Embedded System Auto-Configuration via Removable Storage Key
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Solution Overview
Problem
Embedded systems face challenges in initial and subsequent configuration, as they often require manual intervention to obtain network addresses and device identification, leading to increased inventory and costs when replacing devices, especially in scenarios like industrial production lines where quick replacement is needed.
Innovation Solution
The system utilizes a removable storage device with a microcontroller connected to volatile and nonvolatile memory, featuring a removable media interface for automatic configuration through interchangeable storage like USB or Compact Flash, allowing for device naming, network setup, parameter configuration, and firmware updates without pre-programming, using configuration keys and authentication for security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration is used for embedded devices, then device identification and network address assignment can be achieved, but deployment time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-programs configuration information including device identification data and network address assignment parameters into the removable storage device before deployment. When the storage device is inserted into the embedded system, the configuration is already prepared and can be immediately applied without requiring manual intervention or time-consuming on-site configuration procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded system automatically detects the insertion of the removable storage device, retrieves the pre-programmed configuration information, and applies it autonomously to configure device identification and network settings. This self-configuration capability eliminates the need for manual configuration operations while ensuring reliable device identification and network address assignment.
2Extent of automation
If pre-programming device location and ID is done, then automatic configuration is enabled, but inventory requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the configuration information from the embedded system's internal memory and relocates it to a removable storage device. This allows a single configuration file to be shared across multiple embedded systems, eliminating the need to pre-program each device individually and significantly reducing inventory requirements while maintaining automatic configuration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable storage device serves as a universal configuration carrier that can be used with multiple embedded systems of the same type. A single storage device containing configuration information can be reused across different deployment locations and time periods, reducing the total number of devices that need to be inventoried and managed while enabling widespread automatic configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If removable storage interface is added to embedded system, then configuration flexibility and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removable storage device acts as an intermediary between the configuration source and the embedded system's internal memory. Instead of requiring complex direct programming interfaces, the system uses a simple insertion and reading mechanism where the storage device mediates the configuration transfer process, maintaining flexibility while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a read-only copy of configuration information stored on the removable storage device rather than requiring write-access programming interfaces. This copying approach allows the embedded system to retrieve configuration data without needing complex write-protected memory interfaces, thereby achieving configuration flexibility with minimal increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of configuring an embedded system from removable media. The removable media is connected to the embedded system and the embedded system determines if the removable media includes a configuration key. If the removable media includes a configuration key, the embedded system determines if the configuration key includes configuration data applicable to the embedded system and, if the removable media includes a configuration key and the configuration key includes configuration data applicable to the embedded system, the embedded system applies the configuration data to the embedded system.