Smartphone AP Activation via BLE Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for handover between a smart phone and a printer in wireless LAN communication result in unnecessary power and resource consumption due to the smart phone continuously operating as an access point, awaiting potential connections from the printer, without knowing when the printer will connect, leading to potential unnecessary connection processing.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with a transmission unit to instruct connection to a wireless LAN, a reception unit to receive BLE notifications, and an activation unit to activate the AP function only upon successful reception, allowing the smart phone to efficiently manage its role as an access point based on printer availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the smart phone continuously operates as an AP to wait for printer connection, then connection availability is ensured, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The smart phone activates the AP function periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The AP function is activated only when needed (when connection notification is received or when printing is requested), and deactivated when not needed, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining connection availability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the printer notify the smart phone via BLE before establishing wireless LAN connection. This advance notification allows the smart phone to activate the AP function at the appropriate time rather than keeping it continuously active, optimizing power usage while ensuring readiness for connection.
2Reliability
If the smart phone continuously operates as an AP, then connection readiness is maintained, but unnecessary connection processing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback through BLE communication where the printer notifies the smart phone of its connection readiness status. The smart phone receives this feedback and activates the AP function accordingly, avoiding unnecessary connection processing by only activating when the printer is actually ready to connect.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer performs preliminary notification via BLE to indicate when it is ready for connection. This preliminary action allows the smart phone to activate the AP function at the precise moment needed, preventing both premature activation and unnecessary connection processing attempts.
3Ease of operation
If the printer performs connection processing without knowing smart phone AP status, then connection attempts are made, but wireless resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The smart phone provides feedback to the printer via BLE communication, notifying it when the AP function is active or when connection is accepted. This feedback mechanism allows the printer to perform automatic connection attempts only when appropriate, avoiding waste of wireless resources while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus operable as an AP of a wireless LAN, the apparatus comprises a transmission unit configured to transmit to another apparatus an instruction for causing a connection to a wireless LAN that the AP creates; a reception unit configured to receive from the other apparatus, which received the instruction by communication in accordance with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), a notification indicating that it is possible to connect to the wireless LAN that the AP creates; and an activation unit configured to activate a function of the AP in accordance with reception by the reception unit without activating a function of the AP in accordance with the transmission of the instruction by the transmission unit.