Servomotor Controller Backup Code for Flash Error Logging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional servomotor controllers face issues where storing an error log in flash memory causes the microcontroller to be unable to read the program code, leading to fatal errors, and the use of EEPROM increases manufacturing cost and PCB size.

Innovation Solution

A controller with a processing circuit offloads control operations from the microcontroller to a processing circuit, allowing the microcontroller to store error logs in flash memory while the processing circuit maintains servomotor operations using a copied program code.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an EEPROM is used to store the error log, then the error log can be stored separately from the program code, but the manufacturing cost and PCB size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror log storage reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the error log storage function with the existing flash memory that already stores the program code. By utilizing the spare storage capacity of the flash memory for error logs and employing a processing circuit to manage code reading and execution, the system eliminates the need for a separate EEPROM component. This merging approach maintains error log storage reliability while reducing manufacturing cost by removing an additional component and simplifying the PCB design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If an EEPROM is used to store the error log, then the error log can be stored separately from the program code, but the PCB size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror log storage reliabilityVSAvoidPCB area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the error log storage function with the existing flash memory that already stores the program code. By utilizing the spare storage capacity of the flash memory for error logs and employing a processing circuit to manage code reading and execution, the system eliminates the need for a separate EEPROM component. This merging approach maintains error log storage reliability while reducing PCB area by removing an additional component and its associated circuitry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250362661A1Controller applied to servomotor and associated control method

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A controller applied to a servomotor includes a flash memory, a microcontroller, and a processing circuit. The flash memory is arranged to store a first program code for controlling the servomotor. The microcontroller is arranged to determine whether an alarm of the servomotor occurs, wherein in response to the alarm of the servomotor occurring, the microcontroller is arranged to store an error log corresponding to the alarm in the flash memory. In addition, a second program code is programmed into the processing circuit in advance, wherein the second program code is a copied version of the first program code; and in response to the alarm of the servomotor occurring, the processing circuit is arranged to execute the second program code.