Virtual Circuit Prototyping via Hardware Interface Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Novice makers face challenges in prototyping electronic circuits due to errors in physical construction, such as miss-wiring and incorrect component placement, and existing software tools lack direct interaction with physical components, limiting the ability to test and debug circuits involving input/output components like sensors and motors.
Innovation Solution
A circuit prototyping system that integrates a hardware interface module with a virtual circuit design interface and simulator, allowing physical electronic devices to be connected and interacted with through a data acquisition circuit and driver circuit, enabling synchronization of data between physical and virtual components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical electronic circuits are constructed on a breadboard, then direct physical interaction with components is possible, but errors such as miss-wiring and incorrect component placement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical breadboard and components in software, allowing users to prototype circuits virtually. This virtual representation enables testing and debugging without physical manipulation errors while preserving the ability to interact with circuit elements. The virtual breadboard serves as a digital replica that eliminates wiring mistakes while maintaining prototyping functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hardware interface module as an intermediary between the virtual circuit simulator and physical electronic devices. This intermediary enables physical I/O components (sensors, motors) to be integrated into the virtual circuit environment, allowing physical interaction through a controlled interface that prevents construction errors while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If software virtual breadboards are used for circuit prototyping, then construction errors are reduced, but direct physical interaction with I/O components becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware interface module acts as a mediator that connects the virtual circuit environment with physical I/O components. It translates virtual circuit signals to physical device control and vice versa, enabling users to interact with physical sensors and motors through the virtual breadboard interface without sacrificing construction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple functions into a unified platform: virtual circuit construction, simulation, and physical device control. The hardware interface module provides universal connectivity to various I/O components (sensors, motors, displays), allowing the virtual breadboard to control diverse physical devices while maintaining its error-free construction advantages.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical I/O components are used for interactive prototyping, then physical interaction is enabled, but the complexity of integrating and managing hardware increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware interface module serves as a standardized intermediary that simplifies integration of various I/O components. It provides a unified interface layer between the virtual circuit and diverse physical devices, reducing the complexity of hardware management while maintaining adaptability to different component types through standardized connection protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed circuit prototyping system includes a hardware interface module configured for electronically connecting to a physical electronic device, a virtual circuit design interface to construct a virtual circuit for a plurality of virtual circuit devices including a virtual counterpart of the physical electronic device, and a circuit simulator configured to simulate the virtual circuit including communicating data with the physical electronic device by way of communication with the hardware interface module.