Imaging Element Dynamic Frame Rate Adjustment for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging technologies consume excessive power when outputting all image data, particularly due to inefficient frame rate management and processing of focusing evaluation values, which affects battery life and computational load in devices like cameras.
Innovation Solution
An imaging element with a storage portion for image data, a processing portion for deriving focusing evaluation values, and an output portion that adjusts the frame rate based on these values, allowing for reduced power consumption by selectively changing the frame rate and omitting data output for non-focused images below a certain threshold, thereby optimizing power usage and computational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If every image data is output at a constant high frame rate, then image quality and responsiveness are improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the frame rate adjustable rather than fixed. The frame rate is dynamically changed based on the focusing evaluation value: high frame rate when focused (good image quality needed) and low frame rate when not focused (power saving mode). This resolves the contradiction between constant high productivity and variable energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of frame rate based on the focusing evaluation value. When the evaluation value exceeds the threshold (indicating good focus), the frame rate is set to high; when below the threshold (poor focus), the frame rate is set to low. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between image output rate and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If frame rate is reduced to save power, then power consumption decreases, but image quality and focusing detection capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts frame rate based on real-time focusing evaluation. When focus is detected (evaluation value exceeds threshold), frame rate increases to ensure adequate image quality for focusing detection. When out of focus, frame rate decreases to save power. This dynamic adjustment maintains measurement precision when needed while reducing power consumption overall.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging element uses its own focusing evaluation capability to automatically control frame rate. The processing portion evaluates focus status and autonomously determines the appropriate frame rate without external intervention, allowing the system to self-optimize between power consumption and image quality.
3Measurement precision
If frame rate is continuously maintained at high level, then focusing transition detection is accurate, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame rate is made dynamic and adapts to focusing conditions. During focusing transitions, the evaluation value changes from below to above the threshold, triggering a frame rate increase. Once focused, the high frame rate is maintained only briefly long enough to capture the transition moment, then reduced. This dynamic behavior enables accurate transition detection while minimizing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic evaluation of focusing status to determine when to switch between high and low frame rates. The processing portion periodically checks the focusing evaluation value and adjusts frame rate accordingly, creating a rhythm of high-performance capture during critical moments followed by power-saving periods.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging element includes a storage portion that stores image data obtained by imaging a subject at a first frame rate and is incorporated in the imaging element, a processing portion that is incorporated in the imaging element and configured to perform processing using the image data, and an output portion that outputs output image data based on the image data at a second frame rate depending on a processing result of the processing portion and is incorporated in the imaging element, in which the first frame rate is greater than or equal to the second frame rate, and the processing portion performs processing of deriving an evaluation value indicating a degree of focusing for the image data stored in the storage portion and changing the second frame rate based on the derived evaluation value.