Communication Device IPv4 QR Code Display Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional communication devices, such as MFPs, often output an IPv6 address instead of an IPv4 address when the user sets the output to IPv6 only, leading to unnecessary IP address analysis and compatibility issues with mobile terminals that only support IPv4 addresses.

Innovation Solution

A communication device with a control unit that displays a QR image including an IPv4 address when it is valid and does not display an IPv6 address if the IPv4 address is invalid, preventing external devices incompatible with IPv6 from acquiring the IPv6 address.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the MFP outputs only an IPv6 address when IPv4 is invalid, then the device supports modern networking protocols, but external devices incompatible with IPv6 acquire the IPv6 address and perform unnecessary analysis processes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIPv6 address output capabilityVSAvoidUnnecessary IP address analysis load on external devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit checks whether an IPv4 address is valid before displaying the QR image, and only displays the QR image containing the IPv6 address when the IPv4 address is invalid. This preliminary check prevents incompatible external devices from acquiring the IPv6 address in the first place, eliminating the harmful effect of unnecessary analysis processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different display behaviors based on the specific condition of IPv4 address validity. When IPv4 is valid, the QR image includes IPv4 address; when IPv4 is invalid, the QR image includes only IPv6 address. This localized quality adjustment ensures that each external device receives the appropriate IP address version for its compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the MFP displays a QR image with IPv6 address when IPv4 is invalid, then the communication device can be accessed via IPv6, but mobile terminals with IPv4-only communication applications cannot establish proper communication

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIPv6 communication capabilityVSAvoidCommunication compatibility with IPv4-only devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic display control where the QR image content changes based on the validity of the IPv4 address. The control unit dynamically determines whether to display a QR image with IPv4 address, IPv6 address, or both, ensuring that the displayed information always matches the communication capabilities of the target external device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of the displayed IP address version based on the system's network configuration state. By monitoring the validity of the IPv4 address and adjusting the displayed IP address version accordingly, the system ensures compatibility with external devices while maintaining the ability to use IPv6 when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10169690B2Communication device that communicates with external device, control method for the same, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 CANON KK

AI summary

A communication device capable of certainly preventing an external device incompatible with an IPv6 address from acquiring the IPv6 address. A display unit is controlled so as to display a QR image including an IPv4 address of the communication device when the IPv4 address is valid in the communication device. When the IPv4 address is invalid and the IPv6 address is valid in the communication device, the display unit is controlled so as not to display a QR image including the IPv6 address of the communication device.