Image Sensor Timing Synchronization via Processor Mediation

Solution Overview

Problem

The synchronization of transmission timings between multiple image sensors in electronic devices leads to image distortion due to differences in their characteristics and processing rates, resulting in suboptimal image quality.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a processor that synchronizes the transmission timings of data from multiple image sensors using designated interfaces and sync signals, ensuring that the data from each sensor is transmitted at coordinated times to prevent distortion and enhance image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple image sensors with different characteristics are used to provide various types of images, then image quality is improved, but transmission timing differences cause distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidimage distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having the first image sensor output its image data before the second image sensor completes its output. The processor then waits for the second image sensor's data and combines them, ensuring both images are available before proceeding with image processing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The processor acts as an intermediary that manages the timing differences between multiple image sensors. It receives data from sensors with different transmission timings, buffers or waits as needed, and ensures synchronized processing by coordinating the combination of image data from different sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If image sensors operate at different transmission timings, then device complexity is reduced, but image distortion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor coordinationVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic timing management where the processor adapts to different transmission timings from different image sensors. Instead of forcing all sensors to operate at fixed synchronized intervals, the system dynamically handles variable timing by waiting for later-arriving data and coordinating the combination process accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple image sensors are synchronized to transmit data at the same timing, then image distortion is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage synchronizationVSAvoidinterface coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having the first image sensor output its image data before the second image sensor completes its output. The processor then waits for the second image sensor's data and combines them, ensuring both images are available before proceeding with image processing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The processor acts as an intermediary that manages the timing differences between multiple image sensors. It receives data from sensors with different transmission timings, buffers or waits as needed, and ensures synchronized processing by coordinating the combination of image data from different sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11190682B2Electronic device and method for controlling plurality of image sensors

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device according to various embodiments can include: a first image sensor; a second image sensor electrically connected to the first image sensor through a first designated interface; and a processor connected to the first image sensor through a second designated interface and connected to the second image sensor through a third designated interface, wherein the processor can be set to obtain, from the second image sensor, a second image outputted through the third designated interface, and obtain, from the first image sensor, a first image outputted through the second designated interface, in response to a signal provided to the first image sensor through the first designated interface at the starting time of the output of the second image.