Communication Device with Multi-Link Control for Congested Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies struggle to improve usability for electronic devices capable of utilizing multiple links simultaneously, particularly in environments with congested conditions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a communication device that supports multi-link communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11be standard, allowing simultaneous use of multiple frequency channels for enhanced throughput and reduced latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multi-link communication is implemented to improve throughput, then communication speed is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication throughputVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into multiple independent links operating on different frequency channels. Each link can be managed separately, allowing the system to achieve higher aggregate throughput through parallel communication while maintaining manageable complexity by treating each link as an independent communication path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-link communication to multi-link communication by adding the frequency channel dimension. This allows simultaneous communication across multiple frequency channels, effectively increasing throughput without proportionally increasing device complexity through spatial or temporal multiplexing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of time

If multiple frequency channels are used simultaneously to reduce latency, then communication latency is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication latencyVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing multiple links across different frequency channels before communication is needed. This pre-configuration allows immediate data transmission across multiple paths when required, reducing latency without requiring complex real-time decisions during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the multi-link communication management system) that handles the complexity of coordinating multiple frequency channels. This intermediary abstracts the complexity from the user, maintaining ease of operation while enabling low-latency communication through parallel channel usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4604663A1Communication device, control method thereof, computer-readable storage medium storing a program, and program
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 CANON KK
  • EP4604663A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4604663A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4604663A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A device (120) including: first operation control means configured to cause the device (120) to operate in a first mode that is a mode for the device (120) to operate as a parent station and perform communication compliant with an IEEE 802.11 standard; second operation control means configured to cause the device (120) to operate in a second mode that is a mode for the device (120) to operate as a parent station and perform communication compliant with an IEEE 802.11 standard, and that is different from the first mode; and control means configured to control the device (120) to execute multi-link communication compliant with an IEEE 802.11be standard as communication in the first mode, and control the device (120) not to perform the multi-link communication, and to perform communication different from the multi-link communication, as communication in the second mode.