Context-Based Depth Sensor Control for Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional depth sensors using modulated light for machine vision face challenges with high power consumption and interference with visible-light imaging, limiting their implementation in battery-powered devices and environments with limited power.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a processing architecture that selectively enables and controls a modulated light-based depth sensor using a collimating lens-based or VCSEL diode-based modulated light projector, allowing for efficient power management and reduced interference by adjusting the activation configuration based on ambient light, motion, and geometric uncertainty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If modulated light-based depth sensor is continuously activated, then depth sensing accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The depth sensor is activated periodically rather than continuously, with activation triggered by detected events such as motion detection or changes in ambient light conditions. This periodic activation maintains depth sensing capability when needed while significantly reducing overall power consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the activation state of the depth sensor based on real-time environmental conditions and operational requirements. The controller monitors various parameters and adaptively enables or disables the depth sensor, optimizing the balance between measurement precision and power consumption.
2Measurement precision
If modulated light projector is activated, then depth measurement capability is improved, but interference with visible-light imaging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and separates the depth sensing function from the visible-light imaging function by using different spectral bands. The modulated light projector emits infrared or near-infrared light that is outside the visible spectrum, allowing depth measurement without interfering with visible-light camera operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The modulated light acts as an intermediary carrier for depth information, using a different wavelength range (infrared) than visible light. This intermediary approach allows simultaneous operation of depth sensing and visible-light imaging without mutual interference, as the two systems operate in separate spectral domains.
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 reduces power consumption and minimizes interference, enabling effective depth sensing in various environments while extending battery life and improving the accuracy of depth data collection.
Implementation Method 1
VCSEL diode-based modulated light projector
Implementation Method 2
depth sensors rely on the capture of reflections of known spatially-modulated or temporally-modulated light
Implementation Method 3
collimating lens-based modulated light projector
Implementation Method 4
depth sensors rely on the capture of reflections of known spatially-modulated or temporally-modulated light projected at the object
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An electronic device (100) includes a depth sensor (120), a first imaging camera (114, 116), and a controller (802). The depth sensor (120) includes a modulated light projector (119) to project a modulated light pattern (500). The first imaging camera (114, 116) is to capture at least a reflection of the modulated light pattern (500). The controller (802) is to selectively modify (1004) at least one of a frequency, an intensity, and a duration of projections of the modulated light pattern by the modulated light projector responsive to at least one trigger event (1002). The trigger event can include, for example, a change (1092) in ambient light incident on the electronic device, detection (1094) of motion of the electronic device, or a determination (1096) that the electronic device has encountered a previously-unencountered environment.