Master Slave Image Sensor Synchronization via Exposure Voltage Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for synchronizing imaging frames between multiple image sensors are complex and costly, often leading to erroneous frame association due to unsynchronized frame counters and processing delays.
Innovation Solution
A master image sensor communicates with a slave image sensor via an exposure time voltage line, transmitting exposure time and auxiliary information signals to adjust imaging capture parameters, ensuring synchronized frame association.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex communication system (bus-system like D-Phy) is used to synchronize imaging frames between multiple image sensors, then synchronization capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential synchronization function from the complex bus communication system and implements it through a dedicated exposure time voltage line. This separates the critical timing signal transmission from the general-purpose data communication, achieving synchronization with minimal hardware overhead and eliminating the need for complex protocols and frame counters.
Solution Approach 2:
The exposure time voltage line serves multiple functions: it transmits exposure time information from master to slave sensors, carries auxiliary information for parameter adjustment, and enables synchronization without requiring separate dedicated communication channels. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining synchronization reliability.
2Productivity
If frame counters and processing delays are not synchronized, then imaging can proceed independently, but erroneous frame association occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The master image sensor transmits auxiliary information signals in advance that enable the slave sensor to pre-adjust its imaging capture parameters (such as exposure time, frame rate, and timing) to match the master sensor. This preliminary synchronization of parameters before actual imaging ensures that frames from both sensors can be correctly associated without requiring complex post-processing or synchronized frame counters.
3Device complexity
If multiple image sensors operate independently without parameter adjustment, then device simplicity is maintained, but frame synchronization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the master image sensor monitors its own exposure time and auxiliary parameters, then transmits this information to the slave sensor. The slave sensor uses this feedback to automatically adjust its imaging capture parameters to match the master, achieving accurate frame synchronization through simple voltage signal exchange rather than complex control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally pertains to a master image sensor configured to communicate with a slave image sensor via an exposure time voltage line, wherein the exposure time voltage line is connected to a terminal of the master image sensor, the master image sensor having master circuitry, configured to:transmit to the slave image sensor, via the exposure time voltage line, an exposure time voltage signal being indicative of an exposure time for the master image sensor; and transmit to the slave image sensor, via the exposure time voltage line, an auxiliary information voltage signal being indicative of auxiliary information for adjusting at least one imaging capture parameter of the slave imaging sensor.