Video Camera Imminent Event Detector Power Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Video cameras with embedded processing capabilities often require mains power or local power sources, which can be impractical for locations where such connections are difficult, and existing systems do not efficiently manage power consumption to extend battery life or allow solar panel usage.
Innovation Solution
A video camera system with a low-power imminent event detector and a main event processor that switches to full power only when an event is detected, using a dormant mode to conserve energy and featuring a method to differentiate between event detection and sensor movement, allowing intermittent full power operation and reducing heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the main event processor operates continuously at full power to process image data and detect events, then the event detection capability and analysis speed are improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the event detection function into two separate processing stages: a low-power imminent event detector that performs initial image data analysis to detect potential events, and a main event processor that performs comprehensive analysis only when triggered. This segmentation allows the high-power processor to remain dormant most of the time while maintaining reliable event detection through the low-power detector.
Solution Approach 2:
The imminent event detector performs preliminary analysis of image data to identify potential events before activating the main event processor. This preliminary action filters out false positives and reduces the number of times the high-power processor needs to activate, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection reliability.
2Measurement precision
If the illumination source operates continuously to provide lighting for the sensor, then the image quality and detection accuracy are improved, but the lifetime of the illumination source decreases and heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination source operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only during events detected by the imminent event detector. This periodic operation maintains sufficient image quality for detected events while dramatically extending the illumination source lifetime and reducing heat generation during non-event periods.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the main event processor remains in dormant mode to conserve power, then the power consumption is reduced, but the response time to detect and process events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imminent event detector continuously monitors image data in low-power mode and performs preliminary event detection. When an event is detected, it immediately triggers the main event processor to activate, ensuring rapid response to actual events while maintaining low power consumption during dormant periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The imminent event detector serves as an intermediary between the dormant main event processor and the image data stream. It continuously processes image data at low power and acts as a trigger mechanism that activates the main processor only when necessary, balancing response time and power consumption.
4Reliability
If the system operates at full power continuously, then the heat generation increases which may affect component reliability, but operating intermittently at low power reduces heat and extends component life
Solution Approach 1:
The processing function is segmented between a low-power imminent event detector that operates continuously and a high-power main event processor that operates intermittently. This segmentation ensures that heat-generating components remain cool during dormant periods, extending their operational life and maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A video camera system includes: a video sensor providing image data; a low power imminent event detector coupled to the sensor which receives the image data from the video sensor and processes the received image data to detect changes in the image data and thereby detect an imminent event and produces an event signal on detection of an imminent event; and a main event processor also coupled to the video sensor to receive the image data, the main event processor being a higher power device than the imminent event detector, the main event detector having a dormant mode in which the main event detector consumes little or no power and a fully active powered up mode, wherein: the main event processor switches from the dormant mode to the fully active mode in response to the event signal.