Imaging Sensor Embedded Orientation Markers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging sensors require costly and complex custom orientation markers that need to be cropped or masked out, which complicates image validation and increases costs, while existing techniques for orientation verification are not sufficiently improved.
Innovation Solution
An imaging sensor with a sparse pattern of marker pixels providing constant output values, arranged in a predetermined asymmetrical pattern across the imaging array, allowing for embedded orientation and alignment markers that can be detected without masking or cropping, using pixels that output values outside the normal range or as defective pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If custom physical orientation markers are placed in the image sensor pixel array, then orientation verification capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging array is segmented into two functional subsets: marker pixels that provide constant output values for orientation markers, and active pixels that capture image data. This segmentation allows orientation verification without requiring custom sensor designs, as the marker pixels are simply a subset of regular pixels configured to output constant values.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging sensor achieves multi-functionality by using the same pixel array for both capturing image data and providing orientation markers. The marker pixels serve dual purposes: they contribute to the overall image capture function while simultaneously providing orientation verification, eliminating the need for separate custom orientation marker components.
2Reliability
If custom physical orientation markers are placed in the image sensor pixel array, then orientation verification capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging array is segmented into two functional subsets: marker pixels that provide constant output values for orientation markers, and active pixels that capture image data. This segmentation allows orientation verification without requiring custom sensor designs, as the marker pixels are simply a subset of regular pixels configured to output constant values.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging sensor achieves multi-functionality by using the same pixel array for both capturing image data and providing orientation markers. The marker pixels serve dual purposes: they contribute to the overall image capture function while simultaneously providing orientation verification, eliminating the need for separate custom orientation marker components.
3Reliability
If orientation markers are physically present in the pixel array, then orientation verification is enabled, but image quality deteriorates due to required cropping or masking
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging array is segmented into two functional subsets: marker pixels that provide constant output values for orientation markers, and active pixels that capture image data. This segmentation allows orientation verification without requiring custom sensor designs, as the marker pixels are simply a subset of regular pixels configured to output constant values.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation marker is embedded as a digital pattern within the image data itself rather than being a physical obstruction. The marker pixels output constant values that create a detectable pattern in the digital image, allowing orientation verification without physical masking or cropping of the sensor array.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging sensor includes an imaging array with a plurality of pixels. A sub-set of the pixels are marker pixels configured to each provide a constant respective output value to embed an orientation and alignment marker in images produced with the imaging array. The marker pixels can be sparsely distributed across the imaging array.