Communication Apparatus Automatic Mode Switching via SSID Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems require user intervention to determine the mode of an image forming apparatus, making it cumbersome to switch between infrastructure and ad hoc modes, especially when connecting to an image forming apparatus operating in close proximity.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus that automatically determines the mode by displaying a selection screen if the access point is not the external apparatus's access point, allowing for seamless connection without user intervention by deriving the SSID of the image forming apparatus and comparing it with the connected access point's SSID.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the infrastructure mode and ad hoc mode are switched via close proximity wireless communication, then the mode switching capability is improved, but the user operation complexity increases because the mode is not automatically determined and requires user operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoiduser operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The image forming apparatus automatically determines its own communication mode (infrastructure or ad hoc) by detecting whether it is functioning as an access point, eliminating the need for manual user input. The system serves itself by autonomously selecting the appropriate communication mode based on its operational state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the communication mode parameter automatically based on the detected access point status. When the image forming apparatus detects it is operating as an access point, it automatically switches to ad hoc mode; otherwise, it uses infrastructure mode, thereby adapting the communication parameter without user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a selection screen is always displayed for choosing the external apparatus, then the connection accuracy is improved, but the connection time increases due to required user interaction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection accuracyVSAvoidconnection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection to determine whether the image forming apparatus is operating as an access point before initiating the connection process. Based on this pre-determined state, the appropriate communication mode is automatically selected, eliminating the need for subsequent user selection and reducing connection time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connection process dynamically adapts based on the detected operational state. The system transitions between automatic connection (when operating as access point) and manual selection mode (when not operating as access point), making the connection process flexible and context-dependent to optimize both speed and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9274727B2Communication apparatus, control method therefor, and computer-readable storage medium for performing connection to a processing target apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.03.01 CANON KK

AI summary

It is determined whether a relay apparatus connected via a network is an external apparatus having a function of executing predetermined processing. In accordance with a determination result, the relay apparatus is registered as the external apparatus having the function of executing the predetermined processing.