Host Driver Configures Wireless IP for Image Forming Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in easily setting up wireless connections between image forming devices and host devices, as existing technologies like WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) only facilitate connections between access points and image forming devices, requiring manual setup of network parameters such as SSID, operation mode, encryption, and IP addresses.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where the host device connects to the image forming device via a wired interface, installs a driver program to execute a wireless connection setting program, determines the IP setting method of the image forming device based on the host device's method, and transmits network setup information to automatically set up a wireless connection, using DHCP or Auto-IP methods for IP address allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If WPS technology is used to connect access point and image forming device, then wireless network connection is established, but manual setup of network parameters (SSID, IP address, encryption) is still required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the image forming device obtain network parameters (SSID, IP address, encryption settings) from the host device through wired connection before the actual wireless printing operation. The driver program pre-configures all necessary network parameters, so when wireless connection is needed, everything is already set up and ready to use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the wired connection and driver program as an intermediary mechanism. Instead of directly configuring wireless parameters on the image forming device, the system uses the host device's driver program to obtain parameters through wired connection and transmit them to the image forming device, simplifying the user's task to just establishing the wired connection.
2Reliability
If manual configuration of network parameters is required, then connection can be established, but user complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by having the driver program automatically obtain network parameters from the host device and configure the image forming device without user intervention. The driver program itself performs the configuration tasks, reading parameters from the host and automatically setting up the image forming device's network settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver program serves multiple functions: it manages wired connection, obtains network parameters, configures the image forming device, and enables wireless communication. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate manual configuration steps into a single automated process.
3Loss of information
If wired interface is used for initial connection, then reliable parameter transmission is achieved, but additional connection step is required
Solution Approach 1:
The wired connection is used for preliminary action - establishing a reliable channel to obtain and transmit network parameters before wireless operation begins. Once parameters are transmitted and configured through the wired connection, the system transitions to wireless mode for actual printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration (user manually entering SSID, IP addresses, encryption keys) with an automated electronic parameter transmission system. The driver program electronically obtains and transmits all network parameters through the wired interface, substituting manual input with automated data transfer.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming device, a host device, and connecting methods thereof are provided. The method includes that when the image forming device is connected to the host device through a wired interface, installing a driver program to execute a wireless connection setting program, determining an internet protocol (IP) setting method of the image forming device according to an IP setting method of the host device, copying network setup information of the host device and transmitting the copied network setup information to the image forming device through the wired interface, and when the image forming device sets an IP address thereof according to the determined IP setting method and transmits the IP address to the host device through the wired interface, establishing a wireless connection setting using the transmitted IP address.