Multi-Sensor Imaging With Alternating Pulses for Flicker Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging systems with multiple light sources and sensors experience flicker issues that can cause visual discomfort and health hazards, particularly in multi-imager environments, and existing solutions either fail to adequately address flicker or compromise image capture efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for flicker reduction in multi-imager environments using a plurality of illuminator sources, where image sensors are exposed during illumination pulses of different sources, alternating between illuminators to ensure effective image capture without flicker, and adjusting exposure times and gain values based on image quality thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple illuminator sources are used to improve image capture efficiency, then productivity is improved, but flicker effects are exacerbated causing visual discomfort and health hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by pulsing illuminator sources in alternating cycles rather than continuous operation. Each illuminator operates in synchronized pulses with other illuminators alternating their active periods, creating a periodic illumination pattern that reduces flicker while maintaining image capture efficiency. The controller coordinates these periodic pulses to ensure smooth transitions between illuminators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the illumination task among multiple illuminator sources that operate in alternating cycles. Instead of one illuminator working continuously, the illumination function is segmented across multiple sources, each contributing during specific time windows. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high productivity while each individual illuminator operates at lower duty cycle, reducing flicker effects.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If illuminator sources are alternated to reduce flicker, then harmful factors are reduced, but image capture time increases reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that while illuminators alternate, the image sensor continuously captures data throughout the entire illumination cycle. Multiple illuminators are coordinated so that as one illuminator pulses, another is ready to immediately follow, creating continuous illumination coverage. This eliminates idle time between illuminator cycles, maintaining high productivity while reducing flicker through the alternating pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller coordinates periodic pulses from multiple illuminators in a synchronized alternating pattern. Each illuminator operates in regular periodic cycles with defined pulse widths and intervals, allowing the system to predict and optimize the timing for image capture. This periodic coordination ensures that the alternating illuminators maintain continuous illumination coverage without gaps, preserving productivity while reducing flicker effects.
3Measurement precision
If exposure time is increased to capture images during illumination pulses, then measurement precision is improved, but the system becomes more sensitive to timing variations causing flicker
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary action by pre-synchronizing the image sensor exposure timing with the anticipated illumination pulses from multiple alternating illuminators. Before each illumination cycle begins, the controller has already configured the sensor's exposure window to precisely match the upcoming pulse timing. This preliminary synchronization ensures that the sensor is ready to capture the full illumination pulse without requiring extended exposure times, thereby maintaining image quality while reducing sensitivity to timing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the actual timing and intensity of illumination pulses from multiple illuminators, then using this information to dynamically adjust subsequent exposure timing and pulse synchronization. The controller receives feedback from illuminator status and sensor capture quality, optimizing the coordination between alternating illuminators and sensor exposure. This feedback loop maintains precise timing alignment, ensuring high measurement precision while minimizing flicker sensitivity through adaptive synchronization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively reduces flicker while maintaining efficient image capture, ensuring successful completion of tasks like barcode scanning by alternating illuminator sources and optimizing sensor exposure, thereby enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
exposing a far-field image sensor such that the exposure of the far-field image sensor is not during any pulse associated with the first illumination
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to flicker reduction in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include methods, computer program products, and apparatuses for producing a near-field illumination using a near-field illuminator, the near-field illumination produced at a defined pulse train. A near-field image sensor may be exposed near the start of a near-field illumination pulse, and a far-field image sensor may be exposed between pulses of the near-field illumination. Some embodiments, additionally or alternatively, are configured for detecting an illuminator switch event, deactivating the near-field illuminator source, and producing, using a far-field illuminator source, a far-field illumination. Upon switching the illuminator source, some such embodiments are configured for exposing a far-field illuminator near the start of the far-field illumination pulse, and exposing a near-field image sensor near the start of the next available far-field illumination pulse. Such image capture may repeat until a task such as barcode reading is successful.