Illumination Assembly Timing Coordination for Multi-Imager Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial scanning applications with multiple cameras, synchronizing the activation of illumination assemblies is challenging when cameras are activated at different times or have varying exposure durations, leading to inefficient energy use due to constant illumination.
Innovation Solution
A host device coordinates the illumination assembly by transitioning between operation states based on the shortest delay and longest total operation duration of the imaging devices, ensuring proper illumination during group acquisition operations without constant activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the illumination assembly is kept on indefinitely in torch mode to ensure proper illumination for all cameras, then illumination reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination assembly transitions between different operational states (off, standby, active) based on real-time camera activation requirements. The system dynamically adjusts illumination timing by calculating the shortest delay and longest total operation duration across all cameras, enabling the illumination to be activated only when needed and deactivated when all cameras have completed their exposures, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable illumination and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous illumination, the system implements periodic illumination cycles synchronized with camera group acquisition operations. The illumination assembly is activated in timed intervals that correspond to when cameras need illumination, determined by the coordination of individual camera delays and exposure durations, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining illumination reliability during actual imaging periods
2Reliability
If the illumination assembly is activated early to accommodate cameras with longer delays, then illumination coverage is improved, but energy waste increases due to premature activation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the shortest delay value among all cameras before activating the illumination assembly. This allows the illumination to be activated at the optimal moment - early enough to cover all cameras including those with longer delays, but not so early as to cause unnecessary energy waste. The host device computes this timing parameter in advance based on camera configuration data
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from camera activation timing and exposure duration parameters to dynamically determine illumination activation and deactivation times. By continuously monitoring the operational status and timing requirements of all cameras, the system adjusts the illumination schedule to achieve precise timing coordination, ensuring illumination is provided exactly when needed without premature activation
3Measurement precision
If the illumination assembly operates based on individual camera timing, then timing precision for each camera is improved, but system complexity increases due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the timing control of multiple individual cameras into a unified group acquisition operation managed by a single host device. Instead of independently controlling illumination for each camera, the host device consolidates all camera timing parameters (delays and exposure durations) and generates a single coordinated illumination schedule that satisfies all cameras simultaneously, thereby reducing control complexity while maintaining timing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination assembly is designed with multi-functional capability to serve multiple cameras with different timing requirements through a single unified control system. The host device implements a universal timing coordination algorithm that handles varying camera delays and exposure durations, enabling the same illumination assembly to precisely support diverse camera operation patterns without requiring separate illumination systems for each camera
4Adaptability or versatility
If cameras are activated at different times with varying exposure durations, then operational flexibility is improved, but illumination coordination difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination coordination system dynamically adapts to varying camera activation times and exposure durations by calculating the envelope of all timing parameters. The host device determines the earliest activation time (shortest delay) and the latest deactivation time (longest total operation duration), creating a dynamic illumination schedule that automatically adjusts to accommodate different camera operational patterns, thereby maintaining operational flexibility while simplifying coordination through a unified adaptive approach
Data Source
AI summary
At least some embodiment of the present invention are directed to mean for operating an illumination assembly associated with a group of imaging devices. An example method includes causing each of a plurality of imaging devices to capture image data during a group acquisition operation, each of the plurality of imaging devices has (i) a respective delay until a start of an exposure duration, (ii) the respective exposure duration, and (iii) a total operation duration. The method also includes causing an illumination assembly to transition from a first state to a second state based on a shortest delay of the imaging devices and further causing the illumination assembly to transition from the second state to a third state based on a longest total operation duration of the imaging devices.