Dynamic Drive Voltage Control for CMOS Image Sensor Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging apparatuses, especially those using CMOS or CCD image sensors, face challenges in reducing power consumption during long-term observation or monitoring, as existing technologies do not effectively manage power usage based on varying illuminance, luminance distribution, and object motion.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with an acquisition unit and a voltage control unit that adjusts the drive voltage for pixel units based on acquired imaging-related information, such as illuminance, luminance distribution, and object motion, to optimize power consumption by reducing voltage during high illuminance and increasing it during low illuminance, and similarly adjusting for luminance dispersion and object motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive voltage is increased to ensure dynamic range and suppress noise in CMOS image sensors, then imaging quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the drive voltage adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically changes the drive voltage applied to the pixel units based on imaging conditions (such as illuminance levels), allowing the system to optimize between imaging quality and power consumption by selecting appropriate voltage levels for different operating scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the drive voltage parameter according to imaging conditions. The control unit changes the voltage parameter to match the required imaging quality - using higher voltages when better image quality is needed and lower voltages when power savings are prioritized, thus resolving the contradiction between quality and power consumption
2Stability of the object's composition
If the drive voltage is maintained at a constant level for long-term operation, then imaging quality is consistent, but power consumption remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static constant voltage operation to dynamic voltage adjustment. The control unit continuously monitors imaging conditions and adjusts the drive voltage in real-time, maintaining imaging quality consistency by adapting voltage levels to current conditions rather than using a fixed high voltage throughout operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the control unit receives information about imaging conditions (such as illuminance sensor data or image signal characteristics) and uses this feedback to adjust the drive voltage accordingly. This closed-loop control maintains consistent imaging quality while optimizing power consumption by avoiding unnecessarily high voltages when conditions permit
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces power consumption by dynamically controlling the drive voltage, achieving power savings proportional to the square of the voltage reduction, without adding circuits to the pixel array, while maintaining necessary image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of pixel units that converts incident light into charges and accumulate the charges
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus includes an acquisition unit and a voltage control unit. The acquisition unit acquires imaging-related information relating to imaging to be executed by an imaging apparatus including a plurality of pixel units that converts incident light into charges and accumulate the charges. The voltage control unit controls, on the basis of the acquired imaging-related information, a drive voltage for driving each of the plurality of pixel units.