Port Loop-Back Self-Diagnosis for Electronic Hardware Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for inspecting electronic device ports, such as HDMI, require external devices and sequential inspection, making the process time-consuming and inaccessible for consumers to perform self-diagnosis.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a self-diagnosis function that uses a controller with a diagnosis signal generator and reception unit, enabling loop-back operations to inspect ports simultaneously without external devices, by transmitting and comparing signals to detect short-circuits or disconnections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If external devices and sequential inspection methods are used, then inspection thoroughness is improved, but inspection time increases and user accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection thoroughnessVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic device performs self-diagnosis by automatically generating test signals through its own controller and comparing received signals against transmitted signals, eliminating the need for external inspection devices and enabling the device to inspect itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission unit and reception unit are integrated within the same electronic device, allowing simultaneous execution of multiple inspection operations through parallel signal transmission and reception, thereby reducing total inspection time while maintaining thoroughness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If external devices are used for inspection, then diagnostic capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoiduser accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables users to perform diagnostic operations directly on their own devices without requiring specialized external equipment, making the diagnostic capability accessible to ordinary consumers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed to generate and process multiple types of test signals for different port types (HDMI, USB, etc.), providing universal diagnostic capability across various interfaces through a single integrated system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If sequential inspection of multiple ports is performed, then inspection completeness is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection completenessVSAvoidinspection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple inspection operations are merged into a single integrated self-diagnosis process that can execute simultaneously, allowing the device to inspect multiple ports in parallel rather than sequentially

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller pre-configures multiple transmission units with different test signals before execution, enabling simultaneous initiation of multiple inspection operations without sequential delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2706526B1Electronic device having self diagnosis function and self diagnosis method using the same
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2706526B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2706526B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2706526B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device which has a self diagnosis function and a self diagnosis method using the same are provided. The electronic device includes an interface which receives a user's selection signal for a hardware of an object to be diagnosed, and a controller which provides a plurality of lines connected to the hardware of the object to be diagnosed with a signal for diagnosis according to the selection signal which is received through the interface and calculates a diagnosis result for the hardware of diagnosis object according to a comparison result of the signal for diagnosis with a return signal which is returned from the hardware of the object to be diagnosed by a loop-back.