System Controller Arbitration for Data Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In building facility systems, the existing methods for updating and synchronizing data between display and device controllers rely on operating system functions, leading to overhead and deadlocks due to system calls, necessitating a solution that does not depend on OS processes.
Innovation Solution
A system controller with first and second control means for user interface and device data management, respectively, and arbitration means to manage update registration requests for operating state data, allowing for synchronization without relying on OS functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If OS functions are used for updating and synchronizing data between databases, then data consistency can be maintained, but overhead and deadlocks occur due to system calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data synchronization function from the operating system environment and implements it directly in the controller application layer. The arbitration means and buffer mechanisms are implemented as application-level components rather than relying on OS processes and system calls, thereby eliminating OS-related overhead and deadlocks while maintaining data consistency between the display control DB and device control DB.
2Ease of operation
If OS processes are used for data synchronization, then updating and synchronizing can be performed, but overhead occurs due to system calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buffer as an intermediary data structure between the display control DB and device control DB. The arbitration means uses this buffer to mediate data updates, allowing one controller to write update data to the buffer while the other controller reads from it, thereby avoiding direct conflicts and eliminating the need for OS-mediated synchronization that causes time loss through system calls.
3Adaptability or versatility
If centralized control with separate databases is implemented, then device control and display functions can be separated, but overhead and deadlocks occur due to reliance on OS functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into distinct functional modules: the display controller managing display control DB, the device controller managing device control DB, and the arbitration means managing buffer. Each module operates independently with clearly defined responsibilities, allowing functional separation while simplifying the synchronization mechanism through dedicated arbitration logic rather than complex OS process coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
Upon receiving an update registration request for operating state data from a user I/F controller (a device controller), an arbitrator determines whether to permit the update registration request. Upon permission, the arbitrator retains the update registration request for operating state data. If the update registration request is sent by the user I/F controller (the device controller) and the request is permitted by the arbitrator, the user I/F controller (the device controller) generates FIFO registration data, stores the data in a first FIFO buffer (a second FIFO buffer), and saves the data in a display data storage (a device control data storage). If the arbitrator is retaining an update registration request by the other controller, the user I/F controller (the device controller) retrieves the FIFO registration data from the second FIFO buffer (the first FIFO buffer) and saves the data in the display data storage (the device control data storage).