Communication Device Wireless Connection Preservation Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication devices face challenges in efficiently establishing and re-establishing wireless connections with external devices, particularly when dealing with legacy devices that do not support Wi-Fi Direct, leading to inconvenience and increased processing load.

Innovation Solution

The communication device employs a dual wireless interface system, using NFC for initial device discovery and authentication, and Wi-Fi for connection establishment, allowing it to determine preservation times based on the type of external device, enabling automatic reconnection and optimizing state preservation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the communication device maintains parent station state for a long time to enable automatic reconnection, then connection re-establishment convenience is improved, but processing load and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection re-establishment convenienceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the preservation strategy based on device type. For terminals supporting Wi-Fi Direct, only basic connection information is preserved with shorter preservation time. For legacy terminals, the parent station state is maintained with longer preservation time. This localized differentiation optimizes power consumption while ensuring automatic reconnection capability for all device types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the preservation time adjustable rather than fixed. The determination unit dynamically sets the preservation time of the parent station state based on the terminal type detected during authentication. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to balance between power consumption and reconnection convenience according to the specific terminal capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the communication device supports both Wi-Fi Direct and legacy terminals, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal compatibilityVSAvoidconnection management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing terminals into two categories: Wi-Fi Direct supporting terminals and legacy terminals. The determination unit segments the authentication process based on terminal type, applying different preservation strategies to each segment. This segmentation simplifies the overall system design by creating clear decision branches rather than attempting to handle all terminal types uniformly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing a unified authentication framework that can handle both Wi-Fi Direct and legacy terminals through a single determination unit. The parent station state preservation mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables automatic reconnection for Wi-Fi Direct terminals while simultaneously providing extended support for legacy terminals. This multi-functional design improves adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If authentication information is transmitted through Wi-Fi connection, then communication efficiency is improved, but connection establishment time increases for legacy terminals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidconnection establishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing terminal type determination during the authentication phase rather than after connection establishment. The determination unit identifies whether the terminal supports Wi-Fi Direct or is a legacy device, and based on this preliminary classification, sets the appropriate preservation time for the parent station state. This preliminary classification enables optimized connection management from the outset, reducing subsequent establishment time for legacy terminals while maintaining high communication efficiency for Wi-Fi Direct terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3462806B1Communication device, system, and method performed by communication device for establishing a wireless connection with an external device
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP3462806B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3462806B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3462806B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication device may establish a second wireless connection with an external device in a case where a first wireless connection is established with the external device, determine whether a predetermined signal is received from the external device, and determine a preservation time according to the determination. The preservation time may be a time for preserving a state of the communication device in a parent station state after the second wireless connection has been disconnected. In a case where it is determined that the predetermined signal is received, one of a first preservation time and a second preservation time which is longer than the first preservation time may be determined as the preservation time, and in a case where it is determined that the predetermined signal is not received, the other of the first preservation time and the second preservation time may be determined as the preservation time.