Dual-Aperture Camera Power Management via Partial Operational Modes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dual-camera systems face a power consumption challenge when both cameras need to be fully operational for synchronized frame acquisition, leading to increased energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A dual-aperture camera system with a synchronization and operation control module that allows one camera to operate in fully operational mode while the other operates in partially operational mode, reducing overall power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If both cameras operate in fully operational mode for synchronized frame acquisition, then frame synchronization and image quality are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having one camera operate in a reduced operational mode (lower frame rate or reduced aperture) while the other camera operates in full mode. This allows the system to maintain basic synchronization and functionality while reducing overall power consumption, rather than requiring both cameras to operate at full capacity continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different operational modes of the cameras based on real-time requirements. The control module adjusts which camera operates in full mode and which in reduced mode, allowing the system to adapt power consumption levels to actual usage needs while maintaining synchronization capability when required.
2Ease of operation
If both cameras operate in fully operational mode, then smooth transitions between camera outputs are enabled, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables smooth transitions by having at least one camera operate in full mode while the other operates in reduced mode. The control module manages the transition by coordinating the operational states of both cameras, ensuring that when a transition is needed, the appropriate camera is ready to take over without requiring both cameras to be in full operational mode simultaneously.
3Use of energy by moving object
If one camera operates in partially operational mode, then power consumption is reduced, but synchronization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control module implements feedback mechanisms to monitor and coordinate the operational states of both cameras. By receiving status information from both cameras and adjusting their operational modes accordingly, the system maintains synchronization even when one camera operates in reduced mode, managing the complexity through intelligent coordination rather than requiring both cameras to operate at full capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-aperture camera comprising a first camera having a first sensor and a first image signal processor (ISP), the first camera operative to output a first stream of frames, a second camera having a second sensor and a second ISP, the second camera operative to output a second stream of frames, and a synchronization and operation control module configurable to control operation of one camera in a fully operational mode and operation of the other camera in a partially operational mode and to output an output of the fully operational camera as a dual-aperture camera output, whereby the partially operational mode of the other camera reduces a dual-aperture camera the power consumption in comparison with a full operational mode of the other camera.