Camera Module Sleep Mode Activation via Grip and Tilt Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices require multiple interactions to drive the camera module when in sleep mode, leading to increased power consumption and inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

The use of a grip sensor and a 9-axis sensor to detect a set pressure and tilt, allowing the camera module to be driven directly without waking up the entire device, and switching to a lock screen mode when disabled to protect privacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the electronic device is in sleep mode to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but the camera module cannot be driven directly and requires multiple interactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcamera module accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the camera module to be activated through a simple gesture (pressing the side surface) without requiring the device to fully wake up. The camera module serves itself by being accessible through a minimal interaction that doesn't trigger full system activation, thus maintaining low power consumption while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the device activation states into different levels: full wake mode, camera-only mode, and sleep mode. By isolating the camera module activation from full system wake-up, the patent creates a separate operational pathway that reduces power consumption while maintaining accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple interactions are required to drive the camera module in sleep mode, then system security is maintained, but user convenience is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem securityVSAvoidtime for user interactions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by requiring only a minimal gesture (pressing the side surface) instead of full authentication sequences. This partial action is sufficient to activate the camera module without triggering a complete system wake-up, thereby reducing the time lost to interactions while maintaining appropriate security levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares the camera module for quick activation by pre-configuring it to respond to side surface pressure gestures. This preliminary setup allows the camera module to be activated rapidly without requiring the user to go through multiple interaction steps, reducing time loss while maintaining security through the locked state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the entire device is woken up to drive the camera module, then full system functionality is available, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the camera module activation from the full system wake-up process. By separating these functions, the camera module can be activated independently without bringing the entire system online, thus maintaining necessary functionality while significantly reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies local quality by activating only the specific component (camera module) needed for the current task rather than the entire system. This localized activation maintains the adaptability and versatility of the camera function while minimizing power consumption by leaving other system components in a low-power state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2743795B1Electronic device and method for driving camera module in sleep mode
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2743795B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2743795B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2743795B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A method for operating an electronic device which is in a first mode is provided. The method includes detecting a grip state of the electronic device, detecting a change in tilt when the detected grip state is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and switching a mode from the first mode to a second mode when the detected change in tilt is within a set tilt range.