Wireless Handover Timing Control for Protocol Switching Delays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handover processes in wireless communication systems face delays when switching from near-field communication (NFC) to wireless LAN, leading to potential failures if the terminal is not ready to support the target protocol within a certain time, causing interruptions in communication connections.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a communication device and information terminal configuration that includes a tag memory storing wireless LAN parameters and power supply states, allowing for optimized handover by determining the readiness of the communication device and adjusting the transmission timing of connection requests based on the power supply start-up state and availability, thereby minimizing delays and ensuring successful protocol switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the information terminal makes the communication device ready to support the target communication protocol during handover, then the protocol switching is achieved, but the switching operation takes a certain amount of time causing potential communication connection failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol switching capabilityVSAvoidhandover time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The communication device indicates in advance (before the actual handover) whether it is ready to support the target communication protocol. This preliminary indication allows the information terminal to make appropriate decisions about timing the connection request, thereby avoiding unnecessary delays while ensuring protocol compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the information terminal waits for the communication device to be ready for protocol switching, then the protocol support is ensured, but the terminal may not be able to receive a response to communication connection request for a continuous period of time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol support reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication connection speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication device provides feedback information about its protocol readiness status to the information terminal. This feedback mechanism enables the terminal to understand the current state of the communication device and make informed decisions about when to send connection requests, balancing reliability with connection speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the information terminal sends communication connection requests continuously, then the connection speed is maintained, but the handover may fail if the communication device is not ready to support the target protocol

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication connection speedVSAvoidhandover success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication device performs preliminary readiness assessment and indication before the information terminal sends connection requests. This preliminary action ensures that the terminal only sends requests when the device is actually ready to support the target protocol, thereby maintaining both connection speed and handover success rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2750416B1Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and computer program
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 CANON KK
  • EP2750416B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2750416B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2750416B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing apparatus (300), for communicating with a communication device (100) using a first wireless communication protocol and a second wireless communication protocol, includes a first wireless communication unit (307) configured to use the first wireless communication protocol and configured to receive information, relating to a start-up state of the communication device, from the communication device using the first wireless communication protocol, a second wireless communication unit (308) configured to use the second wireless communication protocol, and a control unit (301) configured to control a sequence for establishing connection, using the second wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication protocol, with the communication device. The control unit is arranged to change the sequence for establishing connection, using the second wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication protocol, in accordance with the content of the received information relating to the start-up state of the communication device.