A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SERVICE DISCOVERY

摘要

A method and apparatus for conducting remote discovery of services across different local networks. A service discovery gateway (202b) in one local network (202) issues a request for discovery information on the services in the opposite local network (200), embedded in a presence subscribe message over an IMS network (204). Discovery information is then received in a generic format embedded in a presence notify message over the IMS network. The received discovery information has been collected by a service discovery gateway in the first local network using a local service discovery protocol in the first local network. The received discovery information is announced to devices in the second local network, using a local service discovery protocol valid within the second local network. Thereby, local services can be provided and utilized across different local networks, even when different device-specific service discovery protocols are used within the local networks.