Image Sensor Synchronization to Prevent Light Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated image processing sensors experience interference in light projection regions when adjacent, leading to overexposure and fringes, which can result in incorrect quality assessments of inspection targets.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where image processing sensors communicate data, including signals related to the completion of light projection, to synchronize imaging and projection timing, preventing interference by allowing each sensor to start operations only after receiving a completion signal from an adjacent sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple image processing sensors are adjacently arranged with integrated lighting and imaging units, then the inspection coverage and productivity are improved, but light projection interference occurs between adjacent sensors causing overexposure and interference fringes
Solution Approach 1:
The system transmits a light projection start signal from each sensor to its adjacent sensors before the lighting unit actually projects light. This preliminary signaling allows adjacent sensors to know in advance when light projection will occur, enabling them to control their imaging units to avoid capturing interfering light from neighboring sensors, thus preventing overexposure and interference fringes while maintaining adjacent arrangement for improved inspection coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where each sensor monitors its own light projection status and communicates this information to adjacent sensors. The adjacent sensors use this feedback information to adjust their imaging timing or lighting control, ensuring that no sensor images during another sensor's light projection, thereby eliminating interference while preserving the benefits of adjacent sensor arrangement
2Volume of moving object
If image processing sensors are adjacently arranged, then the system size is reduced and flexibility is improved, but interference fringes and overexposure occur due to overlapping light projection regions
Solution Approach 1:
By transmitting light projection start signals in advance between adjacent sensors, the system enables coordinated operation that prevents light interference even in compact adjacent arrangements. This allows the sensors to be placed closer together (reducing system volume) while maintaining high image quality through synchronized lighting and imaging control
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation timing of lighting units and imaging units in each sensor based on real-time coordination signals from adjacent sensors. This dynamic control allows flexible adjacent arrangement with reduced system size while preventing interference fringes and overexposure through adaptive timing synchronization
3Ease of operation
If optimal projection timing and imaging timing are set independently for each sensor, then each sensor can operate autonomously, but light projection interference occurs causing false defect recognition
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains autonomous operation capability for each sensor while introducing inter-sensor communication feedback. Each sensor independently controls its own lighting and imaging units but uses feedback signals from adjacent sensors to adjust timing and avoid interference, ensuring both ease of autonomous operation and reliability of quality assessment by preventing false defect recognition from interference fringes
Solution Approach 2:
The light projection start signal acts as an intermediary communication mechanism between independently operating sensors. This intermediary enables coordinated timing without compromising autonomous operation, as each sensor still controls its own functions but uses the intermediary signal to synchronize with neighbors, thereby preventing interference while maintaining operational independence and assessment accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect of the invention, an image processing sensor system may include a plurality of image processing sensors each including an imaging device having an imaging unit imaging an inspection target and a lighting unit projecting light onto the inspection target, and an image processing device performing image processing on image data acquired in the imaging device and determining whether the inspection target is defective or non-defective, wherein the image processing sensors being are connected to each other so that data communication of data including the image data can be performed therebetween, and wherein a first image processing sensor transmits a signal relating to the completion of projecting light projecting light to a second image processing sensor, and the second image processing sensor starts projecting light and imaging and projection after receiving the signal relating the completion of projecting light.