NAN Device Discovery with Dynamic USD Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low-power proximity services based on neighbor awareness networking (NAN) suffer from unnecessary resource and power wastage due to unsynchronized device discovery, as electronic devices maintain an active state for a designated time interval even when not engaging in data communication.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device activates unsynchronized service discovery (USD) based on received NAN communication activation information, performs discovery for a designated time period, and terminates USD upon receiving termination information, thereby reducing unnecessary resource consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If unsynchronized service discovery (USD) is performed for a designated time interval, then device discovery capability is improved, but wireless resource consumption and power usage increase unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the electronic device monitors for discovery termination information from external devices during USD. When termination information is received, the device stops USD immediately, using the feedback signal to optimize resource usage while maintaining discovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the USD duration dynamic rather than fixed. The discovery process adapts its duration based on real-time conditions - continuing for the full designated time interval if no termination information is received, or stopping early if termination information is received, thereby optimizing resource consumption while maintaining discovery effectiveness.
2Reliability
If USD is maintained for the full designated time interval, then complete device discovery is ensured, but power consumption increases without necessity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses termination information from external devices as feedback to determine when discovery can be safely stopped. This feedback mechanism ensures that discovery completeness is maintained when needed while allowing early termination to save power when discovery is already complete or unnecessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares for potential early termination by continuously monitoring for termination information during USD. This preliminary monitoring action allows the device to be ready to stop discovery early if termination information is received, avoiding unnecessary power consumption while ensuring discovery completeness if needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If active state is maintained for USD without synchronization, then device discovery flexibility is improved, but wireless resource allocation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes wireless resource allocation dynamic by adjusting USD duration based on termination information. The device maintains flexibility to perform USD for the full designated time interval when needed, while also enabling early termination to improve resource allocation efficiency when discovery is complete, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses termination information as feedback to optimize wireless resource allocation. By monitoring for and responding to termination signals, the device can dynamically adjust resource usage - maintaining full USD duration for flexibility when needed, or terminating early to improve resource allocation efficiency when discovery is complete.
Data Source
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AI summary
One embodiment of the present invention relates to an electronic device and a method for searching for an external electronic device. The electronic device comprises a communication circuit, a processor and a memory, wherein, when the memory is executed by the processor, the electronic device can: activate USD on the basis of the reception of first information related to the activation of NAN communication; perform a search related to an external electronic device for a designated period of time on the basis of the USD; and terminate the USD on the basis of the reception of information related to the termination of NAN search during the search related to the external electronic device. Other embodiments are also possible.