Image Acquisition Timing Control for External Trigger Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image acquisition devices without a trigger function, such as some automotive grade devices, cannot be synchronized with external trigger signals, leading to issues with edge or level triggering and simultaneous exposure synchronization when multiple devices are linked.
Innovation Solution
A control method and system using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) to monitor and adjust the phase of the image acquisition device's operation timing by comparing the trigger signal with the image output timing, allowing synchronization through phase offset adjustments and brightness gain configuration for uniform exposure duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If image acquisition devices without trigger function are used, then device compatibility and ease of operation are improved, but synchronization capability with external trigger signals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control device as an intermediary between the external trigger signal source and the image acquisition devices. This control device receives trigger signals, determines phase offsets between trigger signals and image output timing, and generates adjusted control signals to synchronize multiple devices. The intermediary handles the complexity of synchronization, allowing simple image acquisition devices to work together reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by analyzing image data to obtain image timing information, comparing it with trigger signal timing, and using the determined phase offset to adjust control signals. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that synchronization is maintained and corrected dynamically, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and synchronization reliability.
2Measurement precision
If phase adjustment is made to synchronize operation timing, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device serves as an intermediary that centralizes the phase adjustment functionality. Instead of requiring complex phase adjustment circuits in each image acquisition device, the control device performs all phase offset calculations and generates adjusted control signals, simplifying individual devices while achieving high synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential hardware-based phase adjustment mechanisms with software/firmware-based processing in the control device. By using digital signal processing to determine phase offsets and generate adjusted control signals, the system achieves precise synchronization without adding complex physical adjustment mechanisms to each device.
3Productivity
If multiple image acquisition devices are linked for simultaneous exposure, then productivity is improved, but synchronization capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed to handle multiple image acquisition devices simultaneously, providing universal synchronization capability. It can receive trigger signals and generate adjusted control signals for any number of devices, enabling scalable simultaneous exposure operations while maintaining synchronization reliability through its multi-functional design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from image data analysis of each connected device to determine device-specific phase offsets. This allows the control device to dynamically adjust control signals for each device based on its actual timing characteristics, ensuring reliable synchronization across multiple devices while maintaining high productivity through simultaneous exposure.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a control method for an image acquisition device, a control device therefor, and a storage medium, relate to the field of the image acquisition device, and aim to realize synchronization of an operation timing signal of the image acquisition device and an external trigger signal. The method comprises: receiving image data acquired by the image acquisition device; analyzing the image data, obtaining an image timing according to an analysis result, and determining a frame synchronization signal of the image data output by the image acquisition device according to the image timing; determining a phase offset between the frame synchronization signal and a preset trigger signal; and adjusting a phase of a control signal based on the phase offset, wherein the control signal is configured for adjusting an operation timing of the image acquisition device.