Remote Access Application for Serial Display Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing application-specific display devices lack the capability to monitor their performance remotely, requiring physical presence for maintenance and management.
Innovation Solution
Embedding an application-specific device driver in a communications device to communicate via a serial port and incorporating a remote access application that enables network communication, allowing for remote monitoring and control of the display device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an application-specific display device is used with a serial communication link, then the device can communicate with the host computer, but the device cannot be monitored or managed remotely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the application-specific display device to perform both its original display function and remote monitoring/management functions through the integration of a remote access application. This allows the device to communicate over both serial links and network protocols, making it universally accessible from multiple locations without requiring physical presence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote access application as an intermediary layer between the display device and the network. This intermediary enables communication between the serial communication infrastructure and network protocols, allowing remote access without directly modifying the core display functionality or requiring physical intervention
2Productivity
If a service person must be physically present at the display device, then monitoring and maintenance can be performed, but time and resources are consumed for travel and physical access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical travel and on-site presence with an electronic/network-based system. The remote access application enables service personnel to monitor and manage display devices through network connections, substituting physical movement with digital communication and eliminating the need for physical presence while maintaining full monitoring capabilities
3Adaptability or versatility
If the display device uses a serial port for communication, then it can maintain simple communication protocols, but it lacks network communication capability for remote access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating communication functions into distinct modules: the original serial communication interface remains intact for legacy compatibility, while a separate remote access application layer is added to provide network communication capabilities. This modular approach allows the device to maintain simple serial protocols while simultaneously gaining network adaptability without conflating the two communication systems
Data Source
AI summary
A communications device comprising an embedded application-specific device driver for an application-specific display and an embedded remote access application that execute on a processor. The embedded application-specific device driver is configured to communicate data with a communication (COM) port via a serial port and to provide a video signal to the application-specific display. The embedded remote access application is configured to remotely access the application-specific display and to communicate display data via a network.