Adaptive IR Light Source Control for Depth Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional depth camera devices suffer from inefficient power usage due to fixed IR light source power, leading to unnecessary power consumption, especially in mobile devices, as they irradiate IR light without considering the viewing angle dependent on the use distance, making them difficult to apply in mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a camera and multiple depth sensors that adaptively control power based on depth information, selectively activating or deactivating sensors and adjusting power levels depending on the detected distance and location of the object, optimizing IR light source irradiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed IR light source with fixed coverage is used in a depth camera device, then the device can provide consistent depth measurement capability, but the power consumption increases unnecessarily when the subject is within a closer range than the full coverage requires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the IR light source coverage adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the coverage area of the IR light source based on the detected position of the subject, reducing the coverage area when the subject is within a closer range and maintaining full coverage when the subject is at a farther distance. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to maintain reliable depth measurement capability while reducing power consumption when full coverage is not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the coverage area parameter of the IR light source based on subject distance. The system changes the physical parameter of light source coverage from a fixed state to a variable state that adapts to the subject's position. When the subject is detected within a closer range, the coverage area parameter is reduced, which directly lowers power consumption while maintaining sufficient depth measurement capability for the current scene.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the IR light source coverage is reduced to save power, then power consumption decreases, but the depth measurement capability may be insufficient for subjects at farther distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using the depth camera to detect the subject's position and feeding this information back to the control unit, which then adjusts the IR light source coverage accordingly. The system continuously monitors the subject's location and dynamically modifies the coverage area in response. This feedback mechanism ensures that the coverage is sufficient for the current subject position while minimizing power consumption, resolving the contradiction between power savings and measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a dynamic adjustment mechanism that responds to real-time subject position changes. The IR light source coverage is not statically reduced but dynamically adapted based on the detected subject location. When subjects are at farther distances, the system automatically increases or maintains full coverage to ensure sufficient depth measurement capability, while reducing coverage only when and where subjects are within closer ranges.
3Loss of information
If all depth sensors are activated continuously, then complete depth information can be captured, but the power consumption increases significantly in mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by selectively activating only the necessary depth sensors based on the detected subject position. Instead of continuously activating all depth sensors, the system extracts and activates only the subset of sensors required for the current measurement task. When the subject is within a closer range, fewer sensors are activated, reducing power consumption while maintaining sufficient depth information coverage for the current scene.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sensor activation state changeable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts which depth sensors are active based on real-time subject position detection. This dynamic sensor management allows the device to maintain complete depth information coverage when needed while significantly reducing power consumption when full sensor activation is not required, directly addressing the contradiction in mobile device applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces power consumption by ensuring that only the necessary depth sensors are active at the required power levels, enhancing the efficiency of 3D image photography while minimizing battery drain in mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to acquire an identification signal based on a reflection of the identification signal from an external object
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus of example embodiments are related to photographing using a plurality of sensors in an electronic device. The electronic device includes a plurality of output units comprising output circuitry configured to output an identification signal to an external object, a sensor configured to acquire an identification signal that is a reflection of the identification signal from an external object, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a first state of the external object, based on the reflected identification signal, to designate the plurality of output units as a first subset and a second subset, based at least on the first state of the external object, and to differently control the first subset and the second subset to output the identification signal.