Camera Image Sensor Low Power Standby State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital camera power management schemes in mobile terminals lead to increased user wait time and inefficiencies, as they terminate the photography mode after a period of inactivity, requiring users to reset the camera step-by-step, and only minimally reduce power consumption by interrupting Auto Focus, Auto Exposure, and Auto White Balance functions.
Innovation Solution
A camera driving method and apparatus that maintains an image sensor in a low power software standby state, preserving setup values and refraining from data streaming, allowing rapid activation with minimal power consumption, enabling users to actively select a low power standby mode and maintain it for extended periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the photographing mode is terminated after a period of inactivity to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but user wait time increases and camera activation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the camera operation into distinct states: full activation state (for photographing), low-power standby state (preserving setup values), and completely terminated state. This segmentation allows the camera to maintain readiness for quick activation while consuming minimal power during extended inactivity, resolving the contradiction between power savings and activation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by maintaining setup values (AE, AWB, AF parameters) in the low-power standby state before complete termination. When a photographing request occurs, these pre-preserved setup values enable rapid camera activation without requiring full re-initialization, thus reducing user wait time while maintaining low power consumption during standby.
2Loss of energy
If Auto Focus, Auto Exposure, and Auto White Balance functions are interrupted in standby state to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but camera functionality is limited and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by maintaining only the essential setup values (AE, AWB, AF parameters) in the low-power standby state rather than completely interrupting all functions. This partial maintenance of camera functionality allows for rapid reactivation while consuming minimal power, balancing power savings with operational ease.
3Loss of energy
If the photographing mode is completely terminated after extended standby to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but camera activation requires complete re-initialization increasing wait time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by preserving setup values in the low-power standby state before complete termination. When activation is needed, these pre-preserved parameters eliminate the need for complete re-initialization, enabling rapid camera activation while maintaining low power consumption during extended standby periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments camera operation into full activation state, low-power standby state (with preserved setup values), and terminated state. This segmentation enables the camera to maintain readiness for quick activation while consuming minimal power, resolving the contradiction between power savings and activation speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus are provided in which an image sensor, operatively coupled with an electronic device, is operated in a first state based on a determination that the image sensor is to be operated in a low power mode. When the image sensor is operating in the first state, a setup value corresponding to a photographing mode is preserved, and the image sensor is refrained from outputting a stream of data.