Image Sensor Frame Synchronization for Multi-Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-sensor fusion in personal electronic devices is challenged by differing response delays among digital camera assemblies, leading to scene capturing at different time intervals and degradation of fusion quality.
Innovation Solution
A self-adjusting synchronization method where each image sensor determines its time delay between a synchronization signal and the start of frame, adjusting the vertical blanking time to align future frames, enabling processors to fuse aligned frames based on timing information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple digital camera assemblies are used to enable multi-sensor fusion, then image quality and optical zoom levels are improved, but response delays differ between assemblies causing scene capturing at different time intervals and degradation of fusion quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by capturing test images at multiple exposure times with each camera assembly, determines response delays before actual operation, and pre-calculates synchronization parameters. This preliminary measurement of time delays enables the system to compensate for differential response times during subsequent multi-sensor fusion operations, ensuring temporal alignment without real-time delays
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the actual capture timing of each camera assembly by analyzing frame timestamps and comparing them against expected synchronization points. Based on measured deviations, the system dynamically adjusts exposure timing parameters and synchronization signals sent to individual camera assemblies, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that maintains temporal alignment despite varying response characteristics
2Stability of the object's composition
If synchronization signals are transmitted to all image sensors, then frame alignment is achieved, but the complexity of determining and adjusting time delays increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each camera assembly autonomously determines its own response delay characteristics by analyzing timestamps from received synchronization signals and comparing them against actual capture completion times. The system performs self-calibration by automatically calculating its unique time delay parameter without requiring manual intervention or complex external measurement equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise frame alignment
Data Source
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AI summary
This document describes systems and techniques for self-adjusting sensor synchronization involving one sensor and for self-adjusting synchronization for multi-sensor fusion. In aspects, one or more processors transmit a synchronization signal to two or more image sensors effective to cause each of the two or more image sensors to generate a start of frame. Responsive to the start of frame, each of the two or more image sensors determines a time delay between the synchronization signal and a respective start of frame. Based on the time delay for each of the two or more image sensors, the two or more image sensors individually adjust a respective timing for a successive start of frame. The one or more processors can obtain timing information relating to the time delay and align captured frames based on the timing delay for each of the two or more image sensors. The one or more processors can then fuse aligned frames to enhance image quality.