Dual-Mode Wi-Fi Discovery for Cross-Network Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication devices struggle to efficiently connect with image processing devices that do not belong to the same Wi-Fi network, limiting their ability to execute image processing tasks effectively.
Innovation Solution
A communication device and image processing device are configured to search for and join a shared Wi-Fi network using different Wi-Fi schemes, allowing them to communicate and execute image processing instructions through a Wi-Fi interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a communication device uses a single Wi-Fi scheme to search for image processing devices, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to connect with devices on different Wi-Fi networks is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the Wi-Fi communication capability into two distinct schemes: Wi-Fi Direct for searching and connecting to image processing devices, and infrastructure mode for general network communication. This segmentation allows the communication device to handle different network scenarios with specialized protocols, improving adaptability without requiring a single complex unified system
Solution Approach 2:
The communication device is designed with multi-functionality by supporting both Wi-Fi Direct and infrastructure mode operations. The device can dynamically switch between these modes depending on the target device type, enabling universal compatibility across different network configurations while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized implementation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the communication device searches for image processing devices on different Wi-Fi networks, then the versatility of image processing execution is improved, but the connection establishment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device performs preliminary actions by maintaining capability for both Wi-Fi Direct and infrastructure mode connections simultaneously. The device pre-configures network interfaces and keeps protocol stacks ready, enabling rapid switching between network modes without requiring full reconfiguration, thus reducing connection establishment time while maintaining cross-network versatility
3Reliability
If the communication device joins the same Wi-Fi network as the image processing device, then the reliability of communication is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to manual network configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device implements self-service by automatically detecting the operational mode of the target image processing device and selecting the appropriate Wi-Fi scheme without user intervention. The device autonomously performs network discovery, protocol selection, and connection establishment, eliminating manual network configuration requirements while ensuring reliable communication through appropriate scheme selection
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device is configured to search for one or more image processing devices which do not currently belong to a same Wi-Fi network to which the communication device belongs according to a first scheme of the Wi-Fi standard, for each of M image processing devices found in the search, specify a distance between the image processing device and the communication device, cause an output unit to output N identification information for identifying N image processing devices among the M image processing devices based on the specified distances of the M image processing devices, in a case where specific identification information is selected by a user, join, via the Wi-Fi interface, a same Wi-Fi network to which a specific image processing device belongs according to a second scheme of the Wi-Fi standard, and send a process instruction to the specific image processing device by using the Wi-Fi network.