USB Video Class Extension for Imaging Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) Video Class specification lacks advanced controls and standardized formats for imaging devices, limiting the functionality and user experience in processing image data.
Innovation Solution
The extension of the USB Video Class specification introduces new controls such as lock mode and asynchronous functionality, along with the capability to carry well-defined frame-metadata in a standard format, enabling advanced controls like focus, exposure, white balance, and metadata management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the USB Video Class specification uses basic controls only, then device compatibility is maintained, but functionality and user experience are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into two distinct layers: a standardized base layer that maintains USB Video Class compatibility, and an extended layer that introduces advanced controls. This segmentation allows the system to provide enhanced functionality through optional extension units without disrupting the fundamental compatibility of the USB Video Class specification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces extension units as intermediary components that bridge the gap between basic USB Video Class functionality and advanced control requirements. These extension units act as mediators, allowing applications to access advanced controls through a standardized interface while maintaining compatibility with existing USB Video Class devices.
2Ease of operation
If advanced controls are added to USB Video Class, then user experience improves, but specification complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing extension units that can be optionally added to USB Video Class devices. This multi-functionality approach allows a single device to operate in both basic mode (maintaining simple specification compliance) and advanced mode (providing enhanced user experience), depending on whether extension units are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities through asynchronous controls and lock mode, allowing the device to adapt its behavior based on application requirements. The system can dynamically switch between different control modes and states, providing flexibility without permanently increasing specification complexity.
3Productivity
If standardized metadata format is implemented, then data processing efficiency improves, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a standardized metadata format structure in advance, with predefined fields and organization. This pre-structured format allows applications to efficiently process metadata without requiring complex parsing logic, as the data is already organized in an application-friendly format before being transmitted.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for enabling controls of an imaging device may include receiving a data stream with a request for at least one control of an imaging device, wherein the at least one control is related to Universal Serial Bus (USB) video. The methods and devices may include identifying a defined functionality of the at least one control and transmitting the data stream to the imaging device to specify the operation of the imaging device based on the defined functionality of the at least one control. The methods and devices may also include generating metadata information from received video frame packets from an imaging device. The methods and devices may include identifying metadata information in the header of a video packet when the header size exceeds the standard header size. The methods and devices may include generating a metadata buffer with the identified metadata information.