Vehicle Computer Virtual Device Switching With Selective Register Restore
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-mounted computers face high processing loads due to inefficient management and switching of physical device states during task context switching between virtual devices, which is not adequately addressed in prior art.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted computer system that allocates physical resources through time-division, saves and restores processor register values, and determines necessary changes to physical device register values when switching between virtual devices, thereby optimizing context switching processing by skipping unnecessary changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle-mounted computer switches between tasks related to a plurality of virtual devices, then the functionality of multiple ECUs is integrated and aggregated, but the processing load for managing and switching the state of physical devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the management of physical device states by creating separate management mechanisms for different virtual devices. Each virtual device's associated physical device states are managed independently through save/restore operations, allowing the system to handle multiple ECUs' functions while reducing the complexity of unified state management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the state management unit) that mediates between the virtual device switching and the physical device state changes. This intermediary determines whether state switching is necessary before executing the switch, thereby reducing unnecessary processing and lowering the overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If the vehicle-mounted computer switches context and manages state of multiple physical devices during task switching, then virtualization technology enables ECU function integration, but unnecessary processing load is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by determining whether full state switching is necessary before executing it. The state management unit compares the current virtual device's required physical device states with the actual states, and only performs switching when differences are detected. This avoids excessive processing and reduces energy consumption while maintaining integration efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the state management unit continuously monitors and compares the required physical device states with actual states during virtual device switching. This feedback loop enables the system to make informed decisions about whether state switching is necessary, optimizing processing efficiency and reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
3Ease of operation
If the processor saves and restores register values during context switching, then task switching between virtual devices is enabled, but the processing time for state switching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-managing and caching the state information of physical devices associated with each virtual device. Before context switching occurs, the system has already organized the necessary state data, allowing for faster save/restore operations. This reduces the time penalty associated with context switching while maintaining operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle-mounted computer, that includes a physical resource including a processor having a register and a plurality of physical devices each having a register and generates a plurality of virtual devices by allocating the physical resource through time-division, saves a register value of the processor related to a first virtual device and restores the register value of the processor related to a second virtual device when switching from the first virtual device to the second virtual device, determines whether or not it is necessary to change a register value of the physical device to be used by the second virtual device when switching from the first virtual device to the second virtual device, and restores the register value of the physical device related to the second virtual device in the physical device if it is determined that change is necessary.