Remote Control Device Automatic Pairing via Discovery Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Control devices face challenges in seamlessly transitioning between controlling different electronic devices, particularly when an acknowledgement is not received from the initially paired device, leading to inefficiency until the device is reconfigured to control another device within range.
Innovation Solution
The control device broadcasts a discovery message to all operable electronic devices within range and configures itself based on responses received, including proximity signals, to select and pair with a new device, potentially unpairing from the previous device if necessary, using configuration information for successful control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the control device transmits a command to a first electronic device, then the control device can control the first electronic device, but if an acknowledgement is not received, the control device cannot automatically switch to control another available electronic device
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs automatic device discovery and reconfiguration without requiring user intervention. When acknowledgment is not received from the first electronic device, the control device autonomously broadcasts discovery messages, receives responses from available electronic devices, selects a suitable device, and reconfigures itself to control the new device, thereby serving itself in the reconfiguration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device maintains a table of control entries with configuration information for multiple electronic devices in advance. When switching is needed, the control device can quickly retrieve and utilize pre-stored configuration information from the table, enabling rapid reconfiguration without requiring complete device discovery and pairing procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control device manually reconfigures to control another device, then it can control a different electronic device, but this process requires user intervention and time
Solution Approach 1:
Configuration information for multiple electronic devices is pre-stored in a table of control entries. When the control device needs to switch devices, it can immediately retrieve the necessary configuration information from this pre-prepared table, eliminating the time-consuming manual reconfiguration process and enabling instant switching to available devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device automatically receives feedback in the form of discovery messages and acknowledgment signals from electronic devices. Based on this feedback, the control device determines which devices are available and responsive, then automatically selects and switches to an appropriate device, eliminating the need for manual user intervention in the device selection process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the control device broadcasts discovery messages to find available devices, then it can identify alternative devices to control, but this requires additional communication overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The device discovery and selection process is segmented into distinct functional components: broadcasting discovery messages, receiving and processing responses, evaluating available devices based on criteria, and selecting a target device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall control mechanism by breaking down the complex automatic reconfiguration process into manageable steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote determines an acknowledgement is not received for a command transmitted to a first device, broadcasts a discovery message, receives a response from a second device that received the discovery message and a proximity signal from the remote, and configures itself to control the second device. The remote may also transmit an acknowledgement to the second device. The second device may notify the first device. In various implementations, configuration information in the response may include pairing information and the remote may unpair itself from the first device and pair with the second device. In some implementations, the remote may include a table for controlling devices and the remote may utilize an entry in the table for the second device instead of the first device. In various implementations, the remote may receive responses to the discovery message from multiple devices and may select one to configure itself to control.