Wireless Direct Communication Control for Automatic Band Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in determining and configuring appropriate direct communication functions, such as frequency bands, for devices like MFPs and mobile terminals, which complicates operations like Wi-Fi Direct connections.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus and method that enables automatic determination and activation of direct communication functions, including frequency band selection, using IEEE 802.11 standards and Wi-Fi Direct protocols, with support for OFDMA and TWT to optimize power consumption and reduce communication disruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users manually determine and configure direct communication functions and frequency bands, then communication settings can be customized, but operation complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication settings customizationVSAvoiduser configuration difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The communication apparatus automatically determines and activates appropriate direct communication functions and frequency bands based on its own capabilities and current communication state, without requiring user configuration. The control unit performs automatic determination of whether to activate first or second direct communication functions, and selects frequency bands autonomously, making the system self-configuring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes communication parameters including frequency band selection (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz bands), direct communication function activation state, and operational mode based on detected communication environment and device capabilities, allowing adaptive optimization without user intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple direct communication functions are activated simultaneously, then communication versatility improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirect communication function availabilityVSAvoidcommunication apparatus configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically activates or deactivates direct communication functions based on real-time communication requirements and environmental conditions. The control unit determines whether to activate first or second direct communication functions by evaluating communication state, enabling the system to adapt its functional complexity rather than maintaining fixed high complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The communication apparatus is designed with multiple direct communication functions that can be selectively activated. The system provides universal communication capability across different frequency bands and communication modes, activating only the necessary functions for current needs, thus maintaining versatility while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If automatic determination of direct communication functions is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but loss of information about user preferences increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic configurationVSAvoiduser setting preferences
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors communication state, connection status, and operational performance to dynamically adjust direct communication function activation. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn from actual communication outcomes and adapt to user needs implicitly, compensating for the lack of explicit user preference input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4694509A1Communication apparatus, control method thereof, program and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 CANON KK
  • EP4694509A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4694509A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4694509A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A communication apparatus including a wireless direct function to perform direct wireless communication with a peer device without an external access point includes at least one memory and at least one processor which function as a first execution unit configured to operate the wireless direct function of a first method, a second execution unit configured to operate the wireless direct function of a second method including a connection process different from a connection process of the wireless direct function of the first method, a reception unit configured to receive a frequency band setting to be used in the wireless direct function, and a control unit configured to control, based on the frequency band setting received by the reception unit, the wireless direct function to be executed, from among the wireless direct function of the first method and the wireless direct function of the second method.