Unified Wireless Device Selection Screen for Mixed AP Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in selecting the correct wireless LAN access point for communication between image capturing devices and communication apparatuses due to different detection methods used for simple AP and infrastructure modes, leading to confusion with separate device selection screens.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus and method that unify the display of detected devices across different methods, allowing for selection of devices to establish communication through a single interface by receiving and processing signals from both simple AP and infrastructure mode devices, and displaying them as candidate apparatuses on a unified selection screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the communication apparatus displays separate device selection screens for simple AP mode and infrastructure mode devices, then each detection method can be handled with dedicated processing, but the user interface becomes complex and confusing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separate device selection screens for simple AP mode and infrastructure mode into a single unified selection screen. The determination unit identifies whether each detected device is in simple AP mode or infrastructure mode, and the display control unit presents both types of devices together on one screen with appropriate icons or indicators, eliminating the need for users to navigate between multiple screens while maintaining accurate detection of device types.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified selection screen serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays devices detected through beacon signals (simple AP mode), devices detected through discovery signals (infrastructure mode), and provides appropriate visual differentiation for each type. This multi-functional interface replaces the need for separate dedicated screens while maintaining the reliability of device-type-specific detection methods.
2Measurement precision
If the communication apparatus uses different detection methods (beacon signal for simple AP, discovery signal for infrastructure mode), then each device type can be detected accurately, but the communication establishment process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The determination unit acts as an intermediary that receives detection results from both beacon signal detection (for simple AP mode) and discovery signal detection (for infrastructure mode), identifies the operational mode of each external apparatus, and passes this information to the display control unit. This intermediary layer manages the complexity of multiple detection methods internally while presenting a simplified unified interface to the user, maintaining detection precision without exposing the complexity in the user interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus comprises a processor configured to perform the operations of following units: while the communication apparatus has joined a first network, a first receiving unit configured to receive a first signal being transmitted from a first apparatus that has joined the first network and the first signal including information pertaining to the first apparatus; a second receiving unit configured to receive a second signal including information of a second network formed by a second apparatus; and a display control unit configured to display a selection screen for selecting an apparatus with which to establish a predetermined communication, wherein the display control unit displays the information of the first apparatus and the information of the second apparatus determined to meet a predetermined condition in the selection screen as information of candidate apparatuses with which the predetermined communication may be established.