Patent Description:
Wireless communication systems are being widely deployed to provide various types of communication services, such as voice or data. In general, a wireless communication system is a multiple access system capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (bandwidth or transmission power). Examples of the multiple access system include a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) system, a time division multiple access (TDMA) system, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system, a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) system, or a multi-carrier frequency division multiple access (MC-FDMA) system.

Further, with the recent development of information and communication technology, various wireless communication technologies are being developed. Among them, wireless LAN (WLAN) is technology that enables wireless access to the Internet in home or business or a specific service area, using a portable terminal, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, or a portable multimedia player (PMP) based on radio frequency technology. In the Wi-Fi (or Wi-Fi Aware™) standard among radio frequency technologies, a low-power discovery technology called neighbor awareness networking (NAN) is being developed, which is used to develop proximity services.

The following publications are related to service discovery in neighbor awareness networking:.

NAN devices in the NAN cluster are configured to wait in a low-power mode (e.g., BLE scan mode) to optimize standby current consumption. When receiving a BLE transport discovery service (TDS) advertisement (AD) packet having service information while operating in the low-power mode, it may activate a NAN mode to perform NAN service discovery.

As NAN service discovery is performed, the electronic device may discover at least one NAN device and, among the at least one NAN device, a first NAN device may be selected for sharing content by the user. Thereafter, the electronic device may communicate with the first NAN device in the NAN mode.

Among the NAN devices in the NAN cluster, the remaining NAN devices other than the first NAN device are unable to determine whether they communicate with the electronic device after switching from the low-power mode to the NAN mode and thus may not arbitrarily deactivate the NAN mode. When the remaining NAN devices other than the first NAN device operate in the NAN mode, relatively more current may be consumed than when only the low power mode is activated.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, devices other than the first NAN device among the NAN devices may keep active in the NAN mode.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device is defined as per the appended claims.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a method for performing service discovery in an electronic device is defined as per the appended claims.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device and a service discovery method in the electronic device may transmit information to NAN devices in a NAN cluster when performing low-power-based NAN communication, thus reducing unnecessary power consumption for devices not performing NAN communication when performing service discovery.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in an electronic device and a service discovery method in the electronic device, a NAN device activating BLE communication may control deactivation of NAN communication for devices which are not service targets, based on the result of service discovery.

In the following, the embodiment related to <FIG> and associated text is claimed by the invention, while the remaining embodiments are explanatory only. Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and the terminology used herein, and all changes and/or equivalents or replacements thereto also belong to the scope of the present disclosure. The same or similar reference denotations may be used to refer to the same or similar elements throughout the specification and the drawings. As used herein, the terms "A or B" or "at least one of A or B" may include all possible combinations of A and B. The terms, such as "first," "second," "first," or "second," may modify the relevant components regardless of order or importance and are used merely to distinguish one component from another, rather than limiting the components. When an (e.g., first) component is referred to as being "connected (functionally or communicatively)" or "connected" to another (e.g., second) component, the component may be connected to the other component directly or via another component (e.g., a third component).

As used herein, the terms "configured to" may be interchangeably used with other terms, such as "suitable for," "capable of," "modified to," "made to," "adapted to," "able to," or "designed to" in hardware or software in the context. Rather, the term "configured to" may mean that a device can perform an operation together with another device or parts. For example, the term "processor configured (or set) to perform A, B, and C" may mean a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU or application processor) that may perform the operations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memory device or a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) for performing the operations.

For example, examples of the electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop computer, a netbook computer, a workstation, a server, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a MP3 player, a medical device, a camera, or a wearable device. The wearable device may include at least one of an accessory-type device (e.g., a watch, a ring, a bracelet, an anklet, a necklace, glasses, contact lenses, or a head-mounted device (HMD)), a fabric- or clothes-integrated device (e.g., electronic clothes), a body attaching-type device (e.g., a skin pad or tattoo), or a body implantable device. In some embodiments, examples of the electronic device may include at least one of a television, a digital video disk (DVD) player, an audio player, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washer, a drier, an air cleaner, a set-top box, a home automation control panel, a security control panel, a media box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™) , a gaming console (Xbox™ or PlayStation™), an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, or an electronic picture frame.

According to another embodiment, examples of the electronic device may include at least one of various medical devices (e.g., diverse portable medical measuring devices (a blood sugar measuring device, a heartbeat measuring device, or a body temperature measuring device), a magnetic resource angiography (MRA) device, a magnetic resource imaging (MRI) device, a computed tomography (CT) device, an imaging device, or an ultrasonic device), a navigation device, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, an event data recorder (EDR), a flight data recorder (FDR), an automotive infotainment device, an sailing electronic device (e.g., a sailing navigation device or a gyro compass), avionics, security devices, vehicular head units, industrial or home robots, drones, automatic teller's machines (ATMs) of financial organizations, point of sales (POS) devices of stores, or Internet of things devices (e.g., a bulb, various sensors, a sprinkler, a fire alarm, a thermostat, a street light, a toaster, fitness equipment, a hot water tank, a heater, or a boiler). According to some embodiments, examples of the electronic device may at least one of part of furniture or building/structure, an electronic board, an electronic signature receiving device, a projector, or various measurement devices (e.g., devices for measuring water, electricity, gas, or electromagnetic waves). According to embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device may be flexible or may be a combination of the above-enumerated electronic devices. As used herein, the term "user" may denote a human or another device (e.g., an artificial intelligent electronic device) using the electronic device.

Hereinafter, an electronic device and an electronic device and method for discovering a service according to various embodiments of the disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As used herein, the term "user" may denote a human or another device (e.g., an artificial intelligent electronic device) using the electronic device.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> may communicate with an electronic device <NUM> via a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device <NUM> or a server <NUM> via a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network).

According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor <NUM> may load a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> or the communication module <NUM>) in a volatile memory <NUM>, process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory <NUM>, and store resulting data in a non-volatile memory <NUM>.

The antenna module <NUM> may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside (e.g., the external electronic device). According to an embodiment, the antenna module may include one antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). In this case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in a communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, may be selected from the plurality of antennas by, e.g., the communication module <NUM>. According to an embodiment, other parts (e.g., radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) than the radiator may be further formed as part of the antenna module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a NAN cluster according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a NAN device (e.g., a first NAN device <NUM>), together with at least one external electronic device (e.g., a second NAN device <NUM>, a third NAN device <NUM>, or a fourth NAN device <NUM>) may compose a NAN cluster <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, NAN devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>) in the NAN cluster <NUM> may perform time synchronization for performing a low-power discovery technology in the Wi-Fi standard. The time synchronization is a technology that allows beacons or service discovery frames (SDFs) to be exchanged therebetween in the same discovery window (DW) period. The DW is a time during which NAN devices are in a wake state and, in the DW, much power is consumed. In other periods than the DW, NAN devices may remain in a sleep state and may thus be discovered with low power. Accordingly, even when the discovery state is always on, current consumption may reduce, and advantages may be gained in exchange of information between proximate NAN devices. Further, various application services may be developed.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, when the NAN cluster <NUM> is configured, the first NAN device <NUM>, which serves as the master, may perform a passive scan while waiting in a state in which the master role is set. To reduce current consumption generated while performing the passive scan, the first NAN device <NUM> may operate in a BLE scan mode.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views illustrating an example of a configuration of a DW according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the time-synchronized NAN devices in the NAN cluster <NUM> may exchange beacons (e.g., sync beacon) or SDFs within the same DW. The beacon transmitted in the DW may include information for time-synchronizing the NAN cluster, so that the NAN devices receiving the beacon may maintain the time-synchronization.

Referring to <FIG>, the NAN cluster <NUM> may use channel <NUM> of the <NUM> band as a common channel. For example, the DW may last for <NUM> time units (TUs), and an interval of <NUM> TUs may be present between the DWs.

Referring to <FIG>, in the NAN cluster <NUM>, channel <NUM> of the <NUM> band and channel <NUM> of the <NUM> band may simultaneously be configured as DWs and used. For example, the channel of the <NUM> band may vary depending on the channel policy of each area.

The NAN device designated as a master device in the NAN cluster <NUM> may transmit a discovery beacon in the DW period. Devices not included in the NAN cluster <NUM> may perform a passive scan on the discovery beacon to identify NAN cluster information or time synchronization information.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the NAN devices may set their roles and states depending on a designated condition. For example, the designated condition may include the RSSI or master rank. The role may include a role as a master device or a non-master device, and the state may include a synchronization state or a non-synchronization state.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a device having the highest master rank value among the NAN devices may serve as a master device. The master rank may be a combination of master preference, random factor, or NAN interface address. For example, the NAN device having the highest master preference may be set as the master device. If the NAN devices have the same master preference, their role or state may be determined based on the random factor or NAN interface address.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, if first NAN communication is activated in the electronic device <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may serve as a master and may compose a NAN cluster with designated NAN synchronization information. The electronic device <NUM> periodically performs a passive scan and, if identifying a device having a higher master preference than the electronic device <NUM>, the role of the electronic device <NUM> may be switched to a non-master device and switched to synchronization or non-synchronization state.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may join the cluster of the device having a higher master preference than the electronic device <NUM> while removing the previously composed NAN cluster.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an example of a device role or state transition configuration of a NAN cluster according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a NAN device (e.g., the first NAN device <NUM> or the electronic device <NUM>) may change its role or state depending on the master rank. For example, the role may include master or non-master, and the state may include a sync or non-sync state.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, when the NAN device is switched from a master role to a non-master role, it may be set to the synchronous state (non-master sync) first and, in the DW period, it may switch to the non-synchronized state (non-master non-sync). When the switch occurs, only its role switches to the master role at the end time of the DW, but it may remain in the non-sync state.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the role of the master device may be determined depending on the master rank. The master rank may be determined by the master preference, the random factor, or the NAN interface address as shown in Equation <NUM> below.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the master preference value may be fixed for <NUM> DWs after changed. The random factor value may be fixed value for <NUM> DWs, and may be changed before at least <NUM> DWs. The NAN interface address value may be fixed value for at least <NUM> DWs.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the first NAN device <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM>, or the fourth NAN device <NUM> of <FIG>) may include at least one of a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, or a communication module <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may identify a service target device among NAN devices in the NAN cluster <NUM> and may transmit information related to NAN communication with the service target device to the NAN devices.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may control the overall operation of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify a content share request through NAN communication.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the memory <NUM> may store instructions configured to, when executed, enable the processor <NUM> to compose a neighbor awareness network (NAN) cluster for performing NAN communication with a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the second NAN device <NUM> or the third NAN device <NUM>) as it receives the content share request through NAN communication. For example, the instructions may identify the service target device among the plurality of external electronic devices while performing NAN communication with the plurality of external electronic devices in response to a service discovery request and control to deactivate NAN communication in at least one external electronic device except for the identified service target device. The service discovery may include an operation for discovering the service target regardless of the communication protocol.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, when the NAN cluster <NUM> is composed, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit an SDF including service group information to the NAN devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>) of the NAN cluster <NUM>. For example, when the obtained service group information does not include information about the corresponding device, the devices receiving the SDF may make a setting so that NAN communication is deactivated.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the display device <NUM> may display the result of the service discovery through NAN communication. For example, among the devices in the NAN cluster <NUM>, at least one external electronic device discovered may be displayed as a result of the service discovery.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may perform NAN communication with the device selected by the user among the at least one external electronic device output. For example, the NAN communication may include a function of sharing data with the selected device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the communication module <NUM> may include a NAN communication module <NUM> or a BLE communication module <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the NAN communication module <NUM> may be a Wi-Fi communication module or may include the Wi-Fi communication module.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, it is described that the NAN communication module <NUM> or the BLE communication module <NUM> operates as a separate component. However, at least some of the components may be omitted or changed, and one component may be configured to perform the operation of the NAN communication module <NUM> or the BLE communication module <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM> or the first NAN device <NUM>) may comprise at least one communication module (e.g., the communication module <NUM>, the NAN communication module <NUM>, or the BLE communication module <NUM>), a processor <NUM> operatively connected with the at least one communication module, and a memory <NUM> operatively connected with the at least one communication module and the processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may store instructions configured to, when executed, enable the processor <NUM> to compose a NAN cluster communicating with a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the second NAN device <NUM> or the third NAN device <NUM>) based on a first communication protocol, through the at least one communication module, identify a service target device among the plurality of external electronic devices, while operating with the plurality of external electronic devices based on the first communication protocol, in response to a service discovery request, and allow at least one external electronic device, except for the service target device, among the plurality of external electronic devices, to deactivate at least one function related to the first communication protocol, through the at least one communication module based on identifying the service target device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor <NUM> to control the at least one communication module to transmit, to the plurality of external electronic devices, a service group information message including the service target device based on identifying the service target device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM> or the first NAN device <NUM>) may further comprise a display device <NUM>. The instructions may be configured to enable the processor <NUM> to control the display device to output information about the plurality of external electronic devices and control the at least one communication module to transmit the service group information message based on identifying a user's selection input for the service target device among the plurality of external electronic devices through the display device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor <NUM> to, when an execution cancel input for content sharing is identified, control the at least one communication module to transmit, to the plurality of external electronic devices, a service cancel message to deactivate at least one function related to the first communication protocol. For example, the execution cancel input for the content sharing may include a specific button input or a specific user input.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor <NUM> to control the at least one communication module to perform the service discovery based on a second communication protocol operating with lower power than the first communication protocol while at least one function related to the first communication protocol is inactive. For example, the first communication protocol may be a NAN communication protocol, and the second communication protocol may be a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication protocol.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM>, or the third NAN device <NUM>) may comprise at least one communication module (e.g., the communication module <NUM>, the NAN communication module <NUM>, or the BLE communication module <NUM>), a processor <NUM> operatively connected with the at least one communication module, and a memory <NUM> operatively connected with the at least one communication module and the processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may store instructions configured to, when executed, enable the processor <NUM> to compose a NAN cluster communicating with a first electronic device (e.g., the first NAN device <NUM>) based on a first communication protocol, through the at least one communication module, control the at least one communication module to transmit a service discovery request to the first electronic device, obtain service group information from the first electronic device, according to the transmission of the service discovery request, identify whether the service group information includes information about the electronic device, and control the at least one communication module to deactivate at least one function related to the first communication protocol if it is identified that the service group information does not include the information about the electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor <NUM> to identify a time from the transmission of the service discovery request to reception of the service group information and control the at least one communication module to deactivate the at least one function related to the first communication protocol as the identified time exceeds a specific value.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the instructions may be configured to enable the processor <NUM> to obtain a service cancel message from the first electronic device through the at least one communication module and control the at least one communication module to deactivate the at least one function related to the first communication protocol according to the reception of the service cancel message.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an example of a data structure according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a NAN device may perform low-power NAN (BLE triggers NAN) operating in a BLE scan mode upon first operation, so as to reduce the current consumption caused when activating the NAN communication module first in the passive scan mode.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the state in which NAN communication is activated through the BLE trigger (e.g., a state in which the Wi-Fi communication module is activated) may be referred to as a NAN mode.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device (e.g., the first NAN device <NUM> or the electronic device <NUM>) may transmit a BLE TDS packet <NUM> when low-power NAN communication is performed. The BLE TDS packet <NUM> may include transport data and an 'AD length' field defined in BLE TDS, a 'transport discovery data AD type code' field, an 'organization ID' field, a 'TDS flags' field, or a 'transport data length' field. According to the value defined in the 'organization ID' field, the type of communication may be indicated.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the transport data may include a header, a various bloom filters field <NUM>, or a 'channel information optional' field. For example, the header may include a 'bloom filter length' field, a 'reserved' field, or a 'channel information info present bit' field.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the bloom filter field <NUM> may include a hashed bloom filter configuration. The bloom filter configuration may indicate a browser action for an activation request of a matched device service or data link, a service provider, and a service discovery without an activation request for a matched data link.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the NAN device receiving the BLE TDS packet <NUM> may hash a bloom filter in the BLE TDS packet <NUM> and identify the service information. When the service information is matched, the NAN device receiving the BLE TDS packet <NUM> may activate the NAN radio and may compose a NAN cluster (e.g., the NAN cluster <NUM>) to perform service discovery on devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>) in the NAN cluster <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the NAN devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>) in the NAN cluster <NUM> may register a scan filter. For example, the scan filter is for restricting only designated electronic devices as scan targets and may include the identifier, address, service information, or manufacturer information about the scan target device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the service information may include a service name. The NAN devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>) may identify whether the service name obtained from the received BLE TDS packet corresponds to the service name set in the scan filter.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the NAN devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>) may register the scan filter and operate in a service standby mode while BLE communication is active. For example, when the NAN devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>) receive a BLE TDS packet including information matching service information registered in the scan filter in the service standby mode, the NAN devices may scan the device according to the scan device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, even when the NAN devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>) operate in the sleep mode, the corresponding service information may be offloaded from the BLE communication module of the corresponding device and stored, and it may be identified whether the service information of the BLE TDS packet received through the BLE communication module matches the service information set in the scan filter.

<FIG> are flows illustrating an example of operations between NAN devices in a discovery protocol of low-power NAN communication according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, when discovery is performed to perform a NAN communication function through BLE, the NAN devices may be operated based on at least one of a provider mode in which a passive scan is performed or a browser mode in which an active scan is performed.

Referring to <FIG>, the device <NUM> in the browser mode may send an M1 message to the device <NUM> in the provider mode. The M1 message is an indirect advertisement message including a searched service and may be transmitted in a state in which the device <NUM> in the provider mode and the device <NUM> in the browser mode are not connected.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, upon determining that services matched with the device <NUM> in the browser mode, the device <NUM> in the provider mode may activate NAN communication.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the device <NUM> in the provider mode may transmit an M2 message to the device <NUM> in the browser mode. The M2 message may be an advertisement message including information about the matched service.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the device <NUM> in the browser mode may identify matched service information through the received M2 message and may activate NAN communication.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the device <NUM> in the provider mode and the device <NUM> in the browser mode may perform NAN service discovery.

Referring to <FIG>, to perform a NAN communication function through BLE, NAN devices operate based on at least one of a provider mode for performing a passive scan or a seeker mode for performing an active scan.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the device <NUM> in the seeker mode may transmit an M1 message to the device <NUM> in the provider mode.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the device <NUM> in the provider mode, receiving the M1 message, may determine that service is matched with the device <NUM> in the seeker mode, in the inactive state of NAN communication (OFF state) and transmit an M2 message to the device <NUM> in the seeker mode. The M2 message may include a BLE address corresponding to the device <NUM> in the provider mode.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, according to reception of the M2 message, the device <NUM> in the seeker mode may further identify the BLE address of the device <NUM> in the provider mode and the matched service.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, by identifying the device <NUM> in the provider mode, the device <NUM> in the seeker mode may display a designated icon on the screen and activate NAN communication. According to various embodiments, if the device <NUM> in the provider mode is a known device, additional information (e.g., user name) corresponding to the device <NUM> in the provider mode, along with the designated icon, may be displayed on the screen.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the device <NUM> in the seeker mode may transmit an M3 message to the device <NUM> in the provider mode. For example, the M3 message may be a message for activating NAN communication of a specific device in the provider mode, corresponding to the identified BLE address.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the device <NUM> in the provider mode, receiving the M3 message, may change the NAN communication into an active state (ON state). For example, as the device <NUM> in the provider mode and the device <NUM> in the seeker mode both activate NAN communication, they perform NAN service discovery.

According to various embodiments, as the NAN service discovery is performed, the device <NUM> in the provider mode may discover the device <NUM> in the browser mode or the device <NUM> in the seeker mode and compose a NAN cluster including the device <NUM> in the browser mode or the device <NUM> in the seeker mode. For example, the device <NUM> in the provider mode may transmit, to devices in the NAN cluster, service group information indicating whether NAN communication is performed with the device <NUM> in the browser mode or the device <NUM> in the seeker mode.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the devices in the NAN cluster, receiving the service group information, may control to deactivate NAN communication in the corresponding device depending on whether the service group information includes information about the corresponding information.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, activating the BLE communication module and performing NAN communication may be a synced protocol, and the advertisement packet during each step is not one-time one but may rather be repeatedly transmitted when the advertisement packet of the peer meets a request, when the user cancels it, or until a designated time elapses.

Table <NUM> shows an example of discovery power consumption in the NAN communication module (e.g., <NUM>) and the BLE communication module (e.g., <NUM>) when performing NAN communication, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to Table <NUM>, it may be identified that current consumption may be saved by applying a BLE trigger mode upon NAN communication. For example, when the electronic device waits in the BLE scan mode, it may be identified that a power of 1mA or less is consumed through the BLE communication module according to the scan period and duration. In contrast, when identifying the current consumption in service discovery of the master-role device (device role-non-master) and the non-master-role device (device role-master) when NAN communication is activated through the BLE trigger (e.g., when the Wi-Fi communication module is activated), the non-master-role device may consume a current of <NUM>. 0mA and the master-role device may consume a current of <NUM>. 6mA if only channel <NUM> of <NUM> band is used (signal band). When service discovery is performed using both the <NUM> band and the <NUM> band (dual-band), the non-master-role device may consume a current of <NUM> mA, and the master-role device may consume a current of 10mA. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the state in which NAN communication is activated through the BLE trigger (e.g., a state in which the Wi-Fi communication module is activated) may be referred to as a NAN mode.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, NAN devices may optimize standby current consumption while waiting in the BLE scan mode. By optimizing standby current consumption, NAN devices may perform NAN service discovery by activating the NAN communication module only when receiving a BLE TDS advertisement packet having the same service information.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, information related to a device that has started a service may be transmitted to the devices in the NAN cluster, so that devices that do not perform a service may deactivate the NAN mode and may thus be prevented from power consumption that would occur otherwise in operating in the NAN mode.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of a time synchronization operation in a NAN cluster according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a NAN cluster (e.g., the NAN cluster <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a first NAN device <NUM> (or the electronic device <NUM>), a second NAN device <NUM>, and a third NAN device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, if the first NAN device <NUM> identifies a content share request through NAN communication, it may transfer a command of starting NAN service through BLE communication. For example, the NAN service may include a service, a game, or a messenger service for the user to share specific content (e.g., an image, text or file) with other users through NAN. Other various service types through NAN communication are also possible. Upon obtaining a specific input, the first NAN device <NUM> may identify the content share request.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may transmit the BLE TDS advertisement to NAN devices (e.g., the second NAN device <NUM> or the third NAN device <NUM>) of the NAN cluster through BLE communication. For example, the first NAN device <NUM> may transmit the BLE TDS advertisement to discover a device to perform BLE communication.

In operation <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may identify that service is matched with the first NAN device <NUM> based on the BLE TDS advertisement received through BLE communication. For example, the second NAN device <NUM> may identify the service information included in the BLE TDS advertisement, thereby identifying whether service is matched with the first NAN device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may identify that the service is matched based on the BLE TDS advertisement received through BLE communication. For example, the third NAN device <NUM> may identify service information included in the BLE TDS advertisement to identify whether service is matched with the first NAN device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may activate NAN communication while BLE communication is active. For example, as it is identified that service is matched with the first NAN device <NUM> based on the BLE TDS advertisement transmitted from the first NAN device <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may activate NAN communication.

In operation <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may activate NAN communication while BLE communication is active. For example, when it is determined that service is matched with the first NAN device <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may activate NAN communication.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM>, and the third NAN device <NUM> may compose a NAN cluster and perform NAN cluster synchronization. For example, the NAN cluster synchronization is a time synchronization function (TSF, hereinafter, referred to as 'TSF') that synchronizes the NAN devices of the NAN cluster to a common time, and through the NAN cluster synchronization, the NAN devices may perform service discovery to transmit NAN beacon frames at the synchronized time.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may transmit a subscription-type SDF to the second NAN device <NUM> and the third NAN device <NUM> through NAN communication. For example, the subscription message may be a message requesting to transmit a publish message to NAN devices operating in the NAN cluster.

In operation <NUM>, the NAN communication module of the second NAN device <NUM> may transmit an SDF including a publish message to the NAN communication module of the first NAN device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the subscription message and the publish message may be included in the 'Service Descriptor Attributes' field of the SDF. The publish message may be used to search for NAN devices operating in a NAN cluster of an unsolicited type.

In operation <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may transmit a publish message to the first NAN device <NUM> in response to the SDF.

In operation <NUM>, the NAN communication module of the third NAN device <NUM> may transmit an SDF including a publish message to the NAN communication module of the first NAN device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may identify the result of discovery based on the SDF including the publish message received from the second NAN device <NUM> and the third NAN device <NUM> and may select a service target device from among the devices identified as a result of the discovery.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first NAN device <NUM> may transmit service group information including information related to the service target device to devices (e.g., the second NAN device <NUM> or the third NAN device <NUM>) in the NAN cluster <NUM>. For example, the devices (e.g., the second NAN device <NUM> or the third NAN device <NUM>) in the NAN cluster <NUM> identify the obtained service group information and, if the information about the corresponding device is not included, control to deactivate NAN communication in the corresponding device.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may perform further service discovery for the second NAN device <NUM>. For example, the first NAN device <NUM> may identify that the user selects the second NAN device <NUM> as a service target device, set a further service discovery attribute in the SDF, and transmit it to the second NAN device <NUM>. The further service discovery attribute may include parameters used to indicate the function of the NAN device during a period between DWs so as to receive the SDF.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> and the second NAN device <NUM> may perform NAN communication.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first NAN device <NUM> may transmit service group information according to performing the further discovery to the devices in the NAN cluster <NUM>. For example, the other devices than the service target device (e.g., the second NAN device <NUM>) among the devices in the NAN cluster <NUM> may identify that the service group information according to performing the further discovery does not include information about the corresponding device and control to deactivate NAN communication.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of operations of a NAN device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the first NAN device <NUM>) may identify the start of a Wi-Fi aware service. For example, the Wi-Fi aware service may include various services (e.g., content sharing, multimedia streaming, remote device (e.g., microphone) control, offline call/message transmission/reception/high-speed bi-directional communication, or peripheral device information discovery) between adjacent electronic devices through low-power NAN communication based on a Wi-Fi infrastructure.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit a BLE TDS packet to the devices in the NAN cluster.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may activate the NAN mode.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may perform service discovery for the devices in the NAN cluster. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may search for a plurality of external electronic devices that have transmitted a response to the BLE TDS packet according to performing the service discovery.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may identify a service target device. For example, the electronic device <NUM> displays a list of the plurality of external electronic devices and identify at least one external electronic device, which is selected by the user or meets a predesignated condition among the plurality of external electronic devices, as the service target device. The predesignated condition may include, e.g., whether the communication state or distance from the electronic device <NUM> meets a designated value or whether it is a predesignated electronic device for a specific service.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit the service group information message to the devices included in the list. For example, the service group information message may include the ID information, group ID, or address information about at least one external electronic device included in the service group. The service group information message may be included and transmitted/received in an SDF or NAN action frame (NAF) or may be transmitted/received through BLE communication.

According to various embodiments, the service group information message may be transmitted, with the service group information included in the field set as 'reserved' in each frame when it is transmitted in the form of an SDF or NAF. For example, the service group information may be set for devices identified as service target devices.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may store the service group information message. When a service group information message including changed information is obtained, the electronic device <NUM> may update information about the stored service group information message.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> and the service target device may perform communication in the service group. For example, they may exchange SDFs or perform NDP communication.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may terminate transmission of the BLE TDS packet.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may determine whether service discovery is resumed. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may repeatedly perform service discovery as a DW period arrives according to the NAN cluster operation.

As a result of performing operation <NUM>, if service discovery is resumed, the electronic device <NUM> may perform operation <NUM> to thereby perform service discovery. According to an embodiment, as a result of performing operation <NUM>, if operation <NUM> is performed so that service discovery is resumed, operation <NUM> may be omitted.

As a result of performing operation <NUM>, if service discovery is not resumed, the electronic device <NUM> may terminate the service discovery operation and identify the termination of the Wi-Fi aware service.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of a synchronization operation between devices in a NAN cluster according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a NAN cluster (e.g., the NAN cluster <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a first NAN device <NUM>, a second NAN device <NUM>, a third NAN device <NUM>, and a fourth NAN device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may transmit an SDF including a subscription message to the devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>) in the NAN cluster.

In operation <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may transmit an SDF including a publish message to the first NAN device <NUM> in response to the received subscription message.

In operation <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may transmit an SDF including a publish message to the first NAN device <NUM> in response to the received subscription message.

In operation <NUM>, the fourth NAN device <NUM> may transmit an SDF including a subscription message to the first NAN device <NUM> in response to the received subscription message.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may identify a service target device among the NAN devices that have transmitted the publish message. For example, the first NAN device <NUM> may identify the third NAN device <NUM> and the fourth NAN device <NUM> selected by the user among the NAN devices.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may transmit group ID synchronization information to the second NAN device <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM>, and the fourth NAN device <NUM>. For example, the group ID synchronization information may include group ID information preset for the service target device and may be transmitted in a unicast or broadcast manner.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the group ID synchronization information transmitted to the second NAN device <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM>, and the fourth NAN device <NUM> may include information about the third NAN device <NUM> and the fourth NAN device <NUM> selected by the user as service target devices. For example, if the second NAN device <NUM> identifies that the received group ID synchronization information does not include information about the second NAN device <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may control to deactivate NAN communication in the second NAN device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the group ID synchronization information may be transmitted in the form of a follow-up message. For example, the follow-up message may include a follow-up function that provides a means for services or applications that receive service-specific information from a NAN device or transmit service-specific information to a NAN device. The follow-up function may generate a follow-up message from a configuration received from a service or application in the transmission method and may request transmission of a message from the transmission control function.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, devices that have transmitted or received the follow-up message may be synchronized with the same group ID (e.g., "A").

Table <NUM> shows the formats and values defined in the NAN SDF.

Referring to Table <NUM>, the NAN SDF may be transmitted to inform that service discovery is terminated and to request deactivation of the NAN radio. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the NAN SDF may include a 'NAN attributes' field indicating service information. For example, 'NAN attributes' may include at least one attribute including information for service performance. For example, the NAN device identifies the service information and, as it determines that service is matched with the device that has transmitted the NAN SDF, the NAN device may control to activate NAN communication. Table <NUM> illustrates subtypes of NAN action frames according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to Tables <NUM> and <NUM>, when the NAN device transmits the SDF in a NAN action frame, the format and value defined in the NAN SDF or the subtype of the NAN action frame may be defined. For example, in the NAN action frame, a subtype of a new action frame may be designated in a 'reserved' field (e.g., '<NUM>-<NUM>'). According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the NAN action frame may include an 'OUI Subtype' field including information indicating the type of operation in NAN communication to be actually performed and an 'information content' field including information about various attributes required for the corresponding operation. For example, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the NAN action frame may include operation information having an arbitrary value, and the operation information may be a predesignated value between NAN devices performing the same service. For example, one of the occupied ' <NUM>-<NUM>' fields of the NAN action frame may include information for terminating discovery or deactivating the NAN radio.

Table <NUM> defines a format for a vendor-specific attribute according to various embodiments of the disclosure. For example, the vendor-specific attribute may be reserved.

Referring to Table <NUM>, the information about the newly defined NAN action frame may be defined according to the format of the vendor-specific attribute. For example, the 'body' field may include actually necessary information. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the NAN device may include information for distinguishing the corresponding NAN devices to maintain NAN cluster synchronization and perform the discovery operation, using the `Body' field in the vendor-specific attribute. For example, the information may include the group ID information NAN cluster synchronized with information about the devices for NAN cluster synchronization and performing the discovery operation. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the configuration of NAN cluster may be maintained for the NAN device set in the group ID information. In contrast, as the NAN device not set in the group ID information operates in the BLE scan mode in an inactivated state of NAN radio, it is possible to reduce power consumption due to the activation of NAN radio.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the 'body' field may include device information about the service group to be configured as a NAN cluster and in which discovery is performed. For example, the device information about the service group may include the NMI and NDIs of the device selected as the service target device in the service group or may include the device name of the device included in the publish message received from each device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, although it is described that the 'body' field includes information about the devices for maintaining the configuration of the NAN cluster, it may include information about the device operating in the BLE scan mode in the inactivated state of NAN radio.

Table <NUM> defines the format of the NAN information elements.

Referring to Table <NUM>, the SDF may include a plurality of NAN attribute information through the 'NAN attributes' field. For example, the plurality of feature information may include attribute information related to the service provided through NAN communication. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the NAN device may determine whether service is matched with the NAN device having transmitted the SDF based on the attribute information included in the 'NAN attributes' field. For example, when the attribute information matches the service information about the NAN device, it may be determined that service is matched with the NAN device having transmitted the SDF. Table <NUM> shows attributes of various purposes, which may be included in the NAN attributes field of the SDF.

Referring to Table <NUM>, the NAN attributes field may indicate attributes allowed or not allowed to be included in the NAN SDF frame. If allowed, whether the attribute is mandatory (M) or optional (O) may be included, and the mandatory NAN attributes may be included in the NAN SDF frame.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, it is possible to identify whether a service is matched using the service descriptor attribute or the service descriptor extended attribute of Table <NUM> above. Table <NUM> shows the service descriptor attribute (SDA). Referring to Table <NUM>, each attribute may include mandatory fields and optional fields according to the content of the service discovery request, optional filter, and optional service specific information.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the 'Service Info' field of the SDA may include information (e.g., action type information) about an operation to be performed by the NAN device. For example, a service discovery operation or synchronization for the NAN cluster composed of specific devices may be performed through the information included in the `Service Info' field. Table <NUM> shows the format of the service descriptor extension attribute (SDEA).

Referring to Tables <NUM> and <NUM>, NAN attribute information may be defined based on the SDA or the SDEA. For example, information may be included in the SDA or 'service info' field of the SDEA. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, Tables <NUM> and <NUM> commonly may include a 'service info' field for defining service specific information. The 'service info' field may be designated and used variously for each service. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> (or the first NAN device <NUM>) may transmit information for distinguishing devices capable of performing NAN cluster synchronization or service discovery using the 'service info' field. For example, the 'service info' field may include NAN device information or synchronized group ID information selected based on the result of service discovery.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, devices synchronized for the group ID may maintain the configuration of the NAN cluster, and devices not synchronized for the group ID may deactivate NAN radio and perform a BLE scan operation to reduce current consumption.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the 'service info' field may include device information about the service group included in the NAN cluster and service discovered. For example, the device information may include interface addresses (e.g., NAN management interface addresses (NMIs) or NAN data interface addresses (NDIs)) of corresponding devices and device names included in the publish messages received from the corresponding devices.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, it is described that the 'service info' field includes information about the device included in the NAN cluster. However, information about devices to deactivate NAN radio and return to the state of the BLE scan mode may also be included.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of deactivating NAN communication in a NAN device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a NAN cluster <NUM> may include at least one NAN device (e.g., the first NAN device <NUM> or the second NAN device <NUM>).

In operation <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may perform a BLE scan. For example, the BLE scan may include the operation of waiting to receive a BLE TDS packet from an external electronic device in the BLE communication mode.

In operation <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may determine whether to receive a BLE TDS packet from the first NAN device <NUM>.

As a result of performing operation <NUM>, when the second NAN device <NUM> does not receive the BLE TDS packet, the second NAN device <NUM> may perform a BLE scan in operation <NUM>.

As a result of performing operation <NUM>, if the second NAN device <NUM> identifies that the BLE TDS packet is received, the second NAN device <NUM> may activate Wi-Fi aware communication. For example, if the second NAN device <NUM> identifies that service is matched with the first NAN device <NUM> through the received BLE TDS packet, the second NAN device <NUM> may activate NAN radio to enable Wi-Fi aware communication.

In operation <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may transmit a publish message to perform service discovery of a publishing function of searching for an external electronic device.

In operation <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may obtain a message including service group information from the first NAN device <NUM>. For example, the service group information may include information about electronic devices constituting a specific NAN cluster in which NAN communication is performed.

In operation <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may identify whether information about the second NAN device <NUM> is included in the obtained service group information.

As a result of performing operation <NUM>, when the service group information does not include information about the second NAN device <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may deactivate the NAN radio to inactivate Wi-Fi aware communication in operation <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second NAN device <NUM> may deactivate NAN radio according to identifying that it does not perform Wi-Fi aware communication with the first NAN device <NUM> based on the obtained service group information. For example, the second NAN device <NUM> may reduce unnecessary power consumption that would occur if NAN radio were active, while Wi-Fi aware communication is not performed.

If the service group information includes the information about the second NAN device <NUM> as a result of performing operation <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may perform NAN communication with the devices included in the service group information in operation <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of a service discovery resume operation between devices in a NAN cluster according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a NAN cluster (e.g., the NAN cluster <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a first NAN device <NUM>, a second NAN device <NUM>, and a third NAN device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first NAN device <NUM> may receive a publish message in response to a subscription message and may identify device information included in the publish message. The device information may include a device name, a device user's user name, the user's profile information, the user's phone number information, or account information.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first NAN device <NUM> may output a list of NAN devices (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>) searched based on the device information and may identify at least one device selected by the user from the output list as a service target device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first NAN device <NUM> may identify the service target device without outputting the list, based on information set for a specific service. For example, the first NAN device <NUM> may automatically select a device including account information corresponding to the account information about the first NAN device <NUM>, as a service target device. A logic may be used to automatically select a device, which uses a family account with the first NAN device <NUM>, as a service target device. Alternatively, in the first NAN device <NUM>, a device stored in the contacts application of the first NAN device <NUM> and set as a specific relationship (e.g., family or friends) based on phone number information may be automatically selected.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may transmit service group information to the second NAN device <NUM> and the third NAN device <NUM> through NAN communication. For example, the service group information may include information about the service target device selected automatically or by the user. A separate service ID or group ID may be set for the service target device.

In operation <NUM>, as the third NAN device <NUM> identifies that the obtained service group information does not include information about the service ID or group ID set for the third NAN device <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may deactivate NAN communication.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may perform NAN communication with the second NAN device <NUM>. For example, the second NAN device <NUM> may identify the information about the service ID or group ID set for the second NAN device <NUM> in the obtained service group information and maintain the active state of NAN communication in the second NAN device <NUM>. Thus, the second NAN device <NUM> may perform NAN communication with the first NAN device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may activate BLE communication to resume service discovery. For example, as the DW period identified through the prior NAN cluster synchronization operation arrives, the first NAN device <NUM> may resume service discovery.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may transmit a BLE TDS advertisement to the second NAN device <NUM> and the third NAN device <NUM> through BLE communication.

In operation <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may identify that service is matched with the first NAN device <NUM> based on the received BLE TDS advertisement in the activated state of the BLE scan mode.

In operation <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may identify that service is matched with the first NAN device <NUM> based on the received BLE TDS advertisement in the activated state of the BLE scan mode.

In operation <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may activate NAN communication as it is identified that service is matched with the first NAN device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM>, and the third NAN device <NUM> may perform cluster synchronization.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may transmit an SDF including a subscription message to the second NAN device <NUM> and the third NAN device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, in response to the SDF including the subscription message, the second NAN device <NUM> may include a publish message in the SDF and transmit the SDF to the first NAN device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, in response to the SDF including the subscription message, the third NAN device <NUM> may include a publish message in the SDF and transmit the SDF to the first NAN device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may identify the result of service discovery based on the received publish message.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the first NAN device <NUM> may output the identified result of service discovery and identify a device, selected by the user as a device to perform NAN communication or selected automatically as a designated condition is met, among the devices according to the result of service discovery, as the service target device.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an example of a service discovery result screen configuration through NAN communication according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may display a content sharing screen <NUM>. For example, the content sharing screen <NUM> may be displayed as content to be shared is selected by the user or as a designated menu or function is executed.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the content sharing screen <NUM> may include a screen display control button <NUM>, a service discovery result display area <NUM>, a shared link display area <NUM>, or a shared service selection area <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, as the user inputs a gesture input (e.g., a slide input upwards/downwards) to the screen display control button <NUM>, the content sharing screen <NUM> may be controlled to be displayed or hidden.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the service discovery result display area <NUM> may display at least one NAN device searched as service discovery is performed. For example, the at least one NAN device may be a peripheral device searched by exchanging NAN SDFs and may be displayed in order of distance from the electronic device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in a case where an ambient device is set to be discoverable when the content sharing screen <NUM> is displayed, a phrase indicating that the name of the ambient device is displayed ("share instantly with people nearby. If they turn on phone visibility, their name will be displayed. ") may be displayed in the service discovery result display area <NUM>. Thereafter, as service discovery is performed, the phrase may be replaced with a list of discovered ambient devices which may then be displayed.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may identify 'James' <NUM>, 'Katherine,' <NUM>, 'Song,' <NUM>, or 'Alley' <NUM>, as devices supporting NAN communication by performing service discovery and display information <NUM> corresponding to the identified device in the service discovery result display area <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the shared link display area <NUM> may display a list of links that may share selected content. For example, information about selected content may be transmitted through a specific link selected from the list of links.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the shared service selection area <NUM> may include a list of services that may be executed through NAN communication. The services executable through NAN communication may include send content to device, smart view, link sharing, or shared album. For example, if one of the services is selected, a function related to the selected service may be performed on the selected content.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, if the user selects at least one (e.g., 'James' <NUM> or 'Katherine' <NUM>) from among the devices displayed in the service discovery result display area <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit a service group information message including information about the selected devices to the devices displayed in the service discovery result display area <NUM>. For example, the selected devices may be set as separate service group ID information, and the service group ID may be included in the service group information message.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device receiving the service group information message may control to deactivate NAN communication if the service group information message does not include information about the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., devices except for 'James' <NUM> or 'Katherine' <NUM>). For example, when the service group information message includes information about the corresponding electronic device <NUM>, a function related to the electronic device <NUM> and the service selected for the content selected in the electronic device <NUM> may be performed.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of a NAN communication deactivation operation in an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the first NAN device <NUM>) may identify the start of a Wi-Fi aware service. For example, as a content share request is received through NAN communication from the user, the electronic device <NUM> may identify that the Wi-Fi aware service is started.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit a BLE TDS packet. The BLE TDS packet may include service information and service group information.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may activate Wi-Fi aware communication. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may identify that the service information of the received BLE TDS packet matches the electronic device <NUM> and, as the service group information includes information related to the electronic device <NUM>, activate NAN radio to thereby activate Wi-Fi aware communication.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may perform service discovery of a subscription function. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit a subscription message to a device in the NAN cluster, performing service discovery.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may identify the termination of the Wi-Fi aware service. For example, when a designated button (e.g., a back button) or menu is selected in response to the service, when a user input for the Wi-Fi aware service is not received within a designated time, or when the service is identified to be complete, the electronic device <NUM> may identify that the execution of the Wi-Fi aware service is terminated.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit a service terminate message to the devices in the NAN cluster.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may deactivate Wi-Fi aware communication.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the NAN device receiving the service terminate message may identify that NAN communication is terminated and control to deactivate NAN communication in the corresponding device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, as the electronic device <NUM> controls to deactivate NAN communication (or Wi-Fi aware communication) based on the service terminate message, the electronic device <NUM> may control to prevent a BLE TDS packet from being unnecessarily transmitted even when the service is terminated.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of a NAN communication deactivation operation according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may identify a cancel command (or terminate command) for execution of the Wi-Fi aware service through NAN communication. For example, the first NAN device <NUM> may identify a predesignated input reception or button input for canceling or terminating the execution of the Wi-Fi aware service, as the cancel command (or terminate command) for the execution of the Wi-Fi aware service through NAN communication.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may transmit a service cancel (or terminate) message to the second NAN device <NUM> or the third NAN device <NUM> in the NAN cluster <NUM> through NAN communication. For example, the service cancel (or terminate) message may include information to indicate that the execution of the content share function through NAN communication in the first NAN device <NUM> is canceled (or terminated).

In operation <NUM>, as the second NAN device <NUM> receives the service cancel (or terminate) message, the second NAN device <NUM> may deactivate NAN radio to thereby deactivate NAN communication.

In operation <NUM>, as the third NAN device <NUM> receives a service cancel (or terminate) message, the third NAN device <NUM> may control to deactivate NAN radio to thereby deactivate NAN communication.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a NAN cluster (e.g., the NAN cluster <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a first NAN device <NUM>, a second NAN device <NUM>, and a third NAN device <NUM>. For example, <FIG> may be an operation in which the third NAN device <NUM> deactivates NAN communication.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may perform a BLE scan.

In operation <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may receive a BLE TDS packet from the first NAN device <NUM>. For example, the BLE TDS packet may include service information about the first NAN device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, as the third NAN device <NUM> identifies that it is service-matched with the first NAN device <NUM> based on the BLE TDS packet, the third NAN device <NUM> may activate the Wi-Fi aware service. For example, the third NAN device <NUM> may determine whether it is service-matched with the first NAN device <NUM> based on the service information included in the BLE TDS packet.

In operation <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may perform service discovery. For example, as the third NAN device <NUM> receives an SDF including a subscription message from the first NAN device <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may transmit the SDF including a publish message in response to the subscription message, performing the service discovery.

In operation <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may drive a timer for the elapsed time after the BLE TDS packet is received. For example, although operation <NUM> is described as performed after operation <NUM> in which service discovery is performed, operation <NUM> may be performed after operation <NUM> in which the BLE TDS packet is received.

In operation <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may determine whether a BLE TDS packet is received within a designated time.

As a result of performing operation <NUM>, if a BLE TDS packet is not received within the designated time, the third NAN device <NUM> may deactivate Wi-Fi aware communication in operation <NUM>.

As a result of performing operation <NUM>, if a BLE TDS packet is received within the designated time, the third NAN device <NUM> may determine whether a valid time of the BLE TDS packet expires in operation <NUM>. For example, the BLE TDS packet may include valid time information. The third NAN device <NUM> may determine whether the received BLE TDS packet is valid by comparing the valid time information with the current time.

As a result of performing operation <NUM>, if the valid time of the BLE TDS packet does not expire, the third NAN device <NUM> may maintain the active state of the Wi-Fi aware communication in operation <NUM>.

As a result of performing operation <NUM>, if the valid time of the BLE TDS packet expires, the third NAN device <NUM> may deactivate Wi-Fi aware communication in operation <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of deactivating NAN communication in a NAN cluster according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may transmit an SDF including a subscription message to the second NAN device <NUM> or the third NAN device <NUM> through NAN communication.

In operation <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM> may transmit, to the first NAN device <NUM>, an SDF including a publish message in response to the subscription message through NAN communication.

In operation <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may transmit, to the first NAN device <NUM>, an SDF including a publish message in response to the subscription message through NAN communication.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may identify the result of service discovery based on the received publish message and identify selection of a service target device from among the devices identified by the service discovery. For example, the devices identified by the service discovery may include electronic devices which have transmitted publish messages corresponding to the subscription message.

In operation <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may drive a timer for the elapsed time after the publish message is transmitted through BLE communication. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the second NAN device <NUM> may drive the timer for the elapsed time after the publish message is transmitted through BLE communication. For example, if a service group message is received from the first NAN device <NUM> before the timer expires, the second NAN device <NUM> may stop driving the timer.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may perform further service discovery on the service target device. For example, the first NAN device <NUM> may select the second NAN device <NUM> as a service target device based on the publish message received from the second NAN device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> may transmit a service group information message including service group information to the second NAN device <NUM> and the third NAN device <NUM> through NAN communication. For example, the service group information may include information about the device selected as a service target device, among the electronic devices searched as a result of the further service discovery.

In operation <NUM>, the first NAN device <NUM> and the second NAN device <NUM> receiving the service group information may perform NAN communication.

In operation <NUM>, the NAN communication module of the third NAN device <NUM> may identify that reception of the service group information message fails, if a service group information message is not received until the driven timer expires.

In operation <NUM>, the NAN communication module of the third NAN device <NUM> may transfer information indicating that reception of a service group information message fails to the BLE communication module of the third NAN device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the BLE communication module of the third NAN device <NUM> may terminate the driving of the timer as it identifies failure in receiving a service group information message.

In operation <NUM>, the third NAN device <NUM> may deactivate NAN communication.

According to an embodiment, if a service group information message is not received from the first NAN device <NUM> before the timer driven in operation <NUM> expires, the third NAN device <NUM> may determine that the third NAN device <NUM> is not selected as a service target device of NAN communication and may deactivate NAN communication.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a service group information message may be transmitted from the first NAN device <NUM> to the third NAN device <NUM> as operation <NUM> is performed, and the third NAN device <NUM> may receive the service group information message within a predetermined time. For example, if it is identified that information related to the third NAN device <NUM> is not included in the received service group information message, the BLE communication module of the third NAN device <NUM> may control to request the NAN communication module of the third NAN device <NUM> to deactivate NAN communication in operation <NUM>. For example, the third NAN device <NUM> may control to terminate the timer driven in operation <NUM> and deactivate NAN communication.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> (or the first NAN device <NUM>) composes a NAN cluster <NUM> communicating with a plurality of external electronic devices based on a first communication protocol.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> identifies a service target device among the plurality of external electronic devices while operating with the plurality of external electronic devices based on the first communication protocol (e.g., NAN communication mode) in response to a service discovery request.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may perform service discovery to discover the plurality of external electronic devices according to the service discovery request. For example, the service target device may include a device selected by the user or at least one device selected automatically according to a predesignated condition from among devices identified according to the result of service discovery.

A service discovery method in an electronic device further includes transmitting, to the plurality of external electronic devices, a service group information message including the service target device as the service target device is identified.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the service discovery method may further include outputting information about the plurality of external electronic devices and transmitting the service group information message based on identifying the user's selection input for the service target device among the plurality of external electronic devices output.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> controls at least one external electronic device, except for the service target device among the plurality of external electronic devices, to deactivate at least one function related to the first communication protocol.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the service discovery method in the electronic device may further include transmitting, to the plurality of external electronic devices, a service cancel message to deactivate at least one function related to the first communication protocol when an execution cancel input for content sharing is identified. For example, the execution cancel input for the content sharing may include a specific button input or a specific user input.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the service discovery method in the electronic device may further include performing service discovery based on a second communication protocol operating with lower power than the first communication protocol while the at least one function related to the first communication protocol is inactive. For example, the first communication protocol may be a NAN communication protocol, and the second communication protocol may be a BLE communication protocol.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a method for performing service discovery in an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>, the second NAN device <NUM>, or the third NAN device <NUM>) may comprise configuring a neighbor awareness network (NAN) cluster communicating with a first electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM> or the first NAN device <NUM>) based on a first communication protocol, transmitting a service discovery request to the first electronic device, receiving service group information from the first electronic device, according to the transmission of the service discovery request, identifying whether the service group information includes information about the electronic device, and deactivating at least one function related to the first communication protocol if it is identified that the service group information does not include the information about the electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the service discovery method in the electronic device may further comprise identifying a time from the transmission of the service discovery request to reception of the service group information and controlling to deactivate the at least one function related to the first communication protocol as the identified time exceeds a specific value.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the service discovery method in the electronic device may further comprise receiving a service cancel message from the first electronic device and controlling to deactivate the at least one function related to the first communication protocol according to the reception of the service cancel message.

The electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be one of various types of electronic devices.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
at least one communication module (<NUM>);
a processor (<NUM>) operatively connected with the at least one communication module (<NUM>); and
a memory (<NUM>) operatively connected with the at least one communication module (<NUM>) and the processor (<NUM>);
wherein the memory (<NUM>) stores instructions configured to, when executed, enable the electronic device (<NUM>) to:
configure (<NUM>), based on a first communication protocol, through the at least one communication module (<NUM>), a neighbor awareness network, NAN, cluster including the electronic device (<NUM>) and a plurality of external electronic devices (<NUM>, <NUM>),
identify (<NUM>), based on configuring the NAN cluster, a service target device among the plurality of external electronic devices (<NUM>, <NUM>), while operating with the plurality of external electronic devices (<NUM>, <NUM>) based on the first communication protocol, and
control, based on identifying the service target device, by transmitting a service group information message through the at least one communication module (<NUM>), at least one external electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>) except for the service target device among the plurality of external electronic devices (<NUM>, <NUM>), to deactivate (<NUM>) at least one active function related to the first communication protocol.