Digital camera and method for slowing, delay and/or suspending advanced processing during low battery conditions to conserve battery charge
First Claim
1. An electronic camera comprising:
- a battery;
a lens and image sensor for capturing images;
a battery charge-monitor for monitoring battery charge;
an embedded image-processing system, coupled to the battery and capable of being powered by the battery, for processing and compressing captured images;
a management processor coupled to the battery charge-monitor;
a nonvolatile memory, coupled to the embedded image-processing system, for recording compressed images;
wherein the embedded image-processing system has firmware for performing an initial compression and for performing advanced processing of images; and
wherein the image processing system has firmware for saving intermediate results of advanced processing on nonvolatile memory and suspending advanced processing when the battery charge-monitor circuit detects that battery charge is less than a reserve level.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic camera has a battery, a battery charge-monitor circuit for monitoring battery charge, an embedded image-processing system, and a nonvolatile memory coupled to the embedded image-processing system for recording compressed images. The camera is capable of performing an initial compression and of performing advanced processing of images. The camera is capable of saving partially processed and/or intermediate images on nonvolatile memory, and suspending advanced processing, when the battery charge-monitor circuit detects that battery charge is less than a minimum or a reserve level. In an alternative embodiment, the camera is capable of reducing a clock rate at which advanced processing is performed to conserve battery charge.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. An electronic camera comprising:
-
a battery;
a lens and image sensor for capturing images;
a battery charge-monitor for monitoring battery charge;
an embedded image-processing system, coupled to the battery and capable of being powered by the battery, for processing and compressing captured images;
a management processor coupled to the battery charge-monitor;
a nonvolatile memory, coupled to the embedded image-processing system, for recording compressed images;
wherein the embedded image-processing system has firmware for performing an initial compression and for performing advanced processing of images; and
wherein the image processing system has firmware for saving intermediate results of advanced processing on nonvolatile memory and suspending advanced processing when the battery charge-monitor circuit detects that battery charge is less than a reserve level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method of conserving power in a digital camera comprising the steps of:
-
capturing an image;
performing initial compression on the image in an embedded image processing system, and saving an initially compressed image in a nonvolatile memory;
decreasing a clock rate of the embedded image processing system to reduce a load current on a battery that powers the camera;
performing advanced processing on the image;
monitoring a charge level of the battery and, upon battery charge level dropping below a reserve charge level, saving intermediate results in a nonvolatile memory. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. An electronic camera comprising:
-
a battery;
a battery charge-monitor circuit for monitoring battery charge;
an embedded image-processing system powered by the battery;
a nonvolatile memory, coupled to the embedded image-processing systemfor storing compressed images;
wherein the embedded image-processing system has firmware for performing an initial compression and for performing advanced processing of images;
wherein the image processing system embedded image-processing system has firmware for saving intermediate results on nonvolatile memory and suspending advanced processing when the battery charge-monitor circuit detects that battery charge is less than a reserve level; and
wherein the reserve level is chosen to permit the camera to capture and perform initial compression of at least one additional image before the battery charge drops below a minimum charge level. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
-
Specification