Image Pickup System Power Management via Circuit Standby Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image pickup systems face challenges in reducing power consumption, particularly during long duration exposure modes where existing systems do not efficiently manage circuit configurations to minimize energy usage.
Innovation Solution
The method involves switching certain circuit configurations to a standby mode during long duration exposure, blocking current flow through column signal lines, and resetting pixel arrays to conserve power, while maintaining essential circuits for accumulating charge and processing signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all circuits are maintained in operating mode during long duration exposure, then signal processing capability is preserved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit system is segmented into essential circuits (image sensor, charge accumulation circuit) and non-essential circuits (signal processing circuits). During long duration exposure, only essential circuits remain in operating mode while non-essential circuits are switched to standby mode, achieving power reduction without compromising the core exposure function
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts circuit operating states based on exposure mode. A control unit monitors the exposure duration and automatically switches circuits between operating mode and standby mode, creating a dynamic power management system that adapts to different operational requirements
2Use of energy by moving object
If signal processing circuits are switched to standby mode during long duration exposure, then power consumption is reduced, but processing capability is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
Signal processing is performed preliminarily on essential parameters during the exposure period using minimal circuits, while complete processing is deferred until after exposure when full processing circuits are reactivated. This preliminary action maintains essential functionality while reducing power consumption during the exposure phase
3Use of energy by moving object
If current is blocked from flowing through column signal lines during exposure, then power consumption is reduced, but signal transmission is affected
Solution Approach 1:
Current blocking is applied selectively to specific column signal lines that are not currently active or require minimal current flow. The control unit identifies which column lines can have current blocked without affecting the overall signal transmission quality, applying local quality control to reduce power consumption
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces power consumption during long duration exposures by minimizing power usage in non-essential circuits and optimizing energy management within the image pickup system.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor that detects an optical signal incident on the image sensor and converts the optical signal to an electric signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating an image pickup system includes generating a first control signal in response to a long duration exposure mode selectively input by a user, setting circuits to process image data associated with modes other than long duration exposure mode to a standby mode in response to the first control signal, generating a second control signal when the standby mode has been established, opening a shutter in response to the second control signal, and performing a long duration exposure to accumulate a charge corresponding to an optical signal incident on an image sensor of the image pickup system when the shutter is open.