Interval Timer Mechanism for Multi-Rate Program Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software programs that perform operations at different speeds or require different resource allocations often suffer from inefficiencies when slower operations are executed unnecessarily in every iteration, slowing down faster operations and requiring complex state management to ensure data predictability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an interval timer mechanism that uses a Boolean flag and stop-watch to control the execution of slower operations, allowing them to run only at predetermined intervals, thereby optimizing resource usage and reducing overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If slower operations are executed in every iteration to ensure data predictability, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic execution of slower operations using an interval timer that triggers the slower operation (e.g., draw function) only at predetermined time intervals rather than every iteration. This allows faster operations to execute continuously while slower operations execute periodically, maintaining data predictability when needed while improving overall execution speed.
2Productivity
If slower operations are executed less frequently to improve productivity, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a Boolean flag as feedback mechanism that indicates whether the interval timer has triggered. The slower operation checks this flag to determine whether to execute, ensuring that operations are performed at predictable intervals based on timing feedback rather than arbitrary decisions, thus maintaining reliability while improving productivity.
3Productivity
If interval timer mechanism is implemented to control slower operations, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interval timer as an intermediary component that mediates between the iterative loop and the slower operation. Instead of complex state management within the main program logic, the interval timer handles timing control independently through its internal stop-watch and Boolean flag, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling selective execution of slower operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for implementing multi-rate programs and in particular for implementing interval timers for multi-rate programs are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of executing an interval timer is performed by one or more computer processors. The method comprises starting the interval timer, wherein starting the interval timer includes starting a stop-watch and setting a value of a Boolean flag to false. Further, the method comprises setting the value of the Boolean flag to true when the stop-watch reaches a preset time-interval value. The method also comprises, whenever the interval timer is invoked, returning the value of the Boolean flag and, if the returned value of the Boolean flag is true, restarting the stop-watch and setting the value of the Boolean flag to false. In some embodiments, the method further comprises stopping the stop-watch when the stop-watch reaches the preset time-interval value.