Communication Box WLAN Activation via Child Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems for digital cordless telephone systems with facsimile functions require significant electric energy for wireless LAN communication, especially when devices are not actively transmitting or receiving data, leading to inefficient energy usage and limited installation flexibility due to the need for devices to be closely located during connection settings.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a communication architecture where the WLAN communication control portions of the communication box and multi-function device are kept in a non-operating state unless specifically requested to start via a child unit, using DCL and optical communication modes to initiate WLAN communication only when necessary, thereby reducing energy consumption and allowing for greater installation freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If WLAN communication control portions are kept in non-operating state to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but communication responsiveness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The WLAN communication control portions are activated periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The parent unit activates WLAN communication control when it receives a start request from a child unit, and the multi-function device activates it when it receives a start request. This periodic activation pattern reduces energy consumption while maintaining communication responsiveness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service activation where child units can autonomously send start requests to the parent unit, and the parent unit or multi-function device autonomously activates WLAN communication control based on these requests. This eliminates the need for continuous monitoring and manual activation, reducing energy consumption while maintaining responsiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices are located remotely from each other to increase installation flexibility, then installation freedom is improved, but wireless communication reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces child units as intermediary devices between the parent unit and multi-function device. These child units can relay communication signals and help establish connections between devices located at different positions. The optical communication function also serves as an intermediary mechanism for initial connection establishment, enabling devices to connect reliably even when located remotely.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system including a communication box connected to a public communication line and capable of data communication with a child unit through a digital cordless (DCL) wave and with a multi-function device through a wires LAN (WLAN) wave, and wherein each of the child unit and multi-function device has a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion for optical communication between the child unit and multi-function device. The communication box and multi-function device have respective WLAN communication control portions which are normally placed in a non-operating state, and when the communication box receives facsimile data from the public communication line, the communication box commands the child unit to require the multi-function device to start its WLAN communication control portion, starts its own WLAN communication control portion, and transmit the facsimile data to the multi-function device through the WLAN wave.