Decentralized Floor Control via Timestamp Comparison

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for managing floor control in networks, such as centralized server-based systems and node negotiation, are prone to failures and delays, and there is a need for a more reliable and efficient approach.

Innovation Solution

A decentralized method where nodes in a network determine the floor holder by timestamping subscriber packets and creating a ballot list, allowing nodes to agree on a floor holder without reliance on centralized servers, thereby reducing delays and improving reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If centralized servers are used for managing floor control, then floor holder determination can be centralized and coordinated, but the system becomes dependent on centralized servers and incurs high maintenance costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloor control management reliabilityVSAvoidcentralized server maintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the floor control determination function from centralized servers and distributes it to individual nodes in the network. Each node independently determines floor holders based on timestamped requests, eliminating the need for centralized server coordination and reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining reliability through decentralized operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Nodes in the network perform self-service by independently determining floor holders without relying on centralized servers. Each node uses timestamped requests from other nodes to autonomously decide who holds the floor, reducing maintenance costs and eliminating single points of failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If nodes negotiate and send signals to determine floor holder, then distributed control is achieved, but signal transmission introduces delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistributed control capabilityVSAvoidfloor holder determination delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having nodes send timestamped requests in advance without waiting for negotiation. Each node records the timestamp when it receives a floor request and uses this pre-captured timing information to determine the floor holder, eliminating delays caused by back-and-forth signal exchanges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical signal transmission and negotiation system with a timestamp-based comparison mechanism. Instead of nodes exchanging multiple signals to negotiate floor holder status, the system substitutes this with a simple timestamp comparison that can be performed locally and instantly, reducing determination delay

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS7814205B2Method and apparatus for managing floor control in a network

Publication Date: 2010.10.12 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A method for managing floor control in a network is disclosed. The method includes beginning a ballot timer when at least one of a) a first node packet is created at the node and b) a second node packet is received at the node from a second node. The first node packet comprises a first timestamp and the second node packet comprises a second timestamp. The ballot timer runs for a first predefined time interval. The method further includes determining a floor holder upon expiration of the first predefined time interval based upon an earliest time of the first timestamp and the second timestamp. Further, the node and the second node have a same absolute timing reference.