Camera Warm-up via Pre-image-capture Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computing devices with cameras often waste time and energy by powering down camera components when not in use, and then require a delay to warm up when switching to camera mode, which can slow down the picture-taking process.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system in wearable computing devices that initiates image-capture preparation in response to pre-image-capture signals, such as proximity sensors detecting a user's finger near the image capture button, eye movements, or voice commands, to warm up the camera before an image is actually taken, ensuring it is ready for immediate capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If camera components are powered down when not in use, then energy consumption is reduced, but image capture speed decreases due to warm-up delay
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting pre-image-capture signals (such as finger proximity to capture button, eye movements, or voice commands) and initiating camera preparation processes in advance. This includes powering up camera components, adjusting focus, and setting capture parameters before the actual capture moment, thereby eliminating warm-up delays while maintaining energy efficiency through selective activation
2Speed
If camera components remain powered on continuously, then image capture speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power state of camera components based on real-time detection of user intent signals. Rather than maintaining a static powered-on state, the system transitions components between sleep and active states according to detected pre-image-capture signals, optimizing the balance between capture speed and energy consumption adaptively
3Use of energy by moving object
If camera warm-up is delayed until capture signal is received, then energy consumption is reduced, but the picture-taking process slows down
Solution Approach 1:
The system executes preliminary camera preparation actions upon detecting pre-image-capture signals that indicate user intent before the actual capture command is given. This advance preparation includes activating sensors, adjusting optical components, and pre-processing image data, thereby reducing the time required at the actual capture moment while avoiding continuous power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments may be implemented by a computing device, such as a head-mountable display or mobile phone, in order to pre-emptively warm up the device's camera, when it is probable that a user will be taking a photo. An illustrative method involves a computing device (a) receiving sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the computing device, wherein the computing device comprises an image-capture device, (b) analyzing the sensor data to detect at least one pre-image-capture signal, wherein the at least one pre-image-capture signal indicates a subsequent image-capture signal is likely to be received, and (c) in response to detecting the at least one pre-image-capture signal, causing the computing device to initiate an image-capture preparation process that prepares the image-capture device to capture an image.