Portable Device Dynamic Communication Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable imaging devices face challenges in establishing stable communication connections with external communication devices, particularly when multiple channels are involved, leading to potential delays and disruptions in capturing images due to varying communication states and channel preferences.

Innovation Solution

A portable device with a communication unit that determines the communication state of multiple channels and switches between stable and connection priority modes to ensure reliable communication, using either Wi-Fi or alternative communication systems like Bluetooth, to facilitate immediate image capture and data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the imaging device determines communication state for each communication channel and establishes connection using a channel in preferable communication state, then communication stability is improved, but connection establishment time increases due to channel evaluation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidconnection establishment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic communication mode switching between stable communication mode and connection priority communication mode. The mode switching unit changes the communication mode based on operational context: using stable communication mode when time is not critical and connection priority mode when immediate connection is needed, thus dynamically adapting to different operational requirements to balance stability and speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the communication mode parameter based on operational context. The mode switching unit alters the communication behavior parameter from stable communication mode to connection priority mode when specific conditions are met (such as when the imaging device is picked up or when immediate connection is required), thereby adjusting system behavior to resolve the contradiction between stability and speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the imaging device uses a predetermined communication channel without determining communication state, then connection establishment speed is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishment speedVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between connection priority mode for fast connection and stable communication mode for reliable communication. The mode switching unit enables the system to be fast when needed (connection priority mode) and stable when needed (stable communication mode), adapting to different operational requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The communication mode parameter is changed based on operational context. When immediate connection is required, the system uses connection priority mode with predetermined channels for speed. When stability is prioritized, it switches to stable communication mode that evaluates channel states, thus changing the parameter to resolve the speed-reliability tradeoff

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the imaging device establishes communication connection immediately upon power-on, then responsiveness is improved, but communication stability may deteriorate due to varying channel states

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveresponsivenessVSAvoidcommunication stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic mode switching that responds to operational context. The mode switching unit enables immediate connection in connection priority mode when responsiveness is critical, while allowing stable communication mode to be used when stability is more important, thus dynamically adapting to different operational scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of communication channels in stable communication mode before establishing connection. The communication state determination unit evaluates channel states in advance when in stable communication mode, preparing the best channel for immediate connection establishment, thus combining preliminary preparation with rapid response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10218886B2Portable device, communication system, communication connection method, and computer-readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A portable device includes: a first communication unit configured to communicatively connect with an external communication device by using one of communication channels; a communication state determination unit configured to determine a communication state for each communication channel; a mode switching unit configured to switch a communication mode of the portable device between: a stable communication mode for establishing communication connection with the communication device by using a communication channel in a preferable communication state in the communication channels in accordance with a determination result obtained by the communication state determination unit; and a connection priority communication mode for establishing communication connection with the communication device by using a predetermined communication channel in the communication channels without determination by the communication state determination unit; and a communication controller configured to start communication connection with the communication device via the first communication unit in the selected communication mode.