Samsung patents phone feature to show connected device types
Samsung has filed a patent for a method where a phone with an active Wi-Fi hotspot asks connected devices for their details. The phone then displays the type of device (like a laptop or tablet) on its screen using this information.
In the filing’s own words
An example method for operating an electronic device (e.g., 101, 201) may include an operation of activating a wireless local area network (WLAN) hotspot function of the electronic device (e.g., 101, 201). The method may include an operation of transmitting a first multicast domain name system (mDNS) message requesting device information to an external electronic device (e.g., 203) while a network connection is provided to the external electronic device (e.g., 203), on the basis of the activation of the WLAN hotspot function. The method may include an operation of receiving a second mDNS message including device information of the external electronic device (e.g., 203) from the external electronic device while a network connection is provided to the external electronic device, on the basis of the activation of the WLAN hotspot function. The method may include an operation of providing device type information of the external electronic device on a display of the electronic device (e.g., 101, 201), on the basis of the device information included in the second mDNS message. Various other embodiments may be possible.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An electronic device comprising: at least one processor comprising processing circuitry; and memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when individually and/or collectively executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: activate a wireless local area network (WLAN) hotspot function of the electronic device, while a network connection is provided to an external electronic device based on activation of the WLAN hotspot function, transmit a first multicast domain name system (mDNS) message for requesting device information to the external electronic device, while the network connection is provided to the external electronic device based on the activation of the WLAN hotspot function, receive a second mDNS message comprising the device information of the external electronic device from the external electronic device, and based on the device information in the second mDNS message, provide device type information of the external electronic device on a display of the electronic device.
Facts
- Company
- Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
- Official title
- ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND COMMUNICATION METHOD THEREOF
- Publication number
- US20260281078A1
- Application number
- 19669256
- Filed
- May 6, 2026
- Published
- Sep 17, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 19
Classified under
H04L 61/4511 Electricity & electronicsH04W 84/12 Electricity & electronicsMore from Samsung in Phones & computers
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.