Shared Camera Access Through Consumer-Provider Instance Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Android systems, a camera can only be used by one application at a time, limiting the ability of multiple applications to share the camera and resulting in a poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where multiple applications can share a camera by creating image consumer and provider instances, allowing multiple applications to associate with the same camera and process image data according to their specific parameter sets, reducing redundant processing and improving user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one camera is used by only one application at a time, then the camera resource is exclusively allocated to a single application, but multiple applications cannot share the camera resulting in poor user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the camera resource management by introducing intermediate management entities (camera manager, image consumer instances, image provider instances) that divide and control access to the camera resource. Multiple applications are segmented into separate consumer instances that can independently request and receive camera data through controlled channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components including a camera manager and instance management mechanisms that mediate between multiple applications and the single camera resource. These intermediaries coordinate access, manage data flow, and enable multiple applications to share the camera without direct conflict.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple applications request the same camera with different image parameter sets, then each application needs independent image processing, but this increases processing overhead and system resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the image processing function into a centralized image provider instance that serves multiple consumer instances. Instead of each application having its own processing chain, the image provider consolidates processing operations and distributes processed image data to multiple applications according to their specific parameter requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The image provider instance is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple consumer instances with different image parameter sets. It can process images according to various parameter requirements (resolution, format, etc.) and serve multiple applications through a single multi-functional processing unit, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment a method for sharing a camera includes separately performing, by an electronic device, in response to an image obtaining request sent by a first application and an image obtaining request sent by a second application, the following operations: creating a first image consumer instance corresponding to the first application and creating a second image consumer instance corresponding to the second application, obtaining a corresponding first image provider instance based on the first camera and the first image parameter set that are requested by the image obtaining requests sent by the first application and the second application and establishing an association between the first image consumer instance and the first image provider instance and an association between the second image consumer instance and the first image provider instance.