Multi-Sensor Illuminator Sequencing for Flicker Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-sensor imaging apparatuses experience flicker due to the activation and deactivation of illuminator sources, causing irritating and potentially harmful light pulses perceivable by human observers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a broadest illuminator source to determine a chosen image sensor for image processing, minimizing flicker by reducing the number of illuminator source activations and using activation determinations such as time and frame counts to optimize sensor selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple illuminator sources are activated and deactivated during sensor cycling, then sensor selection for image processing is achieved, but flicker is produced causing irritating and potentially harmful light pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by cycling through image sensors in a systematic sequence and activating illuminator sources in a coordinated periodic manner. The system cycles through multiple sensors (e.g., sensor 1, sensor 2, sensor 3) and activates corresponding illuminator sources (e.g., illuminator source A, illuminator source B) in a repeating pattern, allowing the system to maintain adaptability while creating predictable, controllable illumination cycles that can be managed to reduce harmful flicker effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by using a broadest illuminator source that can illuminate the entire field of view for multiple sensors simultaneously. This single illuminator source serves multiple functions by providing illumination for sensor cycling, sensor selection, and image processing operations across different sensors, reducing the need to activate multiple separate illuminator sources and thereby minimizing flicker while maintaining system versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple illuminator sources are activated during sensor cycling, then appropriate sensor selection is achieved, but illumination energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by activating the broadest illuminator source before sensor cycling begins and before a chosen sensor is determined. This ensures that illumination is already present and optimized for the field of view when sensors are being cycled and evaluated, eliminating the need to activate additional illuminator sources during the selection process and thereby preventing energy waste while maintaining sensor-specific illumination optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by deactivating illuminator sources that are no longer needed after sensor selection is complete. Once a chosen image sensor is identified for image processing, the system can discard (deactivate) the broadest illuminator source and activate only the specific illuminator source associated with the chosen sensor, recovering energy by avoiding continuous activation of multiple illuminator sources when only one is required.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments described herein provide implementations for controlling flicker, for example caused by a plurality of light sources, in a multi-sensor environment. Various embodiments provided utilize a broadest illuminator source for capturing image data objects for processing. The broadest illuminator source minimizes the number of activation changes required between the various illuminator sources. One example embodiment includes activating a broadest illuminator source of a plurality of illuminator sources; determining, based on a plurality of image sensors and an sensor activation sequence, a chosen image sensor of the plurality of image sensors for an image processing operation; and activating a chosen illuminator source of the plurality of illuminator sources, the chosen illuminator source associated with the chosen image sensor.