ISP Unified Sensor Control for Multi-Sensor CPU Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration and control of multiple image sensors in electronic devices, particularly in automotive applications, pose significant challenges due to high CPU loading, increased power consumption, heat generation, and performance bottlenecks, which are exacerbated by the need for more powerful and expensive processors.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize an image signal processor (ISP) to generate and transmit combined sensor settings for multiple image sensors in a single operation, employing a single software flow control and a single sensor driver to manage all sensors, thereby reducing CPU loading and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple image sensors are controlled with individual software flow controls, then each sensor can be managed independently, but CPU loading increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent sensor controlVSAvoidCPU loading

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual software flow controls into a single unified software flow control that manages all image sensors simultaneously. This consolidation reduces CPU loading by eliminating redundant control overhead while maintaining the ability to independently configure and control each sensor through the unified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If multiple image sensors are controlled with individual software flow controls, then each sensor can be managed independently, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent sensor controlVSAvoidPower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual software flow controls into a single unified software flow control that manages all image sensors simultaneously. This consolidation reduces power consumption by eliminating redundant control overhead while maintaining the ability to independently configure and control each sensor through the unified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If multiple image sensors are controlled with individual software flow controls, then each sensor can be managed independently, but heat generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent sensor controlVSAvoidHeat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual software flow controls into a single unified software flow control that manages all image sensors simultaneously. This consolidation reduces heat generation by eliminating redundant control overhead while maintaining the ability to independently configure and control each sensor through the unified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If multiple image sensors are controlled with individual software flow controls, then each sensor can be managed independently, but performance bottlenecks occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent sensor controlVSAvoidReal-time processing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual software flow controls into a single unified software flow control that manages all image sensors simultaneously. This consolidation eliminates performance bottlenecks by reducing CPU scheduling overhead and enabling more efficient real-time processing of sensor data while maintaining independent sensor control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Productivity

If more powerful processors are used to meet computational needs, then processing capability increases, but hardware costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveProcessing capabilityVSAvoidHardware cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the software architecture parameter from multiple individual flow controls to a single unified flow control, which fundamentally alters the computational workload characteristics. This allows standard processors to achieve the same effective processing capability that would otherwise require more powerful and expensive hardware, thereby reducing system costs while maintaining real-time performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250159341A1Method of operating imaging apparatus for loading reduction

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 MEDIATEK INC

AI summary

A method of operating an imaging apparatus includes generating combined sensor settings for a plurality of image sensors by an image signal processor (ISP), and transmitting the combined sensor settings from the ISP in a single operation. The ISP includes a single software flow control for the plurality of image sensors. The method significantly optimizes CPU usage and reduces power consumption in multi-sensor camera systems. By consolidating multiple software and data control flows into a single, unified process, the system achieves a substantial reduction in computational overhead.