Communication Device Wi-Fi Handoff for Image Processing Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication devices struggle to efficiently connect and instruct image processing devices that do not belong to the same Wi-Fi network, limiting their ability to execute image processing tasks.
Innovation Solution
A communication device equipped with a Wi-Fi interface and controller that searches for and identifies image processing devices outside its network, sends identification information based on distance and status, and joins the same network upon user selection, enabling the execution of image processing instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the communication device searches for image processing devices outside its Wi-Fi network, then the ability to execute image processing tasks on distant devices is improved, but the network complexity and connection management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Wi-Fi Direct as an intermediary mechanism that enables direct peer-to-peer communication between the communication device and image processing devices without requiring them to be on the same traditional Wi-Fi network. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by providing cross-network accessibility while maintaining relatively simple connection management through direct device-to-device pairing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the communication device displays identification information for multiple image processing devices, then the user can select from more options, but the information display complexity and user decision time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the display presentation based on distance metrics. Image processing devices are displayed with visual indicators reflecting their proximity to the communication device, allowing users to quickly identify nearby devices. This selective emphasis on local characteristics (distance-based visual cues) resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive device options while maintaining ease of selection through intuitive spatial organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically measuring and organizing device distances before user selection. The communication device proactively gathers distance information and pre-arranges the display order, so when users view the list of available image processing devices, they are already organized by proximity. This preliminary organization reduces user decision time while maintaining comprehensive device options.
3Productivity
If the communication device joins the Wi-Fi network of the selected image processing device, then the ability to send processing instructions is improved, but the network switching complexity and connection time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic network adaptation by switching the communication device's Wi-Fi network affiliation based on user selection. When a user selects an image processing device, the communication device dynamically joins that device's Wi-Fi network, enabling direct instruction transmission. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by optimizing productivity for the selected task while minimizing overall time loss through on-demand network switching rather than maintaining multiple simultaneous connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device may be configured to search for one or more image processing devices which do not currently belong to a same Wi-Fi network to which the communication device belongs, for each of M image processing devices found in the search, specify a distance between the image processing device and the communication device and a status of the image processing device, cause an output unit to output N identification information for identifying N image processing devices among the M image processing devices based on the specified distances and the statuses of the M image processing devices, in a case where specific identification information is selected by a user, join a same Wi-Fi network to which a specific image processing device belongs, and send a processing instruction for to the specific image processing device by using the Wi-Fi network.