Terminal Device Wireless Network State Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal devices face a high processing load when sending setting information to multiple communication devices, as they need to establish and shift between different operation states for each device, leading to inefficient operation and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The terminal device operates as a parent station in a wireless network, allowing multiple communication devices to join without shifting to a non-parent station state, and sends setting information using broadcast or unicast transmissions via a single wireless interface, reducing the number of state shifts and processing load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal device establishes separate connections with each communication device individually, then each device can receive setting information, but the processing load and power consumption increase due to multiple state shifts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting information transmissionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate connection operations into a single wireless network establishment. The terminal device establishes one connection to the wireless network and then communicates with multiple communication devices (first, second, and third image forming devices) through this single connection, eliminating the need to repeatedly establish and shift between multiple separate connections. This combining approach directly reduces power consumption by avoiding frequent state transitions while ensuring reliable setting information transmission to all devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the terminal device shifts operation state for each connection establishment, then connections can be managed individually, but the processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection managementVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple connection management operations into a single unified process. Instead of managing separate connections with each communication device individually (which requires repeated state shifts and increases processing load), the terminal device establishes a single connection to the wireless network and manages all communications through this one connection. This approach maintains ease of operation while significantly reducing device complexity and processing load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single wireless network connection serves multiple functions simultaneously - it enables communication with the first, second, and third image forming devices, transmits setting information to all devices, and maintains network connectivity. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for separate specialized connections for each device, reducing processing load while maintaining operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3226586B1Computer program for terminal device
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP3226586B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3226586B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3226586B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer program (138) for a terminal device (100) may cause a computer (132) of the terminal device (100) to; shift an operating state of the terminal device (100) from a non-parent station state to a parent station state so as to form a wireless network if a predetermined trigger instruction is given; establish a wireless connection with the first communication device (200), in a case where a first communication link is established with a first communication device (200); send predetermined setting information (142, 144) to the first communication device (200); establish a wireless connection with the second communication device (300) in a case where a second communication link is established with a second communication device (300); and send the predetermined setting information (142, 144) to the second communication device (300).