Near Field Discovery Method for User Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional technologies cannot enable terminal devices and applications to discover each other without inputting the account number of the other party, limiting the ability to add contacts in instant messaging applications like QQ.

Innovation Solution

A near-field discovery method where a user device enters a discovery mode, detects and sends a detection packet to nearby devices, receives a response packet with user information, and adds discovered devices to a contact list without requiring input of the other party's account number, using local area network IP addresses and predetermined rules to determine discoverable devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional technology is used for user discovery, then account number input is required for device discovery, but this increases operation complexity and reduces contact addition efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact addition efficiencyVSAvoiddiscovery process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables devices to automatically discover each other through local area network IP address scanning and detection packet exchange, eliminating the need for manual account number input. The first user device autonomously sends detection packets to potential second user devices and processes response packets to establish contacts, making the discovery process self-service rather than requiring user intervention for information entry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of typing account numbers with an automated electronic system that uses local area network IP address detection, packet transmission, and automatic matching. This substitution of manual input operations with automated network-based discovery mechanisms reduces operation complexity while improving contact addition efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual account number input is required for discovery, then device discovery capability is limited, but this restricts communication functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscovery capabilityVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal discovery mechanism that works across different local area network environments by using IP address-based detection rather than account-specific methods. The detection packet and response packet exchange protocol can discover any device within the local network range, making the discovery capability universal and adaptable to various networking scenarios without requiring account number input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If automatic near-field discovery is implemented, then contact addition efficiency is improved, but network traffic and detection complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact addition efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork traffic volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements partial action by constructing an address interval around the first user device's local area network IP address and only sending detection packets to devices within this specific range. This targeted approach rather than broadcasting to all possible addresses reduces network traffic volume while still achieving effective near-field discovery and maintaining high contact addition efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3188418B1Near field discovery method, user equipment, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP3188418B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3188418B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3188418B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Disclosed are a near field discovery method, a user equipment, and a storage medium. The method comprises: a first user equipment enters a discovery mode; the first user equipment probes one or multiple second user equipment, where the one or multiple second user equipment are in a state allowing them to be probed by the first user equipment; the first user equipment transmits a probe packet to the one or multiple second user equipment, where the probe packet comprises first user information; the first user equipment receives a response packet transmitted by the second user equipment in response to the probe packet monitored thereby and transmitted by the first user equipment, where the response packet requires no reply from the first user equipment, and the response packet comprises second user information; and, the first user equipment discovers the second user equipment on the basis of the response packet.