Information Processing Apparatus Network Connection State Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication techniques fail to provide users with appropriate information during connection establishment or when reconnecting after a disconnection, particularly in determining the appropriate connection method or restarting disconnected connections.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with multiple communication units (first and second communication units) and an obtaining unit to determine the connection method based on the state of network connection information obtained from a communication apparatus, allowing for appropriate information presentation to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If connection determination is performed only during established communication, then the system maintains simple operation logic, but the user cannot obtain appropriate connection method information during connection establishment or reconnection phases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by obtaining network connection state information from the communication apparatus before the connection is actually established. The information processing apparatus queries the communication apparatus about its network connection state (whether it is connected to a network, and by what method) prior to attempting connection, thereby having the necessary information ready to guide the connection process and present appropriate connection methods to the user in advance.
2Loss of information
If the system provides comprehensive connection state information, then the user can make informed connection decisions, but the system complexity increases due to multiple communication units and determination logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the communication apparatus itself as an intermediary to obtain network connection state information. Rather than requiring the information processing apparatus to directly detect or determine the network state through complex protocols, it queries the communication apparatus which already has this information available, thereby obtaining comprehensive connection state information while keeping the overall system structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit in the information processing apparatus serves multiple functions: it determines not only whether connection is possible but also identifies the appropriate connection method (direct connection or connection via access point). This multi-functionality allows the system to provide comprehensive connection information without requiring separate specialized components for each determination task.
3Reliability
If connection methods are determined without considering communication apparatus network state, then the connection process is faster, but the connection reliability decreases due to inappropriate method selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent obtains network connection state information from the communication apparatus before attempting connection, allowing the system to pre-determine the appropriate connection method. This preliminary determination of connection method based on actual network state ensures reliable connection selection while minimizing connection determination time, as the decision logic is already in place before the connection attempt begins.
Data Source
AI summary
In an information processing apparatus instructions are executed to perform communication with a communication apparatus by a first communication method and a second communication method, obtain, from the communication apparatus, first information relating to a network connection in the communication apparatus using the first communication method, and hold the obtained first information in a memory. When the information processing apparatus cannot communicate by the first communication method using the first information, second information is obtained from the communication apparatus and via communication using the second communication method, relating to the network connection in the communication apparatus using the first communication method, and when the obtained second information is different from the first information, the first information is transmitted to the communication apparatus and via communication using the second communication method.