Mechanisms for Conserving Power in a Compressive Imaging System

A system and method for conserving power in compressive imaging. An optical subsystem separates an incident light stream into a primary light stream and a secondary light stream. The primary light stream is modulated with a sequence of spatial patterns by a light modulator. The modulated light stream is sensed by a first light sensing device. The secondary light stream is sensed by a second light sensing device. The signal(s) produced by the second light sensing device may be monitored to determine when to turn on power to the light modulator. Thus, the light modulator may remain off when not needed. In an alternative implementation, a light sensing device is used to sense the light reflected from the light modulator in its power-off state. The signal(s) produced by that light sensing device may be monitored to determine when to turn on power to the light modulator.