Imaging Element Frame Rate Control for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging technologies consume high power when outputting every image data obtained by imaging, especially when there are no significant changes in the subject, leading to inefficient use of resources.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an imaging element that stores image data at a first frame rate and processes it to determine the degree of difference with earlier data, only outputting image data when the difference exceeds a threshold, and optionally performing thinning processing or detecting main subject images to reduce processing load and power consumption. Additionally, the imaging element can decrease frame rates during periods of minimal subject motion and omit outputting closed-eye or poorly focused images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If every image data obtained by imaging is output, then the output frequency is high, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary difference calculation between consecutive frames before output decision. By calculating the degree of difference in advance and comparing it with a threshold, the system determines whether output is necessary, thereby avoiding unnecessary output operations and reducing power consumption while maintaining high output frequency when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The output frame rate is dynamically adjusted based on the degree of difference between consecutive frames. When the degree of difference exceeds the threshold, the system outputs at the first (higher) frame rate; when it does not exceed the threshold, the system outputs at the second (lower) frame rate. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between output frequency and power consumption
2Measurement precision
If difference calculation is performed on entire image data, then the degree of difference is accurately determined, but processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image data is segmented into multiple regions of interest (ROIs) based on subject detection. The difference calculation is performed only within these segmented regions rather than on the entire image. This segmentation approach maintains measurement precision for the subject area while significantly reducing processing load by excluding background regions
Solution Approach 2:
Different processing quality is applied to different regions of the image. High-precision difference calculation is applied to regions containing the subject (where accuracy is critical), while lower processing or no processing is applied to background regions. This local quality approach optimizes the balance between accuracy and processing load
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging element incorporates a memory and a processor. The memory stores image data obtained by imaging a subject at a first frame rate. The processor is configured to derive a degree of difference between first image data obtained as the image data by performing imaging and second image data that is obtained as the image data earlier than the first image data and stored in the storage portion, and perform processing of deciding at least one of the first image data or the second image data as the output image data in a case where the derived degree of difference is greater than or equal to a threshold value. The processor is configured to output the decided output image data at a second frame rate.