Dual-CPU Wireless Order-Taking Handset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radio ordering systems in the catering industry face connection disturbances, high latency, and inefficiencies due to reliance on W-Lan or Bluetooth connections, which negatively impact system efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Innovation Solution

A radio ordering system utilizing a dual-CPU handset with a dedicated radio module and position sensor, where the second CPU remains active for continuous radio connection and activates the first CPU for data input, minimizing data transmission and reducing energy consumption, while using the ISM band for communication and integrating features like a touchscreen, barcode scanner, and payment readers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If W-Lan or Bluetooth connection is used for radio ordering system, then wireless communication capability is achieved, but connection disturbances and high latency occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the handset into two separate CPUs: a first CPU dedicated to radio communication tasks and a second CPU for display and user interface tasks. This segmentation allows the communication CPU to handle data transmission independently without being blocked by display operations, thereby reducing latency and improving connection reliability while maintaining wireless communication capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of time

If continuous radio monitoring is implemented to reduce latency, then real-time data transmission is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a periodic polling mechanism where the first CPU sequentially queries the presence of data at the radio interface at regular intervals. This periodic checking allows the system to maintain low latency by detecting incoming data promptly while consuming significantly less energy compared to continuous monitoring, as the radio module can enter low-power states between polling cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If dual CPU architecture is used with separate radio module, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidhandset structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the handset functionality into two independent CPU units with dedicated responsibilities: the first CPU handles all radio communication operations while the second CPU manages the display and user interaction. This clear functional segmentation improves system stability by preventing task interference between communication and display operations, while the modular architecture actually simplifies the overall system design and maintenance compared to a monolithic processor handling all tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2302601B1Wireless order-taking system
Publication Date: 2012.08.29 ORDERMAN
  • EP2302601B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2302601B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The system has a mobile part (4) including two CPUs, where one of the CPUs serves as a main-CPU. The former CPU is activated by the other CPU when the mobile part is used to input and/or transmit data and signals are received by a wireless module of a display of the part. The mobile part has a memory unit for storing data, where the memory unit is assigned to the former CPU. Constant forms, side views of an operating menu and the menu of the mobile part are stored in the memory unit such that the data to be transmitted from a computer system (1) to the part via a base station (3) is reduced. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a wireless ordering system.