Multi-Interface Electronic Apparatus Interface Adaptation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic apparatuses face difficulties in maintaining appropriate communication when the interface used for communication with an information processing apparatus is changed, as device drivers are typically set up for a single interface and may not function correctly with different interfaces.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with multiple communication interfaces, including a first and second interface, stores identification and address information for each interface, allowing it to receive inquiries and requests from an information processing apparatus and send corresponding identification and address information to facilitate communication through the appropriate interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a device driver is installed through one interface selected from among multiple interfaces, then the device driver can control the electronic apparatus through that interface, but communication becomes difficult when the connection interface is changed to another interface
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic apparatus is designed to support multiple communication interfaces (wired LAN, wireless LAN, Bluetooth) with a single device driver installation. The system universally handles communication requests across different interfaces by storing multiple address information sets corresponding to different interfaces, allowing one device driver to control the apparatus regardless of which interface is used for connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and provides the appropriate address information based on the current communication interface being used. When a communication request arrives, the apparatus identifies which interface is active and dynamically provides the corresponding address information (first address information for wired LAN, second address information for wireless LAN, third address information for Bluetooth), ensuring continuous adaptability to interface changes.
2Ease of manufacture
If device driver is set up for a single selected interface, then installation is simple through one interface, but communication appropriateness deteriorates when interface changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic apparatus pre-stores multiple sets of address information (first, second, and third address information) corresponding to different communication interfaces before any communication occurs. This preliminary preparation allows the system to immediately respond to interface changes without requiring reinstallation or reconfiguration, maintaining communication appropriateness while keeping installation simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the apparatus receives communication requests through any interface, identifies which interface is being used, and automatically provides the corresponding address information. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the correct address information is always provided based on the actual interface in use, maintaining communication reliability without complicating the installation process.
Data Source
AI summary
An MFP stores identification information and address information in correlation with each other for each interface. The MFP sends first identification information to a PC when receiving an inquiry of identification information from the PC through a first interface in preparation communication such as installation of a printer driver. In addition, when a request of address information using the first identification information is acquired from the PC, the MFP sends first address information corresponding to the first identification information in a case where the request of address information is acquired through the first interface, and sends second address information corresponding to second identification information in a case where the request of address information is acquired through a second interface.