Event-Driven Vision Sensor Module for Stationary Subject Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Event-driven vision sensors struggle to detect stationary subjects and calibrate effectively due to their asynchronous operation, which limits their ability to generate events at specific timings and capture information about the surrounding environment, including stationary objects.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an actuator to displace the sensor array and a shutter mechanism that can shield or open the sensor array's field of view, allowing for controlled generation of events and calibration, enabling detection of stationary subjects and self-luminous objects by altering the positional relationships between sensors and subjects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If an event-driven vision sensor operates asynchronously to detect light intensity changes, then power consumption is reduced and operating speed is increased, but the ability to detect stationary subjects and generate events at specific timings is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidability to detect stationary subjects

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the sensor array movable through actuator-driven displacement. The sensor array can dynamically change its position to alter the positional relationship with stationary subjects, enabling event generation for objects that would otherwise not trigger asynchronous events. This dynamic positioning capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt to different detection needs while maintaining low-power operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action through the shutter mechanism that periodically opens and closes to control light incidence on the sensor array. This periodic shading creates controlled light intensity changes that generate events at specific timings, enabling the detection of stationary subjects and self-luminous objects without requiring continuous high-power operation of the sensor array.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Speed

If an event-driven vision sensor operates asynchronously, then high-speed operation is achieved, but the ability to calibrate the sensor array and capture environmental information is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating speedVSAvoidenvironmental information capture

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using the shutter to pre-control the light incidence conditions before the sensor array detects subjects. By periodically opening and closing the shutter, the system creates controlled light intensity changes that enable calibration of the sensor array and capture of environmental information about stationary objects and self-luminous sources, all while maintaining the high-speed asynchronous operation mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the sensor array remains stationary, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to generate events for stationary subjects and perform calibration is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor array structureVSAvoiddetection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing minimal dynamic elements (actuators and shutter) that enable the sensor array to change position and the shutter to control light incidence. This dynamic capability significantly improves detection reliability for stationary subjects and calibration functions while adding only necessary complexity - the sensor array itself remains relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration allows for the detection of stationary subjects and calibration of the sensor array, improving the sensor's ability to capture environmental information and identify self-luminous objects, while maintaining low power consumption and high-speed operation.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor array having a sensor that generates an event signal when the sensor detects a change in intensity of incident light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12010448B2Sensor module, electronic device, subject detection method, and program

Publication Date: 2024.06.11 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC

AI summary

Provided are a sensor module including an event-driven vision sensor that includes a sensor array having a sensor that generates an event signal when the sensor detects a change in intensity of incident light, and an actuator connected to the sensor array and configured to displace the sensor array in a predetermined direction, and an electronic device having such a sensor module.