Mechanisms for Conserving Power in a Compressive Imaging System

Abstract

A system and method for conserving power in compressive imaging. An optical subsystem separates an incident light stream into a primary light stream and a secondary light stream. The primary light stream is modulated with a sequence of spatial patterns by a light modulator. The modulated light stream is sensed by a first light sensing device. The secondary light stream is sensed by a second light sensing device. The signal(s) produced by the second light sensing device may be monitored to determine when to turn on power to the light modulator. Thus, the light modulator may remain off when not needed. In an alternative implementation, a light sensing device is used to sense the light reflected from the light modulator in its power-off state. The signal(s) produced by that light sensing device may be monitored to determine when to turn on power to the light modulator.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 502,153, filed on Jun. 28, 2011, entitled “Various Compressive Sensing Mechanisms”, invented by Tidman, Weston, Bridge, McMackin, Chatterjee, Woods, Baraniuk and Kelly, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully and completely set forth herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the field of compressive imaging, and more particularly, to mechanisms for conserving power in a compressive imaging system.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0003]According to Nyquist theory, a signal x(t) whose signal energy is supported on the frequency interval [−B,B] may be reconstructed from samples {x(nT)} of the signal x(t), provided the rate fS=1 / TS at which the samples are captured is sufficiently high, i.e., provided that fS is greater than 2B. Similarly, for a signal whose signal energy is supported on the frequency interval [A,B]...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]In some embodiments, a system may include an optical subsystem, a light modulation unit, a first light sensing device, a second light sensing device and a control unit.

Problems solved by technology

A fundamental problem with any attempt to capture a signal x(t) according to Nyquist theory is the large number of samples that are generated, especially when B (or B−A) is large.

The same problem of overwhelming data volume is experienced when attempting to capture an image according to Nyquist theory.

However, when one or more of these devices is turned off, the above-described CS device is effectively blind, unable to detect when an object of interest appears in the field of view, and thus, when to turn itself on.

Images