Control Call Allocation for Embedded Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for assigning control call index numbers in embedded systems are insufficient for supporting non-standard hardware components and managing shared control calls across multiple hardware resources, leading to interference and increased resource requirements.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves grouping control calls with globally unique identifiers and base offsets, allowing each hardware resource device driver to provide a base offset, and deriving a request number from these values to access hardware resources dynamically, enabling extensibility and support for multiple hardware resources using the same control calls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional methods for assigning control call index numbers are used, then the system can support standard hardware components, but it cannot support non-standard hardware components and multiple hardware resources sharing control calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a control call allocation mechanism that serves multiple functions: it supports both standard and non-standard hardware components, enables multiple hardware resources to share control calls, and provides a unified allocation framework. The allocation table and offset mechanism allow a single control call index number to serve multiple hardware resources, making the system universally applicable to diverse hardware configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control call allocation space by dividing it into multiple allocation tables, each corresponding to a specific hardware resource. Each allocation table contains offset values that segment the overall control call namespace. This segmentation allows independent management of control calls for different hardware resources while maintaining a unified indexing system.
2Productivity
If multiple hardware resources use the same control calls, then resource usage is optimized, but interference between hardware resources occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary allocation table structure that mediates between multiple hardware resources and the control call system. The allocation table acts as a mediator that translates control call index numbers into resource-specific offset values, allowing multiple hardware resources to share control calls without direct interference. The kernel layer software acts as another intermediary, managing the allocation and resolution of control calls between applications and hardware resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different hardware resources to have different offset values within the same control call index number. Each hardware resource maintains its local offset quality, enabling the same control call to operate differently on different hardware resources. This local differentiation eliminates interference while maintaining resource sharing efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If control call index numbers are statically assigned, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot dynamically support new hardware resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static control call allocation system into a dynamic one by introducing allocation tables with offset values that can be programmatically configured. The system dynamically supports new hardware resources by adding entries to the allocation tables without requiring changes to the fundamental control call mechanism. The kernel layer software dynamically manages the allocation, allowing the system to adapt to new hardware resources while maintaining implementation simplicity through the established allocation framework.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for control call allocation in an embedded system environment are provided. Control calls are placed into groups, with each group having a globally unique identifier. Control calls within each group are assigned relative offset values. Subsequently, as control calls are allocated to hardware resources, such as, for example, during the initial setup of the embedded system or when hardware resources are added to the embedded system, a base offset for each group, and a request number, derivable from the base offset and the relative offset is allocated for each supported control call. Hardware resources may be accessed in a similar manner.