Dual Controller Hardware Independence via Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing apparatuses lack an efficient mechanism for hardware control that maintains versatility and redundancy, as they often require dedicated configurations for each hardware piece, limiting the system controller's ability to operate independently of hardware-dependent processes.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs two controllers: a system controller that executes processing not dependent on hardware and a device controller that controls hardware-specific functions, with the system controller receiving information about the operating state of hardware from the device controller via a general-purpose communication channel, allowing for synchronized control without requiring hardware-dependent configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a system controller is designed to control hardware-specific functions, then hardware control capability is improved, but hardware dependency increases and versatility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware control capabilityVSAvoidsystem controller versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into two independent controllers: a system controller for hardware-independent processing and a device controller for hardware-specific control. This segmentation allows each controller to specialize in its designated function without compromising the other's capabilities, resolving the contradiction between hardware control capability and system versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A communication interface acts as an intermediary between the system controller and device controller, enabling the system controller to access hardware status information and control commands without directly interfacing with hardware. This intermediary layer maintains hardware control capability while preserving system controller versatility and hardware independence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If dedicated hardware configurations are used for each hardware piece, then hardware control precision is improved, but system complexity and configuration requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware control precisionVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device controller is designed as a universal controller that can manage multiple different hardware pieces through standardized communication protocols. This universal approach maintains precise hardware control without requiring dedicated configurations for each hardware piece, thereby reducing system complexity while preserving control precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating dedicated control paths for each hardware piece, the system uses a standardized interface model that can be copied and applied to various hardware devices. This abstraction layer enables precise control through uniform communication methods, eliminating the need for complex hardware-specific configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If the system controller handles hardware-dependent processing, then hardware integration is improved, but system adaptability and redundancy decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware integrationVSAvoidsystem adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the controller functions, the system achieves reliable hardware integration through the device controller while the system controller remains adaptable and hardware-independent. This functional separation ensures that hardware integration requirements are met without compromising system adaptability or redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication interface serves as an intermediary that enables effective hardware integration without requiring the system controller to handle hardware-dependent processing directly. This mediator allows the system controller to maintain full adaptability while still achieving reliable hardware integration through standardized communication channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10931849B2Information processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes first and second controllers. The first controller executes processing dependent on an individual piece of hardware having a function and stores information indicating an operating state of an individual piece of hardware. The information is different according to the piece of hardware. The second controller executes processing which is not dependent on any piece of hardware. When the information processing apparatus is powered ON, the first controller sends the information stored in the first controller to the second controller. The second controller controls a corresponding piece of hardware by using the information sent from the first controller.