Staggered Sensor Read Timing for Merged Image Memory Optimization

Solution Overview

Problem

The increased hardware and expenses associated with using temporary memory or processing circuits to handle data from multiple imaging sensors in electronic devices, particularly in mobile devices, lead to inefficiencies and higher costs.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a processor that outputs read control signals to multiple imaging sensors at staggered times, allowing data to be stored in temporary memory and then output at a faster rate than the sensors can read it, enabling the merging of data to form a single image.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data from multiple imaging sensors is stored and processed using temporary memory or processing circuits, then image composition capability is improved, but hardware complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage composition capabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges data from multiple imaging sensors into a single composite image by sequentially reading data from first and second imaging sensors and combining them in temporary memory, eliminating the need for separate processing circuits for each sensor and reducing hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The temporary memory unit serves multiple functions: storing data from the first imaging sensor, storing data from the second imaging sensor, and merging these data to generate a composite image, replacing what would otherwise require multiple dedicated processing circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If data from multiple imaging sensors is stored and processed using temporary memory or processing circuits, then image composition capability is improved, but expenses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage composition capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges data from multiple imaging sensors into a single composite image by sequentially reading data from first and second imaging sensors and combining them in temporary memory, eliminating the need for separate processing circuits for each sensor and reducing hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The temporary memory unit serves multiple functions: storing data from the first imaging sensor, storing data from the second imaging sensor, and merging these data to generate a composite image, replacing what would otherwise require multiple dedicated processing circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If data is read from multiple imaging sensors simultaneously, then data processing speed is improved, but temporary memory capacity requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing speedVSAvoidtemporary memory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by sequentially reading data from the first imaging sensor and then from the second imaging sensor at different time points, rather than simultaneously, which allows the temporary memory to handle smaller data batches at each interval, reducing the required memory capacity while maintaining overall processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10250842B2Electronic device and method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device is provided, the electronic device is capable of optimizing and/or improving temporary memory capacity and efficiently configuring hardware by adjusting reading timings of data read from a plurality of imaging sensors.