Printer Controller Sub-Controller Direct Data Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for data communication in controllers with multiple modules require complex and resource-intensive processes, leading to slower data transfer between sub-modules, as data must pass through a main module before reaching its intended destination.
Innovation Solution
A controller configuration with multiple sub-controllers connected via a data network, where each secondary sub-controller has a single operator process for communication, and a mediator process manages direct data exchange between control processes without additional interposition by the main sub-controller, using protocols like TCP for efficient data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data is transferred through a main module in conventional systems, then data exchange between sub-modules is possible, but data transfer speed decreases and communication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from the main module and assigns it directly to sub-controllers. Each sub-controller now has its own communication process that can exchange data directly with other sub-controllers without routing through the main module, thereby eliminating the communication bottleneck and reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication architecture is segmented into independent communication processes residing in each sub-controller. This segmentation allows parallel data exchange between multiple sub-controllers simultaneously, improving overall data transfer speed and distributing the communication load rather than concentrating it in a single main module.
2Productivity
If multiple processes in sub-modules communicate via the main module, then data exchange is enabled, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication function is extracted from the main module and distributed to individual sub-controllers. Each sub-controller now handles its own communication directly, eliminating the need for data to be routed through the main module and reducing the processing load and resource consumption of the overall system.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller to control an apparatus (e.g. a printer) can include multiple secondary sub-controllers and a main sub-controller. Each of the secondary sub-controllers can have an operator process and one or more executable control processes. Each of the control processes can be configured to exchange data with one or more other of the control processes. The main sub-controller can be communicatively coupled to the secondary sub-controllers via a data network. Each of the main and secondary sub-controllers can include at least one processor and an operating system. The respective operator processes can be configured to communicate via the data network, and the control processes of each of the secondary sub-controllers can be configured such that the control processes communicate exclusively with the operator process of their respective secondary sub-controller to communicate via the data network.