Camera Module Power Reduction via Mode-Dependent Parameter Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile terminals with a single high-resolution camera module experience high power consumption due to the same camera sensor being used in both general camera and video conference modes, leading to increased duty cycle and power usage.
Innovation Solution
A camera control device and method that includes a memory storing tables of camera register values for different modes, allowing the control unit to determine the mode and adjust the camera module's pixel clock frequency and picture size accordingly, optimizing power usage by implementing specific settings for each mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single high-resolution camera module is used in both general camera mode and video conference mode, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the camera module's operating parameters (pixel clock frequency, picture size) adjustable and mode-dependent. The control unit dynamically changes these parameters based on whether the camera is used in general camera mode or video conference mode, allowing the system to optimize power consumption for each specific function while using a single hardware module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the camera module's operational parameters (pixel clock frequency and picture size) according to the selected mode. In general camera mode, high-resolution settings are used, while in video conference mode, lower-resolution settings with reduced pixel clock frequency are applied, thereby reducing power consumption without requiring separate hardware cameras.
2Device complexity
If the same pixel clock frequency is used for both general camera mode and video conference mode, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the pixel clock frequency based on the operating mode. For general camera mode, a higher pixel clock frequency is used to capture high-resolution images, while for video conference mode, the pixel clock frequency is reduced to lower power consumption, as video conference applications do not require the same level of image resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pixel clock frequency parameter according to the selected mode. The control unit extracts appropriate pixel clock frequency values from mode-specific tables and applies them accordingly, enabling the camera module to operate at optimal parameters for each function and thereby reducing overall power consumption.
3Device complexity
If a single camera module is used for both photograph and motion picture, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically changes the camera module's operating parameters based on whether it is capturing still images or motion pictures. For still image capture, high-resolution settings are used, while for motion picture capture, the system adjusts parameters to reduce power consumption, as continuous high-resolution video capture requires significantly more power.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera control device and a method for operating a mobile terminal having a single camera module in selected modes to reduce the power consumption of the mobile terminal is disclosed. The camera control device for a mobile terminal includes a camera module, a memory, and a control unit. The camera module has a sensor for photographing an image. The memory stores tables which are provided for respective modes of the camera module and which include camera register values set for each mode and stores initial values of the sensor for the respective modes to initialize the sensor of the camera module. The control unit determines a mode of operating the camera module, extracts camera register values for the mode from a corresponding table stored in the memory, and operates the camera module according to the extracted camera register values to implement the corresponding mode.