Dual-Role Wi-Fi Display Communication Apparatus Role Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual-role devices in Wi-Fi® Display systems can only communicate with one device at a time, limiting their functionality and connectivity options when serving as both a source and a sink device.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with multiple transmission units and a determination unit to assess the role of connecting devices, allowing it to selectively transmit signals indicating its capabilities and connect to appropriate external apparatuses, enabling concurrent dual-role functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dual-role device notifies external apparatuses that it has both source function and sink function, then the device can perform connection processing with new apparatuses, but the device is unable to actually communicate with apparatuses it is already connected to
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the notification signal dynamic rather than static. The dual-role device changes its notification behavior based on its current connection state - it dynamically selects whether to notify as source-device-capable or sink-device-capable depending on whether it is currently connected to a sink or source device. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by ensuring the notification always reflects the device's actual communication capability at that moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the notification signal based on the device's connection state. When connected to a sink device, the dual-role device changes its notification parameter to indicate only source capability. When connected to a source device, it changes to indicate only sink capability. This parameter change ensures that external apparatuses receive accurate capability information, resolving the contradiction between versatility and reliability.
2Reliability
If a dual-role device limits connections to one device at a time, then communication reliability is maintained, but the device cannot connect to multiple apparatuses simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dual-role device's notification function into separate source-device notification and sink-device notification paths. By segmenting the capability notification, the device can independently manage its source and sink functions, allowing it to connect to multiple devices simultaneously while maintaining communication reliability through proper role assignment in each connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the dual-role device to perform multiple functions by allowing it to serve different external apparatuses in different roles simultaneously. One external device can be connected as a sink while another is connected as a source, making the dual-role device universally applicable to multiple connections without compromising reliability.
3Ease of operation
If a dual-role device notifies as having both functions when already connected to one device, then connection processing with new devices is enabled, but role confusion and communication failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the dual-role device monitor its own connection state and use this feedback to adjust its notification behavior. The device continuously checks whether it is currently connected to a sink or source device and adjusts its capability notification accordingly, preventing role confusion and maintaining communication stability while enabling seamless connection setup.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus selects to transmit a first signal indicating that the communication apparatus can execute a first function of transmitting data on which output processing is performed by an output unit to an external apparatus, a second signal indicating that the communication apparatus can execute a second function of receiving data on which output processing is performed by an external apparatus and performing output processing based on the received data, or a third signal indicating that the communication apparatus can execute both the first function and the second function, based on a function of a first external communication apparatus that is connecting to the communication apparatus, and connects to a second external communication apparatus that has responded to one of the selected and transmitted signals.