Apparatus for use with service providing system with integrated components in ad hoc network

• US 20040190529A1
• Filed: 04/06/2004
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Hara, Masahiro
• Application Number:
  US10/817,952
• Publication Number:
  US 20040190529A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/395.42
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

In an ad hoc network comprising an initiator for use by a user transmitting a request to provide a service, and a plurality of components, etc. such as a CD player, etc., the initiator collects a table of contents describing a service, etc. which can be provided by each component before receiving a service, refers to the information about a table of contents, and lists available services. A user is allowed to select a service, and receives a desired service from a device to which predetermined components are connected by cable or by wireless.

Claims

1. An information terminal connected by cable or by wireless to one or more devices forming a network by cable or by wireless for offering a predetermined service by integrating functions of one or more devices, comprising:

an information collection unit receiving, from each device, information about services which can be offered by a component which belongs to the one or more devices and performs a predetermined function;

a service detection unit detecting services which can be offered by combining the one or more devices according to the collected information; and

a service instruction unit instructing a device included in providing the services to provide a service based on the detected service.

2. The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein

said collected information is obtained by defining input/output specifications of a component for realizing a function of each device as a class.

3. The information terminal according to claim 2, wherein

a priority is assigned based on a depth of a hierarchy of the class for a plurality of paths connecting devices contained in services which can be provided and detected by said service detection unit.

4. The information terminal according to claim 2, wherein

a higher priority is assigned to a path of a service used before for a plurality of paths connecting devices contained in services which can be provided and detected by said service detection unit.

5. The information device according to claim 1, wherein

when a device exits the network, a service can be continuously provided using another device which can provide an equivalent of a function of the device.

6. The information device according to claim 1, wherein

when a device enters the network, a service which can be provided by the device is detected, and when there are a plurality of combinations of devices which can provide equivalent services, one is selected for providing a service.

7. The information device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein

when the device exits and enters the network, the device or a substitute device for the device is notified of necessary information for the device continuing a service as status information.

8. The information device according to claim 1, wherein

said one or more devices periodically transmit status information indicating an operation state of the device to the information device then a service is provided.

9. The information device according to claim 8, wherein

said status information is used as information for allowing a service to be continuously provided when a device enters/exits the network.

10. The information device according to claim 1, wherein

said service is a music playback service.

11. The information device according to claim 1, wherein

said device contains a device for managing an address of a PIM, etc. and schedule data, and said service is to manage the address and the schedule.

12. A device for use in a network over which a plurality of devices are connected and predetermined services are provided, comprising:

a communications unit communicating with other devices;

a unit transmitting a table of contents describing a function of the device at a request; and

a function providing unit providing a predetermined function at an instruction.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein

said function providing unit converts a data format.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein

a state of the device in providing a service can be transmitted to another device.

15. A processing method for receiving a predetermined service by integrating functions of one or more devices forming a network by cable or by wireless, comprising:

receiving, from each device, information about services which can be offered by a component which belongs to the one or more devices and performs a predetermined function;

detecting services which can be offered by combining the one or more devices according to the collected information; and

instructing a device included in providing the services to provide a service based on the detected service.

16. An information device-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct an information device to realize a processing method for receiving a predetermined service by integrating functions of one or more devices forming a network by cable or by wireless, comprising:

receiving, from each device, information about services which can be offered by a component which belongs to the one or more devices and performs a predetermined function;

detecting services which can be offered by combining the one or more devices according to the collected information; and

instructing a device included in providing the services to provide a service based on the detected service.

17. A program used to direct an information device to realize a processing method for receiving a predetermined service by integrating functions of one or more devices forming a network by cable or by wireless, comprising:

receiving, from each device, information about services which can be offered by a component which belongs to the one or more devices and performs a predetermined function;

detecting services which can be offered by combining the one or more devices according to the collected information; and

instructing a device included in providing the services to provide a service based on the detected service.