Blueprint-Based Computing Device Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manufacturers face logistical and financial challenges in maintaining an inventory of various configurations for computing devices to meet diverse customer needs, as customers often lack knowledge about the optimal configuration for their specific applications.

Innovation Solution

A configurable computing device with a set of predefined blueprints, determined through performance testing, allows users to select and purchase the appropriate configuration based on their application needs, enabling or disabling specific components to optimize performance and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manufacturers maintain an inventory of various configurations for computing devices, then customer needs can be met, but logistical and financial challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration varietyVSAvoidinventory complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses blueprints as digital copies or templates that define device configurations. Instead of maintaining physical inventories of all possible configurations, manufacturers create digital blueprint representations that can be instantiated as needed. These blueprints capture the essential configuration data and can be replicated and applied to multiple devices, eliminating the need for complex physical inventory management while maintaining configuration variety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If manufacturers maintain an inventory of various configurations for computing devices, then customer needs can be met, but financial costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration varietyVSAvoidinventory resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Digital blueprints serve as lightweight copies that contain configuration information without requiring physical components. A single blueprint can be replicated indefinitely at minimal cost, whereas physical inventory requires storing actual hardware components for each configuration variant. This dramatically reduces the quantity of resources needed while maintaining the ability to provide diverse configurations to customers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs configuration validation and optimization in advance by creating and testing blueprints before actual device assembly. This preliminary action ensures that configurations are optimized for customer needs before manufacturing, reducing the need to maintain excessive inventory of trial configurations. The blueprints are prepared beforehand and can be quickly instantiated when orders are placed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If customers purchase devices with predefined blueprints, then optimal performance for specific applications is achieved, but customer knowledge requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance optimizationVSAvoidselection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces blueprints as an intermediary layer between customer needs and device configurations. Instead of requiring customers to directly understand and specify complex configuration parameters, they interact with pre-defined blueprints that encapsulate optimized configurations. The blueprints serve as mediators that translate application requirements into appropriate device settings, reducing the knowledge burden on customers while maintaining performance optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10248429B2Configuration based on a blueprint
Publication Date: 2019.04.02 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP
  • US10248429B2 patent drawing
  • US10248429B2 patent drawing
  • US10248429B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A non-transitory storage device includes machine readable instructions that, when executed, cause a processing resource to perform various operations. One such operation, for example, is to receive a selection of a blueprint to be used for configuration purposes. Other operations may include automatically validating the selected blueprint and automatically configuring the computing device in accordance with the selected and validated blueprint. Various related apparatuses and method are provided as well.