Extremum Search Instruction Merging Value and Location Tracking

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining minimum or maximum values in multi-dimensional arrays are resource-intensive, requiring additional storage and multiple steps that incur significant computational overhead and latency.

Innovation Solution

A method that maintains a reference extreme value and its location identifier, updating them during the search process to simultaneously determine the global extremum and its location without additional searches through the array.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the first approach of calculating extreme values row by row is used, then the extreme value can be determined systematically, but additional temporary storage space is required and the operation incurs considerable computational overhead and latency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystematic extreme value determinationVSAvoidtemporary storage space and computational overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the extreme value calculation and location tracking into a single integrated process. Instead of separately calculating extreme values for each row and then searching for the global extremum, the invention maintains location identifiers throughout the calculation process, merging what were previously separate operations into one unified procedure that eliminates the need for additional storage and repeated searches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary tracking of location identifiers during the extreme value calculation process. By maintaining and updating location information as extreme values are calculated row by row, the system prepares the necessary location data in advance, eliminating the need for a subsequent search through the array to find where the global extremum occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the global extremum is determined first and then searched for in the two dimensional array, then the extreme value is identified, but the search requires reading each row and comparing data elements which increases latency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextreme value identificationVSAvoidsearch latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary tracking of location identifiers during the extreme value calculation process. By maintaining and updating location information as extreme values are calculated row by row, the system prepares the necessary location data in advance, eliminating the need for a subsequent search through the array to find where the global extremum occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous tracking of location identifiers throughout the entire extreme value calculation process. Rather than completing the calculation and then performing a separate search operation, the location information is continuously updated and maintained alongside the extreme value calculations, ensuring that location data is always current without requiring additional time for a separate search phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If multiple stages are used to determine extreme values and their locations, then accuracy is maintained, but the number of instructions and computational resources increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextreme value and location accuracyVSAvoidcomputational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the extreme value calculation and location tracking into a single integrated process. Instead of separately calculating extreme values for each row and then searching for the global extremum, the invention maintains location identifiers throughout the calculation process, merging what were previously separate operations into one unified procedure that eliminates the need for additional storage and repeated searches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional process that simultaneously calculates extreme values and tracks their locations. The same computational loop that determines extreme values also updates location identifiers, making the process universal rather than requiring separate specialized operations for value calculation and location finding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2758897B1Fast minimum and maximum searching instruction

Publication Date: 2020.02.12 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

An apparatus, system and method of determining an extremum are disclosed. A reference location identifier and a reference extremum are coupled. An input extremum of an input data set is determined and a corresponding location identifier of the input extremum is also determined. The input extremum is compared with the reference extremum to determine an output extremum and output location identifier, based on the comparison.