Programmable Wiring Panel With Fewer Switches for Full Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing programmable wiring systems (PWS) require a large number of switches to create all possible circuits, leading to excessive cost and size due to the significant number of switches needed.

Innovation Solution

A micro-controller based PWS with a customized switching panel that reduces the number of switches by utilizing a controller-based system, where the number of switches is determined by the total number of peripheral terminals and microcontroller pins, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a general PWS design is used to create all possible circuits, then complete circuit functionality is achieved, but the number of switches becomes excessively large (722 switches)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit configuration capabilityVSAvoidnumber of switches

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary component that manages and coordinates the switching operations. The controller receives configuration data and generates control signals to operate the reduced number of switches, enabling the system to achieve complete circuit configuration capability with fewer physical switches by using intelligent control logic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameter from direct switch control to controller-based sequencing. By implementing timed control signals and sequential operation modes, the system can achieve multiple circuit configurations using a reduced number of switches through parameter changes in the control signals rather than increasing the number of physical switches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the number of switches is reduced to lower cost, then device complexity and cost decrease, but the ability to create all possible circuits may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of switchesVSAvoidcircuit configuration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control where the controller can reconfigure the circuit connections in real-time based on configuration data. The switches are controlled dynamically through timed signals, allowing the same physical switches to create different circuit topologies at different times, thereby maintaining complete circuit configuration capability with fewer switches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic control signals to sequentially operate the reduced number of switches. By implementing periodic timing cycles where switches are activated in specific sequences, the controller can achieve multiple circuit configurations that would otherwise require many more simultaneous switches, maintaining versatility while reducing hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12244310B2Programmable wiring system for reconfigurable devices

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 ABU DHABI UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A reconfigurable device-based programmable wiring system includes switches. A total number of switches is based on a total number of peripheral terminals and a total number of microcontroller pins. The total number of switches is based on a product of a total number of peripheral terminals and a total number of microcontroller pins. The reconfigurable device-based programmable wiring system includes multiple microcontroller peripherals.