Numerical Controller Memory Map Reconstruction Without Restart
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing numerical controllers require frequent restarts to update memory maps, leading to operational instability, reduced reproducibility, and increased burden on operators due to the need for simultaneous peripheral device restarts, which disrupts real-time processing and communication with peripheral devices.
Innovation Solution
A numerical controller with an activation unit, change detection unit, task control unit, and memory map control unit that allows for non-disruptive reconstruction of memory maps by stopping tasks, backing up the map, resetting critical information, and maintaining communication with peripheral devices using a temporary memory area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the memory map is fixed to improve reliability and stability, then reliability is improved, but it requires repeated restarts when parameters or options are changed, increasing operational burden and reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic memory map reconstruction during runtime by stopping and resuming tasks. The memory map can be changed without restarting the entire numerical controller through controlled task suspension, memory map updates, and task resumption, making the system adaptable while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational state parameter of tasks from 'running' to 'stopped' temporarily during memory map reconstruction. This parameter change allows the memory map to be updated without system restart, enabling flexible adaptation while preserving system reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the numerical controller is restarted to reconstruct the memory map, then the memory map is updated, but peripheral devices must also be restarted, consuming considerable time and reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into the numerical controller and peripheral devices, allowing independent operation. The numerical controller can update its memory map by stopping and resuming tasks without affecting peripheral devices, which continue to operate normally, thus avoiding time-consuming coordinated restarts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous operation of peripheral devices while the numerical controller performs memory map reconstruction. Peripheral devices continue their useful actions without interruption, and the numerical controller resumes task execution after memory map updates, minimizing overall system downtime
3Productivity
If the memory map is reconstructed without stopping CPU memory access, then processing continues, but the program counter becomes an abnormal value, causing system failure and reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by stopping tasks before memory map reconstruction. This preliminary task suspension prevents the program counter from holding abnormal values during the memory map update, ensuring system reliability while allowing continuous processing after resumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces task control states as an intermediary mechanism between CPU memory access and memory map reconstruction. By controlling task suspension and resumption, the system mediates between maintaining processing continuity and ensuring program counter validity during memory map updates
4Reliability
If tasks are stopped to reconstruct the memory map safely, then reliability is improved, but real-time processing and peripheral device responses are interrupted, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic task suspension and resumption around memory map reconstruction events. Tasks are temporarily stopped only when needed for memory map updates and immediately resumed afterward, maintaining real-time processing capability while ensuring safe memory map reconstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent temporarily discards task execution during memory map reconstruction by stopping tasks, then recovers task execution by resuming them after the update. This temporary discarding and recovery approach ensures reliable memory map updates while minimizing impact on real-time processing
Data Source
AI summary
A numerical controller includes an activation unit that builds a memory map according to settings when the power is on; a change detection unit that detects an operation requiring reconstructing of the memory map; a task control unit that, when the operation is detected, performs a stopping process of a task being operated; and a memory map control unit that, after the task has stopped, acquires a backed up memory, reconstructs the memory map according to the setting, and compares the reconstructed memory map and the backed-up memory map, and resets information required for operating the task again such as a program counter.