Embedded Controller System Information Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer system maintenance methods require professional technicians and are inefficient, especially when the system cannot enter the operating system, making it difficult to determine error causes and assign responsibility, leading to higher costs and lower maintenance efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring device with an embedded controller and memory module that records system information independently of the operating system, allowing for accurate error determination and reduced maintenance time by storing system data in a read-only memory for reference during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional maintenance methods are used where technicians remotely assist users through multiple operating steps to collect system information, then maintenance can be performed, but the maintenance efficiency is low and requires professional technicians with specific knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically collects and records system information in advance before failures occur. The embedded controller continuously monitors and stores system states, configuration information, and operation logs in memory, so that when a failure happens, the information is already prepared and available for immediate analysis, eliminating the need for time-consuming remote information collection steps
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded controller creates a copy of the system state and stores it independently in memory. This copied system information includes hardware configuration, software settings, and operation logs, which can be analyzed without needing the original system to be operational or requiring technician intervention to collect the data
2Ease of repair
If the computer system cannot enter the operating system normally, then maintenance becomes difficult, but the system still needs to be maintained and error causes determined
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded controller serves as an intermediary that independently records system information separate from the main operating system. When the OS fails to boot, the embedded controller's memory still contains the system state at the time of failure, allowing maintenance engineers to analyze the error cause without needing the OS to be operational
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary recording of system information before failures occur. The embedded controller continuously monitors and stores system states, so when the OS cannot enter normally, the information needed for diagnosis is already captured and preserved in the embedded controller's memory
3Measurement precision
If technicians need to visit user locations or users need to send products to manufacturers for analysis, then accurate error determination can be achieved, but the maintenance time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded controller creates a local copy of the system state and stores it in its memory. This copied information includes all necessary system configuration, hardware status, and operation logs that would otherwise require physical inspection or product shipping. The maintenance engineer can analyze this copied data remotely and immediately, achieving accurate error determination without time-consuming travel or shipping
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and stores essential system information in the embedded controller's memory separately from the main system. This extracted information includes system configuration, hardware status, and operation logs that are sufficient for error analysis, allowing maintenance to be performed remotely without needing to physically inspect the entire system or ship the product
4Productivity
If the system records system information independently using an embedded controller and memory module, then maintenance efficiency increases and error determination accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it manages memory operations, records system information, monitors system state, and provides diagnostic data. By making the embedded controller multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still achieving improved maintenance efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system and a monitoring device for a computer system are disclosed. The computer system includes a plurality of electronic modules, a memory module and an embedded controller. The embedded controller is coupled to the electronic modules and the memory module, respectively. The embedded controller collects information of the electronic modules and generates the system information about the electronic modules. The embedded controller selectively writes the system information into the memory module. The system information in the memory module can be provided to the user or the maintenance engineer for system analysis. Besides, the computer system may utilize an application program to monitor the system information, so as to achieve the error prevention and alert function.