Wireless Communication Apparatus Adaptive Input Screen Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of wireless stations (STA) face difficulty in determining whether a password identifier (ID) is required for connecting to a wireless network, as the setting for password ID usage is unknown to them and can vary between access points (AP) compatible with the WPA3 standard.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus is designed with a determination unit that analyzes Beacon, Probe Response, or Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) Commit messages received from another communication apparatus to determine if a password ID is needed for connection. This information is then used to control the display of input screens, ensuring users only input the necessary credentials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the display always shows a screen for inputting password ID, then users can input password ID when needed, but users experience confusion and unnecessary input when password ID is not required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different authentication methodsVSAvoidease of connection setup

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The determination unit performs preliminary analysis of Beacon, Probe Response, or SAE Commit messages to identify whether the AP requires password ID before the user needs to input anything. This advance determination allows the display control unit to show the appropriate input screen in advance, preventing user confusion and unnecessary input operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the AP's authentication method (indicated in Beacon, Probe Response, or SAE Commit) to dynamically adjust the display. The determination unit continuously monitors these feedback signals and adjusts the input screen display accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to the AP's requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the display shows input screen for password ID always, then connection can be established with APs requiring password ID, but connection fails or is delayed when password ID is not required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of connectionVSAvoidtime for connection setup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The determination unit analyzes authentication method information in advance (from Beacon, Probe Response, or SAE Commit) to predict whether password ID is required. This preliminary analysis allows the system to prepare the correct input screen before the user initiates connection, avoiding connection delays and failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual user determination of authentication requirements with an automated determination unit that uses protocol analysis (Beacon, Probe Response, SAE Commit) to identify the required input parameters, eliminating user confusion and connection delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the system automatically determines authentication method, then user input is simplified, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of user inputVSAvoidcomplexity of determination unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The determination unit is designed to handle multiple authentication methods (WPA2-Personal, WPA3-SAE, and conditional WPA3 with password ID) through a unified analysis mechanism. By examining standard protocol messages (Beacon, Probe Response, SAE Commit), the system can universally determine authentication requirements without requiring separate complex logic for each method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The determination unit acts as an intermediary between the user and the complex authentication protocols. It translates the raw protocol messages (Beacon, Probe Response, SAE Commit) into simple determination results (password ID required or not), shielding the user from protocol complexity while enabling automated adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12294857B2Communication apparatus for providing a setting screen having high convenience of user input of communication parameters, control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 CANON KK

AI summary

A communication apparatus determines whether to use, for connection to another communication apparatus forming a wireless network, an identifier different from a service set identifier (SSID) of the wireless network and a password of the wireless network, based on one of a Beacon, a Probe Response, or a Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) Commit received from the other communication apparatus, and controls a display unit in such a manner that, in a case where it is determined not to use the identifier for connection to the other communication apparatus, the display unit does not display a screen for inputting the identifier and, in a case where it is determined to use the identifier for connection to the other communication apparatus, the display unit displays the screen for inputting the identifier.