App Store Coordination for Incident Area Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incident-area networks (IANs) deployed for public-safety responders often have multiple app stores with different versions and content, making it challenging to ensure that devices access the best version of applications and data across multiple IANs, especially in dynamic and mobile incident scenarios where compatibility and version issues arise.
Innovation Solution
An application server within each IAN monitors and shares information about available content across multiple IANs, determining the best app store to provide the latest or highest-quality versions of applications and data, and directs connected devices to hand over to the appropriate IAN for content retrieval, managing version compatibility and caching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple autonomous IANs deploy their own app stores with different content and versions, then each IAN maintains independence and operational autonomy, but devices cannot access the best version of applications and data across multiple IANs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple autonomous app stores into a unified content access system. App store servers in different IANs exchange inventory information and coordinate to provide devices with the best available content versions. This combining approach maintains the autonomy of individual IANs while enabling cross-IAN content sharing and version optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal content access mechanism that works across multiple IAN boundaries. Devices can access applications and data from any IAN's app store through a standardized interface, making the system universally functional regardless of which specific IAN the device is connected to.
2Reliability
If each IAN maintains its own app store with independent content management, then each IAN operates independently, but content consistency and version compatibility across IANs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
App store servers implement feedback mechanisms where they continuously exchange inventory and version information with other IANs. This feedback loop enables automatic detection of the best content versions and coordination to ensure devices receive compatible and up-to-date applications and data across all IANs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-coordinating content inventory and version information between IANs before devices need to access content. This advance preparation ensures that when devices request applications or data, the best compatible versions are already identified and ready for delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for coordinating applications between incident-area networks (IANs) are provided herein. During operation an application server (serving as an app store within an IAN) will monitor all IAN Apps stores that are on scene (at an incident). All app stores on scene will share information regarding the content/applications they can provide. When a connected radio requests particular content from an IAN, the application server will determine a best app store to provide the content. The connected radio will be directed to hand over to the appropriate IAN app store to retrieve the content.