Interconnect OS Access via Virtual Terminal Drivers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage systems face challenges in allowing users to access an embedded operating system without additional hardware, limiting access to features like debugging, tracing, and profiling.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a second function of an interconnect, such as PCIe, to communicate directly with the operating system, enabling access through a terminal application running on a host, and utilizing communication logic with terminal support drivers to manage privilege and data exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If additional hardware is used to access the embedded operating system, then access capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess capabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interconnect is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves both as the primary data transmission channel for storage operations and as a communication channel for accessing the embedded operating system. By making the interconnect universal, the system eliminates the need for separate hardware access channels, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining low device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A virtual terminal interface is introduced as an intermediary layer between the host and the embedded operating system. This virtual terminal runs over the existing interconnect and provides terminal-like functionality for interacting with the OS, enabling access capability without requiring additional physical hardware connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If additional hardware is used to access the embedded operating system, then access capability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess capabilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing interconnect infrastructure is made to serve itself by carrying both storage data traffic and OS access traffic through the same physical channel. The system uses its own resources (the interconnect) to provide the additional functionality of OS access, eliminating the need for separate expensive hardware components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a terminal application is used to access the operating system over the interconnect, then access capability is improved, but data transmission requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess capabilityVSAvoiddata transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/physical terminal connections with a software-based virtual terminal that operates over the existing interconnect. This substitution allows terminal-like interaction with the embedded OS through the data channel already present for storage operations, improving access capability without proportionally increasing data transmission requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12298921B2Systems, methods, and devices for accessing a device operating system over an interconnect

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method for communicating with a device may include running, at a device, an operating system, communicating, using a first function of an interconnect, with the device, and communicating, using a second function of the interconnect, with the operating system. The operating system may include communication logic, and the communicating with the operating may include communicating with the communication logic. The communication logic may one or more terminal support drivers, and the communicating with the communication logic may include communicating with the one or more terminal support drivers using a terminal application. The terminal application may run on a host. The second function of the interconnect may be configured to operate with a controller. The communicating with the operating system may include communicating with the operating system based on a privilege information. The host may be a management controller. The method may further include controlling, using the second function of the interconnect, a program on the operating system.