Electronic Device Service Information Display via Wi-Fi AP

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic devices connected to Wi-Fi networks via short-range communication lack the ability to effectively display additional service information provided by service providers, such as advertisements or other relevant data, beyond basic network characteristics.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device and method that enable the extraction and display of service information from an external device's information server, using formats like Venue and Operator information formats, and a reserved field in the information message, allowing service providers to offer various types of information like images, URLs, download links, and phone numbers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If only basic Wi-Fi network characteristics are displayed, then the device complexity is low, but the information completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice informationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the information display into two parts: basic network characteristics (handled by conventional systems) and additional service information (handled by the new system). The service information is further segmented into different types (advertisements, venue information, operator information) and displayed through different interfaces (notification bar, quick panel, popup window), allowing the system to provide comprehensive information without overwhelming the user or complicating the core network connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an information server as an intermediary between the Wi-Fi network and the user interface. This server receives and processes service information from the network, then delivers it to the electronic device in a structured format. The intermediary handles the complexity of information processing, filtering, and formatting, allowing the electronic device to display comprehensive service information without the complexity being embedded in the device's core network stack.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If service information is extracted and displayed, then the advertising efficiency is improved, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadvertising efficiencyVSAvoidtime for information processing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and structuring service information in the information server before it reaches the electronic device. The service information is pre-formatted according to specific protocols (Venue information format, Operator information format), and the electronic device only needs to extract and display the pre-processed information. This preliminary processing reduces the time required at the device end, as the heavy lifting of information organization is already done.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic device autonomously extracts service information from the information message without requiring manual user input or complex processing. The device automatically identifies and extracts relevant fields (venue name, operator name, service information) from the standardized message format, and displays them through appropriate interfaces. This self-service approach minimizes processing time by eliminating manual intervention and using simple extraction logic based on predefined formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3471386B1Electronic device and method for displaying service information in electronic device
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3471386B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP3471386B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4
  • EP3471386B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes: a Wi-Fi communication unit configured to connect the electronic device to an Access Point (AP); and a controller. The controller is configured to: if Wi-Fi is on, search for nearby APs; if an AP is searched, request an information message for the AP from an information server connected to the AP; receive the information message from the information server; display service information, if the service information related to the AP is included in the information message; and connect the electronic device with the AP using access information and authentication information included in the information message.