Motion Sensor Using Hybrid Difference Readout to Eliminate Frame Buffers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motion sensors require at least two frame buffers to temporarily store image frames, which is inefficient and consumes more resources.
Innovation Solution
A motion sensor that performs spatial difference calculations on temporal difference pixel data during reading, eliminating the need for frame buffers by using a readout circuit and processor to identify motion through hybrid difference calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frame buffers are used to store image frames for motion detection, then motion detection capability is achieved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the motion detection function from the frame buffer storage function. Instead of storing complete image frames in frame buffers, the system only stores temporal difference data (changes in pixel values over time) and performs spatial difference calculations during the readout process. This extraction of essential motion information reduces memory requirements and device complexity while maintaining motion detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs temporal difference calculation preliminarily within the pixel region before data leaves the sensor. By calculating the difference between current and previous frame pixel values at the pixel level, the system prepares motion-relevant data in advance, eliminating the need for subsequent frame buffer storage and reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If frame buffers are used to store image frames, then motion detection is enabled, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential motion information (temporal differences) from complete image frames, storing only these difference values rather than entire frames. This selective extraction dramatically reduces the amount of data that needs to be processed and stored, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining motion detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
By performing temporal difference calculation preliminarily at the pixel level before data leaves the sensor, the system reduces the data volume that requires subsequent processing and transmission. This preliminary processing eliminates the need for power-intensive frame buffer operations and reduces overall power consumption.
3Productivity
If spatial difference calculation is performed during reading, then processing efficiency improves, but readout circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spatial difference calculation function with the readout circuit operation. Instead of performing spatial difference calculations separately after reading complete frames, the system combines these operations by calculating spatial differences during the readout process itself. This integration improves processing efficiency by eliminating separate calculation steps while distributing the computational load across the readout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs spatial difference calculations preliminarily during the readout phase rather than after complete frame acquisition. By initiating spatial difference calculations while data is being read from the pixel region, the system overlaps computation with data transfer, improving overall processing efficiency and reducing total operation time.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an optical sensor including a pixel matrix and a readout circuit. The pixel matrix includes multiple pixels arranged in a matrix, and each of the multiple pixels outputs temporal difference pixel data. The readout circuit sequentially reads the pixel matrix using a readout block, and performs the hybrid difference calculation on the temporal difference pixel data of pixels within the readout block. Accordingly, the output of the readout circuit is the data accomplishing temporal difference and spatial difference.