Array Camera Focal Plane Group Control Registers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing array camera systems lack efficient control over multiple focal planes, requiring individual adjustment of each plane, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when capturing multiple images simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with control circuitry that allows for separate and simultaneous control of multiple focal planes through focal plane groups, using registers to store configuration data for integration time, gain, and operational state, enabling rapid reconfiguration and parameter adjustment via a processor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual focal planes are controlled separately, then precise control of each plane is achieved, but control time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual focal plane controls into unified focal plane groups. The control circuitry allows a single command to simultaneously control multiple focal planes within a group, merging what would otherwise require separate control operations. This grouping mechanism directly reduces the number of command exchanges between processor and sensor while maintaining individual plane controllability through group-based parameter adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry implements universal control registers that can address multiple focal planes simultaneously. A single register write operation can modify parameters across several focal planes, making the control system multi-functional rather than dedicated to individual planes. This universality allows the same control mechanism to serve multiple focal planes, reducing overall control complexity and time.
2Productivity
If multiple focal planes are controlled simultaneously, then image capture speed increases, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into focal plane groups, where each group contains multiple focal planes that can be controlled together. This segmentation allows simultaneous control of multiple planes without requiring a completely new complex control architecture. The segmentation into manageable groups reduces the overall control complexity while enabling parallel operation and faster image capture across multiple planes.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry introduces intermediary group control registers that mediate between the processor and individual focal planes. Instead of the processor directly controlling each plane (which would be complex), the intermediary group registers handle the coordination, simplifying the control interface while enabling simultaneous multi-plane operation. This intermediary layer manages the complexity internally while presenting a simplified interface externally.
3Loss of time
If focal plane parameters are adjusted rapidly, then reconfiguration time decreases, but control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry prepares focal plane groups in advance by pre-configuring group registers with parameter settings. When rapid reconfiguration is needed, the pre-prepared group configurations can be quickly activated without requiring step-by-step adjustment of each plane. This preliminary preparation of control states enables fast reconfiguration while maintaining precision through pre-validated parameter sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional sequential mechanical-like adjustment mechanisms with electronic register-based control. Instead of physically adjusting each focal plane parameter individually (slow and precise), the system uses electronic write operations to group registers, which simultaneously update multiple planes. This electronic substitution enables rapid reconfiguration while maintaining precision through direct digital control of parameter registers.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling the parameters of groups of focal planes as focal plane groups in an array camera are described. One embodiment includes a plurality of focal planes, and control circuitry configured to control the capture of image data by the pixels within the focal planes. In addition, the control circuitry includes: a plurality of parameter registers, where a given parameter register is associated with one of the focal planes and contains configuration data for the associated focal plane; and a focal plane group register that contains data identifying focal planes that belong to a focal plane group. Furthermore, the control circuitry is configured to control the imaging parameters of the focal planes in the focal plane groups by mapping instructions that address virtual register addresses to the addresses of the parameter registers associated with focal planes within specific focal plane groups.