Wi-Fi Direct Service Discovery via UPnP Fallback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication apparatuses using Wi-Fi Direct cannot effectively search for and connect with devices that do not support the service discovery function, limiting their ability to execute desired services.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus that employs both Wi-Fi Direct and Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) or Bonjour protocols to detect and connect with devices, allowing service discovery even if the target device does not support the service discovery function, by using SD Query and M-Search frames in the wireless LAN and network layers respectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the service discovery function is used to search for devices, then service information can be obtained before connection, but devices that do not support the service discovery function cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice detection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communication apparatus employs multiple service discovery methods (Wi-Fi Direct service discovery function and UPnP/Bonjour protocols) to universally detect both devices that support service discovery and those that do not, ensuring broad device compatibility while maintaining reliable service detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus uses intermediary protocols (UPnP/Bonjour) as alternative mediators to discover services on devices that do not directly support the Wi-Fi Direct service discovery function, enabling indirect service detection through network layer protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If only Wi-Fi Direct service discovery is used, then connection can be established quickly with supporting devices, but the ability to execute services on non-supporting devices is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice execution capabilityVSAvoidservice discovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus dynamically selects and switches between service discovery methods based on device support status - using Wi-Fi Direct service discovery for rapid connection with supporting devices, and fallback to UPnP/Bonjour for devices without service discovery support, optimizing both speed and capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus performs preliminary service discovery using Wi-Fi Direct to quickly identify supporting devices, and only activates alternative UPnP/Bonjour discovery methods when service information is not obtained, reducing overall discovery time while ensuring service execution capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2959662B1Service discovery in wi-fi direct

Publication Date: 2022.05.25 CANON KK

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AI summary

A communication apparatus includes a first detection unit configured to detect a service executable by another communication apparatus based on a communication in a first communication layer before the communication apparatus constructs a network with the another communication apparatus. The communication apparatus further includes a second detection unit configured to detect a service executable by the another communication apparatus based on a communication in a second communication layer that is different from the first communication layer after the communication apparatus has been wirelessly connected to the another communication apparatus, if a detection result obtained by the first detection unit does not indicate that the another communication apparatus is capable of executing a predetermined service.