Wireless Connection Fallback for Access Point Setup Failures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to reliably establish wireless connections between communication apparatuses and access points, particularly when using Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP), leading to incomplete network setups.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus and method that initiates a secondary wireless connection, such as Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), if the initial connection attempt with an external access point fails, ensuring a stable link through a predetermined operation mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the communication apparatus attempts to establish wireless connection through an external access point using DPP, then network setup can be automated, but connection reliability deteriorates when the access point is unavailable or connection fails
Solution Approach 1:
The communication apparatus performs preliminary actions by attempting connection through the access point first, and prepares alternative actions (direct connection mode) in advance. The system pre-configures multiple connection modes and automatically switches between them based on connection success, ensuring automated setup while maintaining reliability through prepared fallback options.
Solution Approach 2:
The external access point serves as an intermediary for automated connection setup, but when it fails, the system bypasses the intermediary and establishes direct connection between the communication apparatus and information processing apparatus. This dual approach maintains automation while eliminating the single point of failure represented by the access point.
2Reliability
If the communication apparatus establishes direct wireless connection without access point intervention, then connection reliability is improved, but user input requirements increase for network setup
Solution Approach 1:
The communication apparatus performs self-service by automatically selecting connection modes and executing connection procedures without requiring user input. The system autonomously attempts access point-based connection first, and if that fails, automatically switches to direct connection mode, completing the entire network setup process without user intervention while ensuring reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes connection parameters dynamically based on connection success. It initially sets parameters for access point-based connection (infrastructure mode), and upon detecting failure, automatically changes parameters to direct connection mode (ad-hoc mode), thereby maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation through automated parameter adjustment.
3Reliability
If the communication apparatus tries multiple connection modes, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection management system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It automatically adapts between different connection modes (infrastructure mode via access point, ad-hoc mode directly to information processing apparatus) based on real-time connection status. This dynamic approach improves reliability through multiple connection options while minimizing perceived complexity by automating the switching logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection establishment process is segmented into distinct phases: first attempting access point-based connection, then falling back to direct connection if the first phase fails. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by breaking down the multi-mode connection process into manageable, sequential steps with clear transition criteria, improving reliability without overwhelming complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus includes: an attempt unit configured to attempt establishment of first wireless connection between the external access point and the communication apparatus using second information; a start unit configured to start, based on a failure of the attempted establishment of the first wireless connection, an operation in a predetermined mode, in the communication apparatus, for establishing second wireless connection without intervention of the external access point between the information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus; and a connection unit configured to establish the second wireless connection after the start of the operation in the predetermined mode.