Magnetic Field Device Configuration on Shared Bus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for configuring devices on a shared communications bus, such as those in vehicle systems, often require unique device addresses, which can increase complexity and cost due to the need for additional wiring, components, and manufacturing complexity, and introduce user error risks.
Innovation Solution
A device configured to respond to configuration commands over a shared bus using a magnetic field sensing element, where the sensed magnetic field parameters determine whether to apply configuration settings, such as a unique bus address, eliminating the need for additional components and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If device addressing mechanisms (DIP switches, jumpers, or in-circuit programming) are used to assign unique addresses to devices on a shared bus, then device identification and communication on the bus is enabled, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to additional components and wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the address assignment function from complex hardware mechanisms (DIP switches, jumpers, programming interfaces) and implements it through a simple magnetic field sensing approach. The device reads its address from a magnetic field source during initialization, eliminating the need for physical address-setting components and reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable device identification on the shared bus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical address-setting mechanisms (physical switches, jumpers, circuit board modifications) with a magnetic field-based addressing system. Instead of mechanically configuring addresses through DIP switches or jumpers, the device sensesthe magnetic field to obtain its address, substituting mechanical configuration with a non-contact magnetic sensing approach that reduces hardware complexity.
2Reliability
If in-circuit programming is used to set device addresses, then unique addressing is achieved, but controller complexity and software complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the address configuration function from the main controller's software programming tasks and transfers it to a magnetic field-based initialization process. During system startup, the device autonomously reads its address from the magnetic field source without requiring the controller to execute complex programming routines, thereby reducing controller software complexity while ensuring reliable device identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-configuration by autonomously reading its address from the magnetic field source during initialization, without requiring external programming intervention from the controller. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex in-circuit programming software and reduces controller complexity, while still achieving reliable unique addressing.
3Reliability
If device addresses are hard-wired or programmed during manufacture, then unique addressing is established, but manufacturing complexity and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field source is pre-configured during manufacturing with the address information, and devices automatically read this information during system initialization. This preliminary setup of the magnetic field source eliminates the need for individual device programming or address configuration during assembly, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and production time while ensuring reliable device identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical manufacturing processes (soldering address-setting components, cutting circuit traces, applying jumpers) with a magnetic field-based addressing system. The address information is encoded in the magnetic field source, and devices automatically acquire their addresses during initialization, eliminating complex manufacturing steps and reducing production complexity.
4Reliability
If additional components (DIP switches, jumpers, programming interfaces) are added to devices for address configuration, then unique addressing is enabled, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the address configuration functionality from expensive hardware components (DIP switches, jumpers, programming interfaces) and implements it through a simple magnetic field sensing mechanism. The device uses its existing magnetic field sensor to read the address from the magnetic field source, eliminating the need for additional address-setting components and reducing device cost while maintaining reliable identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field sensor, originally designed for its primary sensing function, is also used to read the device address from the magnetic field source. This multi-functional use of the existing sensor eliminates the need for separate address-reading hardware, reducing component count and device cost while ensuring reliable device identification on the shared bus.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach simplifies the configuration of devices on a shared bus by eliminating the need for extra components and reducing manufacturing complexity, while minimizing user error, by using a magnetic field to determine and apply configuration settings, such as unique addresses, across various bus protocols like I2C, SPI, and LIN.
Implementation Method 1
the device includes a magnetic field sensing element to sense the magnetic field
Data Source
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AI summary
Described embodiments provide a device configured to be coupled to a shared bus. The device includes a magnetic field sensing element to sense a magnetic field. Upon receiving a configuration command over the shared bus, the device determines whether a parameter of the sensed magnetic field meets a predetermined criteria. If the parameter of the sensed magnetic field meets the predetermined criteria, the device responds to the configuration command by applying one or more configuration settings. Otherwise, if the parameter of the sensed magnetic field does not meet the predetermined criteria, the device ignores the configuration command.