Always-On Domain Circuitry for Standby Object Detection Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices face significant power consumption challenges when maintaining face detection or QR code detection functions in standby mode, as existing systems require continuous operation of image sensors and detection functions, leading to high power usage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of always-on domain processing circuitry that determines the need for face or QR code detection and controls power supply to image sensors only when necessary, allowing for reduced power consumption by maintaining an 'Always On' domain for detection operations while minimizing power to other domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the image sensor and face detection function are always on in standby mode, then face detection can be performed without user input, but power consumption increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The processing circuitry is divided into two separate domains: always-on domain processing circuitry and not-always-on domain processing circuitry. The always-on domain continuously monitors first data from a first sensor to determine whether face or QR code detection is needed, while the not-always-on domain (including the image sensor) is activated only when required. This segmentation allows automatic detection functionality to be maintained without keeping the entire system powered on, thereby resolving the contradiction between automation and power consumption.
2Reliability
If the image sensor is continuously operated for object detection, then detection accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The always-on domain processing circuitry performs preliminary monitoring and analysis of first data from the first sensor to determine whether face or QR code detection is required before activating the image sensor. This preliminary action ensures that the detection function is ready and can be activated quickly when needed, maintaining reliability while avoiding continuous operation of the power-intensive image sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous operation, the image sensor in the not-always-on domain is activated periodically or on-demand based on the determination made by the always-on domain processing circuitry. This periodic activation maintains detection capability while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device, which includes a power supply, a first sensor acquiring first data including information about an external object, a second sensor acquiring second data including image information about the external object, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry includes always-on domain processing circuitry configured to determine whether to need to perform face detection or QR code detection based on the first data and outputting a first control request signal of requesting a power supply to the second sensor based on a result of the determination, and not-always-on domain processing circuitry configured to control the power supply in response to the first control request signal such that a power is supplied to the second sensor, wherein the always-on domain processing circuitry is configured to perform the face detection or the QR code detection based on the second data.