Modular Mobile Architecture With Dedicated Processing Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advanced mobile devices suffer from high power consumption and increased complexity due to their general-purpose architecture, leading to slow boot times, battery drain, and reduced performance of frequently used features, as they accommodate numerous unused features and applications.
Innovation Solution
A modularized mobile architecture with user-customizable functionality and form factor, featuring a core engine and detachable functional modules with dedicated processing elements and memory, allowing users to choose only the necessary components and upgrade or change them as needed, optimizing power usage and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a general-purpose integrated processor architecture is used to support multiple features and applications, then device versatility and programmability are improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a core engine with essential functions and separate functional modules that can be independently attached or detached. Each module contains dedicated processing elements for specific tasks (e.g., camera module, media player module, navigation module), allowing the system to activate only the processing power needed for current operations, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The device architecture transitions from a static general-purpose processor to a dynamic modular system where functional modules can be attached or detached based on user needs. This dynamic configuration allows the device to adapt its processing capabilities and power consumption profile to match actual usage scenarios, enabling low-power mode when fewer modules are active.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a general-purpose integrated processor architecture is used to accommodate numerous features, then device functionality is improved, but boot time and response time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into a minimal core engine and optional functional modules, the system can boot the core engine quickly with essential functions, while loading additional module functionality only when needed. This reduces boot time significantly compared to initializing a complete general-purpose system with all possible features.
Solution Approach 2:
The core engine is pre-configured with essential functions and can operate independently without requiring full initialization of all possible features. Frequently used modules can be pre-loaded or kept in standby state, allowing faster access and reduced response time for common operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a general-purpose integrated processor architecture is used to support future programmability, then device adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The architecture separates the simple, fixed core engine from the programmable functional modules. Each module can be independently designed and manufactured with specific processing capabilities, reducing the complexity of the main device while maintaining overall programmability through the modular interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The core engine provides a universal interface and basic processing capabilities that work with multiple different functional modules. This universal design allows future programmability and module upgrades without requiring changes to the core architecture, maintaining adaptability while controlling complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a general-purpose integrated processor architecture is used to accommodate various applications, then device versatility is improved, but performance of frequently used features deteriorates due to interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
Dedicated processing elements within each functional module handle specific tasks independently from the core engine, eliminating interruptions and context switching between general-purpose tasks. This segmentation ensures that frequently used features in each module execute with consistent, high performance without being disrupted by other system operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Each functional module operates with its own dedicated processing resources and can manage its own execution independently, reducing the need for central scheduling and interrupt handling. This self-service capability improves performance by allowing modules to execute their functions continuously without being preempted by other system tasks.
Data Source
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AI summary
An automated mobile assistant system provides automated, proactive and anticipatory services for the user of the system. A customizable personal mobile device for communication, entertainment and organization includes a core engine and a plurality of modules coupled to the core engine to perform a different one of a plurality of classes of functionality of the mobile device, where each said module includes a processing element and memory dedicated for use by said module. A time-based intelligence system provides robust storage, access, and processing of information on a mobile device.