Wireless Audio Network Reconnection via Stored Credentials

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless audio systems, the complexity of setting up connections and reconnection processes, such as configuring SSIDs and passwords, and handling access point failures, makes automatic reconnection of devices cumbersome and troublesome.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a multifunctional mobile phone as a controller that manages a network of audio devices using both wired and wireless LANs, allowing devices to automatically reconnect by deriving SSID and password from MAC addresses and utilizing internal and external access points to maintain network connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless network connection is used to eliminate cables, then connection flexibility and freedom of form are improved, but connection setup complexity and reconnection difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection flexibilityVSAvoidconnection setup complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring connection parameters (SSID, password) and establishing a connection history database before disconnection occurs. When disconnection happens, the device automatically retrieves stored connection information and attempts reconnection without requiring user intervention, thus resolving the contradiction between wireless flexibility and setup complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The communication device performs self-service by automatically detecting disconnection, searching for available access points, selecting the appropriate network, and executing reconnection using stored credentials. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual reconfiguration, maintaining wireless flexibility while reducing the perceived complexity for users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual reconnection process is required when access point stops, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidreconnection ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring connection status and automatically detecting when disconnection occurs. Upon detecting disconnection, the device queries the connection history database for previously connected access points and initiates reconnection attempts. This closed-loop feedback system ensures reliable reconnection while maintaining ease of operation, as users need only to press a reconnection button rather than manually configure settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The connection history database serves as an intermediary between the disconnection event and the reconnection process. It stores previously configured connection parameters and provides them automatically during reconnection, acting as a mediator that bridges the gap between network failure and automatic recovery, thus improving both reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If connection parameters (SSID, password) are manually configured, then connection security is improved, but setup time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration of security parameters (SSID, password) during initial connection setup and stores them in the connection history database. When reconnection is needed, these pre-configured security parameters are automatically retrieved and applied, eliminating the need for users to re-enter sensitive information. This approach maintains connection security while significantly reducing setup and reconnection time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates copies of connection parameters (SSID, password) from the initial configuration and stores them in the connection history database. During reconnection, these copied parameters are reused instead of requiring重新 configuration. This copying mechanism preserves security credentials while reducing the time and complexity of subsequent connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3340686B1Communication system, communication device, and method for reconnecting communication system
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 YAMAHA CORP
  • EP3340686B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3340686B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3340686B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication system (10) includes a plurality of communication devices (4) connected so as to be able to mutually communicate and to constitute a network. Each of the plurality of communication devices is equipped with a first wireless communication section (57) functioning as a wireless relay device of the network and a second wireless communication section (56) functioning as a slave unit to be connected to another communication device in the network, wherein the second wireless communication section of a lower-level communication device accesses the first wireless communication section of a higher-level communication device, whereby the higher-level communication device and the lower-level communication device are connected so as to constitute the network; each of the plurality of communication devices stores system information including connection information for connection to the first wireless communication section of each communication device constituting the network; and when any one of the plurality of communication devices is disconnected from the higher-level communication device being connected thereto, the disconnected communication device searches for another communication device constituting the network using the system information and makes reconnection to the communication device detected by the search.