Abstract: A system (10) for compressing video information includes an image detector (12) generating image information regarding a selected scene, a supplemental detector (13, 113, 213) generating supplemental information regarding the scene which is different from the image information, and a processing section (19, 119, 219). The processing section generates compressed information by processing the image information as a function of the supplemental information. The processing section may store the compressed information in a storage section (21), or may transmit the compressed information to a remote device through a communication link (26). The image detector may generate video images of the scene in response to visible light. The supplemental detector may generate images of the scene which represent heat or distance, or may determine the portion of the scene to which an eye (214) of an operator is directed.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a computer program for reduced power consumption by a processor (10) having functional units (11d, 11e) that are independently controllable by instructions. The processor's instruction set (FIG. 4) has instructions that may be directed to a particular functional unit (11d, 11e) so as to place that functional unit in a power-down state while not being used during a program segment.