Wireless Network Switching for Printer Connection Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in establishing connections between a printer and terminal devices when the number of connections reaches the upper limit, preventing immediate wireless connection between the target terminal and the printer.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electronic equipment with a wireless communication unit that forms multiple networks and switches between them using a controller, allowing for continuous communication by switching to a secondary network when the upper limit is reached, along with short-distance wireless communication for setting information transmission to facilitate connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wireless communication unit maintains a single wireless network with an upper limit connection number, then the network management is simple, but the terminal device cannot connect when the connection limit is reached
Solution Approach 1:
The single wireless network is segmented into a first wireless network and a second wireless network. The controller switches between these two networks based on connection status, allowing terminal devices to connect through the second network when the first network reaches its upper limit connection number.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-network dimension to a multi-network dimension by introducing a second wireless network as an alternative connection path, enabling connections beyond the original network's capacity limits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the controller switches to a second wireless network when the upper limit is reached, then more terminal devices can connect, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically switches between the first and second wireless networks based on real-time connection status. When the first network reaches its upper limit, the system transitions to the second network, providing adaptive connection capabilities while managing complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication unit is designed to support multiple network modes (first network and second network), making it universally capable of handling different connection scenarios and accommodating various terminal devices regardless of network capacity constraints.
3Ease of operation
If the system allows immediate connection requests, then user satisfaction improves, but power consumption increases due to continuous network monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring both the first and second wireless networks before connection requests occur. The controller monitors connection status and proactively switches networks before connection failures occur, enabling immediate connections without continuous active monitoring that would increase power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication unit forms any one of a first wireless network and a second wireless network, and performs wireless communication with a terminal device. An NFC communication unit performs short distance wireless communication with a terminal device. A controller switches a network of the wireless communication, which is formed by the wireless communication unit, from the first wireless network to the second wireless network, in response to the short distance wireless communication with the terminal device in a case in which the wireless communication unit forms the first wireless network.