Programmable Wiring Panel With Fewer Switches via Microcontroller Control
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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
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a general PWS design is used to create all possible circuits, then circuit versatility is improved, but the number of switches increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a microcontroller as an intermediary device that manages circuit connections through software control rather than requiring dedicated physical switches for every possible connection. The microcontroller reads switch states and configures internal connections programmatically, reducing the physical switch count from 722 to 75 while maintaining full circuit versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical switch-based connection system with a microcontroller-based electronic control system. Instead of using physical switches to directly create circuit connections, the system uses a microcontroller to read switch states and electronically configure connections, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic intelligence.
2Device complexity
If the number of switches is reduced in a PWS, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to create all possible circuits is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the connection configuration dynamic through software control. The microcontroller can programmatically change connection states based on stored configuration data, allowing the same physical switch arrangement to dynamically create different circuit topologies without requiring additional physical switches for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from direct mechanical switch control to microcontroller-based digital control. By reading switch states and processing them through software, the system can interpret the same physical input in multiple ways to create different circuit configurations, effectively increasing versatility without adding physical components.
3Ease of manufacture
If a customized switching panel is implemented, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the system requires a controller-based architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the microcontroller serve multiple functions: it reads switch states, determines connection configurations based on stored data, controls the connection elements, and manages overall system operation. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate dedicated circuits for each function, simplifying the overall system architecture despite the added intelligence.
Data Source
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.