Dynamic Watchdog Timer Time Limit Adjustment for Load-Dependent Recovery

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing watchdog timer systems may erroneously initiate recovery processes due to delays in reset processing caused by high loads on information processing apparatuses, leading to unnecessary restarts even when the system is still in a normal state.

Innovation Solution

The system dynamically adjusts the watchdog timer's time limit based on the current processing load and incoming processing requests, extending the time limit when the load is high to prevent premature recovery attempts and shortening it when the load is low to maintain efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the time limit of the watchdog timer is shortened to speed up recovery process execution, then the recovery process can be executed faster, but the reset processing may be delayed due to high load on the information processing apparatus, causing erroneous recovery execution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime required to execute recovery processVSAvoidaccuracy of abnormal state detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The watchdog timer dynamically changes the time limit based on the current load state of the information processing apparatus. When the load is high, the time limit is extended to allow sufficient time for reset processing. When the load is low, the time limit is shortened to enable faster recovery process execution. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between fast recovery and accurate abnormal state detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of the watchdog timer's time limit according to the load state. By monitoring the load state and adjusting the time limit parameter accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between recovery speed and detection accuracy under different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the time limit of the watchdog timer is extended to accommodate high load conditions, then erroneous recovery execution is suppressed, but the recovery process execution time increases when the load is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of abnormal state detectionVSAvoidtime required to execute recovery process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The watchdog timer dynamically changes the time limit based on the current load state of the information processing apparatus. When the load is high, the time limit is extended to allow sufficient time for reset processing. When the load is low, the time limit is shortened to enable faster recovery process execution. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between fast recovery and accurate abnormal state detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of the watchdog timer's time limit according to the load state. By monitoring the load state and adjusting the time limit parameter accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between recovery speed and detection accuracy under different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed time limit is used for the watchdog timer, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying load conditions, leading to either premature recovery or delayed detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of watchdog timer configurationVSAvoidadaptability to load variations

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The watchdog timer transitions from a fixed time limit to a dynamic time limit that automatically adjusts based on the load state. The system includes a load state determination unit and a time limit setting unit that work together to adapt the time limit to current operating conditions, significantly improving adaptability while adding only moderate complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The watchdog timer system monitors its own operating environment (load state) and automatically adjusts its own time limit parameter without external intervention. This self-adaptive mechanism allows the system to optimize its performance based on real-time conditions while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11650823B2Information processing apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium storing information processing program

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to execute a reset process for resetting a watchdog timer, execute a recovery process of the information processing apparatus, in a case where the watchdog timer is not able to be reset within a time limit, and sets the time limit to a longer time, in a case where an apparatus load which is at least one of a current processing load per unit time of the information processing apparatus or a processing amount of a processing request which is input to the information processing apparatus is large, as compared to a case where the apparatus load is small.