Method and apparatus for discovering devices and application users
View Patent ↗A method, apparatus and computer program for discovery of network devices and application user. An example method for use in an access point or station may comprise receiving a discovery request from an application, the application running thereon, the discovery request including at least one application level identifier, causing monitoring of a discovery channel for at least one device within a proximate distance, and upon discovery of a device associated with the application level ID, providing an indication to the application of the discovery of the device.
1. A method performed by a mobile station, the method comprising:
receiving a discovery request from a proximity services (ProSe) compatible application executed by the mobile station, the discovery request including at least one application level identifier (ID);
transmitting a request for a device ID associated with the application level ID;
receiving the device ID;
monitoring a discovery channel for an occurrence of the device ID; and
providing an indication to the application of discovery of a device associated with the device ID upon discovery of the device ID in the discovery channel.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein
the mobile station is a ProSe compatible user device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein
the request for a device ID associated with the application level ID is transmitted to a server upon receiving the discovery request, and
the device ID is received from the server.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a discovery signal indicating a device ID;
determining if a record associating the device ID to a second application level ID is stored by the mobile station; and
providing notification to the application of the discovery of the second application level ID.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving an index value corresponding to the device ID, wherein
the monitoring includes monitoring for an occurrence of the device ID and the index value on the discovery channel, and
the providing includes providing the indication to the application of the discovery of the device subsequent to discovering an occurrence of the device ID and the index value on the discovery channel.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein
the index value indicates that an application user is active and has provided a request to be discovered.
7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
receiving a discovery signal indicating a device ID and an index value;
determining if a record associating the device ID to a second application level ID is stored by the mobile station;
determining if the index value indicated by the discovery signal matches the index value corresponding to the device ID; and
providing notification to the application of the discovery of the second application level ID.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein
the device ID is one of a S-Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (S-TMSI), a ProSe ID, or a Non-Access-Stratum (NAS) level identifier.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein
the device ID belongs to one of a public address space or a private address space.
10. An apparatus comprising:
circuitry configured to
receive a discovery request from a proximity services (ProSe) compatible application executed by the apparatus, the discovery request including at least one application level identifier (ID);
transmit a request for a device ID associated with the application level ID;
receive the device ID;
monitor a discovery channel for an occurrence of the device ID; and
provide an indication to the application of discovery of a device associated with the device ID upon discovery of the device ID in the discovery channel.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein
the apparatus is a ProSe compatible user device.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the circuitry is configured to:
transmit the request for the device ID associated with the application level ID to a server upon receiving the discovery request; and
receive the device ID from the server.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the circuitry is configured to:
receive a discovery signal indicating the device ID;
determine if a record associating the device ID to a second application level ID is stored by the apparatus; and
provide notification to the application of the discovery of the second application level ID.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the circuitry is configured to:
transmit the request for the device ID associated with the application level ID to a server upon receiving the discovery request;
receive the device ID and a corresponding index value;
monitor for an occurrence of the device ID and the corresponding index value on the discovery channel; and
provide the indication to the application of the discovery of the device subsequent to discovering an occurrence of the device ID and the corresponding index value on the discovery channel.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein
the index value indicates that an application user is active and has provided a request to be discovered.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the circuitry is configured to:
receive a discovery signal indicating the device ID and an index value;
determine if a record associating the device ID to a second application level ID is stored by the apparatus;
determine if the index value matches the corresponding index value; and
provide notification to the application of the discovery of the second application level ID.
17. An electronic device comprising:
circuitry configured to
acquire at least one application level identifier ID corresponding to a proximity services (ProSe) compatible application executed by the electronic device;
acquire a device ID associated with the application level ID;
monitor a ProSe discovery channel for an occurrence of the device ID; and
provide an indication to the application of the discovery of a device associated with the device ID upon discovery of the device ID in the discovery channel.
18. The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein the circuitry is configured to:
transmit a request for the device ID associated with the application level ID to a server; and
receive, from the server, the device ID in response to the request.
19. The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein the circuitry is configured to:
receive an index value corresponding to the device ID;
monitor the ProSe discovery channel for an occurrence of the device ID and the index value; and
provide the indication to the application of the discovery of the device subsequent to discovering an occurrence of the device ID and the index value on the discovery channel.
20. The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein the circuitry is configured to:
receiving a discovery signal indicating a device ID;
determining if a record associating the device ID to a second application level ID is stored by the electronic device; and
providing notification to the application of the discovery of the second application level ID.