MFP BLE Advertising for IP Address Delivery in Multi-Line Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MFPs fail to provide an appropriate IP address to mobile terminals when the network service discovery protocol, such as mDNS, does not function due to gateway specifications in large-scale networks with multiple lines, limiting their ability to communicate effectively.
Innovation Solution
The MFP transmits short-range wireless communication information, including the IP address of the main line, via BLE or NFC, to mobile terminals that cannot find the MFP using mDNS, ensuring the mobile terminal receives the necessary IP address for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the MFP uses multiple lines with different IP addresses for large-scale networks, then the adaptability to different network environments is improved, but the ability to provide the correct IP address to mobile terminals via short-range wireless communication deteriorates because only one IP address can be set in the short-range wireless-communication information
Solution Approach 1:
The MFP performs mDNS search processing in advance to determine whether mDNS functions properly in the network environment before transmitting short-range wireless communication information. Based on this preliminary detection, the MFP selectively sets the appropriate IP address (main line or sub line) in the short-range wireless-communication information, ensuring that mobile terminals receive the correct IP address for their specific network conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the MFP transmits the IP address of the sub line in short-range wireless communication information, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of communication deteriorates when mDNS does not function due to gateway specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The MFP uses mDNS search processing as a feedback mechanism to detect the network environment's capability. Based on this feedback, the MFP dynamically adjusts which IP address to transmit via short-range wireless communication, ensuring compatibility and reliability for mobile terminals in different network configurations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An information processing apparatus (10) uses a plurality of network interfaces (211, 213) for communication, comprising at least one memory that stores a set of instructions, and at least one processor that executes the instructions. The instructions, when executed, cause the information processing apparatus (10) to perform operations comprising: controlling so as to periodically transmit a first advertising packet via a Bluetooth Low Energy communication, the first advertising packet including information indicating an IP address for communicating with the information processing apparatus (10), wherein the plurality of network interfaces (211, 213) are network interfaces each of which is configured to connect to an external network provided by an external device (12c) to perform a communication, and wherein the first advertising packet includes an IP address assigned to one network interface (211) out of the plurality of network interfaces (211, 213) but does not include an IP address assigned to another network interface, as the IP address for communicating with the information processing apparatus (10).