APPARATUS AND METHOD OF REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION IN DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSOR

• US 20110085054A1
• Filed: 10/12/2010
• Published: 04/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Tak-kyoum, Choi, Jong-kwan
• Application Number:
  US12/902,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20110085054A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/231.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/63 Generation or supply of power specially adapted for television receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure

Abstract

An apparatus and method for reducing power consumption in a digital image processor are disclosed. The apparatus includes a global positioning system (GPS) module using power and configured to generate initial GPS location information of the digital image processor; and a digital signal processor (DSP) configured to receive the initial GPS location information, to set user selected location information for recording in a captured image, and to cut the power to the GPS module. The method includes supplying power to a global positioning system (GPS) module; receiving initial GPS location information of the digital image processor, wherein the initial GPS location is generated by the GPS module; setting a user selected location information to capture an image; and cutting the power to the GPS module.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reducing power consumption in a digital image processor, the apparatus comprising:

a global positioning system (GPS) module using power and configured to generate initial GPS location information of the digital image processor; and

a digital signal processor (DSP) configured to receive the initial GPS location information, to set user selected location information for recording in a captured image, and to cut the power to the GPS module.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the DSP comprises:

a user interface (UI) provider configured to provide a UI to set the user selected location information for recording in a captured image;

a location setter configured to set the user selected location on the UI;

a location storage unit configured to store the set user selected location information and the initial GPS location information received from the GPS module; and

a controller configured to cut the power to the GPS module and configured to record the set user selected location information in the captured image.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the UI provider is configured to provide map information or regional name information for setting the user selected location information based on the initial GPS location information.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to record the received initial GPS location information in the captured image.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to respond to a photographing location change received from a user, by supplying the power to the GPS module, providing the UI to set the user selected location information, and responsive to the user selecting a new user selected location information, storing the new user selected location information, and storing a new initial GPS location information received from the GPS module.

2. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the DSP is configured to record the set user selected location information in a captured image.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the DSP is configured to record the received GPS initial location information in the captured image.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the GPS module comprises a GPS power supply configured to supply power and cut power to the GPS module according to a supply power signal or cut power signal received from the DSP.

9. An apparatus for reducing power consumption in a digital image processor, the apparatus comprising:

a global positioning system (GPS) module using power and configured to generate initial location information of the digital image processor; and

a digital signal processor (DSP) configured to receive the initial location information and configured to cut the power to the GPS module.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the DSP is configured to record the received initial location information in a captured image.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the GPS module comprises a GPS power supply configured to supply power and to cut power to the GPS module according to a supply power signal or cut power control signal received from the DSP.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the DSP comprises:

a location storage unit configured to store the initial location information received from the GPS module; and

a controller configured to cut the power to the GPS module and configured to record the initial location information in the captured image.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to respond to a photographing location change by supplying power to the GPS module, and by storing the initial location information re-received from the GPS module.

14. A method of reducing power consumption in a digital image processor, the method comprising:

supplying power to a global positioning system (GPS) module;

receiving initial GPS location information of the digital image processor, wherein the initial GPS location is generated by the GPS module;

setting a user selected location information to capture an image; and

cutting the power to the GPS module.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

capturing an image; and

recording the user selected location information in the captured image.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

capturing an image; and

recording the initial GPS location information in the captured image.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein setting comprises:

providing a user interface (UI) for setting the user selected location information for recording in the captured image, wherein the UI provides location information based on the initial GPS location;

receiving a selection from the user of the user selected location information; and

storing the user selected location information.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

responsive to receiving a change in location from the user,

supplying power to the global positioning system (GPS) module;

receiving a new initial GPS location information of the digital image processor, wherein the new initial GPS location is generated by the GPS module;

setting the user selected location information to capture an image; and

cutting the power to the GPS module.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the UI is a map or a menu for selecting regional names for setting the user selected location information.

20. A method of reducing power consumption in a digital image processor, the method comprising:

supplying power to a global positioning system (GPS) module;

receiving initial location information of the digital image processor, wherein the initial location information is generated by the GPS module;

storing the initial location information; and

cutting the power to the GPS module.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

capturing an image; and

recording the initial location information in the captured image.