Imaging Sensor Error Flag Circuit for Reliable Trouble Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic devices, including imaging devices, face challenges in reliably reporting internal troubles, leading to potential operational failures and data inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an imaging device with an imaging sensor, a diagnosis circuit, and an output circuit that generates a flag signal set to a ground level when diagnosis processing indicates an error, allowing for more reliable trouble reporting within the imaging system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flag signal is used to indicate error status, then trouble reporting capability is improved, but signal reliability may deteriorate due to potential misinterpretation of error states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of using distinct signal levels (analogous to color changes) to clearly differentiate between normal and error states. The flag signal transitions between a first level (normal operation) and a second level (error detected), providing unambiguous visual/electrical indication of system status to prevent misinterpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameter (voltage level) of the flag signal to encode error information. By setting the flag signal to a second distinct level when error is detected and a first level when no error is detected, the system reliably transmits error status without information loss.
2Reliability
If diagnosis processing is continuously performed on the imaging sensor, then trouble detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional circuits and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging sensor performs self-diagnosis by internally monitoring its own operation status. The sensor itself generates the flag signal indicating whether an error is detected, eliminating the need for complex external diagnosis circuits and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable trouble detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging sensor incorporates a feedback mechanism where the output signal is monitored and compared against expected parameters. When the sensor detects an error condition through this feedback loop, it automatically sets the flag signal to indicate the error state, enabling continuous monitoring without additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device capable of reporting more reliably an occurrence of trouble is provided. The imaging device of the present disclosure includes an imaging sensor configured to generate image data, a diagnosis circuit configured to perform diagnosis processing for the imaging sensor and an output circuit configured to output a flag signal corresponding to a result of the diagnosis processing, wherein the flag signal is set to a ground level signal in response to the result of the diagnosis processing indicating an error.