Protocol Discrimination Register for Card Peripheral Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Host apparatuses cannot easily discriminate and communicate with card type peripheral devices from different manufacturers using the same control protocol, as they lack standardized control protocols and require device driver updates, which can be impractical without network or storage medium access.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating special configuration registers in card type peripheral apparatuses and host apparatuses to store protocol identification information, allowing the host apparatus to read and use this information for communication without relying on networks or storage media, thereby enabling easy protocol discrimination and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If host apparatus uses traditional vendor ID and device ID combination for card identification, then connectivity is ensured for known manufacturers, but host apparatus cannot communicate with cards from new manufacturers even when they comply with the same control protocol
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol discrimination register as an intermediary mechanism between the host apparatus and card devices. This register, accessible through the configuration space, serves as a mediator that stores protocol identification information and enables the host to identify and communicate with cards from different manufacturers without requiring complex driver updates or network connections.
2Reliability
If host apparatus updates device driver to support new card manufacturer, then connectivity with new card is achieved, but host apparatus requires network or storage medium access which may not be available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the card device to provide its own protocol identification information through the protocol discrimination register in its configuration space. The host apparatus can read this information directly without requiring external network or storage medium access, eliminating the need for manual device driver updates and making the system self-sufficient.
3Stability of the object's composition
If host apparatus relies on standardized control protocols for card communication, then physical and electrical connectivity is ensured, but control protocol discrimination remains non-standardized and varies by manufacturer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication interface into two distinct parts: the standardized physical and electrical interface (PCI Express) that ensures stable connectivity, and the configuration space interface that provides standardized access to protocol identification information. This segmentation allows the host apparatus to distinguish between the stable physical layer and the variable control protocol layer, enabling adaptability without compromising connection stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A card type peripheral apparatus connected to a host apparatus for communication therewith according to a specific protocol. The card type peripheral apparatus includes a plurality of configuration registers configured to be accessible by the host apparatus and to be set with diverse set information. At least one of the plurality of configuration registers is a special register configured to be set with data arbitrarily selected and fixedly established by a vendor that either fabricates or markets the card type peripheral apparatus. The special register is set with protocol identification information for discriminating the specific protocol.