Time of Flight Sensor Presence Detection Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Time-of-flight 3D sensing systems face challenges in power consumption during presence detection and high-resolution image processing, as generating high-resolution 3D representations consumes significant power, which can lead to reduced battery life and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The integration of processing circuitry within the 3D sensor system allows for low-resolution image data processing to determine object presence, reducing power consumption, and only triggering high-resolution processing when an object is detected, using techniques such as downsampling and clustering pixels to generate lower resolution image data for initial presence detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-resolution image data is processed to generate 3D representations, then image quality and detection accuracy are improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing task into two stages: first processing low-resolution image data for presence detection, and only if an object is detected, then processing high-resolution image data for detailed 3D representation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve detection accuracy when needed while minimizing power consumption during routine operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by processing only a portion of the image data (low-resolution) for the initial presence detection task, rather than processing the full high-resolution data. This partial processing approach reduces power consumption while still achieving the detection objective, and only triggers full high-resolution processing when actually required.
2Reliability
If continuous high-resolution processing is performed, then object detection reliability is maintained, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The processing pipeline is segmented into low-resolution presence detection and high-resolution detailed processing. By using low-resolution processing for continuous monitoring and reserving high-resolution processing only for confirmed detections, the system maintains detection reliability while significantly extending battery life through reduced power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic low-resolution presence detection followed by conditional high-resolution processing only when objects are detected. This periodic action pattern ensures reliable detection while managing battery life by avoiding continuous high-power operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If low-resolution processing is used for presence detection, then power consumption is reduced, but detection precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments detection into two levels: low-resolution for initial presence detection and high-resolution for confirmation and detailed analysis. This segmentation allows the system to use low-power processing for the majority of operations while maintaining high detection precision through the follow-up high-resolution processing when objects are detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary low-resolution presence detection before committing to high-resolution processing. This preliminary action filters out false positives and ensures that high-resolution processing is only applied when actually needed, maintaining detection precision while minimizing power consumption.
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 enables low-power presence detection and efficient power management, extending battery life by minimizing high-resolution processing until an object is confirmed, while maintaining high-resolution image generation capabilities when needed.
Implementation Method 1
time-of-flight (ToF) systems... generating first image data representative of reflected light from an environment
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a 3D sensor system includes by an array of pixels of an imaging sensor of the 3D sensor system, generating first image data representative of reflected light from an environment, the image data having a first resolution. The method includes by processing circuitry of the 3D sensor system, generating second image data based on the first image data, the second image data having a second resolution less than the first resolution; and by the processing circuitry of the imaging sensor, determining that the second image data indicates that an object is present in the environment. The method includes responsive to the determining, providing the first image data from the 3D sensor system to one or more processors configured to generate a three-dimensional image of the environment based on the first image data.