Patent ID: 7613426
Filing Date: 2009-11-03
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of discovering by a first device services provided by a second device that is in a physical proximity of the first device, before establishing a connection between the first device and the second device, the method comprising: receiving a first 802.11x Layer 2 wireless advertisement message, wherein the message includes a plurality of service information elements, and wherein at least a first of the service information elements comprises information related to a first service provided by the second device and a second of the service information elements comprises information related to a second service provided by the second device, and wherein the first service is different from the second service, and wherein at least a portion of each of the first and second service information elements is shortened, and wherein the first message is received prior to establishing a connection between the first device and the second device suitable for providing the first and second services; extracting at least the first and second shortened service information elements from the received message; determining that additional information related to the first service is desired; sending a request message to the second device for additional information related to the first service; receiving a second message from the second device, wherein the second message comprises additional information related to the first service; determining if the first service is desired; and establishing a connection between the first device and the second device, if the first service is desired.