Redundant Controller for Display System Uptime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display systems with a single controller are vulnerable to downtime due to controller failures, communication link failures, and manager communication link failures, leading to incomplete or incorrect communication with users and increased logistical costs in large-scale transportation networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a redundant display controller system with a primary controller and a redundant controller, where the redundant controller can take over in case of primary controller or communication link failures, using separate communication paths to minimize downtime and ensure high uptime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single controller is used in the display system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to controller failures and communication link failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional roles to controllers based on their operational status. The primary controller handles normal display operations while the redundant controller remains in standby mode, ready to take over if needed. This differentiation in role quality between controllers resolves the contradiction by providing reliability through role specialization without requiring all controllers to be fully active and complex simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-configuring a redundant controller that remains in standby mode before any failure occurs. This redundant controller is prepared in advance to take over if the primary controller or communication links fail, thus cushioning against potential reliability issues without requiring continuous complex operation of multiple controllers, thereby resolving the contradiction between complexity and reliability.
2Reliability
If a redundant controller system is implemented, then the reliability is improved through failover capability, but the device complexity increases due to additional controllers and communication paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a dynamic role assignment system where controllers can switch between primary and redundant roles based on operational conditions. The system dynamically adjusts which controller is active and which is in standby, allowing the complexity to be managed through flexible role assignment rather than fixed complex configurations, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing controllers that can perform multiple functions - serving as either primary or redundant controller depending on operational needs. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to adapt to different roles, reducing the need for entirely separate specialized systems and thereby managing complexity while maintaining reliability through redundant capability.
3Reliability
If separate communication paths are used for primary and redundant controllers, then the reliability is improved through independent failure modes, but the device complexity increases due to additional communication infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the communication architecture into separate independent paths for primary and redundant controllers. This segmentation ensures that a failure in one communication path does not affect the other, providing reliability through isolation. The communication infrastructure is segmented into distinct channels, resolving the contradiction by making the complexity of separate paths worthwhile for the gained reliability.
4Loss of time
If the redundant controller takes over upon failure detection, then the loss of time is reduced through quick failover, but the device complexity increases due to monitoring and switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through a monitoring system that continuously checks the operational status of the primary controller and communication links. When failures are detected, this feedback mechanism triggers automatic role switching to the redundant controller. The feedback loop enables quick detection and response to failures, reducing downtime while managing complexity through automated monitoring and switching protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the redundant controller and establishing monitoring mechanisms before failures occur. The system is prepared in advance with predetermined failover protocols and monitoring routines, enabling rapid response when failures happen without requiring complex real-time decision-making during critical failure moments, thus reducing downtime while managing complexity through pre-planned procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A display system comprises a plurality of displays each comprising an array of light-emitting elements to display a corresponding message, a primary controller that controls the array of light-emitting elements of each display to control the content of each message, a communication network to transmit control signals from the primary controller to the displays, a remote manager in communication with the primary controller via a primary manager communication link, and a redundant controller configured and able to control the array of light-emitting elements of each display to control the content of each message if it is determined that there is a malfunction of the primary controller, an interruption in the communication network between the primary controller and at least one of the displays, or an interruption in the primary communication link.