Shared Image Processing Paths for Multi-Sensor Latency and Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image capture devices generate large amounts of data, leading to latency and increased power consumption, which is undesirable in battery-powered implementations and extended reality applications.
Innovation Solution
Implement a multiplexer to dynamically reassign image processing paths between multiple image sensors based on resource availability, allowing idle sensors to share resources with active sensors, thereby reducing power consumption without increasing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image capture devices process and buffer all generated data, then data processing completeness is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary autofocus data from the full image data stream, separating it from the complete image processing pipeline. This allows autofocus processing to occur independently and rapidly without waiting for full image processing, thereby reducing latency while maintaining data processing completeness for the extracted subset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the image data processing into distinct functional components: full image processing for completeness and extracted autofocus data processing for speed. This segmentation enables parallel processing paths where critical autofocus information can be processed independently from the complete image data stream.
2Loss of time
If image capture devices increase power consumption to reduce latency, then processing speed is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by processing only the essential autofocus data subset rather than the complete image data stream. This selective processing reduces the computational load and power consumption required to achieve low latency autofocus performance, avoiding the need for full-system turbo mode operation.
3Productivity
If multiple image sensors operate simultaneously with dedicated processing paths, then processing capability is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling image processing paths to serve multiple purposes: dedicated processing when sensors are active and shared processing when sensors are idle. The processing path can handle both its primary sensor's data and borrowed sensors' data, optimizing resource utilization while maintaining processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation where processing paths can be reassigned based on real-time sensor activity status. When a sensor is idle, its processing path dynamically becomes available to handle data from active sensors, creating a flexible and adaptive resource utilization system that responds to changing operational conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a first image processing path associated with a first image sensor and a second image processing path associated with a second image sensor. The apparatus further includes a multiplexer (MUX). The MUX is configured to provide data from the first image sensor to the second image processing path in accordance with a resource availability parameter associated with the second image processing path satisfying a resource availability condition.