BLE Advertisement for Cross-Subnet Device Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing apparatuses cannot discover devices outside their subnet using unicast search processing, as they rely on specific information like IP addresses which are typically obtained through multicast search, limiting their ability to communicate with devices across different subnets.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a short-range communication unit using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standards to broadcast advertisement information, allowing it to obtain specific information such as IP addresses from neighboring devices, enabling unicast search processing across subnets and facilitating communication with devices outside its own subnet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multicast search processing is used to obtain specific information (IP address), then the apparatus can discover devices inside the subnet, but it cannot discover devices outside the subnet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a unicast search processing mechanism as an intermediary approach. Instead of relying solely on multicast search within the subnet, the system uses unicast search to directly query specific devices outside the subnet using obtained IP addresses, thereby bridging the gap between intra-subnet and inter-subnet device discovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device discovery process into two distinct phases: first obtaining specific information (IP addresses) through multicast search within the subnet, then using that information to perform unicast search outside the subnet. This segmentation allows the system to overcome the limitation of multicast search by combining it with targeted unicast queries to devices in other subnets
2Adaptability or versatility
If unicast search processing is executed to discover devices outside the subnet, then cross-subnet communication is enabled, but specific information (IP address) of the search target is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first performing multicast search to obtain IP addresses of potential target devices before executing unicast search. This preliminary gathering of specific information simplifies the subsequent unicast search process, as the system already has the necessary IP addresses to query devices outside the subnet without requiring complex discovery mechanisms
3Loss of information
If advertisement information is continuously transmitted to enable device discovery, then device visibility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by transmitting advertisement information at controlled intervals rather than continuously. The short-range communication unit sends advertisement packets periodically, allowing receiving devices to discover the apparatus while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous transmission. This periodic transmission strategy balances device visibility with energy efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
A control method for an information processing apparatus (101), the control method comprising: receiving, from a external apparatus (151) which belongs to a different subnet (401) of the network than the subnet (411) of the information processing apparatus (101), specific information for discovering the external apparatus using the first communication means; executing specified search process for searching for one or a plurality of external apparatuses by using the specific information that is received before accepting the instruction, wherein one or a plurality of external apparatuses that are discovered by the specified search process includes the external apparatus that transmitted the specific information; displaying a list of information related to the one or a plurality of the discovered external apparatuses; and communicating, using the second communication means, with an external apparatus corresponding to information that a user has selected from the list.