Display Redundancy via Controller Heartbeat Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Large machines with display systems face operational disruptions when displays malfunction, as the failure of primary displays can lead to the loss of critical alarms and operational feedback, affecting smooth machine operations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for providing display redundancy, where a first and second display perform different functionalities, and a controller detects failures by monitoring heartbeat signals, executing a subset of functionalities from the failed display on the secondary display to ensure continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single primary display is used to perform multiple functionalities, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates because failure of the display causes loss of critical alarms and operational feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the primary display and secondary display into a unified display system where both displays are controlled by a single controller and can share functionalities. The displays are positioned adjacently and can be integrated into a single display unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability through redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a secondary display that serves as a backup before the primary display fails. The redundant display system is prepared in advance to take over critical functionalities including alarms and safety warnings if the primary display malfunctions, ensuring continuous operational feedback
2Reliability
If a redundant display system is implemented with multiple displays performing different functionalities, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes both the primary and secondary displays multi-functional by enabling them to perform various display functionalities including operational parameters, safety warnings, and alarms. The controller can dynamically assign different functionalities to either display, allowing one display to serve multiple purposes and reducing the need for specialized components
Solution Approach 2:
The redundant display system is designed to automatically detect failures and self-reconfigure without external intervention. When the primary display fails, the controller automatically transfers its functionalities to the secondary display, and the system continues to operate autonomously with minimal impact on the operator
3Productivity
If the primary display fails, then operational continuity is disrupted, but adding a secondary display increases system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary that manages both the primary and secondary displays. This single controller coordinates the functionalities of both displays, transfers operations between them upon failure, and maintains system coherence, thereby enabling operational continuity without requiring separate control systems for each display
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing display redundancy on a machine is provided. The machine includes a first display configured to perform a first set of functionalities associated with one or more operations of the machine and a second display configured to perform a second set of functionalities associated with the one or more operations of the machine, the second set of functionalities being different from the first set of functionalities. The method includes detecting, by a controller, failure of the first display. The method further includes executing, by the controller, at least a subset of the first set of functionalities on the second display along with at least a subset of the second set of functionalities, when the failure of the first display is detected.