Photodetector Clustering for Power-Constrained Optical Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

High power consumption in optical detection systems with high pixel density image sensors, which is typically addressed by compromising on sensor size or reducing processing, is undesirable as it affects accuracy and image quality.

Innovation Solution

An optical detection system with a set of photodetectors and pixel processing circuits, where switches are used to selectively activate subsets of pixel processing circuits, allowing for low-resolution mode operation to conserve power and transitioning to high-resolution mode when needed, thereby optimizing power usage based on detected targets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an image sensor with high pixel density is used, then image quality and measurement accuracy are improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is divided into multiple blocks, each with its own pixel processing circuit. Only the blocks containing detected light sources are activated for full processing, while other blocks remain in a low-power state. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high measurement accuracy when needed while significantly reducing power consumption during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of pixel processing circuits based on detected light sources. The controller activates specific pixel processing circuits only when light sources are detected in corresponding blocks, transitioning between low-power and high-performance states as needed. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining measurement precision and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If pixel density is increased, then image quality is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is divided into multiple blocks, each with its own pixel processing circuit. Only the blocks containing detected light sources are activated for full processing, while other blocks remain in a low-power state. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high measurement accuracy when needed while significantly reducing power consumption during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system processes only the necessary portion of the image data by activating pixel processing circuits only for blocks containing detected light sources. This partial processing approach maintains high image quality for relevant areas while avoiding the complexity and power consumption of processing the entire high-resolution image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If full processing is applied to all pixel information, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is divided into multiple blocks, each with its own pixel processing circuit. Only the blocks containing detected light sources are activated for full processing, while other blocks remain in a low-power state. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high measurement accuracy when needed while significantly reducing power consumption during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and processes only the relevant image data from blocks containing detected light sources, while excluding data from blocks without light sources from full processing. This extraction approach maintains measurement accuracy for target objects while eliminating unnecessary processing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces power consumption while maintaining high-resolution imaging capabilities, allowing for efficient detection and accurate distance measurements or image capture without compromising on image quality.

Implementation Method 1

an image sensor having an array of photodetectors to detect incident light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9525834B1Optical detection system incorporating photodetector clustering

Publication Date: 2016.12.20 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

An optical detection system can include a set of photodetectors and a set of pixel processing circuits for processing pixel information provided by the set of photodetectors. A set of switches interposed between the set of photodetectors and the set of pixel processing circuits can be selectively activated to place the optical detection system in a first mode of operation that allows for optical detection using a subset of pixel processing circuits. The remaining pixel processing circuits that are not used during the first mode of operation can be placed in a power down condition for conserving power. The set of switches can then be re-activated as needed, to place the optical detection system in a second mode of operation that allows for optical detection using a larger number of pixel processing circuits than used during the first mode of operation.