Perceivable Physical Indication for Device Selection in SOA
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Service Oriented Architectures (SOAs), users face difficulties in selecting the most suitable device for a service based on physical proximity and accessibility, as existing technologies lack effective methods to provide perceivable physical indications of service availability, making it hard for users to choose devices that are physically near and accessible.
Innovation Solution
A technique that directs devices to emit perceivable physical indications, such as sounds, lights, vibrations, or smells, to indicate their service availability, allowing users to select the most suitable device based on physical proximity and accessibility by requesting a list of service instances and triggering these indications upon user selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If services are provided through multiple levels of indirection in SOA environments, then service collaboration and flexibility are improved, but user ability to identify and select appropriate devices based on physical proximity and accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary indication mechanism that bridges the gap between service logic and physical device identification. The indication device (separate from the service-providing device) acts as a mediator that directly communicates physical proximity and accessibility information to users, cutting through the multiple levels of SOA indirection. This intermediary layer provides tangible, perceivable signals that help users identify the correct physical device without needing to understand the complex service architecture behind it.
2Reliability
If services are provided by real world devices, then service functionality and reliability are improved, but user difficulty in selecting the most physically accessible device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs perceivable physical indications (such as visual, auditory, or tactile signals) that change or activate to indicate service availability and device suitability. These indication signals serve as direct, intuitive cues that help users quickly identify the most accessible device without needing to understand complex service architectures or manually evaluate multiple devices. The indication mechanism transforms abstract service availability into concrete, perceivable signals.
3Loss of information
If users query for services in SOA environments, then service discovery capability is improved, but time required for service selection and connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary indication actions where devices provide perceivable signals in advance to indicate their service availability and physical accessibility. Instead of requiring users to query, compare, and evaluate multiple devices sequentially, the system proactively presents indication information that highlights the most suitable device before the user completes the selection process. This preliminary presentation of relevant information significantly reduces the time users spend on device selection.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for directing a device to emit a perceivable physical indication (e.g., noise, light, vibration, smell, etc.), in order to indicate to a user that the device provides a particular service of interest to the user. A user may request a list of the instances of a service (e.g., printer service, audio service, display service, etc.) available within a certain area. Upon receipt of the list of instances of a particular service, the user may select respective instances one by one such that the device on which each instance is executed emits a perceivable physical indication. This physical indication enables the user to determine where the device is located and how it is situated, information which the user can use to determine which device, or instance of the service, he or she should select.