Control Device Hibernation via Dual Storage Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional control devices face difficulties in performing hibernation without creating a memory image, especially when power is shut off due to failures, as they rely on pre-created images to return to a power-saving state.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a first storage area for non-rewritable data and a second storage area for rewritable data, where the processor executes activation processing based on the second storage area data, stores a memory image in the second area upon termination, and loads it back into the first area for control processing, allowing hibernation without creating a new image each time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a memory image is created in every transfer to a power-saving state, then the equipment can reliably return to its operating state, but hibernation cannot be performed when power feeding is shut off due to power failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of returning to operating stateVSAvoidability to perform hibernation under power failure conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device is divided into two distinct storage areas: a first storage area where data can be freely rewritten, and a second storage area where data cannot be rewritten. This segmentation allows the system to store boot data in the non-rewritable second area, ensuring reliable boot operations while enabling hibernation functionality even when power feeding is interrupted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing necessary boot data in advance in the second storage area before any power failure can occur. This pre-positioning of critical data ensures that the equipment can reliably boot up and perform hibernation even when unexpected power interruptions happen, eliminating the need to create memory images during each power-saving transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If data in the first storage device is continuously rewritten, then the system can adapt to changing operational states, but the storage device may suffer from wear or data corruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem adaptability to operational changesVSAvoidstorage device reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the storage device into a first storage area allowing rewriting and a second storage area preventing rewriting, the system separates mutable operational data from immutable boot data. This protects the second area from wear and corruption while maintaining system adaptability through rewriting in the first area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The critical boot data is extracted from the general storage space and placed in a dedicated non-rewritable second storage area. This extraction isolates essential data from the wear and corruption risks associated with continuous rewriting operations, thereby protecting storage device reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If the system assumes equipment returns to operating state before power-saving transition, then memory image creation is straightforward, but hibernation is difficult when this assumption does not hold

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of memory image creationVSAvoidhibernation capability under abnormal conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares boot data in advance in the second storage area, eliminating the need to create memory images during each power-saving transition. This preliminary preparation maintains simplicity while enabling hibernation even when the equipment cannot return to its operating state before transitioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating memory images during each transition, the system uses a pre-existing copy of boot data stored in the non-rewritable second storage area. This copying approach simplifies the hibernation process and removes dependencies on the equipment's operational state before power-saving transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12175132B2Control device and control method

Publication Date: 2024.12.24 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

According to an embodiment, a control device executes control processing based on data stored in a first storage device and a second storage device while performing rewrite in the first storage device. The control device stores a memory image relating to the first storage device at a point of time, at which activation processing is terminated, in a non-limited storage area of the second storage device, the activation processing being based on the data stored in the limited storage area of the second storage device without being based on the data stored in the first storage device. The control device starts the control processing from the point of time, at which the activation processing is terminated, after loading the memory image stored in the non-limited storage area of the second storage device in the first storage device in the activation processing of the control processing.