Dynamic Camera Frame Rate Adjustment for Battery Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices with cameras face battery drain issues when used for barcode scanning, leading to reduced battery life and increased lag in the user experience, as the camera's high frame rate consumes more power.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that adjusts the camera's frame rate based on the device's state, using sensor data from multiple sources, including accelerometers and ambient light sensors, to switch between high and low power modes, and employing machine learning to optimize battery usage and reduce processing frequency during inactive periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the camera operates at high frame rate for continuous barcode scanning, then scanning responsiveness and user experience are improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera frame rate is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically adjusts the frame rate between high and low states based on real-time detection of barcode presence. When a barcode is detected, the frame rate increases to high for active scanning; when no barcode is present, the frame rate decreases to low for power saving. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing high scanning responsiveness only when needed while conserving battery during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame rate parameter of the camera is changed based on operational conditions. The system monitors for barcode presence and adjusts the frame rate parameter accordingly - maintaining high frame rate during active scanning to ensure responsiveness, and reducing to low frame rate during idle periods to reduce battery consumption. This parameter change strategy directly addresses the contradiction between scanning speed and energy use.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the camera is turned off to save battery power, then battery life is extended, but lag increases when the camera needs to be activated for scanning
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously operating the camera or turning it off completely, the system uses periodic action by switching between high and low frame rates. The camera remains active at low frame rate during idle periods, maintaining a standby state that consumes minimal power but allows for rapid activation. When scanning is needed, the system transitions to high frame rate immediately, eliminating activation lag while still extending battery life through the low-power idle state.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the application is closed when not scanning to save power, then battery consumption is reduced, but user convenience decreases due to re-initialization lag
Solution Approach 1:
The application remains open but dynamically adjusts camera operation. Instead of closing and re-opening the application, the system keeps the application running while switching camera frame rates between high and low states. This maintains user convenience by avoiding re-initialization lag while reducing battery consumption during idle periods through low frame rate operation. The dynamic state adjustment provides both power savings and operational continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital camera of a mobile device acquires images for decoding optical patterns in a scene. Sensor data is used to ascertain a state of the mobile device. Battery life is estimated based on the state of the mobile device. A frame rate of the camera is changed from a first frame rate to a second frame rate to conserve battery life while still providing responsive camera performance.