Optical Code Scanning With Dynamic Viewable Area for Battery Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices used for scanning optical codes, such as barcodes and QR codes, experience significant battery drain due to the energy-intensive process of displaying the camera view during scanning, necessitating external chargers for extended use.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that dynamically adjusts the size of the viewable area on the display based on the presence and size of the optical code using machine learning models, dimming or disabling non-code pixels to conserve energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the camera view is displayed continuously during scanning, then scanning accuracy is maintained, but battery life is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by capturing video frames at specific intervals and only activating the display when an optical code is detected in the current or previous frames. The processor continuously analyzes frames but only triggers the viewable area display when code presence is confirmed, creating a periodic rather than continuous display operation that preserves battery life while maintaining scanning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by displaying only a portion of the camera view (the viewable area containing the optical code) rather than the entire camera feed. The processor identifies the specific region containing the code and activates display only for that localized area, reducing overall display energy consumption while maintaining the necessary scanning functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the entire camera view is displayed, then code detection is facilitated, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary portion of the camera view for code detection. The processor analyzes video frames to identify regions containing optical codes and activates the display only for those specific areas. This extraction principle allows the system to maintain code detection effectiveness while eliminating the energy waste of displaying unnecessary portions of the camera feed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by displaying only a portion of the camera view (the viewable area containing the optical code) rather than the entire camera feed. The processor identifies the specific region containing the code and activates display only for that localized area, reducing overall display energy consumption while maintaining the necessary scanning functionality.
3Loss of information
If the display is continuously active, then user awareness of code position is maintained, but battery drain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by continuously analyzing video frames for code presence and only activating the display when an optical code is detected in the current or previous frames. This periodic activation maintains code position awareness for users while dramatically reducing the energy consumption associated with continuous display operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service by using the camera-captured video frames themselves to determine when display activation is necessary. The processor analyzes the same video data used for code detection to decide whether the viewable area should be displayed, eliminating the need for separate sensing mechanisms and enabling energy-efficient, context-aware display control.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for scanning optical codes with improved energy efficiency are disclosed. In some embodiments, a disclosed method includes: obtaining a video captured by a camera; determining, based on a machine learning model, whether an optical code is included in any frame image of the video; presenting a viewable area on a display operatively coupled to the camera, once the video starts to include at least a portion of the optical code; and dynamically adjusting the viewable area based on a size of the optical code in each frame image of the video.