Modular Image Sensor Management via Component Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management, maintenance, and preservation of modular structure smart cameras in factories become complex due to the numerous possible combinations of illumination, lens, and imaging elements, leading to difficulties in tracking module details and optimizing performance for diverse user needs and short product lifecycles.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating non-volatile memory in each modular component of the image sensor to store specific information such as type, individual, and performance data, allowing the processing part to easily check and manage the module combinations, and providing separate storage areas for invariant and user-manageable information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If modular structure smart camera is introduced to provide product variations and meet diverse user needs, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases making management and maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a standardized management system that can handle multiple types of modules (illumination, lens, imaging elements) through a unified interface. The external device manages all modular components using common protocols and data structures, allowing the system to accommodate diverse module combinations without requiring separate management approaches for each module type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external device as an intermediary between the modular components and the user/management system. This intermediary device centralizes the management of module information, tracking details such as date of production, time of introduction, time of use, and history of diversion. By mediating all interactions and data access, the external device simplifies the complexity of managing numerous modular components.
2Measurement precision
If detailed tracking of each module is implemented to manage modular image sensors, then measurement precision of module information is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically recording module information (date of production, time of introduction, time of use) at the moment modules are connected to the image sensor. The external device is pre-configured to track these parameters continuously, so when management information is needed, it is already available without requiring manual data collection or processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes feedback loops where the external device continuously monitors and updates module information, making management data readily available. This feedback mechanism ensures that when management decisions need to be made, precise information about module status, usage history, and performance is already collected and processed, eliminating delays in retrieval.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a technique for facilitating management of an image sensor having a modular structure. The image sensor includes an imaging system and a processing part executing a process using an image acquired by the imaging system. The imaging system is configured by combining a plurality of modularized components. Each of the components includes a non-volatile memory. The processing part is capable of reading and/or writing information from/to the memory of each of the components.