Interface Device for Bus Format Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modules developed for general-purpose buses are highly dependent on the evolving trends of these buses, requiring frequent modifications or redesigns when trends change, leading to inefficiencies in commercialization and product development.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where modules are interconnected via a system bus with a local interface that differs from the system bus interface, using an interface device to convert information formats between the local and system bus formats, reducing the dependence on the general-purpose bus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If modules conform to general-purpose bus interfaces, then commercialization efficiency is improved by concentrating resources on new module development, but module dependence on bus trends increases requiring frequent modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommercialization efficiencyVSAvoidmodule independence from bus trends

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The module is segmented into two independent parts: a functional device that conforms to a local interface and a translation device that handles conversion between the local interface and the system bus interface. This segmentation allows the functional device to remain independent of system bus trends while still enabling communication through the system bus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A translation device is introduced as an intermediary between the functional device (using local interface) and the system bus. This intermediary handles the format conversion and protocol translation, allowing the functional device to remain unchanged when system bus trends evolve, thus reducing module dependence on general-purpose bus interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If modules directly conform to system bus interfaces, then communication efficiency is improved, but any change in bus trends requires modification of the entire module

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidmodule modification scope

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The module architecture is segmented so that only the translation device needs to be modified when system bus trends change, while the functional device remains unchanged. This limits the scope of modifications to a small, isolated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The translation device serves as an intermediary that absorbs all the complexity of adapting to system bus trends. When bus trends change, only this intermediary needs to be updated, protecting the functional device from modification and limiting the overall device complexity changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a local interface is introduced between functional device and system bus, then module independence from bus trends is improved, but system complexity increases due to format conversion requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule independence from bus trendsVSAvoidinterface conversion complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A translation device is introduced as an intermediary that handles all format conversion complexity between the local interface and the system bus interface. This concentrates the conversion complexity in a single, manageable component rather than distributing it throughout the entire module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The translation device is designed to handle multiple functions: format conversion, protocol translation, and interface adaptation. By making this single component universal and multi-functional, the overall system complexity is managed more efficiently than if each function were implemented separately throughout the module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7738475B2Information processing apparatus, method, and program

Publication Date: 2010.06.15 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus including, one or more modules that are interconnected via a system bus, wherein each of one or more the modules includes, a functional device, which conforms to a local interface that differs from an interface for the system bus, and performs a predetermined function, and an interface device, which is connected to the functional device via a local bus conforming to the local interface, and connected to another module via the system bus, wherein, when information in a first format conforming to the local interface is supplied from the functional device via the local bus, the interface device converts the information from the first format to a second format conforming to the interface for the system bus and supplies the converted information to the another module via the system bus, and wherein, when information in the second format is supplied from the another module via the system bus, the interface device converts the information from the second format to the first format and supplies the converted information to the functional device via the local bus.