Application Program Execution Controller for External Device Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic apparatuses face complexity in automatically searching for external devices and managing access authority, leading to interruptions when multiple application programs attempt to use the same external device.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with a memory unit storing device support information and a controller that receives device information from external devices to search for and execute appropriate application programs, allowing exclusive use of the device by one application program.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the application program automatically searches for external devices by requesting driver access authority through the operating system kernel, then the external device can be found, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic search for external deviceVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes a mapping relationship between application programs and external devices before runtime. When an application program needs to access an external device, the system directly retrieves the corresponding driver information from the pre-stored mapping, eliminating the need for complex real-time searches through the operating system kernel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple application programs attempt to use the same external device simultaneously, then device utilization increases, but conflicts occur and existing applications cannot continuously provide functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice utilizationVSAvoidcontinuous function provision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic access authority management where the mapping between application programs and external devices can be flexibly adjusted at runtime. When a conflict is detected, the system dynamically reassigns access rights to ensure continuous function provision while maintaining high device utilization through coordinated sharing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the application program obtains driver access authority through the operating system kernel, then the external device can be controlled, but the process requires complex authentication and communication steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal device control capabilityVSAvoidaccess authority acquisition

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a intermediate mapping table that sits between the application program and the operating system kernel. This mapping table stores pre-configured relationships, allowing application programs to access external devices through simple table lookups rather than complex kernel-level authentication and communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11720370B2Electronic apparatus and method of executing application program

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method of executing an application program in an electronic apparatus is provided. The method includes storing device support information corresponding to at least one application program, receiving device information from an external device, searching for one or more application programs supporting the external device based on the device information and the device support information, and executing an application program among the found one or more application programs.