Proxy Server Capability Notification for NAN Service Discovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) systems, proxy clients lack information about the capability of proxy servers, leading to potential vain requests when the service information capacity is reached, limiting the transmission and reception of new service information.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus that includes a notification unit to inform the proxy client about the allowable capacity for reception and transmission of radio signals by the proxy server, allowing the client to make informed requests and select suitable proxy servers based on reported capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the proxy client continuously monitors and manages proxy service registrations, then the reliability of service discovery is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice discovery reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The proxy server performs preliminary actions by notifying the proxy client of its service information capacity before the client makes registration requests. This allows the client to plan its service discovery activities in advance, avoiding unnecessary wake-ups and transmissions, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable service discovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback mechanism is established where the proxy server provides information about its available capacity to the proxy client. This feedback enables the client to make informed decisions about when and what to register, optimizing the balance between discovery reliability and energy consumption by avoiding futile registration attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the proxy client makes frequent service registration requests, then the productivity of service discovery is improved, but the communication band occupation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice discovery speedVSAvoidcommunication band occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The proxy server performs preliminary action by notifying the proxy client of its available service information capacity before the client initiates registration requests. This allows the client to batch or schedule requests efficiently, improving discovery productivity while minimizing unnecessary communication band occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the proxy server increases its service information capacity, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice information capacityVSAvoidproxy server complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary notification mechanism that mediates between the proxy server's capacity management and the proxy client's registration requests. This intermediary layer simplifies the proxy server's complexity by providing a standardized notification interface, while still enabling high adaptability through flexible capacity reporting and client-side decision making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11350346B2Communication apparatus, control method therefor, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 CANON KK

AI summary

A communication apparatus capable of at least one of reception and transmission of a predetermined radio signal as a proxy for another communication apparatus, the communication apparatus makes a notification of an allowable amount of a capability by which at least one of reception and transmission of the predetermined radio signal performed by the other communication apparatus can be performed as a proxy, as information regarding the capability, in a predetermined time period that comes periodically.