Proximity service discovery in wireless networks

A computer-readable storage device storing computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

• prior to establishing a connection between a first device and a second device that is suitable for providing a requested service:
• broadcasting, by the first device, a wireless request message to one or more devices in the proximity of the first device, wherein the wireless request message requests a first service and comprises a first service information element including information about the requested first service, wherein the first service information element is registered on the first device, and wherein the one or more devices includes the second device;
• receiving, from the second device, a wireless response message, wherein the wireless response message comprises a second service information element, the second service information element comprising information pertaining to the requested first service provided by the second device, wherein the second service information element is shortened, the shortened second service information element comprising a format identifier, and wherein the format identifier is compressed using a hash function;
• determining, based on the wireless response message, whether the second device provides the requested first service, wherein the determining comprises comparing at least one field of the second service information element with at least one field of the first service information element;
• and
• establishing a connection between the first device and the second device, if the second device provides the requested first service.

A system including:

• at least one processor of a second device and a memory operatively connected to the at least one processor and including instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, perform a method, the method comprising:
• prior to establishing a connection between a first device and the second device that is suitable for providing a service, wherein the second device is in the proximity of the first device:
• receiving, at the second device and from the first device, a wireless request message, wherein the wireless request message requests a first service and comprises a first service information element including information about the requested first service, and wherein the first service information element is registered on the first device;
• sending, by the second device, a wireless response message to the first device, wherein the wireless response message comprises a second service information element, the second service information element comprising information pertaining to the requested first service provided by the second device, wherein the second service information element is shortened, the shortened second service information element comprising a format identifier, and wherein the format identifier is compressed using a hash function;
• and
• establishing a connection between the first device and the second device, if the second device provides the requested first service and in response to a connection request from the first device.