Selective Camera Flash System for Battery Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera systems equipped with light or flash systems for low-light environments often require continuous illumination, which drains battery power, shortening operation time, especially for public safety personnel who need to document incidents in dark settings without time to activate external light sources.
Innovation Solution
A selective camera flash system that includes a camera with an image sensor and multiple lights, controlled by an electronic processor to modulate light output and activate only a subset of lights illuminating the region of interest, thereby conserving battery power and capturing clear images in low-light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If continuous illumination is used to capture images in low-light environments, then image quality is improved, but battery power consumption increases and operation time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system divides the illumination function into multiple independent light sources arranged in different patterns (e.g., circular, linear, scattered). Instead of using all lights continuously, the system selectively activates only the subset of lights corresponding to the detected region of interest, thereby providing sufficient illumination for image capture while significantly reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by directing illumination only to specific regions where objects of interest are detected, rather than uniformly illuminating the entire field of view. The electronic processor identifies regions containing objects of interest and activates only the light sources that illuminate those specific areas, optimizing both image quality and energy efficiency.
2Illumination intensity
If continuous illumination is used to capture images in low-light environments, then image quality is improved, but operation time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by continuously monitoring the environment for objects of interest and selectively activating illumination only when needed. The electronic processor periodically analyzes captured frames, and when objects of interest are detected in specific regions, it triggers the corresponding light sources to illuminate those areas, thereby extending operation time while maintaining image quality when required.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a subset of lights is selectively activated based on region of interest, then power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by using the image sensor to detect objects of interest and their locations, then feeding this information back to the electronic processor which determines which light sources to activate. This closed-loop control enables selective illumination based on actual scene requirements, reducing power consumption while managing complexity through intelligent algorithms that analyze spatial relationships between detected objects and light source positions.
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
The system effectively extends camera battery life by selectively illuminating only the necessary regions, allowing for clear image capture in low-light situations without excessive power consumption, aiding public safety personnel in documenting incidents efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor configured to detect light
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of lights configured to illuminate a region within the image frame
Data Source
AI summary
A camera flash system and method for the same. In one example, the system includes a camera including an image sensor, a plurality of lights, and an electronic processor. The camera is configured to capture an image frame. Each of the lights is configured to illuminate a region within the image frame. The electronic processor is configured to capture via the camera, while modulating an output of the plurality of lights, a first image frame and determine, using the image sensor, an object of interest within the first image frame. The electronic processor is further configured to identify a region of interest in which the object of interest is located based on the first image frame, identify, based on the region of interest, a subset of lights from the plurality of lights, and activate the subset of lights.