Processing Unit Command Invalidation for Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electronic devices with multiple interfaces, command collisions can occur, leading to unintended failures and reduced robustness, particularly in inertial measurement units with wireless and wired communication modes.

Innovation Solution

The processing unit in the electronic device invalidates commands from interfaces other than the first one received after startup, ensuring that only the selected interface's commands are processed, thereby preventing collisions and maintaining robustness without increasing processing complexity or cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple interfaces (wireless communication unit, wired communication unit, switch) are provided for command input, then the adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but command collisions occur between interfaces leading to reduced reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication mode flexibilityVSAvoidcommand processing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The processing unit performs preliminary action by determining which interface will be used for command input immediately upon startup, before any commands are received. It sets the communication mode (wireless, wired, or single mode) based on the first interface that receives a command after startup, and then invalidates commands from other interfaces. This preliminary determination prevents command collisions before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If commands from multiple interfaces are processed simultaneously, then the ease of operation is improved, but command collisions lead to unintended failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface accessibilityVSAvoidcommand execution reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The processing unit acts as an intermediary that mediates between multiple interfaces and the command processing logic. It receives commands from any interface but then filters and invalidates commands from interfaces other than the one determined to be the primary communication interface. This intermediary function allows all interfaces to remain accessible while preventing harmful command collisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If complex command collision avoidance mechanisms are implemented, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand processing robustnessVSAvoidprocessing logic complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of implementing complex real-time command collision avoidance mechanisms, the invention uses a simple preliminary action: determining the primary communication interface upon startup and invalidating commands from other interfaces thereafter. This approach achieves high reliability through a simple, one-time determination rather than complex ongoing management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the command collision problem by separating the command reception function from the command processing function. By determining the primary interface upfront and invalidating commands from other interfaces, it removes the potential for collision before commands enter the processing pipeline, simplifying the overall processing logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12182053B2Electronic device invalidating commands except for one command and method of processing electronic device

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An electronic device includes: a processing unit; and a plurality of interfaces configured to transmit commands to the processing unit. The processing unit invalidates the commands from the interfaces other than the interface from which the command first received by the processing unit after start-up is transmitted. The processing unit has a plurality of modes, and invalidates the commands other than the command that is valid for the selected mode. The plurality of interfaces include a user interface configured to detect an operation of a user and a communication interface configured to communicate with an external device.