Wireless Interface Settings Segmentation for Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for managing communication settings in electronic devices with built-in and external wireless communication interfaces are inadequate when the interfaces have different capabilities, as they cannot share settings effectively, leading to the need for separate settings for each interface, especially for network connections and communication over networks.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a storage system that separates settings for network usage and communication over networks, and a control unit that extracts the appropriate settings based on the type of external device and wireless communication unit to be used, allowing for efficient reuse of settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If communication settings are managed separately for each wireless interface, then settings can be interface-specific, but settings that can be shared must be re-set for each interface increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The settings are segmented into two distinct categories: network connection settings (SSID, password, IP address) and communication application settings (protocol, port, data format). This segmentation allows network settings to be shared across different wireless interfaces while communication-specific settings remain interface-specific, thereby reducing overall settings management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Network connection settings are designed to be universal and applicable across multiple wireless interfaces (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wireless adapter). The system stores these settings in a shared repository that can be accessed by any interface type, enabling one-time configuration to serve multiple communication purposes and interfaces.
2Productivity
If settings are stored for built-in wireless communication function, then settings can be reused, but they cannot be shared with external wireless adapter if capabilities differ
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different quality requirements to different settings components. Network connection settings are stored with universal quality attributes that make them applicable to any interface, while communication application settings are stored with interface-specific quality attributes. This allows the system to optimize for both reuse and compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that intelligently matches settings from the stored repository with the current interface capabilities. It selects appropriate settings based on interface type and capability matching, enabling seamless transition between built-in and external wireless adapters without requiring complete reconfiguration.
3Reliability
If separate settings are maintained for network connection and communication over network, then each can be optimized, but more settings need to be managed
Solution Approach 1:
Settings are divided into network connection parameters (SSID, password, IP addressing) and communication parameters (protocol type, port numbers, data formats). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each category while the system manages them as a unified configuration set, reducing the perceived complexity for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the management of network settings and communication settings into a unified settings repository and configuration process. While the settings are conceptually separate for optimization purposes, they are stored and retrieved together as a cohesive configuration package, reducing the number of separate management operations required.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device that is capable of using a plurality of wireless communication units and communicates wirelessly with an external device using one of the plurality of wireless communication units, is disclosed. The device comprises a storage device that stores one or more sets of settings used in past wireless communication with one or more external device, the settings being stored separately as settings pertaining to a network used in the wireless communication and settings pertaining to communication with an external device over the network. The device also extracts a set of settings that can be used from the one or more sets of settings stored in the storage device, in accordance with a combination of a type of an external device with which wireless communication to be performed and a wireless communication unit to be used for the wireless communication.