ProSe Server Agent-Based D2D Discovery for Roaming Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Device-to-Device (D2D) discovery methods face limitations in geographical coverage and efficiency, particularly in stand-alone schemes, and lack support for legacy terminals and roaming devices, with network-assisted schemes focusing mainly on energy efficiency and coverage expansion rather than real-time, locally customized information acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for D2D discovery using a server that supports proximity services, where a discovery request message is transmitted to determine an agent entity for performing discovery operations on behalf of a terminal, enabling real-time, locally customized information acquisition and expanding participation in D2D discovery across geographical boundaries, even for legacy and roaming terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If stand-alone discovery scheme is used, then real-time information acquisition is enabled, but coverage is limited due to hardware constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an agent entity that acts as an intermediary between the terminal and other terminals for discovery operations. The agent entity receives discovery requests from the terminal, performs discovery operations on behalf of the terminal with other terminals, and reports results back to the terminal. This intermediary mechanism enables terminals to perform discovery operations beyond their direct transmission range, effectively expanding coverage while maintaining real-time information acquisition capabilities.
2Area of stationary object
If network-assisted discovery scheme is used, then coverage is expanded and energy efficiency is improved, but real-time locally customized information acquisition is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the terminal itself generates discovery requests and receives discovery results, maintaining direct control over the discovery process. The agent entity performs discovery operations on behalf of the terminal but reports results directly to the terminal, enabling the terminal to acquire real-time, locally customized information about nearby devices while still benefiting from expanded coverage through the agent entity's broader network access.
3Reliability
If conventional discovery schemes are used, then discovery operations are performed within local coverage, but roaming terminals cannot perform discovery using network entities in other regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal discovery mechanism where the agent entity can perform discovery operations for terminals regardless of their location or which network entity they are connected to. The agent entity receives discovery requests from terminals and can query other terminals through the network infrastructure, enabling roaming terminals to perform discovery operations in foreign networks with the same reliability as local terminals, thus achieving multi-functional adaptability across different network regions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for performing discovery at a terminal in a communication system is provided. The method includes generating a discovery request message including discovery target information, transmitting the discovery request message to a Proximity Service (ProSe) server that is located in a core network of the communication system and that manages communication of the terminal, and receiving a result of a discovery operation from another entity that performs the discovery operation of the terminal using discovery identification information about the terminal. The other entity is selected based on the discovery target information by the ProSe server.