Network Device Discovery via Ancillary Wireless Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users, especially mobile users, face difficulties in installing and configuring printer drivers for network-connected devices due to complex network topologies and security mechanisms, which often require technical knowledge and pre-configuration, especially when devices are on different subnets.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that enables mobile devices with ancillary wireless communication capabilities, such as Bluetooth or infrared, to detect and connect with nearby network-connected devices, allowing for direct device-to-device communication and automatic discovery and installation of drivers through device discovery software, even across subnets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard network discovery mechanisms are used to locate printers, then printers on the same subnet can be found, but printers on different subnets cannot be located due to network security mechanisms and topology limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network administrator's computer as an intermediary device that performs discovery requests on behalf of mobile users. The administrator's computer sends discovery requests to printers across different subnets and relays the results back to the mobile device, bypassing network security restrictions that would normally block direct discovery traffic between subnets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables printers to automatically respond to discovery requests by broadcasting their presence and capabilities on the network. Printers autonomously provide their information without requiring manual configuration or user intervention to make them discoverable across subnets.
2Measurement precision
If users manually search for printers by IP address or technical nomenclature, then specific printers can be located, but the process becomes tedious and requires technical knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The discovery request system provides feedback to the mobile user in the form of a user-friendly list displaying printer names, locations, and capabilities. This feedback mechanism translates complex network information into understandable formats, allowing users to identify printers without knowing IP addresses or technical nomenclature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of network printer information that is presented to users in a simplified format. Instead of showing raw IP addresses and technical details, the system generates a user-friendly representation of printer availability that can be easily interpreted and selected from.
3Quantity of substance
If the installer program searches for all printers of selected type, then complete printer lists are obtained, but the list contains difficult-to-understand information such as IP addresses and technical nomenclature
Solution Approach 1:
The discovery request system customizes the information presented to users based on their needs and the local network environment. Instead of uniformly displaying all printer details, the system filters and formats information to show only relevant details in a user-friendly manner, such as printer location and basic capabilities rather than raw IP addresses.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method enable a local area network connected mobile device to discover, via an ancillary wireless communication channel, a local area network connected device and install the appropriate driver and network configuration information when the mobile device and network connected device are brought into physical close proximity with each other.