MFP Software AP Mode for Network Setting Conflict Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image processing apparatuses with access point functions face conflicts when receiving network connection instructions from multiple external terminals, leading to potential misconnections or unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus operates in dual modes: as a wireless access point and terminal, allowing it to activate specific wireless interfaces for network settings, receive connection requests, and limit the number of external devices using these services through connection and service use limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the image processing apparatus allows multiple external apparatuses to connect to perform network setting, then the ease of operation is improved, but conflicts occur between setting instructions from different terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless interface is segmented into multiple virtual access points, each dedicated to a specific external apparatus. This segmentation ensures that each external apparatus has its own dedicated wireless interface for network setting, preventing conflicts between multiple terminals while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification and binding of external apparatuses to specific wireless interfaces before network setting begins. By pre-establishing the correspondence between external apparatuses and wireless interfaces, the system prevents conflicts from occurring in the first place.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the image processing apparatus operates as a wireless access point to enable network setting, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless interface is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating both as a standard wireless interface for general communication and as a dedicated access point for network setting. This universal design allows the same hardware to serve multiple purposes without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual wireless interfaces are nested within the existing wireless interface structure. By implementing virtual access points as software-based entities within the wireless interface, the system achieves enhanced functionality without physically adding separate wireless hardware, thus managing complexity.
3Reliability
If the image processing apparatus limits the number of external apparatuses connecting to the wireless access point, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless interface is segmented into multiple virtual access points, each dedicated to a specific external apparatus. This segmentation ensures that each external apparatus has its own dedicated wireless interface for network setting, preventing conflicts between multiple terminals while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically identifies external apparatuses and assigns them to appropriate wireless interfaces without requiring manual configuration. The binding of external apparatuses to wireless interfaces is performed automatically based on their connection requests, eliminating the need for users to manually manage connections while ensuring reliable service.
Data Source
AI summary
An MFP (image processing apparatus) activates a specific AP by a software AP mode for using a setting service that allows an external apparatus to perform network setting to cause the MFP to connect to a network by the software AP mode. If the MFP receives, from a mobile terminal via a WLAN I/F, a connection request to the activated specific AP, the MFP executes processing to limit the number of external apparatuses (mobile terminals) that can connect to the specific AP to use a WLAN setting service. The MFP limits, for example, the number of the external apparatuses that can connect to the specific AP to one.