Central Resource Control for Expandable Medical Platforms

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Solution Overview

Problem

In expandable medical platforms, the lack of deterministic behavior in processes during emergency situations leads to performance issues, such as slowed or halted data writing to hard disks, which can be critical during medical emergencies, and existing solutions like separate emergency systems or special operating systems are costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method with a central instance and meta interface for resource management, where processes are executed by process handlers that can only perform one order at a time, ensuring deterministic behavior and resource availability through queue allocation and meta interfaces that manage resources, allowing for controlled interruption and prioritization of processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple processes run in parallel simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to non-deterministic behavior and performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess execution efficiencyVSAvoiddeterministic behavior

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments processes into different categories (real-time processes and background processes) and assigns them to different execution contexts. Real-time processes are executed with deterministic guarantees while background processes run in parallel without interfering with real-time performance, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic process management where the system can adaptively adjust process execution based on current conditions. The framework allows real-time processes to be prioritized and guaranteed execution resources during critical periods, while background processes are dynamically scheduled to avoid interfering with real-time operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If separate emergency systems are implemented, then reliability is improved for emergency situations, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency response assuranceVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal process management framework that handles both normal operations and emergency situations through a single integrated system. The same framework that manages background processes also provides deterministic execution guarantees for real-time processes during emergencies, eliminating the need for separate emergency systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the management of background processes and real-time processes into a unified framework. By combining process management functions and resource allocation mechanisms, the system achieves emergency response reliability without requiring separate emergency systems, thus reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If special operating systems are used for clients, then reliability is improved through constant quality of service, but device complexity and programming complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of service consistencyVSAvoidoperating system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a process management framework as an intermediary layer between the operating system and application processes. This framework handles quality of service guarantees and deterministic execution without requiring special operating systems, thus maintaining reliability while avoiding OS-level complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for special operating systems with a software-based process management framework. Instead of relying on complex OS mechanisms to ensure quality of service, the system uses a simplified framework that provides deterministic behavior through process categorization and resource allocation, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If process priorities are lowered, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to slower response time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess management simplicityVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different quality characteristics to different process types. Background processes execute with standard priorities for simplicity, while real-time processes receive enhanced priority and deterministic execution guarantees. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain simplicity for most processes while ensuring high productivity for critical real-time operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8117310B2Method for the central control of resources in expandable medical platforms

Publication Date: 2012.02.14 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A method of at least one embodiment uses a central instance for receiving all orders within the platform. A meta interface regulates the assignment of resources to orders. In addition, in at least one embodiment, each order is performed by at least one process handler. This assures the deadlock-free use of resources within the platform. Furthermore, at least one embodiment of the invention allows controlled stopping of active process handlers and hence interruption of running processes.