Automated Circuit and Firmware Generation via Trigger-Action Mappings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing programmed electronic devices requires significant technical knowledge of components, circuitry, and programming, discouraging potential designers due to the complexity and specialized tools needed, which often limit the range of functionalities and topologies supported by proprietary components.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for designing programmed electronic devices through intuitive trigger-action mappings, generating circuits, firmware, and assembly instructions using a device generator, component library, trigger library, and action library, allowing designers with limited knowledge to create complex behaviors without in-depth technical expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional design tools and proprietary components are used, then circuit functionality is limited to supported topologies, but design complexity is reduced through proprietary integration
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a universal design platform that supports multiple circuit topologies and component types through standardized interfaces. The circuit generator can handle series, parallel, and complex hybrid topologies, while the component library includes diverse components (resistors, capacitors, inductors, transistors, ICs) that can be used across different design scenarios, eliminating the need for proprietary component-specific tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated circuit generator and firmware generator as intermediary systems between the designer and the final programmed electronic device. These intermediaries automatically translate high-level design specifications into detailed circuit schematics, bill of materials, and firmware code, reducing the need for designers to manually navigate complex circuit design and programming tasks.
2Ease of operation
If automated circuit generation is implemented, then design accessibility is improved for novice users, but the breadth of technical knowledge required for firmware development increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges circuit design and firmware development into a unified automated process. The circuit generator and firmware generator work together to produce both the hardware schematic and the corresponding firmware code simultaneously, ensuring consistency between hardware capabilities and software implementation. This integration allows novice users to access both hardware and software design capabilities through a single automated platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated generation systems perform self-service by automatically creating firmware code based on the generated circuit configuration. The firmware generator analyzes the circuit topology, component specifications, and desired functionality to produce ready-to-compile firmware without requiring manual programming, thereby reducing the firmware development knowledge barrier while maintaining design accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a device generator automatically generates a circuit, firmware, and assembly instructions for a programmed electronic device based on behaviors that are specified via mappings between triggers and actions. In operation, the device generator generates a circuit based on the mappings. The circuit specifies instances of electronic components and interconnections between the instances. Subsequently, the device generator generates firmware based on code fragments associated with the triggers and actions included in the mappings that specify the high-level behavior. In addition the device generator generates assembly instructions based on the interconnections between the instances. Advantageously, the device generator provides an automated, intuitive design process for programmed electronic devices that does not rely on the designers possessing any significant technical expertise. By contrast, conventional design processes for programmed electronic devices typically only automate certain steps of the design process, require specialized knowledge, and/or are limited in applicability.