Terminal Device Logical Port Unmount Controller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal devices lack a straightforward method to facilitate the unmount process for external devices without a removal button, requiring the use of a graphical user interface (GUI) even when no GUI is available.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device with multiple logical ports and a controller that receives execution instructions for the unmount process, allowing for the automatic deactivation of logical connections without the need for user selection, enabling unmount processes to be performed without a GUI.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a removal button is provided on the external device, then the unmount process can be facilitated, but external devices without a removal button cannot benefit from this facilitation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunmount processVSAvoidcompatibility with external devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device serves as an intermediary that provides the removal button functionality on its own body, allowing users to initiate unmount processes for any connected external device regardless of whether the external device has a removal button. This mediator approach enables the terminal device to bridge the gap between external devices with and without removal buttons, universally facilitating unmount operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The removal button on the terminal device is designed to universally handle unmount processes for all types of connected external devices, whether they have removal buttons or not. This universal design allows a single button to perform the function of multiple device-specific removal buttons, enhancing both ease of operation and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a GUI is used to perform the unmount process, then the unmount process can be performed, but the process becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunmount processVSAvoidunmount process time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The unmount process is segmented into a simple trigger action (pressing the removal button) and an automatic execution phase (terminal device handling the unmount process). This segmentation separates the user's simple interaction from the complex automated process, reducing the user's time investment while maintaining comprehensive unmount functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device performs the unmount process automatically once triggered by the removal button, without requiring user intervention through a GUI. The system serves itself by automatically managing the unmount sequence, reducing both operational complexity and time requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the terminal device deactivates all logical connections when one external device is removed, then other external devices are disconnected, but selective disconnection is achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunmount processVSAvoidunintended disconnection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The logical connection management is made dynamic, allowing the terminal device to adaptively control which connections are deactivated based on the specific unmount operation. The system transitions from a static all-or-nothing approach to a dynamic selective disconnection approach, deactivating only the necessary logical connections while maintaining others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2177999B1Terminal device
Publication Date: 2015.03.25 BUFFALO CORP LTD
  • EP2177999B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2177999B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2177999B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal device 100 including a plurality of logical ports as ports for providing logical connections, the logical ports logically connecting external devices to the terminal device, the terminal device comprising: a receiver 140 configured to receive an execution instruction for an unmount process which is a process of transition from an activated state in which the logical connections are activated to a deactivated state in which the logical connections are deactivated; and a controller 120 configured to control the logical ports, wherein the controller 120 deactivates the logical connections corresponding to the logical ports, in response to the execution instruction for the unmount process.