Communication Device Wireless Setting Transfer for Access Point Registration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems involving image forming devices struggle with establishing wireless connections between access points and communication devices, particularly when initial settings are not established, leading to inefficiencies and user inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A communication system comprising first and second communication devices with wireless interfaces and controllers that facilitate establishing a wireless connection as parent and child stations, allowing for the exchange of wireless settings to connect with a separate access point, enabling efficient network registration and access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a first image forming device operates as an access point using an initial setting SSID to establish a wireless connection, then the device can function as a parent station, but the complexity of the wireless network setup process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless connection capabilityVSAvoidnetwork setup complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a second image forming device that acts as an intermediary to transfer wireless setting information from the first device (operating as access point) to other devices. This mediator approach simplifies the overall setup process by centralizing the configuration management and enabling automatic propagation of network credentials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The first image forming device pre-configures wireless setting information including SSID and password before other devices need to connect. This preliminary setup allows subsequent devices to automatically obtain and use these settings without requiring manual configuration, thereby reducing setup complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the second image forming device establishes a connection with the target access point and then shares wireless setting information with the first device, then network connectivity is achieved, but the time required for network setup increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary wireless setting configuration in advance during manufacturing or initial setup. The first image forming device stores wireless connection parameters (SSID, password) beforehand, enabling rapid deployment of multiple devices to the same network without requiring each device to individually connect and share settings sequentially.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements copying of wireless setting information from the first image forming device to multiple other devices. Instead of requiring each device to establish independent connections and exchange settings, the system creates copies of the network credentials and distributes them automatically, significantly reducing setup time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If manual configuration of wireless settings is required for each device, then connection accuracy can be ensured, but user interaction and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection accuracyVSAvoiduser interaction requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables devices to automatically obtain and configure wireless settings without manual user input. The first image forming device automatically shares its pre-configured network credentials with other devices, which then automatically configure themselves to connect to the target access point. This self-service mechanism maintains connection accuracy while eliminating the need for users to manually enter SSIDs and passwords.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where devices automatically verify connection status and adjust settings as needed. The second image forming device receives wireless setting information, automatically configures its connection parameters, and verifies successful connection to the target access point, providing feedback to ensure accurate network integration without user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12418961B2First communication device, second communication device, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable instructions for first communication device

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

The first communication device may establish a first wireless connection according to a Wi-Fi standard with a second communication device different from the first communication device via a first wireless interface among one or more wireless interfaces of the first communication device. The first wireless connection may be for the first communication device to operate as a parent station of a first wireless network and the second communication device to operate as a child station of the first wireless network. The first communication device may send, in a case where the first wireless connection is established, first wireless setting to the second communication device via the first wireless interface using the first wireless connection. The first wireless setting may be information for a recipient communication device to establish a specific wireless connection with a first access point different from the first communication device.