Storage Admission Control via Read Latency Analysis

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data reproduction systems in vehicles, such as car audio and navigation systems, face interoperability issues with various storage devices due to differences in characteristics, leading to unreliable operation despite sufficient bandwidth, as storage devices with high read latencies can cause delays in data playback.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling the admission of storage devices to a peripheral bus based on read latency, where the latency is analyzed upon connection, and devices with latencies exceeding predetermined limits are rejected to ensure reliable operation, with the system adjusting resource allocation and providing user feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If bandwidth control methods are used to ensure sufficient data transmission capacity, then data transmission capacity is improved, but reliable operation is not guaranteed due to high read latencies causing playback delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidreliable operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary characterization of the storage device upon connection, measuring read latency and other parameters before allowing full operation. This preliminary assessment ensures that only compatible devices are admitted to the USB bus, preventing playback delays before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the evaluation parameter from solely bandwidth control to including read latency measurement. By measuring and comparing read latency against predetermined thresholds, the system can reliably determine device compatibility and ensure flawless audio playback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If storage devices with high read latency are allowed to connect, then device compatibility is improved, but playback delays occur resulting in unreliable operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidflawless operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary characterization of the storage device upon connection, measuring read latency and other parameters before allowing full operation. This preliminary assessment ensures that only compatible devices are admitted to the USB bus, preventing playback delays before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the potentially harmful high read latency characteristic into a useful selection criterion. By measuring and comparing read latency against predetermined thresholds, the system uses this characteristic to filter out incompatible devices, turning a source of reliability problems into a tool for ensuring flawless operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If read latency is strictly controlled by rejecting high-latency devices, then reliable playback is improved, but device compatibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliable playbackVSAvoiddevice compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the evaluation parameter from solely bandwidth control to including read latency measurement. By measuring and comparing read latency against predetermined thresholds, the system can reliably determine device compatibility and ensure flawless audio playback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user about the compatibility assessment results. When a device is rejected due to high read latency, the system communicates this to the user, allowing them to understand why the device is incompatible and make informed decisions about device selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8478919B2Method and system for controlling the admission of a storage means to a peripheral bus of a data reproduction system

Publication Date: 2013.07.02 NXP BV

AI summary

It is an object of the invention to ensure the reliable and flawless operation of a storage means that is connected to a data reproduction system. This object will be met by a method for controlling the admission of a storage means to a peripheral bus of a data reproduction system, wherein a storage means is connected to the peripheral bus of a data reproduction system, the read latency of the storage means is determined, and it is decided based on the determined read latency whether the storage means is admitted to the peripheral bus or rejected. The latency for read requests from the storage means, for instance a USB mass storage device, will be analyzed on first insertion and the results of this analysis will be used to carry out a compatibility check of the storage means with the data reproduction system, for example a car audio system.