Imager Sensor Array Segmentation for Fast Auto-Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging scanners face inefficiencies when processing one-dimensional barcodes due to the time required for automatic exposure and gain control, which involves analyzing entire frames of sensor data, leading to slower processing speeds compared to laser scanners.
Innovation Solution
A two-dimensional array of sensors processes a subset of data to quickly determine exposure time and gain settings by analyzing a segment of the array, allowing for faster convergence to proper settings through a cropped frame mode, reducing processing time by using only a central portion of the array for initial analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the imager analyzes the entire frame of sensor data for automatic exposure control, then the exposure settings are accurate, but the processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the two-dimensional sensor array into multiple segments, analyzing only a selected segment for exposure control rather than the entire frame. This segmentation reduces the data volume requiring processing while maintaining adequate exposure accuracy, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by analyzing only a portion (segment) of the sensor array data instead of the complete frame. This partial analysis provides sufficient information for exposure determination without the time cost of processing all pixels, effectively balancing accuracy requirements with speed constraints.
2Manufacturing precision
If the imager processes the complete array data for exposure control, then the image quality is optimized, but the speed of processing decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sensor array and selecting specific regions for exposure analysis, the patent maintains adequate image quality control while dramatically improving processing speed. The segmented approach processes fewer pixels, reducing computational burden without sacrificing essential exposure information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by processing only a subset of the sensor array data for exposure determination. This partial processing achieves sufficient image quality optimization for barcode scanning applications while enabling faster processing speeds that compete with laser scanners.
3Reliability
If multiple images are captured and analyzed for exposure control, then the exposure settings are optimized, but the time required to achieve proper settings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor array to reduce the amount of data requiring analysis for each exposure control iteration. This segmentation enables faster processing of each captured image, reducing the total time required for multiple images to converge on proper exposure settings while maintaining optimization reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
By applying partial action through segment-based analysis, the patent reduces the computational workload per image frame. This enables the exposure control system to process multiple images more quickly, decreasing the setting convergence time while still achieving optimized exposure settings through iterative analysis.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the setting convergence time by analyzing a subset of pixel data, achieving a six-fold reduction in automatic exposure control processing time and enhancing the speed of image processing.
Implementation Method 1
a two dimensional array of light sensors that collects light data corresponding to light reflected back to the imager from the target surface during an exposure time
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 4
AI summary
An imager (10) with a two-dimensional array of sensors (36) processes illumination data from a subset of the sensors (36) located within a selected region of the image to determine imager settings pπor to acting upon a full frame of data In this manner, imager settings can be quickly determined by transferring and examining only the segment of the sensor array data