Event-Driven Camera Global Motion Suppression Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Event-driven cameras face inefficiencies and increased power consumption due to processing global motion, which is not related to the subject in view, leading to unnecessary pixel readout, processing, and storage, impacting energy efficiency and dynamic range.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating global motion detection and suppression circuitry within the event-driven image sensor to differentiate between subject motion and camera motion, preventing unnecessary pixel data processing and storage by generating a global activation signal that halts data readout and processing during global motion events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If global motion detection and suppression circuitry is incorporated in the event-driven image sensor, then power consumption is reduced and dynamic range is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The global motion detection and suppression circuitry is merged directly into the event-driven image sensor chip, integrating multiple functions (pixel operation control, global motion detection, and suppression) into a single device. This integration reduces the need for external processing components and optimizes power consumption by controlling pixel operations at the sensor level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The image sensor is divided into multiple pixel operations that can be independently controlled. By segmenting the pixel array into controllable regions and implementing hierarchical global motion suppression (first scene-wide suppression, then region-specific suppression), the system reduces overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to process only relevant areas when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If global motion suppression is implemented, then energy efficiency is enhanced, but processing speed may be reduced due to additional detection steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary global motion detection by monitoring pixel operations across the entire scene before initiating suppression. This preliminary detection allows the system to proactively suppress global motion events before they consume significant processing resources, thereby improving energy efficiency without substantially impacting processing speed for genuine subject motions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The global motion detection operates periodically by sampling pixel operations at defined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic sampling approach reduces the computational overhead of motion detection while maintaining effective suppression capability, balancing energy efficiency with processing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Use of energy by moving object

If pixel data processing is halted during global motion events, then power consumption is reduced, but measurement precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The suppression mechanism applies different processing qualities to different regions: global suppression is applied to regions identified as experiencing global motion, while local suppression allows continued processing in regions containing genuine subject motions. This localized differentiation maintains measurement precision for important events while reducing power consumption in irrelevant areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors pixel operations and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust suppression levels. When global motion is detected, suppression is activated; when subject motion is detected, suppression is reduced or removed. This feedback-driven approach ensures that measurement precision is maintained for genuine events while achieving power savings during global motion events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3912131B1Global motion suppression in an event-driven camera
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP3912131B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3912131B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3912131B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Examples for global motion suppression in an event-driven camera are described herein. In some examples, global motion of an event-driven camera is detected based on a plurality of pixels of an event-driven image sensor detecting events. The global motion may be suppressed by event-driven image sensor circuitry in response to detecting the global motion.