Camera Operating System with Always-On Alerts and Sleep Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered cameras experience delays in image data transmission due to startup times when transitioning from low power mode, and communication systems are often shut down during low power mode, preventing immediate notification of sensed conditions.
Innovation Solution
Implement an 'always on' circuit with a motion detector and low power communications module to continuously monitor conditions, and a sleep circuit that activates intermittently based on signals from the always on circuit, allowing immediate notification and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the camera is shut down or put in low power mode when not in use, then battery power is saved, but delays occur in receiving image data and notifications because the camera must be restarted
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is divided into two separate circuits: an always-on circuit that consumes minimal power to monitor conditions and a sleep circuit that is powered down but can be quickly activated. This segmentation allows the system to save battery power while maintaining the ability to respond immediately to sensed conditions without full startup delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The always-on circuit performs preliminary monitoring of conditions continuously, even when the main camera system is in low power mode. This preliminary detection of conditions (such as motion) allows the system to prepare for immediate activation of the sleep circuit, reducing the effective response time despite the camera being in low power mode.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the communication system is shut down in low power mode, then power consumption is reduced, but the camera cannot send notifications about sensed conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The communication functionality is segmented into two parts: a low-power communication module in the always-on circuit that can send basic notifications about sensed conditions, and a full communication system in the sleep circuit that provides comprehensive data transmission when activated. This allows notifications to be sent with minimal power consumption while maintaining full communication capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The always-on circuit acts as an intermediary between the sleep circuit and the external world. It continuously monitors conditions and can independently communicate sensed information to external devices even when the main camera system is powered down, serving as a mediator that preserves notification capability without requiring full system activation.
3Loss of time
If the camera remains active at all times to avoid startup delays, then immediate image data transmission is possible, but battery power is drained faster requiring more frequent charging
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is divided into always-on and sleep circuits that can operate independently. The always-on circuit maintains minimal functionality with low power consumption, while the sleep circuit provides full functionality when activated by sensed conditions or user requests, optimizing the balance between response time and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system alternates between low-power monitoring mode and full operational mode based on sensed conditions. The always-on circuit periodically checks conditions and activates the sleep circuit only when necessary, creating a periodic operation pattern that reduces overall power consumption while maintaining responsiveness to important events.
Data Source
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AI summary
A camera includes an always on circuit including a motion or other sensor and/or communications module that are always provided with electrical power, and a sleep circuit including an imaging module configured to activate and provide power to components of the sleep circuit only intermittently and based on a signal from the always on circuit. The communications module can send a notification that the motion sensor has detected motion before or during a start up time period when the imaging module is not ready to capture image data. The communications module can receive a signal while components of the sleep circuit are in a low power mode indicating that a user has activated an application via which the user can request image data from the imaging module, and in response the imaging module can be activated to be in an operational state.