Femtocell Priority Control for Wireless Device Conflicts
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, conflicts arise when multiple devices attempt to control the same controllable device simultaneously, such as a television, leading to a need for a consistent method to determine device priority to prevent such conflicts.
Innovation Solution
A femtocell registration mechanism is used to prioritize wireless communication devices (WCDs) by determining relative priorities based on device identifiers, allowing only the highest-priority WCD to control connected devices, with the femtocell managing these priorities and communicating changes to the affected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wireless communication devices attempt to control the same controllable device simultaneously, then device accessibility and user flexibility are improved, but system conflicts and control instability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The femtocell performs preliminary priority determination when a WCD registers, establishing control hierarchy before conflicts occur. The system proactively assigns priorities based on device identifiers and notifies devices of their control status, preventing simultaneous control attempts rather than resolving conflicts after they arise.
Solution Approach 2:
The femtocell acts as an intermediary between multiple WCDs and controllable devices. It receives control requests from WCDs, determines priority based on stored information, and selectively forwards requests to controllable devices. This mediator role centralizes control decision-making, ensuring only the highest-priority device controls each controllable device at any given time.
2Reliability
If a priority determination mechanism is implemented among multiple WCDs, then control conflicts are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves self-service through automatic priority determination based on device identifiers. When a WCD registers, the femtocell automatically queries priority information using the device identifier, determines the priority hierarchy, and notifies relevant devices without requiring manual configuration or complex user intervention. This automation reduces system complexity while maintaining reliable control stability.
3Reliability
If femtocell manages WCD priorities centrally, then control conflicts are prevented, but communication overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The femtocell performs priority determination as a preliminary action during WCD registration, before any control conflicts can occur. By establishing the priority hierarchy upfront and notifying devices of their status, the system avoids time-consuming conflict resolution processes that would occur if multiple devices attempted simultaneous control. The preliminary priority assignment minimizes communication overhead while ensuring control stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for determining relative priorities of wireless communication devices with respect to controlling controllable devices. A femtocell receiving a registration request and a device identifier from a first wireless communication device may responsively (i) provide the first wireless communication device with wireless service and (ii) use the device identifier to determine at least one respective relative priority of the first wireless communication device compared to a second wireless communication device with respect to controlling at least one controllable device. The femtocell may then transmit at least one message to at least one of (i) the first wireless communication device, (ii) the second wireless communication device, and (iii) at least one controllable device in accordance with the determination, the at least one message reflecting the determined at least one relative priority. In this way, conflicts between multiple controlling devices may be avoided.