Camera Application Occupancy Control for Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Camera applications on terminal devices often cause unnecessary power consumption when they continue to request camera data in the background, even after the user has switched to a different operating state, leading to reduced battery life and increased power usage.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that detect when a terminal device switches from a first operating state to a second state, sending a delay shutdown message to the camera application if it continues to request data, and releasing the camera application's occupancy if the functions related to the data request are not enabled, thereby optimizing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the camera application continues to request camera data in the background after the user switches to a different operating state, then the application can quickly resume when needed, but unnecessary power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera data request response speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system sends a delay shutdown message to the camera application in advance when the user switches operating states, allowing the application to prepare for shutdown while maintaining the ability to quickly resume if needed. This preliminary action prevents the application from continuing unnecessary background operations while preserving quick response capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the camera application's operational state based on user behavior patterns. By monitoring whether the user switches back to the previous state within a predetermined time period, the system adaptively decides whether to shutdown or maintain the application, optimizing between quick resumption and power savings in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the camera application is immediately shutdown when the user switches operating state, then power consumption is reduced, but the application response time increases and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidapplication response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of immediate shutdown, the system sends a delay shutdown message that gives the camera application a grace period to complete current operations and prepare for shutdown. This preliminary action reduces the impact on user experience while still achieving power savings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring whether the user switches back to the previous operating state within a predetermined time period. This feedback determines whether to maintain or shutdown the application, ensuring that the application is only shutdown when truly unnecessary, thus minimizing response time impact while maximizing power savings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the camera application occupies camera resources continuously, then camera functionality is always available, but system resources are wasted and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera functionality availabilityVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically controls camera resource occupancy based on actual usage patterns. By monitoring user behavior and switching states, the system adjusts the camera application's resource occupation in real-time, maintaining availability when needed while releasing resources when not needed to prevent energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from user behavior monitoring to make intelligent decisions about camera resource allocation. If the user switches back to the previous state within the predetermined time, the camera application maintains resource occupancy; otherwise, it releases resources. This feedback-based control ensures reliable camera functionality while minimizing energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3825852B1Occupation control method and apparatus for camera application
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3825852B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3825852B1 patent drawingFigure 3-1
  • EP3825852B1 patent drawingFigure 3-2

AI summary

The present invention provides an occupation control method and apparatus for a camera application. The method comprises: when a camera application is occupied by a first application running in the foreground, if it is determined that a terminal device is in a preset first operation state, detecting whether the first application sends a camera data request message; if so, sending to the camera application a message for delaying shutdown for a first duration and detecting whether the state of the terminal device is switched from the first operation state to a second operation state within the first duration; if the state is not switched to the second operation state and it is detected the first application continues to send the camera data request message, detecting whether the first application enables a function related to the camera data request, and if not, controlling the first application to release the occupation of the camera application. Thus, according to the usage of the camera application when the application occupies the camera application, the unnecessary occupation is optimized, so that the power consumption by the terminal device is reduced, and the endurance capability of the terminal device is improved.