Communication Apparatus Service Termination via NFC and Wi-Fi

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems fail to detect the disappearance of a counterpart communication device after device information has been acquired via proximity communication, leading to difficulties in ending service execution at appropriate timing.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus that uses a combination of NFC and wireless LAN communication to acquire device information and detect the stopping of a service, allowing for timely service termination by managing device information through a device management table and employing protocols like SSDP for service discovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If device information is acquired via proximity communication and service execution is started, then connection speed is improved, but the ability to detect device disappearance is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection speedVSAvoiddevice disappearance detection
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines proximity communication (NFC) for fast connection establishment with wireless LAN communication for service execution and device disappearance detection. The communication apparatus switches from proximity communication to wireless LAN communication after acquiring device information, thereby merging the speed advantage of NFC with the detection capability of wireless LAN.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless LAN communication as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the gap between fast proximity communication and reliable service execution. The wireless LAN serves as a mediator that maintains connection while enabling continuous device presence detection through service discovery protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If service discovery protocol is used over Wi-Fi, then service discovery capability is improved, but connection time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice discovery capabilityVSAvoidconnection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs device information acquisition via proximity communication in advance before initiating service discovery over wireless LAN. This preliminary action populates the device management table with necessary information, reducing the time required for subsequent service discovery operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the connection process into two distinct phases: (1) fast device information acquisition via proximity communication, and (2) service discovery and execution via wireless LAN. This segmentation allows each phase to utilize the most appropriate communication method for its specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2919490B1Communication apparatus, control method for the same and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 CANON KK
  • EP2919490B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2919490B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2919490B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

The present invention provides a technique that, in the case where a first radio communication unit has acquired device information, and the execution of a service has started, makes it possible to detect the stopping of execution of the service by a second radio communication unit. To achieve this, device information regarding another communication apparatus is acquired via the first radio communication unit, and if a predetermined service is being executed with the other communication apparatus based on the acquired device information, a predetermined signal indicating stopping of the predetermined service is detected via the second radio communication unit that is different from the first radio communication unit. If the predetermined signal is detected, processing for stopping the predetermined service is performed.