Autonomous optical wake-up intelligent sensor circuit

• US 7,302,089 B1
• Filed: 04/29/2004
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation (Texas Instruments, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation (Texas Instruments, Inc.)
• Inventors: Smits, Gerard Dirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Bella; Matthew C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rahmjoo; Mike
• Application Number:
  US10/834,571
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: 382/124, 382/218, 382/166
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/74 operating in dual or compartmented mode, i.e. at least one secure mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2105 Dual mode as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/16 Human faces, e.g. facial parts, sketches or expressions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/166 using acquisition arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0251 using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Devices, modules, and methods enable a mobile device to change from a standby mode with low power consumption to an active mode with relatively higher power consumption, upon recognizing that a received image is substantially similar to a visual signature. The visual signature is based on an image, such as the face of the intended user, is stored in a memory. When later the mobile device is in the standby mode, it periodically performs a low power peek with a camera to receive an image of the area in front of the mobile device. If the received image is recognized as substantially related to the visual signature, the mobile device is enabled to change from the standby mode to the active mode.

Claims

1. An apparatus adapted for a mobile device, comprising:

a memory to store a visual signature; and

a processor, that performs actions, including;

in response to an event, enabling a sensor array to receive an image based on at least one peek at a scene adjacent to the mobile device; and

if the received image is determined to be substantially related to the visual signature, enabling the mobile device to change from the standby mode to an active mode, wherein the mobile device consumes relatively less power when operating in the standby mode than when operating in the active mode; and

if the mobile device is enabled to change from the standby mode to the active mode, employing the sensor array to receive another image based on another peek at the scene adjacent to the mobile device, wherein the other received image is a relatively higher resolution than a relatively lower resolution of the received image;

if the other received image is determined to be unrelated to the visual signature, enabling the mobile device to remain in the standby mode.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor array employs a portion of its photo-sensitive elements to receive the image based on the at least one peek.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the received image is a relatively low resolution image.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual signature includes at least one value for geometry, color, facial features, picture, and gray scale.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the event is at least one of a timer, received message, received telephone call, and an actuation of a control.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the event is an expiration of a periodic timer having an adjustable period of time.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprises employing an application to determine if the received image is substantially related to the visual signature, and wherein the application includes at least one of fuzzy logic, neural network, artificial intelligence, and look-up table.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising

receiving at least one target image of a user from the sensor array;

generating the visual signature from the at least one target image; and

storing the visual signature in the memory.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving at least one target image from a third party resource;

generating the visual signature from the at least one target image; and

storing the visual signature in the memory.

10. The module of claim 9, wherein

the processor performs further actions, including:

if the received image is recognized as at least related to the visual signature, the entire sensor array is fully energized to peek at the scene and receive another image; and

if the received other image is substantially related to the visual signature, enabling the mobile device to change from the standby mode to the active mode.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the processor and the sensor array are enclosed in a housing, and

the housing includes an aperture through which to receive the image.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein

the aperture is a pinhole opening.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a lens to receive the image.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving at least one target image from a third party resource;

generating the visual signature from the at least one target image; and

storing the visual signature.

15. A method conserving power for a mobile device, comprising:

in response to an event, receiving an image based on at least one peek at a scene adjacent to the mobile device; and

if the received image is determined to be substantially related to the visual signature, enabling the mobile device to change from the standby mode to an active mode, wherein the mobile device consumes relatively less power when operating in the standby mode than when operating in the active mode and if the mobile device is enabled to change from the standby mode to the active mode, receiving another image based on another peek at the scene adjacent to the mobile device, wherein the other received image is a relatively higher resolution than a relatively lower resolution of the received image; and

if the other received image is determined to be unrelated to the visual signature, enabling the mobile device to remain in the standby mode.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the image based on the at least one peek has a relatively low resolution.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the visual signature includes at least one value for geometry, color, facial features, picture, and gray scale.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the event is at least one of a timer, received message, received telephone call, and an actuation of a control.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the event is an expiration of a periodic timer having an adjustable period of time.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising employing an application to determine if the received image is substantially related to the visual signature, wherein the application includes at least one of fuzzy logic, neural network, artificial intelligence, and look-up table.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising

receiving at least one target image of a user;

generating the visual signature from the at least one target image; and

storing the visual signature.

22. A module adapted for use with a mobile device, comprising:

a memory to store a visual signature;

a sensor array;

an optical component positioned to present an image for receiving by the sensor array; and

a processor that performs actions, comprising;

enabling the sensor array to peek at a scene to receive an image; and

if the received image is recognized as at least related to the visual signature, enabling the mobile device to change from a standby mode to an active mode and if the mobile device is enabled to change from the standby mode to the active mode, employing the sensor array to receive another image based on another peek at the scene adjacent to the mobile device, wherein the other received image is a relatively higher resolution than a relatively lower resolution of the received image;

if the other received image is determined to be unrelated to the visual signature, enabling the mobile device to remain in the standby mode.

23. The module of claim 22, wherein

at least one of the memory, sensor array, optical component, and processor are disposed on a board.

24. The module of claim 22, wherein

the optical component includes at least one of a lens and a fresnel lens.

25. The module of claim 22, wherein

the mobile device includes a housing with the optical component disposed on the sensor array on an outer side of the housing.

26. The module of claim 22, wherein

the peek occurs at a periodic interval that is adjustable.

27. The module of claim 22, wherein

a portion of the sensor array is energized to peek at the scene and receive the image.

28. An apparatus adapted for a mobile device, comprising:

a means for storing a visual signature; and

a means for performing actions, including;

in response to an event, enabling a sensor array to receive an image based on at least one peek at a scene adjacent to the mobile device; and

if the received image is determined to be substantially related to the visual signature, enabling the mobile device to change from the standby mode to an active mode, wherein the mobile device consumes relatively less power when operating in the standby mode than when operating in the active mode and if the mobile device is enabled to change from the standby mode to the active mode, employing the sensor array to receive another image based on another peek at the scene adjacent to the mobile device, wherein the other received image is a relatively higher resolution than a relatively lower resolution of the received image;

if the other received image is determined to be unrelated to the visual signature, enabling the mobile device to remain in the standby mode.