Imaging Device High-Speed Capture Low-Bandwidth Transmission

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional imaging devices face a bottleneck in throughput due to their low transmission frame rate, which prevents the object moving apparatus from starting the next inspection until the set number of images is read, resulting in prolonged standby times and reduced inspection efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device that captures and stores video data at a high frame rate, then outputs it at a lower frame rate, with a control unit generating an imaging period signal to indicate the completion of image capture, allowing the object moving apparatus to initiate movement during data transmission without frame dropping, thereby improving inspection throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the imaging device transmits image data at a low transmission frame rate due to output interface limitations, then the transmission data amount is reduced, but the inspection throughput is also reduced and standby time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission data amountVSAvoidinspection throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device captures and stores a predetermined number of frames (e.g., 50 frames) in advance in the memory unit before the object moving apparatus needs to move the object. This preliminary action allows the object moving apparatus to start moving the object immediately after receiving the imaging period signal, without waiting for the complete transmission of all captured frames, thereby reducing standby time and improving inspection throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission process is segmented into two phases: first, the imaging device transmits the captured frame data to the inspection device; second, the object moving apparatus moves the object based on the imaging period signal. This segmentation allows the object moving apparatus to perform movement operations during the data transmission phase, overlapping operations and improving overall system throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the imaging device waits to complete reading all frames before allowing object movement, then frame dropping is prevented, but the object moving apparatus cannot start the next inspection until all frames are read

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe dropping preventionVSAvoidstandby time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device captures and stores a predetermined number of frames (e.g., 50 frames) in advance in the memory unit before the object moving apparatus needs to move the object. This preliminary action allows the object moving apparatus to start moving the object immediately after receiving the imaging period signal, without waiting for the complete transmission of all captured frames, thereby reducing standby time and improving inspection throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit outputs an imaging period signal to the object moving apparatus when the predetermined number of frames have been captured and stored. This feedback mechanism allows the object moving apparatus to know when imaging is complete and can immediately start moving the object, eliminating unnecessary waiting time while ensuring all required frames are captured.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the imaging element outputs data at a high imaging frame rate, then the amount of output data increases, but the output interface cannot transmit all data due to band limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging frame rateVSAvoidtransmission data amount

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device captures and stores a predetermined number of frames (e.g., 50 frames) in advance in the memory unit before the object moving apparatus needs to move the object. This preliminary action allows the object moving apparatus to start moving the object immediately after receiving the imaging period signal, without waiting for the complete transmission of all captured frames, thereby reducing standby time and improving inspection throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The memory unit acts as an intermediary buffer between the high-speed imaging element and the limited-bandwidth output interface. It temporarily stores the high-frame-rate captured frames, allowing the imaging element to operate at high speed while the output interface transmits data at a limited rate without causing frame loss or dropping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10425583B2Imaging device

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 KOKUSAI DENKI ELECTRIC INC

AI summary

An imaging device captures an object. The imaging device includes: an imaging unit that captures the object and outputs video data; a memory unit that stores therein the video data from the imaging unit; a video signal processing unit that reads the video data from the memory unit at a frame rate lower than a frame rate at which the video data are written into the memory unit and performs signal processing on the video data; an output interface unit that outputs to an external device the video data; and a control unit that outputs to the imaging unit an instruction to capture the specific number of frames and to write video data into the memory unit as an exposure period signal, instructs the video signal processing unit to output the video data from the memory unit, and outputs to the external device an imaging period signal.