Camera Flash Current Optimization via Component Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with powerful camera flash modules experience significant current spikes during picture taking, leading to battery voltage drops and potential device shutdowns, while existing solutions either reduce flash intensity or disable the flash at low voltages, compromising picture quality.
Innovation Solution
A current optimization system that calculates a shutdown period for device components based on the camera's flash mode and number of flash pulses, selectively shutting down components like display backlights and processors to reduce power consumption during flash operations, thereby maintaining performance and preventing battery voltage drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the camera flash module is made more powerful to meet consumer demand for increased functionality, then the flash intensity and picture quality are improved, but significant current spikes occur causing battery voltage drops and potential device shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by shutting down non-critical components (display backlight, processor, wireless communication) before the flash pulse is activated. This preemptive shutdown reduces the baseline power consumption and prepares the system to handle the high current demand of the flash without causing voltage drops that would lead to device shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the shutdown period duration based on the specific flash mode being used (e.g., red-eye reduction, slow-sync, high-speed sync). Different flash modes have different pulse durations and power requirements, so the shutdown period is adaptively configured to match the actual power consumption profile of each flash mode, optimizing both picture quality and battery voltage stability.
2Reliability
If components are shut down during flash operation to reduce power consumption, then battery voltage stability is improved, but the shutdown period must be precisely calculated to avoid interrupting picture quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system shuts down components before the flash pulse occurs, ensuring that the shutdown period ends precisely when the flash illumination begins. This timing coordination prevents any interruption of the actual picture capture process while still achieving voltage stabilization during the pre-flash or ambient light exposure phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of different components dynamically - the display backlight is completely shut off, the processor is put into low-power mode, and wireless communications are paused. These parameter changes are timed to coincide with the flash operation profile, ensuring voltage stability without affecting the critical picture capture parameters.
3Power
If the shutdown period is extended to maximize power savings, then more current is available for the flash, but the component shutdown may interfere with normal device operation
Solution Approach 1:
The shutdown of non-critical components occurs just before the flash pulse and lasts only for the duration of the flash operation. This brief, targeted shutdown provides the necessary current boost for the flash while minimizing disruption to overall device operation. After the flash completes, all components resume normal operation instantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different operational states to different components based on their criticality during flash operation. Critical components like the camera sensor and flash module operate at full power, while non-critical components like the display backlight and wireless communications are temporarily shut down. This localized quality adjustment optimizes current distribution without broadly affecting device operability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a camera, a camera flash, and a current optimization system. The current optimization system is connected to the camera and the camera flash. The current optimization system is configured to calculate a shutdown period based on a flash mode of the camera.