Wireless Communication Apparatus Automatic Device Identification

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, it is challenging for portable information terminals and image processing apparatuses to automatically determine which device to connect to when multiple devices with the same wireless communication function are within range, leading to user intervention requirements such as displaying lists of available devices or selecting from previously connected devices.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a first communication unit, a second communication unit for wireless communication with multiple devices, an acquisition unit to obtain apparatus IDs, and a control unit to manage data transmission or reception based on identified apparatus IDs, allowing for automatic identification and connection to the correct device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used to eliminate cable connections, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to difficulty in automatically determining connection targets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having devices broadcast their identification information before actual data transmission. The portable information terminal receives and stores this identification information in advance, so when data transmission is needed, the connection target is already determined without requiring user selection or complex automatic determination algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The portable information terminal autonomously determines the connection target by receiving identification information from multiple wireless communication apparatuses and selecting based on stored data. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for user intervention or complex system-wide coordination, resolving the contradiction by making the terminal itself responsible for connection determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If automatic determination of connection target is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases due to difficulty in identifying correct device among multiple devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidloss of information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having devices broadcast their identification information before actual data transmission. The portable information terminal receives and stores this identification information in advance, so when data transmission is needed, the connection target is already determined without requiring user selection or complex automatic determination algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses distinct identification information (analogous to color changes in TRIZ) to differentiate between multiple wireless communication apparatuses. Each device has unique identification data that the terminal can recognize and match against stored information, preventing confusion and information loss when selecting among multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Measurement precision

If user selection from device list is required, then accuracy of connection is improved, but productivity decreases due to additional user operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of connectionVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The portable information terminal autonomously determines the connection target by receiving identification information from multiple wireless communication apparatuses and selecting based on stored data. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for user intervention or complex system-wide coordination, resolving the contradiction by making the terminal itself responsible for connection determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by having devices broadcast their identification information before actual data transmission. The portable information terminal receives and stores this identification information in advance, so when data transmission is needed, the connection target is already determined without requiring user selection or complex automatic determination algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11863724B2Information processing apparatus and wireless communication method

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a first communication unit configured to communicate with a first communication apparatus; a second communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with each of one or more second wireless communication apparatuses; an acquisition unit configured to acquire from the first communication apparatus via the first communication unit an apparatus ID that is held by the first communication apparatus and that is used for identifying one of the one or more second wireless communication apparatuses to or from which the second communication unit transmits or receives data; and a control unit configured to control the second communication unit to transmit or receive the data to or from the one of the one or more second wireless communication apparatuses that is identified by the apparatus ID acquired by the acquisition unit.