Image Processing with Detection-Driven Secondary Sensor Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing systems that combine images from multiple sensors with different characteristics face challenges in power consumption, calculation load, memory occupation, and bus bandwidth due to simultaneous operation and processing of multiple sensors.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that includes a first image sensor unit and a second image sensor unit with different characteristics, where the second sensor is selectively activated based on detection information from a detection processing unit, reducing power, calculation, and memory usage by only operating the second sensor when a specific object is detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If multiple sensors are simultaneously operated to generate combined images, then image visibility is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage visibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the sensor operation state changeable based on detection results. The second sensor is activated only when a predetermined object is detected by the detection processing unit, transforming the system from a static simultaneous-operation mode to a dynamic conditional-operation mode, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining image visibility improvement when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic action by alternating between single-sensor operation (normal mode) and dual-sensor operation (detection mode). The second sensor is activated periodically only when detection conditions are met, rather than operating continuously, which reduces overall power consumption while preserving the ability to enhance image visibility when objects of interest are present

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Illumination intensity

If multiple sensors are simultaneously operated to generate combined images, then image visibility is improved, but calculation load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage visibilityVSAvoidcalculation load

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the processing complexity changeable based on detection results. The image combining processing is performed only when a predetermined object is detected, transforming the system from a static full-processing mode to a dynamic conditional-processing mode, thereby reducing calculation load while maintaining image visibility improvement when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements partial action by performing the computationally intensive image combining operation only partially (only when detection conditions are met) rather than continuously. This selective application of processing reduces overall calculation load while preserving the beneficial effect of improved image visibility for detected objects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Illumination intensity

If multiple sensors are simultaneously operated to generate combined images, then image visibility is improved, but memory occupation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage visibilityVSAvoidmemory occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the memory usage changeable based on detection results. Image data from the second sensor is stored and processed only when a predetermined object is detected, transforming the system from a static full-storage mode to a dynamic conditional-storage mode, thereby reducing memory occupation while maintaining image visibility improvement when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Illumination intensity

If multiple sensors are simultaneously operated to generate combined images, then image visibility is improved, but bus band occupation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage visibilityVSAvoidbus band occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the data transmission activity changeable based on detection results. Image data from the second sensor is transmitted and processed only when a predetermined object is detected, transforming the system from a static continuous-transmission mode to a dynamic conditional-transmission mode, thereby reducing bus band occupation while maintaining image visibility improvement when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12457408B2Image processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 CANON KK

AI summary

An image processing apparatus includes a first image sensor unit configured to acquire a first image, a second image sensor unit having a characteristic different from that of the first image sensor unit and configured to acquire a second image, and a processor configured to generate detection information about an object based on the first image and to control driving of the second image sensor unit based on the detection information.