Communication Processing Unit Hardware Resource Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hardware configuration of information processing apparatuses with IC card functions is costly and bulky due to the duplication of hardware components, such as CPUs and memories, in both the communication processing unit and the apparatus main body, which hinders size reduction and cost efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A simplified configuration where the communication processing unit employs a control unit that manages data storage and retrieval using a FIFO memory, reducing the need for a separate CPU and nonvolatile memory, and offloads complex processing to the data processing unit, thereby minimizing hardware resources and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate CPU and nonvolatile memory are provided in the communication processing unit, then the IC card function can be independently implemented, but the hardware resources are duplicated and the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the communication processing unit with the main body apparatus by sharing the CPU and memory resources. The communication processing unit no longer has separate CPU and nonvolatile memory, but instead utilizes the main body apparatus's CPU (32) and nonvolatile memory (34) to perform protocol processing and data storage for contactless communication, thereby eliminating hardware duplication while maintaining independent IC card functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The main body apparatus's CPU and nonvolatile memory are designed to serve dual purposes: handling both the main apparatus's data processing tasks and the communication processing unit's protocol processing and data storage requirements. This multi-functional design allows a single hardware resource to fulfill multiple roles, reducing overall device complexity.
2Extent of automation
If a separate CPU and nonvolatile memory are provided in the communication processing unit, then protocol processing can be performed independently, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protocol processing functionality with the main body apparatus's existing CPU and nonvolatile memory. The communication processing unit leverages these shared resources to perform all necessary protocol processing for contactless communication, eliminating the need for separate expensive hardware components and thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
3Productivity
If a separate CPU and nonvolatile memory are provided in the communication processing unit, then data can be processed independently, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data processing resources of the communication processing unit with the main body apparatus. The nonvolatile memory (34) and working area memory (35) of the main body apparatus are shared for storing communication data and performing data processing operations, eliminating the need for separate memory components and thereby reducing the overall device volume.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a communication processing unit configured to communicate with an external communication device and a data processing unit configured to communicate with the communication processing unit via a wired data communication path. The data processing unit is configured to interpret address information received from the external communication device. The communication processing unit includes a memory where data transmitted and received between the external communication device and the data processing unit is temporarily stored. The communication processing unit further includes a control unit configured to control data writing in and data reading from the memory, perform an error check process by a code included in a received data from the external communication device, and transmit the address information received from the external communication device to the data processing unit without interpreting the address information.