Removable Module Counter Circuit for Accurate Insertion Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional counting mechanisms for test modules in computing devices suffer from inaccuracies in tracking insertion counts due to power outages or lack of power transfer, leading to erroneous count increments or failures.
Innovation Solution
A counter circuit with a signal-change detector and a battery-powered counter device that maintains a dynamic count based on signal changes during module insertion, ensuring accurate tracking even without continuous power from the slot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional counting mechanism is used to track insertion counts, then the mechanism is simple in structure, but the counting accuracy deteriorates due to power outages or lack of power transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is pre-installed in the test module to provide power to the counter device before insertion into the slot. This preliminary power source ensures the counter device can accurately track insertion counts even when the slot experiences power outages or fails to transfer power, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by preparing the power supply in advance rather than relying on the slot's power during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The battery acts as an intermediary power source between the test module and the slot's power supply. When the slot's power is unavailable or unstable, the battery maintains power to the counter device, ensuring accurate insertion counting without requiring complex power management circuits or redundant counting mechanisms
2Reliability
If the slot loses power temporarily, then power consumption is reduced, but the counting accuracy deteriorates due to erroneous count increments
Solution Approach 1:
The battery provides preliminary power to the counter device, ensuring it maintains accurate counting operation during slot power outages. This eliminates erroneous count increments that would otherwise occur when power is restored, resolving the contradiction by maintaining counting reliability without requiring continuous high power consumption from the slot
Solution Approach 2:
The counter device operates periodically using battery power during slot power outages, then synchronizes with the slot when power is available. This periodic operation pattern maintains counting reliability while managing power consumption efficiently, avoiding continuous power draw from the slot
3Measurement precision
If the test module is inserted without receiving power from the slot, then insertion speed is improved, but the counting accuracy deteriorates due to failed count increments
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is pre-installed to provide power to the counter device before and during insertion operations. This ensures the counter device can accurately register insertion events even when the slot does not transfer power during the insertion process, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and insertion speed by eliminating the requirement for power transfer during insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The test module's counter device serves itself by using the battery-powered power supply to independently track insertion counts without relying on the slot's power transfer. This self-service capability maintains counting accuracy while allowing rapid insertion operations, as the counter device does not need to wait for power establishment to begin counting
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
Enables accurate insertion count maintenance despite power outages and insertions without power transfer, improving the reliability of test module functionality and defect diagnosis.
Implementation Method 1
a battery electrically coupled to the counter circuit, wherein the battery powers the counter device prior to the insertion of the module into one of the slots of the computing devices
Data Source
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AI summary
A disclosed apparatus for accomplishing such a task may include (1) a circuit board incorporated into a module designed for insertion into slots of computing devices, (2) at least one conductive contact disposed on the circuit board, (3) a counter circuit disposed on the circuit board and communicatively coupled to the conductive contact, wherein the counter circuit comprises (A) a signal-change detector that detects signal changes as the module is inserted into one of the slots of the computing devices and (B) a counter device that maintains a dynamic count indicative of a number of times that the module has been inserted into one of the slots of the computing devices based at least in part on the signal changes, (4) a battery electrically coupled to the counter circuit, wherein the battery powers the counter device prior to the insertion. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.