Communication Device Role Inversion for Network Capacity Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems, such as those involving multi-function peripherals (MFPs) and mobile terminals, face limitations in allowing multiple devices to participate in the same wireless network, particularly when the number of child stations reaches an upper limit, restricting further connections.
Innovation Solution
The system allows a communication device to shift its operation state from a child station to a parent station, forming a new wireless network, and sends a participation request to an external device to join this network as a child station, enabling multiple devices to belong to the same wireless network even when the initial network is at capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the communication device operates as a child station in the first wireless network, then it can participate in the network using the first interface, but the number of child stations reaches the upper limit and cannot accept more devices
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device inverts its role from child station to parent station, creating a new wireless network where it can accept child stations. This role reversal resolves the contradiction by allowing the device to become a network provider rather than just a network consumer, thereby maintaining connectivity even when the original network reaches capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from operating in a single network dimension (as child station) to creating a new network dimension (as parent station with second interface). This dimensional change allows simultaneous participation in both networks, expanding connectivity options without being constrained by the upper limit of the first network.
2Quantity of substance
If the communication device forms a new wireless network as parent station, then it can accept more child stations, but this requires switching operation states and using additional interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device is designed with multi-functionality, possessing both first and second interfaces that can operate in different modes (child station and parent station). This universality allows the device to adapt its function based on network conditions, managing complexity through standardized multi-mode operation rather than requiring separate dedicated hardware for each role.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the communication device sends participation request to external device, then the external device can join the new wireless network, but this requires coordination between different interfaces and protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the first interface (maintaining child station connection) and the second interface (establishing parent station network). It manages the transition and communication protocols, handling the complexity of multi-interface coordination centrally rather than requiring complex distributed coordination between interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-readable instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium may cause a communication device to acquire predetermined information from a first interface under a state where a number of child stations participating in a first wireless network in which an external device operates as a parent station is equal to an upper limit, shift an operation state of the communication device to a parent station state from a specific state so as to form a second wireless network in a case where the predetermined information is acquired from the first interface, and supply a first predetermined instruction to an OS program. The first predetermined instruction may include an instruction for causing a second interface to send a participation request to the external device. The participation request may be a command for requesting the external device to participate in the second wireless network as a child station.