Shared Optical Sensor Arbiter for Mobile Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image capturing systems face high power consumption and increased costs due to the need for multiple optical sensors to support high-resolution imaging and advanced features, which also complicates the form factor and design of mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A system-on-a-chip (SoC) architecture that allows a single optical sensor to be shared between multiple image processors, using a control arbiter to determine and configure the sensor settings based on requests from both primary and secondary image processors, thereby optimizing power usage and reducing material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical sensors are used to support high-resolution imaging and advanced features, then image capturing capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a shared optical sensor architecture where a single optical sensor serves multiple image processors (primary and secondary). The control arbiter enables the sensor to be dynamically allocated between different processors based on system needs, allowing one sensor to perform multiple functions that previously required separate sensors. This reduces the total number of sensors while maintaining high-definition image capturing capabilities across different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple image processing paths into a shared sensor infrastructure. Instead of having separate optical sensors for different image processing functions, the system merges the sensor resource and uses a control arbiter to manage access from multiple image processors. This consolidation reduces material costs and power consumption while maintaining the functionality of multiple processing paths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical sensors are used to support high-resolution imaging and advanced features, then image capturing capability is improved, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a shared optical sensor architecture where a single optical sensor serves multiple image processors (primary and secondary). The control arbiter enables the sensor to be dynamically allocated between different processors based on system needs, allowing one sensor to perform multiple functions that previously required separate sensors. This reduces the total number of sensors while maintaining high-definition image capturing capabilities across different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple image processing paths into a shared sensor infrastructure. Instead of having separate optical sensors for different image processing functions, the system merges the sensor resource and uses a control arbiter to manage access from multiple image processors. This consolidation reduces material costs and power consumption while maintaining the functionality of multiple processing paths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical sensors are used to support high-resolution imaging and advanced features, then image capturing capability is improved, but form factor is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a shared optical sensor architecture where a single optical sensor serves multiple image processors (primary and secondary). The control arbiter enables the sensor to be dynamically allocated between different processors based on system needs, allowing one sensor to perform multiple functions that previously required separate sensors. This reduces the total number of sensors while maintaining high-definition image capturing capabilities across different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple image processing paths into a shared sensor infrastructure. Instead of having separate optical sensors for different image processing functions, the system merges the sensor resource and uses a control arbiter to manage access from multiple image processors. This consolidation reduces material costs and power consumption while maintaining the functionality of multiple processing paths.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical sensors are used to support high-resolution imaging and advanced features, then image capturing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control arbiter as an intermediary component that manages access between multiple image processors and a shared optical sensor. This arbiter handles configuration requests, determines actual sensor configurations based on competing demands, and coordinates data flow. By centralizing control logic in the arbiter, the system avoids the complexity of having multiple independent sensor interfaces while maintaining the ability to serve multiple processing paths.
Data Source
AI summary
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a method for sharing a single optical sensor between multiple image processors. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, at a control arbiter, a first desired configuration of a first one or more desired configurations for capturing an image frame by the optical sensor, the first one or more desired configurations communicated from a primary image processor. The method may also include receiving, at the control arbiter, a second desired configuration of a second one or more desired configurations for capturing the image frame by the optical sensor, the second one or more desired configurations communicated from a secondary image processor. The method may also include determining, by the control arbiter, an actual configuration for capturing the image frame by the optical sensor, the actual configuration based on the first desired configuration and the second desired configuration.