Imaging Apparatus Embedding Condition Data in Image Stream
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited vertical blanking interval in existing imaging apparatuses restricts the amount of data that can be transmitted, limiting the range of operating parameters that can be checked by external devices, thereby restricting the amount of control data that can be received.
Innovation Solution
The imaging apparatus embeds condition data into image data, allowing for serial communication without using vertical blanking intervals, enabling a larger amount of control data to be transmitted by replacing pixel values with condition data at the perimeter or end of frame images, and mixing image data segments to generate embedded image data for transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the vertical blanking interval is set to be short to increase the number of transmitted frames per unit of time, then the frame transmission rate is improved, but the amount of data transmittable during the vertical blanking interval is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges condition data with image data by embedding the condition data into the image data structure. This allows condition data to be transmitted alongside image data without requiring separate communication channels or additional vertical blanking intervals, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining high frame transmission rates and transmitting sufficient control data.
Solution Approach 2:
The image data structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it carries both the visual image information and the condition data simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the same data transmission channel to fulfill both imaging and control monitoring purposes, eliminating the need to reduce frame rate to transmit control data.
2Reliability
If condition data is transmitted using vertical blanking intervals, then the imaging apparatus can communicate operating parameters, but the range of operating parameters being checked is restricted due to limited data capacity
Solution Approach 1:
By combining condition data with image data in a unified data structure, the system can transmit a comprehensive set of operating parameters without being constrained by the limited bandwidth of vertical blanking intervals. This enables monitoring of a wider range of operating parameters while maintaining system reliability.
3Loss of information
If a larger amount of control data is transmitted, then more operating parameters can be monitored, but the vertical blanking interval would need to be extended, reducing frame transmission rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by merging control data transmission with image data transmission. The condition data is embedded within the image data stream, allowing complete control data to be transmitted without extending the vertical blanking interval, thus maintaining high frame transmission rates while ensuring completeness of control information.
Data Source
AI summary
In an imaging apparatus, at least one imaging unit performs a capturing task to capture image data in accordance with control data. An embedding unit embeds, into the image data, condition data indicative of an operating condition of the imaging unit, thus generating embedded image data. A communication unit performs serial communications with an external device to thereby receiving the control data from the external device, and transmitting the embedded image data to the external device.