Image Sensor Synchronization via Setting Change Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems face synchronization challenges between image sensor and image signal processor settings, leading to potential system hangs or failures during image capture and processing, especially in mode-switching scenarios where parameter mismatches can occur.
Innovation Solution
A synchronization mechanism using setting change indicators is implemented, where the host processor communicates setting change indicators to both the image sensor and the image signal processor, allowing them to match parameter settings, and if a mismatch is detected, the image frame is dropped to prevent processing and potential system failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image sensor and image signal processor operate independently with separate parameter settings, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but parameter mismatches occur leading to system hangs or failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the image sensor includes a setting change indicator in image frame data, and the image signal processor compares this indicator with its own setting change indicator. This feedback loop ensures both components are using matching parameter settings, preventing system hangs while maintaining operational independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The setting change indicator acts as an intermediary element that bridges the image sensor and image signal processor. By embedding this indicator in the image frame data and comparing it with the processor's internal indicator, the system achieves synchronization without requiring complex direct communication protocols between components.
2Reliability
If parameter settings are synchronized between image sensor and image signal processor, then system reliability improves, but the complexity of configuration and communication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor autonomously generates and embeds its own setting change indicator in the image frame data without requiring external configuration. The image signal processor then independently compares this indicator with its own settings, eliminating the need for complex host processor-mediated synchronization and reducing configuration overhead.
3Productivity
If all image frames are processed regardless of parameter mismatches, then processing throughput is maximized, but system failures may occur due to incorrect processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary check by comparing setting change indicators before processing each image frame. If the indicators match, the frame is processed; if they don't match, the frame is dropped. This preliminary validation ensures processing correctness without significantly impacting throughput, as mismatches are detected and handled before expensive processing operations occur.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and systems are provided for processing image data. For example, an image signal processor can obtain (e.g., from a host processor) a first setting change indicator value indicating a change in parameter settings of the image signal processor. The image signal processor can obtain an image frame from an image sensor, and can determine a second setting change indicator value from the image frame. The second setting change indicator value can be provided to the image sensor from the host processor. The second setting change indicator value indicates a change in parameter settings of the image sensor. The image signal processor can compare the first setting change indicator value to the second setting change indicator value, and can determine whether to process the image frame or to drop the image frame based on comparing the first setting change indicator value to the second setting change indicator value.