Distributed ISP Offloading for Head-Mounted Battery Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head-mounted displays (HMDs) face battery life challenges due to heavy processing operations, particularly in image signal processing, limiting their extended use.
Innovation Solution
A distributed image signal processor (ISP) system is implemented, where a head-mounted device offloads ISP operations to a companion computing device, utilizing both devices' resources to reduce battery load and extend operation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If image signal processing operations are performed on the head-mounted device, then image processing capability is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The image signal processing pipeline is divided into multiple stages, with the first ISP pipeline executing on the head-mounted device and the second ISP pipeline executing on a remote computing device. This segmentation allows the heavy processing operations to be distributed across two devices, reducing the processing burden and power consumption on the head-mounted device while maintaining overall image processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication interface acts as an intermediary between the head-mounted device and the remote computing device, enabling the transfer of image data and processing results. This intermediary allows the distributed ISP system to coordinate operations efficiently, with the head-mounted device offloading computational tasks to the remote device while receiving processed output back.
2Productivity
If image signal processing operations are performed on the head-mounted device, then image processing capability is improved, but power consumption is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The ISP operations are segmented into two distinct pipelines executed on different devices. The first ISP pipeline on the head-mounted device handles initial processing, while the second ISP pipeline on the remote computing device completes the processing. This segmentation significantly reduces the total power consumption on the head-mounted device by offloading energy-intensive operations to the remote device.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication interface serves as an intermediary that manages data transfer between devices with minimal power overhead. By using this intermediary for coordinating distributed processing tasks, the system achieves reduced power consumption on the head-mounted device while maintaining image processing capability through the remote computing device's resources.
3Duration of action of moving object
If ISP operations are offloaded to a computing device, then battery life is extended, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The head-mounted device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the display device and as a computing node that can execute ISP operations locally or offload them to a remote device. This universal design allows the same hardware to function in different modes (local processing or distributed processing) without requiring separate dedicated systems, thereby extending battery life while managing complexity through software-based flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication interface acts as an intermediary that simplifies the complexity of distributed processing by providing a standardized interface for task offloading and result retrieval. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of remote device communication and coordination, allowing the head-mounted device to extend battery life through offloading while managing system complexity through a unified communication protocol.
Data Source
AI summary
Distributed image signal processing (ISP) reduces the power load on the battery of a head-mounted device. The distribution of image signal processing may be determined based on a power level of a battery of the head-mounted device or a status of an operating application of the head-mounted device.