Motion-Adaptive Object Detection Sensor Operation for Lower Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for object detection sensors in various devices leads to higher processing and power consumption requirements, necessitating efficient methods to conserve resources while maintaining effective obstacle detection capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine the characteristic of an object detection sensor by comparing the device's direction of travel to its direction of capture, adjusting parameters such as capture rate, processing frequency, and power usage based on the magnitude of difference, and predicting future motion to optimize sensor operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If object detection sensors operate at full capacity continuously, then detection accuracy is maintained, but power consumption and processing resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making sensor operation adjustable rather than static. The system dynamically modifies sensor characteristics (capture rate, processing frequency, power usage) based on real-time comparison between device direction of travel and sensor direction of capture. This resolves the contradiction by allowing full sensor operation only when necessary (when directions align) and reducing operation when unnecessary (when directions differ), maintaining detection accuracy when needed while reducing power consumption overall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters of the sensor based on the magnitude of difference between travel direction and capture direction. When the difference is small (sensor facing forward), parameters like capture rate and processing frequency are maintained at higher levels. When the difference is large (sensor facing backward or sideways), these parameters are reduced. This parameter adjustment strategy maintains detection accuracy in critical directions while reducing power consumption in non-critical directions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple object detection sensors are incorporated in devices, then obstacle detection coverage is improved, but processing resources and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different sensors (or different operational modes of sensors) differently based on their specific orientation relative to the device's direction of travel. Rather than uniformly processing data from all sensors at full capacity, the system selectively adjusts processing resources allocated to each sensor based on the magnitude of difference between its capture direction and the device's travel direction. This maintains comprehensive detection coverage while optimizing processing resource allocation.
3Measurement precision
If sensor capture rate is increased, then detection precision is improved, but processing load and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by capturing data at high precision only when necessary (when sensor direction aligns with travel direction) and using reduced capture rates when less precision is needed (when sensor direction differs from travel direction). This selective application of full sensor capacity maintains detection precision for critical observations while reducing overall processing load and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for determining a characteristic of a device's object detection sensor oriented in a first direction. An example device may include one or more processors. The device may further include a memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory including one or more instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the device to determine a direction of travel for the device, compare the direction of travel to the first direction to determine a magnitude of difference, and determine a characteristic of the object detection sensor based on the magnitude of difference.