CPU Communication Line Diagnosis Switching for MFP Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for diagnosing failures in multifunctional peripherals (MFPs) require additional communication lines, increasing costs and decreasing reliability, as they involve complex circuitry for monitoring and superimposing diagnosis information onto existing communication interfaces.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a diagnosis unit and a switch unit within the MFP's processing units to detect improper communication on existing communication lines and switch information transmission, allowing diagnosis information to be transmitted using the same lines as CPU-to-CPU communication, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated diagnosis lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated communication line for diagnosis is added, then diagnosis capability is improved, but cost increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing communication line between CPUs is made to serve dual purposes: normal data communication and diagnosis information transfer. The same communication infrastructure is used for both operational data exchange and failure diagnosis, eliminating the need for a dedicated diagnosis line and thereby maintaining reliability while providing diagnosis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the function of diagnosis information transfer with the existing CPU-to-CPU communication line. By combining these functions into a single communication channel, the system avoids adding separate diagnosis infrastructure, thus preventing cost increases and reliability degradation while still achieving comprehensive diagnosis capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If circuitry is added to monitor communication and superimpose diagnosis information, then diagnosis capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication line is designed to handle both normal data traffic and diagnosis information without requiring separate monitoring circuitry. The existing communication infrastructure is utilized for dual purposes, eliminating the need for additional complex monitoring and superimposition circuitry while maintaining full diagnosis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its existing communication infrastructure to automatically transfer diagnosis information without requiring external or additional monitoring circuitry. The communication line itself serves the dual function of data transfer and self-diagnosis, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an information processing apparatus including a first processing unit and a second processing unit. A diagnosis unit included in the first processing unit is configured to detect that communication of first information through a communication line is not performed properly, the communication of the first information being performed between a first CPU in the first processing unit and a second CPU in the second processing unit. A switch unit included in the second processing unit is configured to switch information to be transmitted through the communication line from the first information to second information in a case where it is detected that the communication of the first information through the communication line is not performed properly, the second information being transmitted to the diagnosis unit included in the first processing unit from a diagnosis unit included in the second processing unit.