Command Execution Controller for Asynchronous Processing Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high-speed image processing systems, controlling the order of commands among processing units leads to inefficiencies due to the need for detecting each other's states, causing burdens on processing units and reducing overall processing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A command execution controller that separates execution commands and adjustment commands, using multiple storage units to manage and prioritize command issuance based on adjustment commands, allowing asynchronous operation and efficient handling of synchronous type execution commands without synchronizing with the command execution controller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the processing unit B adjusts the execution order in light of the contents of commands when carrying out out-of-order execution, then the command execution efficiency is improved, but the processing burden on processing unit B increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand execution efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a command execution controller as an intermediary component between processing unit A and processing unit B. This controller receives commands from processing unit A, manages the command queue, and controls command issuance to processing unit B based on execution status feedback. By offloading the complex command ordering and execution control logic to this dedicated controller, processing unit B is relieved of the burden of analyzing and adjusting command execution order, while still achieving efficient out-of-order execution through the controller's management of issuance order adjustment flags and command queuing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the processing unit A controls the transmission timing of read command according to the command processing state of processing unit B, then the command execution correctness is improved, but the processing burden on processing unit A increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand execution correctnessVSAvoidprocessing burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where processing unit B sends execution status information back to the command execution controller. The controller uses this feedback to determine when to issue subsequent commands, particularly read commands that depend on previous operation completion. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain correct command execution ordering without requiring processing unit A to continuously monitor and control transmission timing based on processing unit B's internal state, thereby reducing the burden on processing unit A while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the processing units detect each other's state to coordinate command execution, then the command ordering accuracy is improved, but the overall processing efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand ordering accuracyVSAvoidoverall processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the command execution control function into distinct components: processing unit A generates commands, the command execution controller manages the command queue and issuance timing, and processing unit B executes commands and provides execution status feedback. This segmentation allows each component to focus on its specific task without requiring full state awareness of other components. The command execution controller maintains ordering accuracy through its dedicated control logic while enabling asynchronous operation between processing units, thereby preserving overall processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP1880277B1Command execution controlling apparatus, command execution instructing apparatus and command execution controlling method
Publication Date: 2015.04.29 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP1880277B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1880277B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1880277B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The issuance timing of commands received from and transmitted to among a plurality of processing units is controlled efficiently. An execution command storage unit 222 stores execution commands, received from an external command transmitting entity, where a predetermined upper-limit number of execution commands to be stored is set. An execution command issuing unit 230 retrieves the execution commands stored and issues them to a command execution entity. An adjustment command storage unit 224 stores the adjustment command, transmitted from the command transmitting entity, to adjust the issuance order of the execution commands. A storage area for storing the execution commands to be stored in the execution command storage unit 222 and a storage area for storing the adjustment command to be stored in the adjustment command storage unit 224 are separately provided. When the adjustment command is stored, the execution command issuing unit 230 issues an execution command received after the reception of the adjustment command, on the condition that the issuance of execution commands received prior to the reception of the adjustment command has been completed.