Patent ID: 7755698
Filing Date: 2010-07-13
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for managing current consumption of a circuit in a digital camera, the method comprising: providing a digital output corresponding to one of two or more modes of operation; receiving a signal identifying a first mode of operation of the digital camera; determining a first value for a bias current for application to the circuit, the first value of the bias current being sufficient to provide that the circuit functions with first operating characteristics required by the first mode of operation; applying the first bias current to the circuit; sensing a second mode of operation of the digital camera; determining a second value for the bias current for application to the circuit, the second value of the bias current being sufficient to provide that the circuit functions with second operating characteristics required by the second mode of operation, and the first bias current is different to the second bias current; and scaling the bias current from the first value to the second value; applying the scaled bias current with the second value to the circuit when the circuit is operating at a frequency lower than a maximum frequency of the circuit or when the circuit is generating a signal of lower quality, wherein the circuit has certain operating characteristics that may be varied by the application of different values of the biased current to the circuit, and a minimum digital output provides the operating characteristics of the circuit conforming to the requirements of the corresponding mode of operation.