and require user operations that are cumbersome due to limited user interfaces and restricted wireless communication destinations, leading to complications in data management.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with a receiving unit, communication unit, and control unit that allows for wireless communication with external devices using a predetermined protocol, enabling the smartphone to connect to the camera and remote controller without requiring complicated user operations by managing connection processes and advertising signals to limit communication destinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If peripheral devices are connected to the camera for firmware updates and settings changes, then data changes can be performed on the peripheral devices, but the user operations become complicated due to limited user interfaces and restricted wireless communication destinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a smartphone as an intermediary device that mediates between the user and the peripheral device. The smartphone displays a graphical user interface for easy data input and handles the complex wireless communication protocol to connect to the peripheral device, which has a limited user interface. This mediator approach allows users to perform firmware updates and settings changes without directly interacting with the complex communication interface of the peripheral device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the camera serve multiple functions: it acts as both the image pickup apparatus and as a communication hub for connecting to various peripheral devices. The camera's wireless communication unit can connect to different types of peripheral devices (lens, flash, microphone) and perform various operations (firmware updates, settings changes, data transfers) through a unified interface, eliminating the need for separate dedicated interfaces for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera connects to multiple external devices for versatile communication, then communication versatility is improved, but security and convenience are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless communication functionality into distinct modes: a first wireless communication unit for connecting to peripheral devices with limited communication destinations (for security), and a second wireless communication unit for general-purpose communication. This segmentation allows the system to maintain security by limiting peripheral device connections to predetermined destinations while still providing versatility through the second communication unit for broader connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different communication characteristics to different communication channels. The first wireless communication unit uses predetermined protocols and limited destinations tailored for secure peripheral device connections, while the second wireless communication unit provides more versatile but less restricted communication. Each communication path has optimized local qualities suited to its specific purpose, balancing security and versatility appropriately.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus which is capable of, for a peripheral device of which connection destination is limited to an image pickup apparatus, appropriately changing data without requiring complicated user operations. Wireless communications with a determined one of a first external apparatus and a second external apparatus are carried out using a predetermined protocol. The second external apparatus connects to the first external apparatus by transmitting an advertisement based on the predetermined protocol to the first external apparatus. In a case where an instruction to establish a connection with the first external apparatus is received, a connection with the second external apparatus is established, and then an instruction to stop the transmission of the advertisement is transmitted to the second external apparatus. After that, the connection with the second external apparatus is terminated, and transmission of another advertisement based on the predetermined protocol is started.