Virtual Camera Access for Multi-Process AR Data Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current augmented reality (AR) devices can only allow one process to use a single camera, limiting the simultaneous use of the camera for multiple processes such as gesture control and barcode scanning.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allows multiple processes to access the same camera by buffering the image stream when the camera is not in use and creating a virtual camera support component when it is already in use, enabling independent access through system and virtual camera support components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a camera is allocated to a single process, then camera data access is simple and reliable, but multiple camera-based tasks cannot execute simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the camera resource access by creating multiple virtual camera support components (e.g., first virtual camera support component, second virtual camera support component) that each serve different processes. This allows the physical camera to be logically divided into multiple virtual channels, enabling simultaneous access by gesture control process, barcode scanning process, and other camera-based tasks without direct conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual camera support components as intermediary layers between the physical camera and multiple processes. These virtual components act as mediators that manage and distribute camera data streams to different applications, thereby enabling multi-process access while maintaining systematic control and avoiding direct resource conflicts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple processes access the same camera, then task diversity increases, but resource conflict and data management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of the camera support component for each accessing process. Instead of having multiple processes directly access the single physical camera, the system generates virtual camera support components that replicate the camera's data stream capabilities. Each virtual component provides an independent access interface, allowing multiple processes to simultaneously obtain camera data without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the camera system universal by enabling it to serve multiple functions and multiple processes simultaneously. The virtual camera support components are designed to be universally accessible by different types of applications (gesture control, barcode scanning, object tracking, etc.), allowing the single physical camera to fulfill multiple roles through its virtualized interfaces.
3Speed
If camera data is cached for virtual components, then access speed improves, but memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial caching by selectively caching camera data streams in the virtual camera support components based on access patterns and process requirements. Rather than caching all possible data indefinitely, the system caches data partially and temporarily in the virtual components, providing fast access for active processes while allowing the cached data to be cleared or overwritten when no longer needed, thus balancing speed improvement with memory conservation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for obtaining camera data includes: receiving a camera access request and designating a camera requested to be accessed as a target camera; in response to that the target camera is not in use when receiving the camera access request, operating a system camera support component, obtaining image stream captured by the target camera through the system camera support component, caching the image stream to a preset address, and obtaining the camera data of the target camera from the preset address; or in response to that the target camera is already in use when receiving the camera access request, creating a virtual camera support component, copying the preset address as a first access interface into the virtual camera support component, operating the virtual camera support component, and obtaining the camera data of the target camera through the first access interface.