Mobile Terminal Service Discovery Across Multiple Access Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing service search protocols for mobile terminals are limited to networks that support multicast communication, making it impossible to discover services on separate networks or those with interrupted multicast communication, leading to cumbersome user operations and difficulty in comparing search results across networks.
Innovation Solution
A mobile terminal with an access unit to switch wireless connections between access points, a receiving unit to gather service information from other access points, and a display unit to present a selection screen for services from different access points, enabling reliable service discovery across multiple networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile terminal uses a network service search protocol (multicast technique) to search for services, then it can discover services on adjacent networks, but it cannot search for services on separated networks or networks where multicast communication is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service search process into multiple independent network connections. Instead of relying on a single multicast-based search, the terminal establishes separate connections to multiple access points and performs independent service searches on each network segment. This allows service discovery on separated networks where multicast communication is interrupted, as each connection operates independently without relying on cross-network multicast propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces access points as intermediaries between the mobile terminal and service providing apparatuses on different networks. The terminal connects to access points, which act as mediators to enable service search and communication across network boundaries. This intermediary approach replaces the direct multicast communication between terminals and services, allowing service discovery even when networks are separated or multicast is interrupted.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a user manually switches networks to search for services on all networks, then comprehensive service search is possible, but user operation becomes complicated and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the mobile terminal to automatically establish connections to multiple access points and perform service searches without requiring manual user intervention. The terminal autonomously manages the complexity of multi-network service discovery, collecting and presenting service information from all connected networks through a unified interface. This eliminates the need for users to manually switch networks while maintaining comprehensive service search coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges service search results from multiple separate network connections into a single unified presentation. The terminal combines service information obtained from different access points and networks, displaying them together in one interface. This merging approach maintains comprehensive service coverage while simplifying user interaction, as users see all available services in a single view without needing to manually navigate between networks.
3Measurement precision
If service search is performed on each network separately, then individual network results are obtained, but it is impossible to collectively check search results and compare services across networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges service search results from multiple networks into a unified collection that preserves information from each individual network search. The terminal aggregates service information while maintaining the ability to display and compare services across different networks. This combining approach prevents information loss by consolidating results in a way that allows comprehensive comparison, enabling users to evaluate services from multiple networks together rather than in isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile terminal communicable with a service providing apparatus via an access point, comprises: an access unit configured to access a designated access point by wireless connection; a receiving unit configured to switch, if a service search instruction is received, the wireless connection with the designated access point by the access unit to wirelessly connect to another access point, and receive information of a service provided by a service providing apparatus communicable via the other access point; and a display unit configured to display a selection screen for enabling to select, based on the received information, between a service provided by a service providing apparatus communicable via the designated access point and a service provided by a service providing apparatus communicable via the other access point.