Modular Image Sensor Tracking via Networked Component Memory

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Solution Overview

Problem

The management, maintenance, and preservation of modular image sensors in factories become complex due to the diverse combinations of modules, making it difficult to track details such as production dates, use history, and specifications, especially in large-scale installations.

Innovation Solution

Each modular component of the image sensor is equipped with a non-volatile memory to store specific information, and an information processing device acquires and manages this data via a network, facilitating accurate collection and management of the sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If modular structure is adopted to reduce product variations, then adaptability and ease of manufacture are improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple module combinations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct variationsVSAvoidmodule combinations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor system is divided into independent modular components (illumination module, lens module, imaging element module, etc.), each with its own non-volatile memory storing identification information. This segmentation allows flexible recombination of modules to create different sensor configurations while maintaining individual tracking of each module through its stored identification data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A management device acts as an intermediary between the modular components and the user/system. This management device collects identification information from each module's non-volatile memory, stores it in a database, and performs integrated management of the modular components, thereby simplifying the complexity of managing multiple module combinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If detailed tracking of each module is implemented, then measurement precision of sensor information is improved, but loss of time increases due to complex data collection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor informationVSAvoiddata collection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Identification information (manufacturing date, serial number, specification) is pre-stored in the non-volatile memory of each modular component during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual data entry or real-time data generation, allowing rapid retrieval of accurate sensor information when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The identification information is copied from the physical module's non-volatile memory to the management device's database. This copying process enables accurate tracking of module details without requiring physical inspection or manual recording, significantly reducing the time needed to collect and verify sensor information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If non-volatile memory is added to each component, then reliability of information storage is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation storageVSAvoidcomponent structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The non-volatile memory in each modular component serves multiple functions: storing identification information (serial number, manufacturing date), specification data, and operational status. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate tracking systems or manual record-keeping, thereby justifying the added component through its comprehensive information storage capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3531679B1Sensor system, information processing device, and sensor management method
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 OMRON CORP
  • EP3531679B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3531679B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP3531679B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure provides a technique for facilitating management of image sensors having a modular structure. A sensor system (1) includes image sensors and an information processing device (10) connected to the image sensors via a network. Each of the components (20, 21, 22) of each image sensor is provided with a non-volatile memory for storing specific information on the component. The information processing device includes an information acquisition part (40) for acquiring the information stored in the memory (200, 210, 220) of the component constituting the image sensor from each of the image sensors via the network, and a management processing part (41) for performing a predetermined process related to management of the image sensors by using the information acquired by the information acquisition part.