Adaptive Voltage Fault Handling in Computer Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer systems lack a flexible handling mechanism for voltage faults, as they either restart or shut down regardless of the operating stage, failing to address the specific needs of different operating statuses during a voltage fault.
Innovation Solution
A handling device and method that includes a detecting unit to signal voltage faults, a comparison unit to look up tables and determine the operating status, and a control unit to generate a control signal for appropriate restarting, including delayed times and number of restarts based on the status, enhancing flexibility in handling voltage faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a unified handling mechanism (restart or shutdown) is used for all voltage faults regardless of operating stage, then the handling process is simple, but the adaptability to different operating statuses is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the handling mechanism adaptive to different operating stages. The system dynamically adjusts the handling approach based on whether the computer is in standby mode or actual operation, transitioning from a static unified mechanism to a dynamic stage-dependent mechanism. This resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptability while maintaining reasonable complexity through structured stage-based logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of operating stage (standby vs. actual operation) to determine the appropriate handling mechanism. By using the operating stage as a discriminating parameter, the system selects different handling approaches: shutdown for standby mode and restart for actual operation. This parameter-based differentiation improves adaptability without requiring overly complex decision logic.
2Speed
If the computer system is directly turned off when voltage fault is detected, then the handling response is fast, but data loss may occur during actual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different handling treatments for different operating contexts. Instead of a uniform response, the system applies shutdown treatment locally to standby mode and restart treatment locally to actual operation mode. This contextual differentiation ensures fast response for standby while preserving data safety for operation, resolving the contradiction through localized appropriate actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by not always shutting down when voltage fault occurs. Instead, it inverts the logic to restart the system when in actual operation mode, recognizing that a controlled restart is safer than an abrupt shutdown during active computation. This inverted thinking resolves the contradiction between fast response and data safety.
3Reliability
If the computer system is restarted when voltage fault is detected, then data safety is maintained, but the handling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the handling process into distinct paths based on operating stage. By segmenting the response into shutdown path (for standby) and restart path (for actual operation), the system avoids unnecessary restart operations that would waste time. This segmentation enables fast handling for standby mode while maintaining data safety through appropriate restart for operation mode, resolving the time-reliability contradiction.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a stage-dependent handling mechanism is implemented, then the flexibility in managing voltage faults is improved, but the complexity of detecting and measuring operating status increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the computer system's own operating stage information to determine the handling mechanism. The system serves itself by automatically identifying whether it is in standby or actual operation mode and selecting the appropriate response without requiring external intervention or complex external monitoring. This self-based detection reduces the difficulty of status detection while maintaining high flexibility in fault handling.
Data Source
AI summary
A handling device and method for voltage faults applicable for using in a computer system. The handling method includes acquiring a signal of voltage fault. According to the signal of voltage fault and by looking up at tables, an operating status of the computer system corresponding to the signal of voltage fault is acquired, and generating a control signal according to the operating status. Then, the computer system according to the control signal is restarted.