Communication Device Wireless Connection Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers may not be able to establish wireless connections with access points due to differences in wireless communication capabilities, even if they receive network settings from other printers.
Innovation Solution
A communication device that searches for candidate access points, sends information requests to terminal devices to obtain target passwords, and establishes connections using supported frequencies and authentication schemes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a printer receives network wireless settings from another printer via ad-hoc communication, then the receiving printer can obtain connection information, but the receiving printer may still be incapable of establishing wireless connection due to different wireless communication capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an access point as an intermediary device that mediates between printers with different wireless capabilities. The access point receives connection requests, determines compatible connection methods based on the requesting printer's capabilities, and establishes appropriate wireless connections. This mediator resolves the incompatibility between printers having different wireless communication features by translating and adapting connection parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes wireless connection parameters (such as authentication methods, frequency bands, and protocol versions) based on the capability assessment of each printer. When a printer requests connection, the access point modifies connection parameters to match the printer's supported capabilities, enabling successful connection despite heterogeneity in wireless implementation across different devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system supports multiple wireless communication capabilities to improve adaptability, then more printers can connect, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point is designed with universal multi-functionality to handle diverse printer wireless capabilities. It implements multiple wireless protocols and authentication methods simultaneously, allowing it to act as a universal connector for printers with different capabilities. This centralized multi-functionality avoids the need for each printer to support all possible wireless variations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning the access point as an intelligent intermediary, the system offloads the complexity of handling multiple wireless protocols from individual printers. The access point alone manages the complex protocol conversions and capability matching, while printers only need to implement basic connection requests. This distributes complexity strategically to a single device rather than requiring all devices to be complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device may search via a first wireless interface so as to specify one or more candidate access points and send, to a terminal device, an information request for requesting the terminal device to send information for establishing a wireless connection with an experienced access point. The experienced access point is an access point having an experience of establishing a wireless connection with the terminal device. The terminal device stores use information which has been used by the terminal device for establishing the wireless connection with the experienced access point. The communication device may receive a response including a target password included in the use information from the terminal device in response to sending the information request and establish a wireless connection with a target access point among the one or more candidate access points via the first wireless interface by using the target password included in the response.