Wireless Printer Band Switching for DFS-Safe P2P Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication devices face limitations in using multiple frequency bands due to restrictions imposed by low-performance wireless chip sets, particularly when operating in both 5- and 2.4-GHz bands, which can lead to impaired user convenience and reduced functionality, especially in scenarios involving DFS and TPC functions.

Innovation Solution

The system allows for initial setup configurations that prioritize the 2.4-GHz band for concurrent operation of wireless infrastructure and P2P modes, disabling the 5-GHz band to avoid hardware limitations and ensure seamless communication without channel matching or DFS restrictions, using a dedicated initial activation sequence to set up wireless interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the printing apparatus operates in the second communication mode (parent station mode) to enable direct peer-to-peer wireless communication, then communication convenience and setup simplicity are improved, but the risk of harmful radar signals interfering with aviation safety increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication setup convenienceVSAvoidradar signal interference risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the frequency band selection based on the communication mode. In the first communication mode (client mode), the DFS function is activated to monitor radar signals and dynamically switch frequency bands to avoid harmful interference. In the second communication mode (parent station mode), the system restricts operation to predetermined safe frequency bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz excluding DFS bands) to eliminate radar interference risks while maintaining direct peer-to-peer communication capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the DFS function is applied to monitor radar signals in the 5-GHz band, then aviation safety is improved, but communication reliability may deteriorate due to frequent frequency band switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaviation safety protectionVSAvoidcommunication stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics through the DFS function that dynamically monitors radar signals and switches frequency bands in real-time. When radar signals are detected in the 5-GHz band, the system automatically transitions to a different frequency band to maintain communication continuity. This dynamic adaptation ensures aviation safety while preserving communication reliability through automatic frequency hopping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the printing apparatus is restricted to predetermined frequency bands in the second communication mode, then radar signal interference is eliminated, but communication flexibility and available bandwidth are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradar interference eliminationVSAvoidfrequency band flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the wireless frequency spectrum into distinct segments for different communication modes. In the second communication mode (parent station mode), only predetermined safe frequency bands (2.4 GHz and specific 5 GHz bands excluding DFS ranges) are available. This segmentation ensures radar interference elimination while maintaining sufficient communication flexibility within the restricted bands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4325996B1Printer and method for controlling a printer
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 CANON KK
  • EP4325996B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4325996B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4325996B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C

AI summary

A printing apparatus (300) that can perform wireless communication using a 2.4-GHz band and wireless communication using a 5-GHz band comprises communication means (616) able to execute a first communication mode for enabling wireless communication with an information processing apparatus (200) via an external access point (400), and a second communication mode in which the printing apparatus serves as a parent station for enabling wireless communication with an information processing apparatus serving as a child station (200) without using the external access point (400), control means (602) for restricting a frequency band of the communication means (616), and print control means (614) for receiving data transmitted from the information processing apparatus (200) via the wireless communication by the communication means and performing printing processing. In the first communication mode, the communication means (616) is allowed to perform a communication using either 2.4-GHz band and 5-GHz band including a specific frequency band to which Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) function should be applied, and in the second communication mode, the communication means (616) is allowed to perform a communication using 2.4-GHz band, not allowed to perform a communication using the specific frequency band, and allowed to perform a communication using 5-GHz band different from the specific frequency band.