Handheld Extended Computing Unit Docking Architecture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication devices require multiple copies of software and hardware for different functions, leading to redundancy and transfer issues when integrating functions into a single device, and existing docking systems do not efficiently manage resource sharing between handheld and extended computing units.

Innovation Solution

A computing device comprising a handheld computing unit and an extended computing unit that share a single core architecture, allowing seamless swapping of applications and files, eliminating the need for redundant software and hardware, and enabling efficient resource management through docking and quasi-docking modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple copies of software and hardware are used for different communication device functions, then each device can operate independently with full functionality, but redundancy increases and transfer efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidsoftware and hardware redundancy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handheld computing unit is designed with a universal core architecture that can perform multiple communication device functions (cellular telephone, PDA, digital audio player, GPS receiver) through a single integrated processing core, eliminating the need for separate processing cores for each function while maintaining full functionality of each device type

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate processing cores and software copies are used for each device function, then each device operates independently, but transfer operations become complex with timing and compatibility issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice independenceVSAvoidtransfer operation success
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate processing cores and software instances are merged into a single integrated processing core with a unified operating system that manages all communication device functions. This consolidation eliminates timing and compatibility issues between separate systems while maintaining the ability to operate different functions independently through software-based virtualization and resource management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If dedicated hardware components are used for each communication function, then each function performs optimally, but resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction performanceVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically allocates and shares hardware resources (processor time, memory, I/O interfaces) among different communication device functions based on current operational needs. The single processing core can dynamically switch between and concurrently manage multiple device functions, optimizing resource utilization while maintaining performance requirements for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2090954B1Computing device with handheld and extended computing units
Publication Date: 2011.06.01 BROADCOM INC
  • EP2090954B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2090954B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2090954B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computing device includes a handheld computing unit and an extended computing unit. The handheld computing unit includes a handheld processing module, handheld main memory, a baseband processing module, an RF section, handheld I/O components, a handheld bus structure, and a handheld connection structure. The extended computing unit includes an extended processing module, extended main memory, a memory controller, an I/O controller, extended I/O components, an extended bus structure, and an extended connection structure. The handheld and extended processing modules function as a multiprocessing module and the handheld and extended main memories function as combined main memory when the handheld computing unit is in a docked mode. The extended computing unit is inactive and the handheld processing module and the handheld main memory are active when the handheld computing unit is in a remote mode.