Wireless Communication Apparatus Stealth Mode Reconnection

Solution Overview

Problem

Devices like digital cameras experience increased power consumption and reduced usability when repeatedly connecting to wireless access points with stealth mode enabled, as users must manually input the SSID each time, leading to inefficient connection processes.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus with a wireless communication unit and a recording unit that records network information, including stealth mode status, as history information, allowing automatic reconnection to previously connected networks without visible SSIDs by using stored history information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the communication apparatus continuously transmits connection requests to connect to the access point with stealth mode enabled, then the connection can be established, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The communication apparatus performs preliminary action by storing network information (including SSID and stealth mode status) in history information when initially connected. When needing to reconnect, the apparatus retrieves stored history information and automatically transmits connection requests using saved credentials, eliminating the need for continuous manual SSID input and reducing unnecessary connection attempt cycles that would consume power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by automatically using stored history information to facilitate reconnection. The communication apparatus autonomously retrieves saved network parameters and executes connection requests without requiring continuous user intervention or manual SSID entry, thereby reducing the number of connection request transmissions and associated power consumption while maintaining reliable reconnection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the user manually specifies the SSID each time to connect to the access point with stealth mode enabled, then the connection can be established, but the usability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The communication apparatus performs preliminary action by storing network information (including SSID and stealth mode status) in history information when initially connected. When needing to reconnect, the apparatus retrieves stored history information and automatically transmits connection requests using saved credentials, eliminating the need for continuous manual SSID input and reducing unnecessary connection attempt cycles that would consume power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by automatically using stored history information to facilitate reconnection. The communication apparatus autonomously retrieves saved network parameters and executes connection requests without requiring continuous user intervention or manual SSID entry, thereby reducing the number of connection request transmissions and associated power consumption while maintaining reliable reconnection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the access point uses stealth mode to improve security, then the network identifier is not included in the beacon, but the connection process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidconnection process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication apparatus performs preliminary action by storing network information (including SSID and stealth mode status) in history information when initially connected. When needing to reconnect, the apparatus retrieves stored history information and automatically transmits connection requests using saved credentials, eliminating the need for continuous manual SSID input and reducing unnecessary connection attempt cycles that would consume power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the beacon reception process. When the communication apparatus receives a beacon from an access point with stealth mode enabled, it identifies the network by other characteristics (such as BSSID or location information) and uses this feedback to retrieve corresponding history information, which then guides the automatic connection process without requiring complex manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11641676B2Communication apparatus, control method thereof, and non-transitory computer-readable medium

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 CANON KK

AI summary

A communication apparatus comprises a wireless communication unit, a recording unit, and a control unit. The control unit, in a case where connection with a relay apparatus is established by the wireless communication unit, controls the recording unit to record information on a network formed by the relay apparatus and information on whether a stealth mode is enabled for the network. The control unit, in a case where a beacon, which does not include an identifier of a network, is received by the wireless communication unit in a state where information on a network for which the stealth mode is enabled was recorded, controls the wireless communication unit to start wireless connection to the relay apparatus that forms the network for which the recorded information indicates the stealth mode is enabled.