Image Sensor Collision Detection Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing standards for connecting processors to multiple image sensors, such as the CSI-2 standard, require multiple data buses and lack effective collision prevention mechanisms for image data transmitted over shared data buses, leading to potential data collisions and hardware complications.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor system that includes a collision detection line connected to a pull-up circuit, allowing each image sensor to determine if data collisions will occur on the shared data bus and adjust its output accordingly, preventing collisions by using a voltage level to indicate whether data is being transmitted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple image sensors are connected to a processor using existing standards like CSI-2, then each sensor can transmit image data reliably, but the number of data buses increases and hardware complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple image sensor connections into a single shared data bus, allowing multiple sensors to transmit image data sequentially through one bus rather than requiring separate dedicated buses for each sensor. This is achieved by implementing a master-slave arbitration mechanism where one sensor acts as master and others as slaves, coordinating their transmissions to prevent collisions while reducing the total number of data buses required.
2Device complexity
If a data bus is shared by multiple image sensors, then the number of data buses is reduced and wiring region is minimized, but image data collisions may occur on the shared bus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary arbitration action before image data transmission begins. The master sensor and slave sensors perform a handshake protocol where the master checks if the bus is free before transmitting, and slave sensors wait for permission from the master. This preliminary coordination ensures that only one sensor transmits at a time, preventing data collisions while utilizing the shared bus efficiently.
3Reliability
If delay timing is adjusted to prevent image data collisions, then data transmission reliability improves, but setting errors may cause overlapping transmission timings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the master sensor monitors the transmission status and provides real-time control signals to slave sensors. The master sensor detects when the bus is free and dynamically adjusts the transmission timing of slave sensors through control signals, eliminating the need for manual delay timing configuration. This feedback loop ensures reliable collision prevention while simplifying the operation and configuration process.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an image sensor that is connected to a data bus to which another image sensor is connected and image data is transmitted, and a collision detection line to which the another image sensor is connected and which is pulled up to a voltage at a first level through a register. The image sensor determines, on a basis of a state of the collision detection line, whether a collision of pieces of the image data is to occur on the data bus when the image data is output, and then outputs the image data to the data bus.