Removable Active Processing Modules for Rapid Prototyping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The prototyping process for electronic devices is costly and time-consuming due to the need for redesign and remanufacturing of customized components, which escalates costs when components require frequent changes to meet performance criteria.

Innovation Solution

The use of removable and programmable active processing modules that can emulate custom-built components, allowing for rapid reprogramming during prototyping, eliminating the need for complex redesign and remanufacturing, and enabling software-based configuration via conventional mass storage I/O protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If customized components are redesigned and remanufactured during prototyping, then performance specifications are met, but fabrication costs escalate and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance specificationVSAvoidfabrication cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamically reconfigurable processing module that can be reprogrammed to perform different functions. This dynamic capability allows the same physical hardware to adapt to different performance requirements through software configuration rather than physical redesign, eliminating the need for costly remanufacturing during prototyping iterations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the processing module through reprogramming rather than physical modification. By altering the software configuration and operational mode of the module, different performance specifications can be achieved without redesigning or remanufacturing the component, thus reducing fabrication costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If customized components are redesigned and remanufactured during prototyping, then performance specifications are met, but time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance specificationVSAvoidprototyping time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The reconfigurable processing module enables rapid switching between different operational modes through software reprogramming. This dynamic reconfiguration capability significantly reduces the time required to meet different performance specifications compared to physical redesign and remanufacturing cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary action by pre-configuring the processing module with multiple operational capabilities through software. This allows rapid switching between different performance modes without requiring time-consuming physical redesign, as the module is already capable of performing various functions through its reconfigurable architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional prototyping processes are used, then components can be customized, but the time lag for design and fabrication increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent customizationVSAvoiddesign and fabrication time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal processing module that can perform multiple customized functions through software configuration. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate customized components for different functions, as a single reconfigurable module can adapt to various customization requirements, significantly reducing design and fabrication time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses software-based copying of functional behavior rather than physical copying of components. By replicating the desired component functionality through software programming of the reconfigurable module, customization is achieved without the time-consuming process of physical design and fabrication of custom hardware components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8291165B2Electronic devices using removable and programmable active processing modules

Publication Date: 2012.10.16 SOUTHFORK IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

System and methods for assembling electronic devices (110) using removable programmable active processing modules (120) are provided. An active processing module includes a first input/output (I/O) interface (202) and a second I/O interface (204). The active processing module also includes a controller (206) communicatively coupled to the first and the second I/O interfaces, where the controller is configured for selectively operating the active processing module in a programming mode or at least one component mode. In the programming mode, the active processing module is enabled to receive a plurality of operating parameters from a first electronic device via the first I/O interface to configure the active processing module to provide a functionality of a component for a second electronic device via at least one of the first and the second I/O interfaces. In the component mode, the active processing module is configured to operate according to the plurality of operating parameters.