Communication Port Release Control for Recording Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Control devices connected to recording devices through communication ports often occupy the port excessively, preventing other control units from accessing it, leading to potential issues when the port is unconditionally released.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a decision unit that determines whether the communication port can be released based on the status of control commands from the recording control unit, including factors like current command output, time since last command, and specific periods, to avoid unconditioned releases and ensure appropriate port availability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the recording control unit continuously occupies the communication port to ensure reliable control command transmission, then the reliability of control is improved, but the accessibility of the communication port to other recording control units deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol command transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication port accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communication port occupation state is made dynamic rather than static. The recording control unit can transition between occupying and releasing the port based on whether control commands are being transmitted. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt between reliability (when commands are active) and accessibility (when commands are inactive), resolving the contradiction between continuous occupation and port availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of port occupation from a constant state to a variable state based on command transmission status. By monitoring whether control commands are currently being output, the system adjusts the port occupation state accordingly, transforming a fixed contradiction into a flexible, condition-based solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the communication port is unconditionally released when another control unit requests access, then the accessibility to the port is improved, but the reliability of ongoing control operations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication port accessibilityVSAvoidcontrol operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system takes preliminary action by checking the control command transmission status before releasing the communication port. This preventive measure ensures that port release does not occur during critical control operations, avoiding the harmful effect of interrupting ongoing commands while still allowing access when safe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the control command transmission status to determine whether to release the port. By continuously monitoring whether commands are being output and using this information to make release decisions, the system ensures that port accessibility is improved only when it will not compromise control operation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If the recording control unit maintains continuous occupation of the communication port, then the stability of control connection is improved, but the productivity of the system deteriorates due to port unavailability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol connection stabilityVSAvoidsystem operational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous occupation, the system uses periodic occupation of the communication port based on command transmission needs. The port is occupied only during periods when control commands are being transmitted and released during periods when no commands are active. This periodic approach maintains connection stability when needed while improving overall system productivity by making the port available for other uses during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9058133B2Control device, control method for a control device, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2015.06.16 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

When a communication port is occupied by a recording control unit, the communication port can be released as needed without causing an error or problem. A communication control unit 16 has a decision unit 44 that determines whether or not the USB port 18 can be released from the recording control unit 42 based on control commands input from the recording control unit 42 when the USB port 18 is occupied by the recording control unit 42 and an access request for the USB port 18 is received from another device, and a releasing unit 45 that releases the USB port 18 from the recording control unit 42 when the decision unit 44 determines that the USB port 18 can be released from the recording control unit 42.