Service Discovery in Pervasive Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service discovery in pervasive wireless networks, such as Bluetooth ad-hoc networks, is time-consuming and inefficient due to the need for multiple steps and potential network congestion, especially as the number of devices and services increases, and the dynamic nature of these networks makes maintaining updated service information challenging.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that forward retrieved service information from a network device to other devices in the network, optimizing the process by publishing this information during idle periods using control channels and default or undefined packet types, thereby reducing the need for repeated data transfer and improving connection configuration speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If service discovery is performed by accessing each remote device individually to retrieve service information, then accurate service information can be obtained, but the time required to configure connections increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having network devices proactively retrieve and store service information from remote devices in advance, before actual service requests occur. Service agents continuously update local caches with service records, so when a service is needed, the information is already available locally without requiring real-time access to remote devices, thus reducing connection configuration time while maintaining information accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces service agents as intermediary components that mediate between remote devices and network devices. These agents collect, cache, and manage service information locally, acting as intermediaries that eliminate the need for direct real-time access to remote devices during service discovery, thereby reducing time delays while ensuring accurate service information is available
2Loss of information
If service information is repeatedly downloaded from remote devices to ensure updated information, then information freshness is maintained, but network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
Service agents perform preliminary actions by continuously updating and caching service information from remote devices in the background before it is needed. This proactive approach ensures that when network devices request service information, updated data is already available locally, eliminating the need for repeated downloads and reducing network congestion while maintaining information freshness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating and maintaining local copies of service information in caches on network devices and service agents. Instead of repeatedly accessing remote devices for the same information, the system creates local replicas that are updated periodically, reducing network traffic and congestion while ensuring that updated service information is available when needed
3Reliability
If multiple devices access the same remote device to retrieve service information, then each device can configure connections accurately, but the time required increases due to repeated access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by enabling service information to be copied and cached on multiple network devices through service agents. Instead of each device independently accessing remote devices, service information is replicated across the network in local caches, allowing multiple devices to obtain service information quickly from local storage while maintaining configuration accuracy, thus reducing service discovery time
Solution Approach 2:
Service agents act as intermediaries that centralize the collection and distribution of service information. Multiple network devices can obtain service information from these intermediary agents rather than directly accessing remote devices, ensuring configuration accuracy while reducing the time required for service discovery through centralized information management
Data Source
AI summary
Described are a method, wireless network device and computer program element each for performing service discovery in a pervasive wireless network (WLAN) operating according to standards such as the Bluetooth standards comprising access protocols and service discovery protocols enabling a network device (CL1):a) in a first state to access a remote device (SR2) in order to obtain information for the set-up of a connection,b) in a second state to set up a connection to the remote device (SR2) and retrieve information related to services provided by the remote device (SR2), the discovered information being required to configure connections to the remote device (SR2) and using the related services, andc) in a third state the device (CL1) publishes and thus actively forwards retrieved service information to other devices (CL2, SR3) which in turn update their lists of services available from devices (CL, SR) connected to the pervasive network (WLAN).