Wireless Communication Controller with User Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses, such as multi-function peripherals (MFPs), when wirelessly connected to terminal devices, often disconnect these devices from external networks like the Internet or mobile communication networks, preventing users from accessing services like emails and online chat, due to continuous direct wireless communication modes.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus equipped with a communicator for direct wireless communication, a recognition device to detect user presence, and a controller that adjusts radio wave transmission output to enable or disable wireless connections based on user presence, ensuring the device remains connected to external networks when the user is nearby and disconnects when they are not.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the MFP is set to be ready for wireless connection in the initial status, then wireless connection with terminal device is enabled, but the terminal device is disconnected from external network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the wireless communication unit based on user presence detection. When a user is detected, the MFP enables wireless connection by activating the communication unit; when no user is present, it disables the communication unit to prevent terminal devices from connecting and losing external network access. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by making connectivity adaptive to actual usage conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a recognition device to detect user presence and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the wireless communication unit's state accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that wireless connection is only available when a user is actually present, preventing the scenario where terminal devices automatically connect and disconnect users from external networks.
2Productivity
If direct wireless communication is continuously enabled, then terminal device can connect to MFP, but terminal device cannot access external network services
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous wireless communication enablement, the system periodically checks for user presence and activates the wireless communication unit only during periods when users are detected. This periodic activation maintains wireless communication efficiency when needed while preventing prolonged disconnection from external networks when no users are present.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes: a communicator that is wirelessly connected to another device for direct wireless communication with the other device; a recognition device that recognizes presence of a user; and a controller that controls transmission output of a radio wave output from the communicator, so as to enable wireless connection with the other device at the time when the presence of the user is recognized and to disable the wireless connection with the other device at the time when the presence of the user is no longer recognized.