Wireless LAN Partner Selection Using Authentication and Encryption Screening

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic communication parameter setting methods for wireless LANs are inefficient and prone to errors when multiple devices are present, leading to prolonged setup times and unsuitable parameter settings due to the reliance on pre-stored SSIDs and status information.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus and method that determine a partner device for automatic setting based on authentication methods and encryption protocols from transmitted signals, allowing for quick and precise parameter acquisition, prioritizing devices with compatible settings to ensure successful network connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the acquiring device participates in all networks constructed by devices in the vicinity to perform automatic setting, then the method can work without pre-stored SSIDs, but the setting process takes a great deal of time when there are many devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with devices without pre-stored SSIDsVSAvoidtime required for automatic setting process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The determination unit preliminarily evaluates nearby devices based on authentication method and encryption protocol information before initiating the automatic setting process. This pre-screening identifies suitable partner devices in advance, allowing the acquiring device to skip unnecessary evaluation steps and directly connect with compatible devices, thereby reducing overall setup time while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the acquiring device repeatedly performs automatic setting process with multiple devices, then it can find a suitable network, but the process requires a great deal of time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuccess rate of automatic settingVSAvoidtime required for repeated setting attempts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The determination unit performs preliminary evaluation of nearby devices based on authentication method and encryption protocol compatibility before initiating the automatic setting process. This pre-screening identifies suitable partner devices in advance, allowing the acquiring device to skip unnecessary evaluation steps and directly connect with compatible devices, thereby reducing overall setup time while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the preliminary evaluation of authentication methods and encryption protocols to guide the automatic setting process. By continuously monitoring and comparing device characteristics against compatibility criteria, the system can quickly identify suitable partners and terminate unsuccessful attempts early, improving both reliability and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices are in communication parameter setting mode, then the acquiring device can participate in their networks, but the automatic setting process may end up being performed with unsuitable devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to participate in multiple networksVSAvoidsuitability of selected partner device

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The determination unit preliminarily evaluates nearby devices based on authentication method and encryption protocol information before initiating the automatic setting process. This pre-screening identifies suitable partner devices in advance, allowing the acquiring device to skip unnecessary evaluation steps and directly connect with compatible devices, thereby reducing overall setup time while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the preliminary evaluation of authentication methods and encryption protocols to guide the automatic setting process. By continuously monitoring and comparing device characteristics against compatibility criteria, the system can quickly identify suitable partners and terminate unsuccessful attempts early, improving both reliability and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8150980B2Communication apparatus and method thereof that determine communication partner for performing automatic setting process of communication parameter

Publication Date: 2012.04.03 CANON KK

AI summary

A communication apparatus determines an opposing communication apparatus with which to perform an automatic setting process of automatically setting a communication parameter required for connecting to a network, and acquires the communication parameter from the opposing communication apparatus. The opposing communication apparatus is determined based on at least one of information on an authentication method and information on an encryption protocol of respective communication apparatuses, included in a signal transmitted from each of a plurality of communication apparatuses.