Image Forming Wireless Control With Trigger-Based Carrier Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently performing wireless communication in both infrastructure and ad hoc modes, particularly in managing carrier sensing and channel allocation, which can lead to inefficiencies in data transmission.

Innovation Solution

The image forming apparatus is equipped with a communication control unit that enables simultaneous operation in both infrastructure and ad hoc modes, receiving trigger frames for carrier sensing and channel allocation, and transmitting data without requiring carrier sensing when necessary, adhering to IEEE 802.11 standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the image forming apparatus performs wireless communication in both infrastructure mode and ad hoc mode simultaneously, then communication versatility is improved, but communication management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication mode versatilityVSAvoidcommunication management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication control unit segments the communication management by separately handling infrastructure mode and ad hoc mode operations. It processes trigger frames from the access point for infrastructure mode while independently managing peer-to-peer communications for ad hoc mode, dividing the complex communication management into manageable segments for each mode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication control unit acts as an intermediary that receives and processes trigger frames from the access point, which then coordinates and manages the carrier sensing operations between the infrastructure mode (via access point) and ad hoc mode (peer-to-peer) communications, mediating the interaction between the two modes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If carrier sensing is executed for every data transmission, then communication reliability is improved, but transmission latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary carrier sensing through trigger frames received from the access point before actual data transmission. The trigger frame mechanism allows the apparatus to sense the communication channel in advance and prepare for transmission, reducing the need for repeated carrier sensing during the actual data transfer process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Carrier sensing is performed periodically through trigger frame reception at scheduled intervals rather than continuously before every transmission. The access point sends trigger frames at regular intervals, allowing the image forming apparatus to perform carrier sensing at these periodic intervals, reducing overall sensing frequency while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the apparatus receives trigger frames requiring carrier sensing execution, then channel access reliability is improved, but communication efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel access reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication control unit dynamically adjusts carrier sensing execution based on the communication mode. In infrastructure mode, it processes carrier sensing requirements from trigger frames with appropriate dynamic response. In ad hoc mode, it can operate as a master station and dynamically control carrier sensing for slave stations, optimizing the balance between reliability and efficiency based on real-time communication conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the carrier sensing parameter (execution requirement) based on the communication mode and trigger frame content. When operating in ad hoc mode as a master station, the apparatus can send trigger frames to slave stations with carrier sensing execution requirements adjusted according to channel conditions and communication priorities, optimizing both reliability and efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12455708B2Image forming apparatus is performing wireless communication in two modes and receiving trigger frame from access point, method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 CANON KK

AI summary

In a case where an image forming apparatus operates as a master station determining a communication channel used in wireless communication, the image forming apparatus transmits a second trigger frame that includes information indicating inexecution of carrier sensing and complies with an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, to a slave station apparatus connected to the master station.