Electronic Device Housing Identification for Selective Module Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in easily fulfilling the functions of modules included in a second housing connected to a first housing, particularly in identifying and communicating with specific modules without unnecessary communication attempts.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device system comprising a first housing with a processor and connector, and a second housing with circuitry and modules, where the processor identifies the type of the second housing by reading resistor values and communicates only with terminals connected to functional modules, avoiding unnecessary communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the first processor communicates with all second terminals to ensure complete module functionality, then the reliability of module operation is improved, but the device complexity and unnecessary communication attempts increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule operation reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the first processor read identification information from the first circuitry before communicating with second terminals. This allows the processor to pre-determine which modules are present and only communicate with relevant terminals, avoiding unnecessary communication attempts and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The first circuitry contains identification information that automatically indicates which modules are present in the second housing. The system uses this self-provided information to configure communication without external intervention, eliminating the need for complex communication protocols and reducing unnecessary communication attempts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system attempts communication with all second terminals to identify functional modules, then the adaptability to different module configurations is improved, but the loss of time due to unnecessary communication attempts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidcommunication setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The identification information is read in advance from the first circuitry before any communication with second terminals occurs. This preliminary identification action allows the system to immediately know which modules are present, eliminating time-wasting communication attempts with non-functional terminals while maintaining adaptability to different configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical trial-and-error communication approach with an information-based system. Instead of attempting communication and detecting responses, the system uses identification information from the first circuitry to directly determine module presence, substituting physical communication attempts with informational querying that saves time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the first processor reads identification information from the first circuitry to identify module types, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional circuitry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule identification easeVSAvoidcircuitry complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts identification information into a separate first circuitry component that can be independently read by the first processor. This separation allows the identification function to be implemented with minimal additional complexity, as the first circuitry can be a simple storage element rather than a complex communication interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The first circuitry acts as an intermediary between the module configuration and the first processor. Instead of the processor directly detecting module presence through complex communication protocols, the first circuitry provides a simplified interface that translates physical module configuration into readable identification information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250294692A1Electronic device system and electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device system includes: a first housing that includes a first processor and a first connector including a plurality of first terminals; and a second housing that is connectable to the first housing and includes first circuitry, second circuitry, and a second connector. The first circuitry includes an element for identifying the type of the second housing. The second circuitry includes one or more modules. The second connector includes a plurality of second terminals. When the second connector is connected to the first connector, the first processor reads out information about the element from the first circuitry to identify the type of the second housing. The first processor communicates with the second circuitry via one or more second terminals connected to the one or more modules used for the type identified, but not via a second terminal other than the one or more second terminals.