Single-Sensor Arbitration for Concurrent App Access on Mobile Robots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional approaches require multiple cameras with different parameters for various applications on an autonomous mobile device (AMD), increasing complexity and cost, and necessitate additional processing to align their outputs.

Innovation Solution

A sensor arbitrator module allows a single sensor to provide concurrent access to multiple applications with different parameters, arbitrating requests to ensure compatible and prioritized data distribution while maintaining usable sensor data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cameras with different parameters are used for various applications, then each application can access sensor data with its required parameters, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter compatibilityVSAvoidsensor quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a sensor arbitrator module that enables a single physical sensor to serve multiple applications with different parameter requirements. The arbitrator intercepts sensor access requests from multiple applications, arbitrates between their competing parameter needs, and configures the single sensor to provide data streams that satisfy multiple applications' requirements simultaneously, thereby eliminating the need for multiple dedicated sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor arbitrator module acts as an intermediary between applications and the physical sensor. It receives access requests from multiple applications, manages the sensor configuration dynamically, and provides each application with the appropriate data stream. This intermediary layer resolves parameter conflicts without requiring multiple physical sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining parameter compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cameras with different parameters are used, then each application gets its required data format, but additional processing is needed to align their outputs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata format flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor arbitrator performs preliminary configuration of the sensor based on aggregated requirements from multiple applications before data acquisition begins. By pre-configuring the sensor with appropriate parameters that satisfy multiple applications' needs, the system eliminates the need for post-acquisition processing and alignment operations, reducing processing complexity while maintaining data format flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single sensor is shared among multiple applications, then complexity and cost are reduced, but arbitration of concurrent access is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor quantityVSAvoidaccess management

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor arbitrator module serves as an intermediary that automatically manages concurrent access to the shared sensor. It receives access requests from multiple applications, arbitrates between their parameter requirements, configures the sensor appropriately, and provides each application with its required data stream. This automated arbitration process reduces the operational burden on applications while maintaining ease of access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If multiple sensors are used for different applications, then each application has dedicated access, but cost and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple dedicated sensors into a single shared sensor accessed by multiple applications through the sensor arbitrator. By consolidating sensor resources, the system reduces power consumption while maintaining reliable access for each application through the arbitrator's intelligent resource management and parameter configuration capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12073617B1System for arbitration of concurrent application access to single sensor

Publication Date: 2024.08.27 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

A device, such as an autonomous mobile device (AMD), includes sensors such as a camera. Multiple applications executing on the device may concurrently use sensor data from a single shared sensor. For example, a first application may use image data to localize the AMD while a second application uses the image data to recognize users. The first application and the second application may have different parameters for operation of the sensor or resulting sensor data, such as different image resolutions and frame rates. An arbitrator system manages these different parameters, and may also provide sensor data to the respective application that is consistent with the application's parameters. For example, different resolutions of image data may be provided to different applications based on their parameters.