Electronic Device Pre-Capture Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with image shooting functions face challenges in capturing intended images due to time lags between the photographer's instruction and the actual shooting, leading to power wastage when shooting intention is low and potential missed shots when waiting without pre-capture function.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with an operation unit that outputs first and second operation instructions, and processors/circuitry that repeatedly acquire determination information to estimate the likelihood of the second instruction being output, controlling image acquisition and storage with different power consumption levels based on the estimated likelihood.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pre-capture function continuously executes image shooting and stores images in buffer memory, then the shooting intention is captured reliably, but power is wasted due to continued shooting when shooting intention is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pre-capture shooting mode adjustable between first mode (continuous shooting at high frame rate) and second mode (intermittent shooting at low frame rate). The control unit dynamically switches between modes based on shooting situation determination, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption and shooting frequency to actual needs rather than operating in a fixed state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by adjusting the frame rate and shooting frequency based on the determined shooting situation. In the first mode, the image sensor operates at a higher frame rate for reliable capture, while in the second mode, it operates at a lower frame rate to reduce power consumption. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between reliability and power usage
2Use of energy by moving object
If the camera waits without using the pre-capture function, then power consumption is reduced, but there is a possibility that the shooting chance may be missed due to time lag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by executing pre-capture shooting before the actual shooting instruction is given. The control unit causes the image sensor to continuously or intermittently shoot images and store them in buffer memory in advance, so that when the shooting instruction is received, the desired image is already available. This eliminates the time lag between pressing the release button and capturing the image
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action by implementing intermittent shooting in the second mode, where the image sensor shoots images at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic shooting approach reduces power consumption while still maintaining the ability to capture the desired image by selecting from the periodically captured frames
3Reliability
If the pre-capture function continuously shoots images, then the desired image is obtained, but the buffer memory may be insufficient when the shooting period is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent shooting in the second mode, where images are captured at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This reduces the total number of images stored in buffer memory during long shooting periods, preventing memory insufficiency while still providing sufficient frames to select from for the desired image
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics by adjusting the shooting frequency and frame rate based on the determined shooting situation. In the second mode, the lower shooting frequency reduces the accumulation of images in buffer memory over time, accommodating limited memory capacity while maintaining capture reliability through selective framing
Data Source
AI summary
In an electronic device, a memory temporarily holds image data output from an image sensor during a first operation instruction instructing preparation for shooting is output, and an acquisition unit repeatedly acquires determination information used for estimating a level of possibility that a second operation instruction for instructing recording of a shot image will be output. A controller controls image shooting and to hold image data in the memory by a first control if the level is a first level, and by a second control that can reduce power consumption if the level is a second level which is lower than the first level. When the second operation instruction is output, the image data of an image shot in response to the second operation instruction and the latest image data held in the memory are recorded on a recording medium.