Event Sensor Droplet Detection for Precise Dispenser Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems struggle to accurately capture and control droplets ejected from dispensers due to the limitations of high-speed cameras, which can only capture a few frames per droplet, making precise detection and control challenging.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and system utilizing an event-based vision sensor (EVS) to detect droplets by converting optical signals into event signals, enabling precise detection and control through a processor that analyzes temporal luminance changes to adjust droplet parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a user device transmits a capture image to a server device for processing, then the user device can utilize the server's processing power for complex image operations, but the communication load and data transmission requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing powerVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The image processing task is segmented into two parts: preprocessing operations (such as format conversion, compression, or initial filtering) are performed locally on the user device, while only the processed or selectively extracted data is transmitted to the server for further processing. This segmentation reduces the volume of data that needs to be transmitted while still utilizing the server's processing power for complex operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the server device processes images with high resolution and large file sizes, then processing quality is maintained, but communication time and network bandwidth consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing qualityVSAvoidcommunication time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The user device performs preliminary actions on the capture image before transmission, such as format conversion to more efficient formats, preliminary compression, or extraction of key regions of interest. This preliminary processing maintains the essential quality information needed for accurate processing while significantly reducing the data volume that requires communication, thereby reducing communication time without sacrificing processing quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the system stores and processes original capture images, then image quality is preserved, but storage space and processing resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameters of image storage and processing by maintaining original quality images only when necessary (such as when high quality is required for the specific application), while using compressed or processed versions for routine operations. The system dynamically adjusts between storing original images and processed images based on quality requirements, thereby reducing overall storage space consumption while preserving image quality when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4219023B1Information processing device and information processing system
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP
  • EP4219023B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4219023B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4219023B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present technology relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing system that enable accurate detection of a droplet from a dispenser. The information processing apparatus includes: an event sensor including a pixel configured to photoelectrically convert an optical signal and output a pixel signal, the event sensor being configured to output a temporal luminance change of the optical signal as an event signal on the basis of the pixel signal; and a processor configured to detect a droplet injected from the dispenser on the basis of the event signal. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a dispenser control system that controls a dispenser, and the like.