Board Work Machine Tracing Data Output Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In board work machines, the process of writing and outputting tracing data for real-time tracing is wasteful during normal operation, as all tracing data is read and output, increasing processing load, whereas only specific data is needed for debugging or defect analysis.

Innovation Solution

A board work machine control device with a tracing data output system that includes a processor, a tracing register, a ring buffer, and an output control section, where tracing data is temporarily stored in the register and ring buffer before being periodically transferred to main memory, allowing only specific, pre-set tracing data to be output in real-time to an external device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all tracing data is read out and outputted during normal operation, then real-time tracing capability is maintained, but processing load increases and wasteful operations occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time tracing capabilityVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively outputting only specific types of tracing data (e.g., error-related data) instead of all tracing data. The output control section filters and outputs only the necessary portion of tracing data based on predetermined conditions, thereby maintaining real-time tracing capability for critical events while avoiding the processing overhead of outputting unnecessary data during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Loss of information

If all tracing data is outputted in real-time, then complete debugging information is available, but unnecessary data output increases processing load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedebugging information completenessVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and outputs only the necessary tracing data for debugging purposes. The output control section identifies and extracts specific types of tracing data (such as error-related information) from the complete set of tracing data, outputting only this extracted subset in real-time. This ensures that complete debugging information is available when needed while avoiding the energy waste of processing and outputting unnecessary data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If tracing data is stored in ring buffer and selectively output, then processing load is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidtracing data output system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a ring buffer as an intermediary data structure between the tracing data generation and output processes. The ring buffer temporarily stores tracing data and allows the output control section to selectively read and output specific data types without requiring complex real-time filtering logic. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining processing efficiency, as the buffer handles the complexity of data management internally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3647957B1Substrate-related operation machine control device
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 FUJI CORP
  • EP3647957B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3647957B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3647957B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A board work machine control device, which appropriately executes the real-time tracing while reducing the processing load, includes a processor configured to control a board work machine and a tracing data output device configured to output tracing data which is outputted from the processor to an exterior, and the tracing data output device includes a tracing register configured to temporarily store the tracing data which is outputted from the processor; a ring buffer where for the tracing data which is temporarily stored in the tracing register to be written, and an output control section configured to reduce the tracing data for the output on a real-time basis.