Data Switch Routing Audio and Control Streams on Hardware Interface Bus

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Solution Overview

Problem

In information processing systems, particularly in automotive electronic systems like car audio systems, there is a need to efficiently transmit multiple data streams over a common hardware interface without increasing system complexity or costs, as existing solutions do not effectively manage the sharing of hardware interfaces for audio streaming and control commands.

Innovation Solution

A method and arrangement where a second transceiver with multiple data processing units and a data switch control the transmission of different data streams over a hardware interface bus, using control signals to route data streams between the processing units, allowing for efficient sharing of a single hardware interface for audio data and control commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple hardware interfaces are used to transmit different data streams, then data transmission capability is improved, but system complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple data streams (audio data and control commands) into a single hardware interface bus for transmission. The slave device includes a data switch that receives both data streams through one interface and routes them to appropriate processing units, thereby reducing the number of hardware interfaces needed while maintaining full data transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single hardware interface bus is designed to handle multiple functions simultaneously - transmitting both audio data and control commands between master and slave devices. The data switch in the slave device enables this multi-functional capability by dynamically routing different data types to appropriate processing units through the same physical interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single hardware interface is shared for multiple data streams, then system complexity is reduced, but data stream management becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoiddata stream management
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The data switch acts as an intermediary component between the shared hardware interface bus and the processing units. It receives incoming data streams and uses control signals to route audio data to the audio processing unit and control commands to the control processing unit, thereby simplifying data stream management despite the shared interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The data switch dynamically routes different data streams to appropriate processing units based on real-time requirements. Control signals dynamically change the switching state to direct audio data or control commands to the correct destination, enabling flexible and efficient management of multiple data streams over a single interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If dedicated hardware interfaces are used for audio streaming and control commands, then data transmission reliability is improved, but hardware costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidhardware resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transmission channels for audio data and control commands into a single hardware interface bus. The slave device includes a data switch that separates and routes these combined streams to appropriate processing units, thereby reducing hardware resource requirements while maintaining reliable data transmission through proper signal routing and processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1895717B1Method and arrangement for transmitting different data streams over a hardware interface bus
Publication Date: 2010.06.30 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP1895717B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1895717B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1895717B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

For transmitting at least two different data streams (DS1, DS2) over a hardware interface bus (HIB) between a first transceiver (T1) and a second transceiver (T2), a method and an arrangement are provided in which the second transceiver (T2) comprises at least two different data processing units (DPU1, DPU2) and at least one data switch (DS) connecting the hardware interface bus with the different data processing units. The data switch is controlled by control signals (CS1, CS2) which are generated by the data processing units or by controllers (C1, C2) affiliated with their respective data processing units.