Phase Detection Data Transmission Control for Power Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices consume significant power due to continuous transmission of phase detection data, even when it is not needed for autofocus operations, leading to increased CPU utilization and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An automatic focusing module dynamically enables and disables the transmission of phase detection data from an image sensor based on scene changes, using gyroscope output, automatic exposure control, sum of absolute differences, or digital image correlation, allowing the device to conserve power by only transmitting data when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phase detection data is continuously transmitted from the image sensor, then autofocus operations can be performed, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the phase detection data transmission state changeable between enabled and disabled based on scene change detection. The system dynamically adjusts the transmission state rather than maintaining a fixed continuous transmission mode, allowing it to adapt to different scene conditions and reduce power consumption when scenes remain static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by enabling phase detection data transmission only during specific periods when scene changes are detected, rather than maintaining continuous transmission. The system periodically checks for scene changes using techniques like sum of absolute differences or digital image correlation, and activates transmission only when necessary, creating an on-demand periodic transmission pattern.
2Productivity
If phase detection data transmission is disabled to save power, then CPU utilization improves, but autofocus responsiveness may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing scene change detection using alternative methods (such as analyzing gyroscope output, automatic exposure control information, or computing sum of absolute differences between frames) before enabling phase detection data transmission. This preliminary detection mechanism ensures that autofocus responsiveness is maintained by proactively identifying when transmission should be activated, rather than waiting for autofocus performance to degrade.
3Loss of energy
If phase detection data is transmitted only when needed, then power consumption is reduced, but scene change detection accuracy must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses intermediary methods for scene change detection by employing alternative techniques such as analyzing gyroscope output data, automatic exposure control information, or computing sum of absolute differences between image frames. These intermediary detection methods serve as mediators to identify scene changes without requiring continuous phase detection data transmission, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while reducing power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is described. The electronic device includes an image sensor that is configured to capture phase detection data for automatic focusing. The electronic device also includes an automatic focusing module that is configured to dynamically enable or disable transmission of the phase detection data from the image sensor. The automatic focusing module may be configured to enable transmission of the phase detection data from the image sensor in response to detecting a scene change.