Server-Assisted D2D Discovery and Connection Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device-to-device (D2D) connection methods are cumbersome and time-consuming, requiring multiple messaging exchanges and consuming significant power, especially when establishing Wi-Fi Direct connections without an intermediating access point.
Innovation Solution
Node-assisted D2D discovery and connection techniques, where a server assists in device discovery, permission verification, and link setup, reducing power consumption and messaging exchanges by distributing scanning information and credentials via non-D2D links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional D2D discovery and connection methods are used without an intermediating server, then devices can establish direct connections, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming with multiple messaging exchanges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary to assist in D2D discovery and connection establishment. The server receives discovery requests from devices, manages the discovery process, and facilitates connection setup, thereby reducing the complexity of direct device-to-device messaging exchanges while accelerating connection establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The server performs preliminary actions by maintaining information about available devices and their capabilities in advance. When a discovery request is received, the server can quickly provide pre-filtered lists of compatible devices, eliminating the need for extensive real-time messaging exchanges between devices to establish connections.
2Productivity
If multiple messaging exchanges are performed between devices for D2D discovery and link setup, then connection can be established, but significant power (battery) is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an energy-efficient intermediary by handling the computationally intensive discovery and matching processes. Devices only need to communicate essential information to and from the server, significantly reducing their power consumption compared to performing multiple direct messaging exchanges with potential peer devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The server maintains copies of device information and capability profiles in advance. Instead of devices exchanging multiple messages to discover and verify compatibility, the server provides pre-collected information copies, reducing the number of active transmissions and associated power consumption.
3Reliability
If manual user operations are required for WPS setup (reading PINs or pushing buttons), then secure connection can be established, but the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated connection establishment where devices and the server perform verification and setup operations without requiring manual user intervention. The server manages authentication credentials and automatically establishes secure connections, maintaining security while eliminating time-consuming manual steps.
Solution Approach 2:
Authentication credentials and device profiles are prepared and verified in advance by the server before the actual connection is needed. This preliminary verification allows the connection to be established quickly without requiring users to manually enter PINs or coordinate button presses at the moment of connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving, at a network node, a device-to-device D2D discovery request from a first device and sending a D2D discovery response from the network node to the first device. The D2D discovery response includes information associated with a second device that is available to establish a D2D connection with the first device. The network node may perform inquiries regarding D2D connection permission from both devices. If D2D connection is permitted by both devices, the network node may facilitate the D2D scanning by sending each device's scanning information to the other device via a non-D2D link. In parallel to D2D scanning, the network node may speed up D2D link setup by distributing, via non-D2D links, link setup information to each device, where the link setup information may include device credential(s), IP address allocation(s), and/or group owner assignment.