Image Sensor Selective Pixel Readout for Low-Noise Occupancy Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-based occupancy detection methods in lighting fixtures are complex and computationally expensive, requiring powerful processing circuitry that consumes additional power and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent lighting fixture with an image sensor that selectively reads out a subset of pixels in an active pixel array, allowing for efficient occupancy detection by analyzing pixel data from a strategically chosen subset of pixels, reducing computational expense and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional image-based occupancy detection methods are used, then occupancy detection accuracy is achieved, but processing complexity and computational expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image sensor's pixel array into multiple regions, with only selected regions being actively read out and processed. This segmentation approach allows the system to maintain occupancy detection accuracy by monitoring critical areas while reducing the overall processing complexity by excluding non-critical pixel regions from active processing.
2Reliability
If powerful processing circuitry is used to handle full image processing, then occupancy detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only the necessary pixel data from specific regions of the image sensor, rather than processing the entire image. This extraction approach maintains reliable occupancy detection by focusing computational resources on relevant areas while significantly reducing power consumption by avoiding processing of unnecessary pixel data.
3Loss of information
If all pixels in the active pixel array are read out, then complete image data is obtained, but thermal noise and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different operational states to different regions of the pixel array, with selected regions being actively read out and other regions remaining inactive. This local quality approach ensures that sufficient image data is obtained from critical regions for accurate occupancy detection, while minimizing thermal noise by keeping non-critical regions in a low-power inactive state.
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
Enhances detection efficiency and accuracy while minimizing power consumption and thermal noise, enabling reliable occupancy detection with reduced processing resources.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor 10 including an active pixel array 12
Data Source
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AI summary
An image sensor includes an active pixel array including a number of pixels and image sensor control circuitry configured to perform a read operation only on a subset of the pixels of the active pixel array such that pixels not in the subset remain inactive. By reading out only the subset of pixels in the active pixel array and keeping the remaining pixels inactive, the temperature of the active pixel array may be reduced compared to a conventional read out process, thereby reducing thermal noise in the resulting pixel data.