Hardware Pipeline Media Player Power Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional media players on electronic devices are power inefficient due to unnecessary allocation of system resources and failure to leverage hardware power consumption features, as they rely on multiple software layers and lack direct access to hardware circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A standalone media player with direct access to hardware processes media content using a dedicated hardware pipeline, reducing power consumption by minimizing software involvement and optimizing resource allocation based on content type, and selecting the lowest necessary power mode for processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional media players use multiple software layers and CPU/GPU processing, then media content can be processed, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the media processing function from the conventional software-based CPU/GPU pipeline and implements it as a dedicated hardware pipeline. This hardware pipeline is extracted directly from the device's hardware resources, eliminating the need for software layers and CPU intervention in the actual media processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the software-based processing mechanism (CPU executing instructions through software modules) with a hardware-based processing mechanism. The hardware pipeline directly processes media content using dedicated hardware circuits, substituting the mechanical/software processing approach with a more efficient hardware-level approach.
2Productivity
If software modules allocate memory caches and system resources, then media processing can occur, but unnecessary resource allocation wastes power
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware pipeline performs self-service by directly accessing hardware resources without requiring software module intervention. The pipeline autonomously manages its own resource allocation based on the specific media content type, eliminating the need for generic software-based resource allocation that wastes power on unused memory caches and system resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allocating hardware resources specifically tailored to the type of media content being processed. Instead of generic resource allocation, the hardware pipeline configures dedicated resources according to the specific media format and processing requirements, ensuring only necessary resources are activated and used.
3Ease of operation
If third party vendors provide media players through software layers, then media playback is achieved, but hardware power consumption features cannot be leveraged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media processing function from the conventional software layer and implements it as a standalone hardware pipeline. This segmentation allows the hardware power consumption features to be directly accessed and leveraged by the media processing function, independent of third-party software vendors' implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardware pipeline acts as an intermediary between the media content and the hardware resources. It directly interfaces with the device's hardware power consumption features, serving as a mediator that enables efficient hardware utilization without requiring software layer intervention or vendor-specific software implementations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional operating systems execute media players, then media processing can be performed, but power consumption features are not provided or accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic approach where the hardware pipeline can operate independently of the conventional operating system. The pipeline dynamically accesses hardware power consumption features directly, regardless of which operating system is executing, thereby maintaining adaptability while enabling power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power consumption feature access from the operating system layer and implements it directly at the hardware pipeline level. This extraction allows the media processing function to access and utilize power consumption features independently of the operating system, maintaining versatility across different OS environments while achieving power efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and a computer program product for processing media content on a media player having direct access to hardware are provided in exemplary embodiments. When the media player is initialized, an operating system is placed into a stand-by mode that decreases power consumption on an electronic device. Instead of the operating system, a hardware pipeline processes media content. A hardware pipeline is dedicated to process a media content based on the media content type. The media content is processed using the dedicated hardware pipeline to reduce the power consumption during processing.