Wi-Fi Direct Group Owner Connection Management via Multi-Network Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Wi-Fi Direct networks, a communication apparatus operating as a Group Owner often reaches its upper limit of simultaneous wireless connections, making it difficult to establish new connections and perform wireless communications with additional devices.
Innovation Solution
The communication apparatus manages multiple Wi-Fi Direct networks by forming new networks when connections are full, allowing it to establish connections with additional devices by configuring itself as a parent station in one network and the requesting device as a child station, while maintaining existing connections in separate networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the communication apparatus operates as a Group Owner with a fixed upper limit on connection number, then the network stability and security are maintained, but the ability to establish new wireless connections is restricted when the limit is reached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single wireless network into multiple separate wireless networks (first wireless network and second wireless network). When the connection number reaches the upper limit in the first network, the apparatus creates a second network to accommodate additional connections, thereby segmenting the connection load across multiple networks while maintaining stability in each individual network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the network configuration dynamic by allowing the apparatus to switch between operating as a Group Owner in the first wireless network and as a client in the second wireless network. This dynamic role switching enables the apparatus to adapt to varying connection demands while maintaining reliable operation in each network context.
2Productivity
If the communication apparatus forms multiple wireless networks to handle excess connection requests, then the ability to serve more devices is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to operate in multiple roles: it can serve as a Group Owner in the first wireless network and as a client in the second wireless network simultaneously. This universal capability allows a single apparatus to handle multiple connection requests without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function, thereby improving productivity while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gateway function that acts as an intermediary between the first and second wireless networks. The gateway manages the complexity of coordinating multiple networks and connection requests, shielding the individual devices from the full complexity of the multi-network system while enabling efficient communication across all networks.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the communication apparatus maintains existing wireless connections while forming new networks, then the service continuity is improved, but the management overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments existing connections into the first wireless network and new connection requests into the second wireless network. By separating established connections from new connection processing, the system maintains service continuity for existing devices while managing new connections through a dedicated network, thereby reducing the management overhead associated with disrupting existing connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the first wireless network with existing connections before handling new connection requests. When new connections are needed, the system prepares and establishes a second wireless network separately, avoiding the need to disrupt or reconfigure existing connections. This preliminary network setup maintains service continuity while simplifying the management of new connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus may obtain a first wireless connection request from a first external apparatus, determine whether a connection number has reached an upper limit, supply first wait information to the first external apparatus in a case where it is determined that the connection number has reached the upper limit, and newly form a second wireless network which is different from a first wireless network to which both of the communication apparatus and a specific external apparatus had belonged, so as to establish a wireless connection with the first external apparatus, in a case where a wireless connection between the communication apparatus and the specific external apparatus is disconnected after the first wait information is supplied to the first external apparatus. In the first and second wireless networks, the communication apparatus may be configured to operate as a parent station.