Wireless Device State Determination for Wi-Fi Direct Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) technologies face challenges in determining the appropriate operational state between a wireless communication device and an external device, particularly when connecting with WFD compliant and non-compliant devices, leading to inefficiencies in establishing wireless connections.

Innovation Solution

The wireless communication device determines its operational state based on receiving specific signals, such as Probe Request and Response signals, to differentiate between WFD compliant and non-compliant devices, allowing it to operate appropriately as a Group Owner or client, and rapidly establish connections by adjusting search periods and channel usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the wireless communication device uses conventional WFD state determination methods, then it can establish connections with WFD compliant devices, but it cannot appropriately determine operational state when connecting with non-compliant devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with both WFD compliant and non-compliant devicesVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses signal type differentiation (analogous to color changes) where the wireless communication device detects whether a Probe Request or Probe Response signal is received to determine the external device type. This simple detection mechanism allows the device to adapt its operational state determination process based on the signal type, enabling compatibility with both WFD compliant and non-compliant devices without complex processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary signal type detection before proceeding with state determination. By detecting the signal type (Probe Request or Probe Response) in advance, the wireless communication device can pre-determine the appropriate operational state and connection approach, avoiding complex real-time decision-making during the connection process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the wireless communication device searches for external devices continuously, then it can find all available devices, but the connection establishment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice discovery completenessVSAvoidconnection establishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic searching with specific time periods for transmitting and receiving probe signals. The communication controlling unit sets a search period that includes a transmission period for sending Probe Request signals and a reception period for receiving Probe Response signals. This periodic approach ensures systematic device discovery while limiting the total search time, thus balancing completeness with connection speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication device performs preliminary detection of external devices during the search period before final connection establishment. By detecting the presence and type of external devices in advance during the configured search period, the device can prepare appropriate connection parameters and states, reducing the time required for actual connection establishment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the wireless communication device determines operational state based on signal type, then connection speed improves, but the requirement for signal differentiation increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishment speedVSAvoidsignal type differentiation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses signal type differentiation (analogous to color changes) where the wireless communication device detects whether a Probe Request or Probe Response signal is received to determine the external device type. This simple detection mechanism allows the device to adapt its operational state determination process based on the signal type, enabling compatibility with both WFD compliant and non-compliant devices without complex processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP2536182B1Apparatuses for establishing a peer-to-peer wireless network
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP2536182B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2536182B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2536182B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The wireless communication device (10) may determine in which of a parent state and a child state the wireless communication device (10) is to operate in a case where the wireless communication device receives a first type of signal, and determine the wireless communication device (10) is to operate in the parent state in a case where the wireless communication device (10) receives a second type of signal. The wireless communication device (10) may send a first wireless profile to a first external device (60) so as to establish a wireless connection with the first external device (60) in a case where the wireless communication device (10) is to operate in the parent state, and receive a second wireless profile from a second external device (70) so as to establish a wireless connection with the second external device (70) in a case where the wireless communication device (10) is to operate in the child state.