Adaptive Power Management for Imaging Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state imaging systems face excessive electrical power consumption during active reading modes, leading to rapid battery drain and overheating, with existing power-saving methods being inflexible and annoying due to constant blinking or prolonged inactivity-based shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive power management system that includes a power reducer, such as a manually actuated switch, timer, or real-time clock, to dynamically adjust the power usage of the illuminator and controller based on system activity, transitioning between active, idle, and sleep modes with variable frequencies and time-dependent settings to conserve power without unnecessary flashing or prolonged inactivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the microprocessor runs at full clock speed and the illumination light source runs at full power during active reading mode, then the system achieves high reading speed and accuracy, but excessive electrical power is consumed leading to rapid battery drain and overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by transitioning the system between active reading mode and idle mode based on detected activity. The microprocessor dynamically adjusts its operation - running at full speed during active reading and reducing power consumption during idle periods. The illumination light source similarly transitions between full power and reduced power states, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high reading performance and reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic activity detection and mode switching. A timer periodically checks for activity, and the system alternates between active and idle modes based on detected usage patterns. This periodic action allows the system to achieve high productivity during active periods while minimizing power consumption during idle periods, effectively resolving the energy-productivity contradiction.
2Duration of action of moving object
If existing power-saving methods are used to reduce power consumption, then battery life is extended, but the system becomes annoying due to constant blinking or prolonged inactivity-based shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback-based power management where the system continuously monitors activity detection signals and adjusts its power state accordingly. The timer monitors for activity, and based on this feedback, the system intelligently transitions between modes. This feedback mechanism allows the system to extend battery life while avoiding arbitrary shutdowns, as the power state changes are directly responsive to actual system usage rather than fixed timers, thereby maintaining good user experience.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If the system is powered down after a fixed time period of inactivity to conserve power, then energy consumption is reduced, but the system cannot respond quickly to new reading requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action through activity detection and predictive mode switching. The timer continuously monitors for activity before actually transitioning to idle mode, allowing the system to be ready to respond quickly when activity is detected. The system prepares for potential reading requests by maintaining a monitoring state that can rapidly transition to active reading mode, thus minimizing both energy consumption and response time loss.
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
The adaptive power management system significantly reduces electrical power consumption by tailoring power usage to actual system activity, extending battery life and preventing overheating while minimizing annoying light flashes, thus improving operational efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The illumination light source typically comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs)
Implementation Method 2
A solid-state, energizable imager is also supported by the housing and has an array of image sensors for capturing return light from the illuminated target
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging system for, and a method of, electro-optically reading targets, utilize an energizable illuminator for illuminating an illuminated target with illumination light, a solid-state, energizable imager having an array of image sensors for capturing return light from the illuminated target over a field of view, and for generating electrical signals indicative of the captured return light, and a controller for energizing the illuminator and the imager to process the electrical signals into data indicative of the illuminated target. A power reducer is operatively connected to the controller, for adaptively reducing electrical power consumption of the illuminator and/or the controller based on system usage.