Terminal Apparatus BLE Wi-Fi Connection Status Notification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users connecting electronic equipment, such as printers, via a terminal apparatus like smartphones may not notice successful wireless connections due to the equipment's display being out of sight, making it inconvenient to confirm connection status without moving to the device's location.

Innovation Solution

The terminal apparatus uses a combination of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Wi-Fi communication to establish a connection with electronic equipment, allowing for notification of successful connection status without requiring the user to be in front of the equipment's display, by transmitting an SSID and password to the equipment and determining connection success through identifier matching or IP address verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If connection setting is performed using a terminal apparatus (smartphone), then the connection setting can be performed remotely without requiring the user to be in front of the electronic equipment, but the user cannot directly observe the connection status on the electronic equipment's display unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection setting convenienceVSAvoidconnection status confirmation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal apparatus acts as an intermediary between the user and the electronic equipment. It transmits the SSID to the electronic equipment via BLE communication and receives connection status notifications, thereby mediating the connection setting process and status confirmation without requiring the user to be physically present at the electronic equipment's display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic equipment provides feedback to the terminal apparatus about the connection status through BLE communication. When the connection to the access point is successful or unsuccessful, the electronic equipment notifies the terminal apparatus, which then informs the user, creating a feedback loop that resolves the information loss problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the electronic equipment has a small display unit or no display unit, then the terminal apparatus becomes necessary for connection setting, but the user cannot view connection information on the electronic equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection setting capabilityVSAvoidwireless connection result

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal apparatus serves as a mediator that compensates for the electronic equipment's limited or absent display capabilities. It receives connection result notifications from the electronic equipment and presents the information to the user on its own display, enabling connection setting and status confirmation regardless of the electronic equipment's display size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal apparatus copies the connection status information from the electronic equipment's internal state (notification about successful/unsuccessful connection) and displays it on its own screen, creating a visual copy of the connection result that the user can observe without needing to see the electronic equipment's display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If the user must move to the display unit's position to confirm connection success, then the user can directly observe the connection status, but the convenience of remote connection setting is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection status visibilityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal apparatus acts as an intermediary that transfers connection status information from the electronic equipment to the user's handheld device. This eliminates the need for the user to physically move to the electronic equipment's display location, as all connection information is delivered to the terminal apparatus where the user already is.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback mechanism where the electronic equipment automatically notifies the terminal apparatus of connection results. This feedback loop ensures the user receives real-time connection status information without needing to observe the electronic equipment's display directly, maintaining information visibility while preserving user convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3621358B1Terminal apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program

Publication Date: 2023.12.27 SEIKO EPSON CORP

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AI summary

A communication unit transmits an SSID of an access point which is a connection target in a first wireless communication scheme to electronic equipment in compliance with a second wireless communication scheme and receives an identifier of the electronic equipment in compliance with both the first wireless communication scheme and the second wireless communication scheme. When it is determined that both identifiers match, a processing unit notifies that a connection between the electronic equipment and the access point is successful.