Dual Wireless Communication Setup for Printers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems for connecting information processing apparatuses to electronic apparatuses, such as printers, are prone to connection failures due to unreliable wireless LAN connections, leading to inconvenient setup processes.

Innovation Solution

The electronic apparatus incorporates a wireless communication section capable of performing both fast first wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi) and slow second wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth), with a processing section that uses second wireless communication to receive initial setting information and connection settings, allowing for stable initialization even if the first wireless communication environment deteriorates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If wireless LAN connection is used for connecting information processing apparatus to electronic apparatus, then communication speed is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the communication parameter by introducing a second wireless communication mode with slower speed but higher reliability. The processing section switches between first wireless communication (fast but unreliable) and second wireless communication (slow but reliable) based on connection status, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability through parameter adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The second wireless communication acts as an intermediary backup connection. When the first wireless communication fails or deteriorates, the processing section uses the second wireless communication as an intermediate solution to maintain connectivity, ensuring reliable initialization even though it has lower communication speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If only first wireless communication is used for initialization, then communication speed is improved, but connection stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitialization speedVSAvoidconnection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The processing section performs preliminary connection establishment using the second wireless communication before switching to the first wireless communication for data transfer. This preliminary action ensures a stable connection foundation is laid first, preventing initialization failures while maintaining fast communication for actual data operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The second wireless communication serves as a cushioning backup connection that is prepared in advance. If the first wireless communication fails during initialization, the cushioning connection ensures the electronic apparatus can still complete setup procedures, preventing total initialization failure while allowing fast communication to proceed when conditions are favorable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If wireless communication connection is made without backup method, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication configuration complexityVSAvoidsetup convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The processing section automatically manages switching between first and second wireless communications without user intervention. The system self-monitors connection status and autonomously switches communication modes, eliminating the need for manual configuration while ensuring smooth operations even when connection issues arise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic apparatus is equipped with multiple wireless communication functions that can operate universally. The processing section can use either first or second wireless communication depending on conditions, making the system universally adaptable to different network environments while maintaining simple operation through automatic mode selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11599316B2Electronic apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.03.07 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An electronic apparatus includes a wireless communication section configured to perform first wireless communication or second wireless communication that is short-range wireless communication having a slower communication speed than the first wireless communication and includes a processor configured to perform communication control on the wireless communication section and perform control on job processing. The processor connects to an information processing apparatus for communication by using the second wireless communication to receive initial setting information for setting a state for enabling the job processing and receive connection setting information for connecting to an external access point by using the first wireless communication.