Digital Camera Power Management During Image Magnification Changes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic apparatuses with stacked image sensors have limited usability due to the lack of efficient power management during changes in image display magnification, particularly when transitioning between optical and electronic zoom.
Innovation Solution
The electronic apparatus employs a control program that adjusts the frame rates and pixel processing conditions for different regions of the image sensor, optimizing power consumption by reducing frame rates in peripheral regions during optical zoom and disabling pixel readout in non-enlarged areas during electronic zoom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the frame rate is maintained at a high level across all regions during optical zoom, then image quality is preserved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different frame rates for different regions of the image sensor. The central region (first image capture region) maintains a higher frame rate to preserve image quality where the user's attention is focused, while peripheral regions (second image capture region) use a lower frame rate to reduce power consumption. This regional differentiation resolves the contradiction between maintaining overall image quality and reducing total power consumption during optical zoom operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the image capture area into multiple regions with different processing requirements. By dividing the sensor output into a first image capture region (central area) and a second image capture region (peripheral area), the system can apply different frame rates to each segment. This segmentation allows the system to optimize power consumption without significantly degrading the perceived image quality, as the central region maintains higher quality standards.
2Loss of information
If all pixel regions are actively readout during electronic zoom, then complete image data is captured, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only the necessary portion of the image data during electronic zoom operations. By identifying the enlarged region of interest and selectively reading out only the pixel data from that specific area, the system eliminates the need to process the entire image sensor output. This extraction approach maintains the completeness of relevant image data while dramatically reducing power consumption by excluding unnecessary peripheral pixel readout operations.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the frame rate is reduced in peripheral regions, then power consumption decreases, but image rendering smoothness may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by matching the frame rate reduction to the user's visual attention patterns. Since users typically focus on the central region during optical zoom, reducing the frame rate in peripheral regions has minimal impact on perceived smoothness. The central region maintains a higher frame rate to ensure smooth rendering where it matters most, while peripheral regions accept lower frame rates to achieve power savings.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
To reduce power consumed when the display magnification of an image is changed. A digital camera 1 includes a display unit 50 having a first display region in which a first image is displayed and a second display region in which a second image is displayed, an image capture unit 20 having a first image capture region in which first image data indicating the first image is generated and a second image capture region in which second image data indicating the second image is generated, magnification change units 71 and 72 that change the display magnifications of the first and second images displayed on the display unit 50, and an image capture control unit 73 that when the magnification change units 71 and 72 change the display magnifications, changes the charge accumulation conditions or reading conditions of the first and second image capture regions.