Camera Unit Memory Architecture Reducing Component Count
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera units in mobile communication devices require multiple memories, which increases complexity and reduces image quality due to the need for separate memory connections for image sensors and processors.
Innovation Solution
A camera unit design that separates the image sensor and its control block from the frame memory, while the image signal processor and application processor, which perform image processing, are connected to the frame memory, reducing the total number of memories and improving image quality by optimizing memory usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image sensor is connected to a separate memory, then the image sensor can store raw data independently, but the total number of memory components increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the memory function into a single shared memory component that serves both the image sensor and the image processing unit. This eliminates the need for separate memory connections for each component, reducing the total number of memory components while maintaining independent data storage capability through logical separation of data flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared memory component performs multiple functions: storing raw image data from the image sensor, storing processed image data from the image processing unit, and managing data transfer between these components. This multi-functional memory reduces system complexity while maintaining the reliability of independent data storage through proper memory management.
2Reliability
If multiple separate memories are used for image sensor and processor, then each component has dedicated storage, but image quality deteriorates due to increased complexity and noise
Solution Approach 1:
By combining memory resources into a single shared memory, the patent reduces the overall system complexity and the associated noise from multiple memory interfaces. This improvement in signal-to-noise ratio directly benefits image quality while the memory management system ensures dedicated storage functionality through logical separation of data regions.
3Productivity
If the image sensor and control block are separated from frame memory, then memory usage is optimized, but the connection structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the memory function into a shared resource that both the image sensor/control block and the image processing unit can access. This single shared memory connection simplifies the overall connection structure compared to multiple separate memory connections, while still allowing optimized memory usage through coordinated access management.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces the number of memory components while maintaining or improving image quality by allowing the processor chip to handle image processing and storage, allowing for efficient parameter tuning and reduced noise, focus, and exposure control.
Implementation Method 1
The image sensor receives an optical signal from a lens unit and converts the optical signal into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A camera unit includes an image sensor, an image signal processor, an application processor and a frame memory. The image sensor receives an optical signal from a lens unit and converts it into an electrical signal. The image signal processor converts the electrical signal into an image signal, and includes a first sub block controlling the image sensor and the lens unit and a second sub block receiving and processing the image signal from the first sub block. The application processor receives the image signal from the second sub block and further processes the image signal. The frame memory is connected to the second sub block and the application processor to store the processed image signal. The image sensor and the first sub block constitute a first chip not connected to the frame memory, and the second sub block and the application processor constitute a second chip connected to the frame memory.