Peripheral Alert Pixel Layout for Low-Power High-Resolution Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The continuous activation of multiple sensors in image sensing devices, such as those in mobile phones and cameras, leads to significant power consumption, hindering their usability in portable devices.
Innovation Solution
An image sensing device with an alert sensor and a pixel array, where the alert sensor is initially activated to detect light changes, turning on the image sensor only when predetermined conditions are met, and then turning off the alert sensor, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are continuously activated for object detection, then object detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into two functional groups: alert pixels (peripheral sensors) and image pixels (central sensors). The alert pixels are continuously activated to monitor for object presence, while the image pixels remain inactive until triggered. This segmentation allows the system to maintain object detection capability through the alert pixels while avoiding the high power consumption of continuously active image pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensor operates in a periodic manner rather than continuously. It remains in a low-power state and is activated only periodically when the alert sensor detects an object meeting predetermined conditions. This periodic activation significantly reduces overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to detect and capture objects when needed.
2Measurement precision
If the image sensor is continuously activated to capture high-resolution images, then image quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alert sensor performs preliminary detection to identify objects of interest before activating the image sensor. By pre-screening the environment and only triggering the high-resolution image sensor when an object meeting predetermined conditions is detected, the system maintains image quality capability while avoiding unnecessary activation and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The alert sensor acts as an intermediary between the environment and the image sensor. It monitors for objects and translates environmental conditions into trigger signals that activate the image sensor only when necessary. This intermediary role allows the system to maintain high-resolution imaging capability while reducing power consumption by filtering out unnecessary activations.
3Speed
If the alert sensor is kept on to detect light changes, then object detection responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by activating only the alert pixels (a subset of the total sensor array) continuously rather than all sensors. This partial activation provides sufficient detection responsiveness for triggering the image sensor while consuming significantly less power than full-array continuous operation would require.
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 minimizes power consumption while maintaining high-resolution image detection by activating the image sensor only when necessary, thus conserving energy and ensuring effective object detection.
Implementation Method 1
The alert sensor includes a plurality of alert pixels and is used to sense light changes corresponding to the plurality of alert pixels
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensing device includes an alert sensor and an image sensor. The alert sensor includes a plurality of alert pixels for sensing light changes corresponding to the plurality of alert pixels. The image sensor includes a pixel array for capturing an image. The alert sensor is initially turned on and the image sensor is initially turned off. When the light changes meet a predetermined condition, the alert sensor turns on the image sensor to capture the image and then the alert sensor is turned off accordingly. The plurality of alert pixels are arranged around a periphery of the pixel array. There is a distance between each alert pixel and the pixel array, and the alert pixels and the pixel array are formed on the same substrate.