Channel Gain Switching Timing for Low-Noise Image Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

The variation in picture signal levels due to load changes in the processing circuit when gain values are switched causes interference between channels, particularly affecting infrared light signals with low sensitivity, leading to increased noise influence.

Innovation Solution

A gain modification device with a gain reflection control unit that adjusts the timing of gain value switching for different channels, delaying or disabling gain value updates to minimize load changes and reduce signal level variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the gain value is increased to amplify weak infrared signals, then the signal level is improved, but the noise influence from load changes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal levelVSAvoidnoise influence
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gain control is segmented into two independent parts: a first gain control unit that operates independently of channel switching, and a second gain control unit that is activated only when needed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain stable baseline gain while applying additional gain only when required, reducing noise from simultaneous switching operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first gain control unit establishes the baseline gain setting in advance, before any channel switching occurs. This preliminary action ensures that the gain is already optimized for the signal level, preventing the need for subsequent gain adjustments that would cause load changes and noise during switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If gain values are switched simultaneously across all channels, then the processing speed is improved, but the signal level variation due to load change increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidsignal level
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The gain control operations are segmented into two distinct units with different activation conditions. The first gain control unit operates continuously and independently, while the second unit operates selectively. This segmentation allows the system to maintain processing speed through the first unit while the second unit provides stability by being activated only when additional gain adjustment is necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the operation of the second gain control unit based on the specific channel being switched. The second unit is activated only when a channel requires gain adjustment, and its operation is coordinated with the channel switching timing. This dynamic approach maintains processing speed while minimizing signal level variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the gain value is increased for infrared channels, then the signal detection capability is improved, but the interference with other channels increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal detection capabilityVSAvoidinterference with other channels
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gain control is segmented into channel-independent first gain control and channel-specific second gain control. This segmentation allows infrared channels to receive the necessary gain boost for improved detection capability while the second unit is carefully controlled to minimize interference with other channels through coordinated switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second gain control unit acts as an intermediary that is selectively activated only when channel switching requires additional gain adjustment. This intermediary approach allows the system to provide enhanced signal detection for infrared channels while preventing unnecessary gain changes that would cause interference with other channels during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4097965B1Gain modification device, signal processing unit, imaging device, image reading device, image forming apparatus, and gain modifying method
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4097965B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4097965B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4097965B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A gain modification device (20) includes a plurality of gain modification units (31) whose number of units corresponds to a number of kinds of a plurality of signals input to the plurality of gain modification units, each one of the plurality of gain modification units (31) being configured to modify a gain value used to amplify the plurality of signals, and a plurality of gain reflection control units (44) configured to change a timing at which the gain value is to be switched by the plurality of gain modification units (31) such that the gain value of one of the plurality of signals affecting a signal level of another one of the plurality of signals is switched at a timing different from a timing at which the gain value of the another one of the plurality of signals is switched.