Shared Memory Video Processing for Multi-Application Camera Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing apparatuses face inefficiencies when multiple applications use a camera simultaneously, leading to increased processing loads due to exclusive access and lack of optimized frame rate management.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a video acquisition unit, a shared memory, and a video processing unit that acquires and transmits imaging data at optimized time intervals based on application requirements, system conditions, and predefined thresholds, allowing multiple applications to share camera resources efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications share a camera using an extended function, then camera accessibility is improved, but processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera accessibilityVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic frame rate adjustment where the frame rate for each application is changed based on real-time system conditions (CPU utilization, battery capacity, network quality). This allows the system to optimize processing load by reducing frame rates when system resources are constrained while maintaining high frame rates when resources are abundant, thus resolving the contradiction between camera accessibility and processing load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of frame rate dynamically based on system conditions. By adjusting this key parameter according to CPU utilization, battery capacity, and network quality, the system can accommodate multiple applications sharing the camera while controlling the processing load to match available system resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If frame rate is increased for an application, then processing speed is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the frame rate based on battery capacity and system conditions. When battery capacity is sufficient, higher frame rates are maintained for better processing speed. When battery capacity decreases, the frame rate is reduced to conserve energy, thus resolving the contradiction between processing speed and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The frame rate parameter is changed based on battery capacity thresholds and system conditions, allowing the system to optimize the balance between processing speed and energy consumption by adjusting this critical parameter according to available energy resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If frame rate is increased to match application requirements, then application performance is improved, but system resource utilization increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication performanceVSAvoidsystem resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic frame rate adjustment based on CPU utilization and system conditions. The frame rate is increased to meet application performance requirements when CPU resources are available, and reduced when system resources are constrained, thus resolving the contradiction between application performance and system resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback from system condition monitoring (CPU utilization, battery capacity, network quality) to adjust frame rates. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize application performance while adapting to available system resources, resolving the contradiction by continuously adjusting operations based on real-time system state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4044583A1Information processing apparatus and control method
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
  • EP4044583A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4044583A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4044583A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

To achieve more efficient processing when a plurality of applications use a camera, an information processing apparatus includes: a video acquisition unit configured to acquire imaging data from an imaging unit in response to processing of a first application; a first video processing unit configured to store the imaging data acquired by the video acquisition unit in a shared memory so as to be usable by processing of a second application other than the first application; and a second video processing unit configured to acquire the imaging data from the shared memory at a time interval corresponding to the second application and transmit the imaging data to the second application.