Camera Memory Allocation via Secure Buffer Types

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing memory allocation systems for camera resources on computer devices often lead to inefficient use of system resources and performance impacts due to mismatched memory types and access modes allocated to applications.

Innovation Solution

A memory management component that determines and allocates suitable memory types and access modes for camera resources based on application requests and compatibility information, allowing for shared or secure buffers to optimize memory usage and reduce unnecessary copying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If memory is allocated to applications for camera resources, then applications can access camera functionality, but system resources are unnecessarily used and system performance is impacted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera resource accessVSAvoidsystem resource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allocating different memory types (secure memory vs. non-secure memory) to different applications based on their specific security requirements. The operating system determines the appropriate memory type for each application individually, ensuring that only applications requiring secure access receive secure memory allocation, thereby optimizing system resource usage while maintaining necessary security capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If memory is allocated to applications for camera resources, then applications can access camera functionality, but system performance is impacted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera resource accessVSAvoidsystem performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by providing different buffer types (secure buffer vs. non-secure buffer) to different applications based on their access mode requirements. This selective allocation ensures that applications receive the appropriate level of memory protection without unnecessary overhead, thereby improving system performance while maintaining camera resource accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If buffer is provided to applications based on access mode, then appropriate memory access is enabled, but memory copying may be required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory access securityVSAvoidmemory copying time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the copying principle by creating secure copies of buffers for applications that require secure access mode. When an application requests secure access, the operating system allocates a secure buffer that is a copy of the original buffer, ensuring data security while allowing the application to operate independently. This copying mechanism maintains reliability by preventing unauthorized access to original buffers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Loss of energy

If appropriate memory type is allocated based on camera resource request, then resource efficiency is improved, but allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory usage efficiencyVSAvoidmemory allocation logic
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by having applications explicitly request their access mode (secure or non-secure) when requesting camera resources. The operating system uses this self-provided information from the application to automatically determine the appropriate memory type to allocate. This approach reduces allocation complexity by leveraging information already available from the application's request rather than requiring complex analysis of application behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3665572B1Memory allocation type for media buffer
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3665572B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3665572B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3665572B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and devices for allocating memory for use with a camera resources may include receiving camera resource requests from application plurality of applications to use a camera resource (16). The methods and devices may include determining a memory type (33 18, 42) to allocate to the applications for the camera resource based on the camera resource request and compatibility information of the camera resource. The methods and devices may include determining a buffer and a buffer type (34) to provide each of the applications based on an access mode of the camera resource, wherein the buffer type comprises one or more of a shared type (44), a copy type (46), and a secure type (48). The methods and devices may include providing the application access to the buffer based on the determination.