Host Determination Controller for Automatic Interface Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing host determination methods require manual operations for switching between host candidates, leading to inefficiencies and malfunctions due to data competition, especially in high-speed processing scenarios where frequent switching is necessary.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with multiple interfaces connected to host candidate devices, featuring a host determination controller that identifies a host candidate based on reception signals and controls interface connections/disconnections automatically, eliminating the need for manual operations and reducing data collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple interfaces are provided to connect multiple host candidates, then the adaptability and usability are improved, but data competition and device malfunction occur when multiple hosts are simultaneously set

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectability to different host candidatesVSAvoiddevice malfunction prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic apparatus automatically determines the host candidate through automatic host determination processing based on reception signals, eliminating the need for manual host selection. The system self-manages the host assignment by automatically identifying which host candidate should be the active host and controlling interface connections accordingly, thus preventing data competition while maintaining multiple interface connectability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses reception signals from host candidates as feedback to automatically determine the appropriate host. The host determination controller monitors signals from connected host candidates and dynamically adjusts interface connections based on this feedback, ensuring that only the appropriate host can access the device at any given time, thereby preventing data competition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If manual operations are used for host switching, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and switching speed are decreased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoidhost switching speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (physical connector insertion/removal) with automatic electronic control. The host determination controller automatically manages interface connections based on reception signals, eliminating the need for users to manually disconnect and reconnect connectors. This substitution dramatically increases host switching speed while the overall system complexity remains manageable through automated processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic host determination processing without requiring manual intervention. The host determination controller automatically identifies the appropriate host candidate and controls interface connections based on reception signals, enabling rapid host switching. The system serves itself by autonomously managing the host selection process, thus improving productivity without significantly increasing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If interface connection/disconnection control is implemented automatically, then the productivity and switching speed are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehost switching speedVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic host determination system uses reception signals as feedback to control interface connections. The host determination controller monitors signals from host candidates and automatically adjusts which interfaces are connected or disconnected based on this feedback. This feedback mechanism enables rapid, automated host switching while keeping the control logic relatively simple and systematic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The host determination controller performs multiple functions: receiving signals from host candidates, determining the appropriate host, and controlling interface connections. By consolidating these functions into a single controller that handles all host determination and interface management tasks, the system achieves high switching speed without proportionally increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8972625B2Electronic apparatus and host determination method

Publication Date: 2015.03.03 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

An electronic apparatus includes a plurality of interfaces and a host determination controller. To the plurality of interfaces, a plurality of host candidate devices are individually connected. The plurality of host candidate devices are each capable of serving as a host device that performs control. The host determination controller is configured to determine, based on a reception signal received from one of the plurality of host candidate devices, a predetermined host candidate device serving as a transmission source of the reception signal to be a host device, and to control a disconnection and a connection of at least one of the plurality of interfaces, the at least one of the plurality of interfaces corresponding to at least one of the other host candidate devices.