Dynamic Line Buffer Allocation for Multi-Sensor ISP
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of separate memory units with line buffers for each image sensor in multi-image sensor systems increases cost and complexity, and complicates the integration of image data from these sensors.
Innovation Solution
An image signal processor (ISP) allocates blocks within a single line buffer to multiple contexts, allowing each context to store and process its image data independently, thereby eliminating the need for separate memory units and enabling flexible allocation of block sizes based on image data characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate memory units with line buffers are used for each image sensor, then each image sensor can store and process image data independently, but hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate line buffers into a single shared line buffer that serves multiple image sensors. The memory controller dynamically allocates memory regions within this shared buffer to different image sensors as needed, eliminating the need for separate memory units while maintaining independent processing capabilities for each sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared line buffer is designed to serve multiple image sensors simultaneously, making a single memory unit universal for handling image data from different sensors. The memory controller manages this universal resource by allocating appropriate memory regions to each sensor based on their specific requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate memory units with line buffers are used for each image sensor, then image sensors can be added on a modular basis, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic memory allocation where the memory controller can flexibly assign and reassign memory regions within the shared line buffer based on the number and requirements of active image sensors. This dynamic management allows modular addition of sensors without requiring pre-configured separate memory units for each potential sensor.
3Reliability
If separate memory units are used for different image sensors, then each sensor has dedicated storage, but memory efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Within the shared line buffer, specific memory regions are allocated to individual image sensors based on their specific requirements. This local quality approach ensures that each sensor has dedicated storage space when needed, while the overall system benefits from the efficiency of shared memory resources.
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises an image signal processor (ISP). The ISP is a discrete hardware unit and includes a line buffer, a memory controller, and one or more image processors. The memory controller is configured to allocate blocks within the line buffer to a plurality of contexts, and for each of the contexts: receive one or more lines of image data associated with a respective context and store the one or more lines of the image data associated with the context in a respective block allocated to the respective context. The one or more image processors of the ISP are configured to, for each respective context of the plurality of contexts, process the one or more lines of the image data associated with the respective context that are stored in the line buffer.