Electronic Device Dual Interface Address Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices often face communication challenges due to mismatched bandwidth requirements, as they are connected using a communication standard with low bandwidth, which is not suitable for applications needing higher bandwidth.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with dual interfaces, one for a low-bandwidth communication standard like CEC and another for a high-bandwidth Ethernet standard, allowing it to request and store both types of addresses, enabling efficient communication by leveraging the advantages of each standard.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electronic devices are connected using a communication standard with low bandwidth, then device compatibility and ease of connection are improved, but communication efficiency and data transmission capacity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic device is equipped with multiple communication interfaces supporting different communication standards (e.g., CEC interface for control functions and Ethernet interface for high-bandwidth data transmission). This multi-functionality allows the device to adapt to various communication scenarios while maintaining high efficiency when needed.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary that manages multiple communication interfaces and protocols. It can translate between different communication standards, request and store multiple addresses (CEC logical address and IP Ethernet address), and determine which interface to use based on the communication requirements, thereby resolving the contradiction between compatibility and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If electronic devices use multiple communication interfaces and standards, then communication efficiency and bandwidth are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple communication interfaces (CEC and Ethernet) within a single electronic device, allowing them to work together rather than as separate systems. The controller integrates the management of different interfaces and address types, reducing the overall complexity that would arise from having completely separate communication systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple communication protocols and address types. It can store both CEC logical addresses and IP Ethernet addresses, and determine appropriately which interface and address type to use for different communication tasks, thereby managing complexity through unified multi-functional design.

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

3Device complexity

If a single communication standard is used for all devices, then system simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different applications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidapplication adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The controller can dynamically select which communication interface and address type to use based on the specific application requirements. For example, it can use CEC interface for control functions and Ethernet interface for high-bandwidth data transmission, adapting to different scenarios as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changes in communication parameters such as interface type, protocol, and address format based on application needs. The controller can request and store multiple types of addresses (CEC logical address, IP Ethernet address) and change which parameter set is active depending on the communication task, thereby achieving adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2892213B1Electronic device for communication within a network and method for operating an electronic device
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2892213B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2892213B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electronic device for communication within a network, comprising a first interface (6) enabling communication with at least one further electronic device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e) within a network (8) according to a first communication standard, a storage (5) for storing a first address of the at least one further electronic device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e), said first address relating to the first communication standard, and a controller (4) for requesting a second address from said at least one further electronic device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e), said second address relating to a second communication standard within said network (8), wherein the second address is stored together with the first address in the storage (5). The present invention further relates to a method for operating an electronic device.