Wireless Connection Information Hiding for Printing Apparatus

Solution Overview

Problem

In direct wireless communication modes, connection information such as SSID remains displayed after establishing a wireless connection, increasing the risk of unauthorized access to the connection details.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus with a determination unit that hides the connection information once a wireless connection is established, either by changing the display screen or using a popup to conceal the information, reducing the likelihood of third-party access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If connection information is displayed continuously after wireless connection is established, then user can always access connection details, but security risk increases due to potential unauthorized access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection information accessibilityVSAvoidunauthorized access risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display state of connection information is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically transitions the display between visible and hidden states based on connection status. When wireless connection is established, the connection information is automatically hidden; when connection is lost, it becomes visible again. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing information when needed while protecting it when connection is active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms to monitor wireless connection status and automatically adjust the display state of connection information accordingly. The determination unit detects whether wireless connection is established, and the control unit responds by showing or hiding the connection information. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that connection information is protected during active connections while remaining accessible when connections are lost, resolving the security versus accessibility contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If connection information is hidden after wireless connection is established, then security is improved, but user cannot access connection details when needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunauthorized access riskVSAvoidconnection information accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The display state of connection information is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically transitions the display between visible and hidden states based on connection status. When wireless connection is established, the connection information is automatically hidden; when connection is lost, it becomes visible again. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing information when needed while protecting it when connection is active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms to monitor wireless connection status and automatically adjust the display state of connection information accordingly. The determination unit detects whether wireless connection is established, and the control unit responds by showing or hiding the connection information. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that connection information is protected during active connections while remaining accessible when connections are lost, resolving the security versus accessibility contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10327144B2Printing apparatus for performing wireless communication, method for controlling printing apparatus, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2019.06.18 CANON KK

AI summary

A communication apparatus displays connection information for an external device to perform wireless connection with the communication apparatus, determines whether a wireless connection based on the connection information is established, and hides the connection information according to establishment of the wireless connection.