SATA Host Command Table Update for Vendor-Unique Commands

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication systems based on the SATA standard, adding a vendor-unique command is challenging when a device lacks dedicated pins for updating, as existing methods require these pins to define and update transfer protocols.

Innovation Solution

The system uses a setup command to transmit information about undefined commands to a device, which maintains a command table with identified command codes and associated transfer protocols, allowing the host and device to determine and implement the necessary protocols for vendor-unique commands without dedicated pins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a dedicated pin is used for updating the code table to add vendor-unique commands, then the ability to add and edit vendor-unique commands is enabled, but the device complexity increases and cost rises due to additional hardware requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to add vendor-unique commandVSAvoidhardware configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical hardware updating method (dedicated pin) with a software-based communication method using existing SATA protocol commands. The host can now update the device's code table by sending vendor-unique commands through the standard SATA interface, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware pins while maintaining the ability to add and modify vendor-unique commands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a dedicated pin is used for updating the code table, then vendor-unique commands can be added dynamically, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to add vendor-unique commandVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical hardware updating method (dedicated pin) with a software-based communication method using existing SATA protocol commands. The host can now update the device's code table by sending vendor-unique commands through the standard SATA interface, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware pins while maintaining the ability to add and modify vendor-unique commands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If the device uses a limited number of dedicated pins, then cost is reduced, but the ability to update vendor-unique commands is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost reductionVSAvoidability to add vendor-unique command

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing SATA interface universal by enabling it to perform both standard SATA commands and vendor-unique command updates. The same communication channel used for normal data transfer is now also used for updating the device's command table, allowing one interface to serve multiple functions without requiring dedicated pins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10168958B2Information processing system, method in information processing system, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 CANON KK

AI summary

An object is to make it possible to add a vendor-unique command at the time at which addition of a vendor-unique command becomes necessary later even in the case where the device side does not have a dedicate pin for updating in communication control based on a SATA standard. An information processing system that performs data communication between a host and a device in conformity with the SATA standard, and the host transmits a setup command to which information on an undefined command is written to the device, and the device: has a command table for commands in conformity with the SATA standard, in which a command code to identify each command and information on a transfer protocol of each command are described; and makes the undefined command available between the host and the device by writing information on the undefined command to the command table in accordance with the received setup command.