Terminal Device DPP Selection for Secure Wireless Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in establishing wireless connections between communication devices and external devices due to varying support for different wireless communication schemes, leading to inefficiencies and potential security vulnerabilities.

Innovation Solution

A computer program for a terminal device that can establish wireless connections using either the Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP) scheme or an alternative scheme based on device capabilities, ensuring compatibility and secure authentication processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal device uses a single wireless communication scheme (e.g., DPP only), then the security and automation of connection establishment is improved, but the compatibility with devices supporting different schemes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidscheme compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device dynamically switches between DPP scheme and non-DPP scheme based on the capabilities of the communication device. The control unit determines which scheme to use by checking support information from the communication device, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to maintain both security and compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the communication parameter (wireless scheme) from a fixed single scheme to a variable selection between multiple schemes. By modifying the scheme parameter based on device capabilities, the system achieves both high security when DPP is available and broad compatibility when it is not.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal device supports multiple wireless communication schemes, then the compatibility with various communication devices is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheme compatibilityVSAvoidcontrol process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multiple schemes. It receives support information from the communication device and automatically selects the appropriate scheme, shielding the user from the complexity while maintaining compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection establishment process is segmented into distinct paths: one for DPP scheme and another for non-DPP scheme. The control unit directs the process along the appropriate path based on device capabilities, making the complex multi-scheme support manageable through process segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the terminal device automatically selects the wireless scheme, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of unauthorized connection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection setup convenienceVSAvoidunauthorized access risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the communication device (support information) to make informed decisions about which scheme to use. The control unit receives feedback about device capabilities and automatically selects the appropriate scheme, maintaining ease of operation while reducing unauthorized access risk through intelligent decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4084400B1Computer program for terminal device, terminal device, and communication device
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP4084400B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4084400B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4084400B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal device may be configured to receive support information from a communication device by using a first wireless connection which has been established between the terminal device and the communication device. The support information may indicate whether the communication device supports a predetermined scheme. The terminal device may be configured to, in a case where the support information indicates that the communication device supports the predetermined scheme, execute a first control process for executing wireless communication in conformity with the predetermined scheme between the terminal device and the communication device. The terminal device may be configured to, in a case where the support information indicates that the communication device does not support the predetermined scheme, execute a second control process for executing wireless communication in conformity with a different scheme different from the predetermined scheme between the terminal device and the communication device.