NFC-Triggered Wi-Fi Activation for Automatic Printer Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of portable terminals like smartphones and tablets face difficulties in establishing wireless communication with external devices such as printers due to the need for manual activation of Wi-Fi when it is set to an inactive state, especially when using NFC for handover procedures.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that automatically changes the Wi-Fi setting from inactive to active when brought close to an NFC tag on a printing apparatus, allowing seamless wireless communication by acquiring connection information from the tag without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If Wi-Fi is set to inactive state to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but wireless communication cannot be established when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically activating Wi-Fi through NFC tag detection before wireless communication is actually needed. The NFC tag contains pre-stored connection information, and upon detection, the system proactively enables Wi-Fi and establishes connection parameters in advance, eliminating the need for manual user intervention and ensuring communication readiness while maintaining power efficiency during idle periods.
2Ease of operation
If manual operation is required to activate Wi-Fi, then power consumption is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting NFC tags and enabling Wi-Fi communication without requiring user intervention. The portable terminal autonomously reads connection information from the NFC tag, activates Wi-Fi, and establishes communication parameters, making the device serve itself rather than requiring manual user configuration.
3Ease of operation
If Wi-Fi is automatically activated upon NFC detection, then ease of operation is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies periodic action by maintaining Wi-Fi in an inactive state during extended periods and only activating it periodically when an NFC tag is detected. This on-demand activation pattern ensures that power consumption remains low during idle periods while still providing automatic communication setup capability when needed, balancing convenience with energy efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effortless wireless communication setup by automating the Wi-Fi activation process, reducing the need for manual operations and ensuring power efficiency by returning the Wi-Fi to inactive state after a predetermined time or user interaction.
Implementation Method 1
connection information necessary to perform wireless communication is acquired using short range communication such as NFC
Data Source
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AI summary
A smartphone (100) comprises a near-filed communication means (210) and a second wireless LAN interface (211). When from the smartphone (100) an item is to be printed on a near printer (110), the smartphone (100) is brought near a near-field tag on the printer (110) to read the connection details for connecting wirelessly to the printer (110). In the smartphone (100) Wi-Fi setting is automatically changed from an inactive state to an active state (S604). In a case where no user operation is performed within a prescribed time period, the Wi-Fi setting is returned from the active state to the inactive state.