Dynamic Image Resolution Control for Storage and Battery Optimization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users often set cameras to capture images at the highest resolution unnecessarily, leading to larger file sizes and rapid storage consumption, as they are unsure when extra pixels may be needed for zooming or panning, and existing systems lack efficient methods to dynamically determine optimal image resolution based on scene factors.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that use a processor to determine optimal image resolution based on factors such as the size of regions of interest, high-frequency content, lighting conditions, and battery life, allowing for automatic or user-selectable resolution settings to balance image quality and file size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the camera is set to capture images at the highest resolution, then image quality is improved, but file size increases and storage is consumed rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the resolution parameter based on scene analysis. It evaluates factors such as the presence of regions of interest, lighting conditions, and motion detection to automatically adjust the capture resolution, capturing at high resolution only when necessary and lower resolution otherwise, thus optimizing the balance between image quality and storage consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The camera system performs self-service by automatically determining the optimal resolution without user intervention. The processor analyzes scene characteristics and autonomously selects the appropriate resolution setting, eliminating the need for users to manually configure resolution settings while achieving efficient storage utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If the camera is set to capture images at the highest resolution, then image quality is improved, but battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the power consumption parameter by changing resolution settings based on scene requirements. During low-activity periods or when scene conditions don't warrant high resolution, the system lowers the capture resolution to reduce processor workload and energy consumption, thereby extending battery life while maintaining adequate image quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the camera automatically determines optimal resolution based on scene factors, then storage and battery efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scene analysis function is segmented into multiple independent evaluation modules: region of interest detection, lighting condition analysis, motion detection, and resolution determination. Each module processes specific aspects of the scene independently, allowing the system to achieve sophisticated scene understanding through modular processing rather than a single complex algorithm, thus managing device complexity effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3146710B1Apparatus and method for determining image resolution
Publication Date: 2022.11.23 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3146710B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3146710B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3146710B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for deductively determining a resolution setting for an imaging device based on one or more features of a scene are disclosed. The features may include the size of primary or foreground faces within the scene, a maximum amount of high frequency content within the scene, a lighting condition of the scene, or a battery level of an electronic device.