NFC-Assisted Wi-Fi P2P Connection Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Wi-Fi technologies face inefficiencies in direct communication between devices, particularly due to limitations in Bluetooth transmission distance and speed, and the underutilization of Ad-hoc technology due to security vulnerabilities and power consumption issues, necessitating a method for convenient Wi-Fi Direct connections.

Innovation Solution

A wireless terminal apparatus and method utilizing a Near Field Communication (NFC) module for exchanging device information and establishing a Wi-Fi P2P connection, allowing automatic switching to Wi-Fi P2P mode and bypassing the need for repeated device discovery processes, enabling direct communication with a desired device through near-distance contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If Bluetooth technology is used for direct communication between Wi-Fi terminals, then transmission capability is improved, but transmission distance and transmission speed are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capabilityVSAvoidtransmission speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication system into two parts: Bluetooth for initial device discovery and pairing (low-speed control plane), and Wi-Fi P2P for actual data transmission (high-speed data plane). This allows each technology to operate in its optimal performance range while combining their advantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Bluetooth acts as an intermediary technology that facilitates the establishment of Wi-Fi P2P connections. It mediates the initial interaction between devices by enabling device discovery, authentication, and connection setup, after which Wi-Fi takes over for high-speed communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If Ad-hoc technology is used for direct Wi-Fi connection, then transmission speed is improved, but security vulnerability and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary security setup through Bluetooth before establishing Wi-Fi P2P connections. Device authentication, connection validation, and security parameter negotiation are completed in advance via Bluetooth, ensuring secure connections before high-speed data transfer begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Bluetooth serves as a secure intermediary that validates device identities and establishes trust relationships before Wi-Fi P2P connections are formed. This preliminary authentication layer protects against unauthorized connections while maintaining Wi-Fi's high transmission speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If Device Discovery process is performed repeatedly to connect to a desired device, then connection reliability is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs device discovery and information exchange preliminarily through Bluetooth before Wi-Fi P2P connection establishment. The desired device is identified and pre-configured via Bluetooth, eliminating the need for repeated device discovery scans when establishing the actual high-speed connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Device information discovered through Bluetooth is copied and used to initialize the Wi-Fi P2P connection process. The Bluetooth-discovered device address, name, and connection parameters are reused to rapidly establish the Wi-Fi connection without requiring a complete device discovery cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2600679B1Apparatus and method for connecting to a device in a wireless terminal
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2600679B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2600679B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2600679B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus and a method for connecting to a device in a wireless terminal, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for more conveniently connecting to a desired device in a communication mode of a wireless terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a near distance communication module for exchanging device information for a communication connection through a contact with a specific device, and a controller for controlling the near distance communication module to connect communication to the specific device based on the exchanged device information.