Image Sensor Power Voltage Flagging for Fault Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Imaging devices face challenges in detecting issues related to power supply voltage fluctuations, which can lead to malfunctions and require external notification or operational adjustments.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device configuration that generates and compares power supply voltage data with reference data to produce a flag signal, allowing for the detection of voltage deviations and triggering notifications or operational changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If power supply voltage is monitored using external devices or complex circuits, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage detection accuracyVSAvoidcircuit configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device integrates multiple functions including imaging, power supply voltage monitoring, and anomaly detection within a single device. The power supply voltage monitoring function utilizes existing internal circuitry (ADC, capacitor voltage measurements) to perform voltage detection without requiring separate external monitoring devices, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging device monitors its own power supply voltage using its internal resources. The device captures images under different power supply conditions, and the processing device analyzes these images to detect anomalies related to power supply voltage fluctuations. This self-monitoring capability eliminates the need for external monitoring equipment while maintaining accurate detection of power supply issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If real-time power supply voltage monitoring is implemented, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous real-time monitoring, the device performs power supply voltage monitoring periodically by capturing images under different power supply conditions at specific intervals. The processing device then analyzes these captured images to detect anomalies. This periodic approach maintains reliability by detecting power supply issues when they occur during imaging operations while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by analyzing captured images to detect anomalies related to power supply voltage fluctuations. When anomalies are detected, the system can trigger notifications or operational adjustments. This feedback mechanism ensures reliability by detecting power supply issues when they actually occur during imaging operations rather than requiring constant monitoring, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If power supply voltage anomalies are detected and notifications are sent, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to operational interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidoperational interruption time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device captures images under different power supply conditions in advance during normal imaging operations. The processing device then analyzes these pre-captured images to detect anomalies related to power supply voltage fluctuations. By performing detection based on already-captured images rather than requiring real-time analysis during voltage fluctuations, the system maintains high detection reliability while minimizing operational interruptions and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3758366B1Image pickup device, image pickup system, and image pickup method
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP
  • EP3758366B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3758366B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3758366B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An imaging device according to the present disclosure includes: an imaging unit configured to perform an imaging operation; a data generator configured to generate first power supply voltage data corresponding to a first power supply voltage; and a flag generation section configured to generate a flag signal for the first power supply voltage by comparing the first power supply voltage data and first reference data. The first power supply voltage is supplied to the imaging unit.