Wearable Camera System Dedicated Hardware Feature Matching

Solution Overview

Problem

Current multimedia information systems, such as smartphones and head-mounted displays, face challenges in providing efficient battery performance due to high power consumption from image processing algorithms, limiting their usage in applications like augmented reality and indoor navigation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that optimize visual computing tasks by implementing dedicated hardware for matching image features with reference features, allowing for reduced processing and power requirements, enabling longer battery life and improved reaction times while maintaining sophisticated detection capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If image processing algorithms are run on the application processor or GPU to enable ubiquitous information systems, then object detection and augmented reality capabilities are improved, but battery power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject detection capabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the application processor/GPU-based image processing with a dedicated hardware block that performs feature extraction and matching operations in hardware. This substitution of mechanical/software processing with dedicated hardware circuitry enables the system to maintain sophisticated object detection and augmented reality capabilities while dramatically reducing power consumption, as the hardware block can operate at lower power levels compared to general-purpose processors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the image processing functionality by extracting specific feature detection and matching operations from the main application processor and implementing them as a separate, dedicated hardware block. This segmentation allows the system to offload power-intensive processing tasks to a specialized component that can perform the same function with reduced energy consumption, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining detection reliability and reducing power usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the system operates in high power mode to provide fast information processing and object recognition, then detection speed and accuracy are improved, but battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation processing speedVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the application processor/GPU-based image processing with a dedicated hardware block that performs feature extraction and matching operations in hardware. This substitution of mechanical/software processing with dedicated hardware circuitry enables the system to maintain sophisticated object detection and augmented reality capabilities while dramatically reducing power consumption, as the hardware block can operate at lower power levels compared to general-purpose processors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a hybrid operation mode where the system alternates between using the dedicated hardware block for basic feature matching and activating the full application processor/GPU only when complex processing is required. This periodic switching between low-power and high-power modes allows the system to maintain fast response times for common operations while extending battery life during extended usage periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the system continuously monitors the environment for objects of interest, then user information needs are met, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation availabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the application processor/GPU-based image processing with a dedicated hardware block that performs feature extraction and matching operations in hardware. This substitution of mechanical/software processing with dedicated hardware circuitry enables the system to maintain sophisticated object detection and augmented reality capabilities while dramatically reducing power consumption, as the hardware block can operate at lower power levels compared to general-purpose processors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9560273B2Wearable information system having at least one camera

Publication Date: 2017.01.31 APPLE INC

AI summary

The invention is related to a wearable information system having at least one camera, the information system operable to have a low-power mode and a high power mode. The information system is configured such that the high-power mode is activated by a detection of at least one object in at least one field of view of the at least one camera.