Serial Device Data Capture Without Custom Programming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy serial devices require different settings and configurations, necessitating a device server that can communicate and exchange data without custom programming, as the initial state and data configuration of these devices are unknown upon connection.
Innovation Solution
A device server system with a processor, memory, serial and network ports, and a data capture module that allows for user-configurable polling, filtering, and data selection through a user interface, enabling communication with serial devices without custom programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device server connects to a legacy serial device, then network connectivity is provided, but the initial state and data configuration of the serial device are unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically sending initialization commands and polling requests to the serial device upon connection. This preliminary data collection establishes the initial state and configuration parameters before normal operation begins, resolving the information gap without requiring manual setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The device server implements continuous polling and feedback mechanisms to automatically detect and adapt to the serial device's state. By repeatedly querying the device and analyzing responses, the system learns the device's configuration and operational parameters dynamically, eliminating the need for pre-known initial states.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different types of serial devices are supported, then versatility is improved, but custom programming is required for each device
Solution Approach 1:
The device server enables serial devices to essentially serve themselves by automatically detecting device types, extracting configuration parameters from device responses, and adapting communication protocols without requiring custom programming for each device type. The system learns device-specific behaviors through automated interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The device server implements a universal communication framework that can interact with multiple types of serial devices using a single standardized interface. By abstracting device-specific details and using generic polling and command structures, the system achieves broad compatibility without requiring separate custom programs for each device type.
3Productivity
If data is captured and filtered from serial devices, then data processing capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data processing function is segmented into distinct modular components: data capture module, filtering module, and processing module. Each component performs a specific function independently, allowing the system to handle complex data processing tasks while maintaining manageable system architecture through clear separation of concerns.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method are provided for enabling a user to connect a serial port of a device server to a serial device, query and capture data and settings pertaining to the serial device such that the device server can communicate and exchange data with the serial device without requiring customized programming. The device server may periodically query and capture user-specified data from the serial device. A poll configuration feature may be used to specify one or more commands which the device server will periodically query from the serial device. The response to each poll may be further sliced into a multiplicity of smaller portions according to user-specified filter rules. The captured data may be presented to other users online by way of a Web Manager, and the device server may establish machine-to-machine communications by way of XML and a Command Line Interface.