Service Connection Gateway for Multi-Network Service Discovery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing service connection systems face challenges in efficiently allowing electronic devices to discover and access services across multiple local customer networks, especially when the device is not directly connected to all networks or is not connected at all.

Innovation Solution

A service connection information system that stores service profile information and connectivity details for multiple local networks, enabling electronic devices to access services from different networks simultaneously by providing the necessary information for connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If UPnP service discovery is used in local networks, then devices can discover services within the same network, but network resources and energy are inefficiently consumed during service discovery as device density increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice discovery capabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device serves as an intermediary between service providing devices and electronic devices. Service providing devices register their service information with the gateway, which maintains a service information record. When service discovery is needed, the gateway provides service information to electronic devices without requiring extensive multicast communication across the network, thereby reducing network resource consumption while maintaining service discovery capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple UPnP proxies are used per local network to enable service discovery across networks, then devices can access services from multiple local networks, but system complexity increases with every added local network

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-network service accessVSAvoidproxy system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device performs multiple functions: it acts as a service registry for service providing devices, serves as an authentication server for electronic devices, maintains service information records, and provides connectivity to multiple local networks. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate UPnP proxies for each network, reducing overall system complexity while enabling access to services across multiple local networks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the functions of service discovery, authentication, and network connectivity into a single gateway device. Instead of having separate UPnP proxies for each local network, the gateway consolidates these roles, creating a unified system that manages service information and provides access to multiple networks without the complexity of multiple distributed proxies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If electronic devices are not directly connected to all local networks, then network flexibility and mobility are improved, but the ability to discover and access services in those networks is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivity flexibilityVSAvoidservice accessibility information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Service providing devices perform preliminary registration with the gateway device, which stores their service information in advance in a service information record. This preliminary action ensures that when electronic devices need to access services, the gateway already has the necessary service information ready to provide, eliminating the need for electronic devices to be directly connected to local networks for service discovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway device acts as an intermediary that bridges electronic devices and local networks. It stores service information from service providing devices and provides this information to electronic devices that may not be directly connected to the local networks. This intermediary role ensures service accessibility information is preserved and transmitted even when direct network connection is not available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250168246A1Service connection information system for using services in multiple local networks

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 KONINK KPN NV

AI summary

The disclosure pertains to a service connection information system configured to store service profile information regarding at least a first service of a first service providing device in a first local network and a second service of a second service providing device in a second local network. The service connection information system may also store connectivity information for an electronic device to enjoy the first service from the first service providing device in the first local network and the second service from the second service providing device in the second local network. The service connection information system may further be configured to provide the service profile information and connectivity information to the electronic device to enable the electronic device to enjoy the first service and the second service. The disclosure also pertains to a telecommunication system to support the service connection information system and to an electronic device.