Image Synchronization for Optical Touch Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical type touch-sensitive apparatuses with multiple image capturing units often experience time differences between captured images, leading to calculating deviations of touch points due to synchronization issues.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where each image capturing unit sets a reference area and background, comparing them to determine synchronization, accumulating a compensation image number when mismatches occur, and adjusting image reception to compensate for time differences by delaying or advancing image capture based on these numbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple image capturing units are used to capture images simultaneously, then the touch-sensitive function can be achieved with low cost, but time differences occur between captured images causing calculating deviation of touch points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing reference areas and reference area backgrounds before actual touch detection. The system pre-processes images to identify stable reference regions, and uses these references to detect and compensate for time differences between multiple image capturing units. This preliminary setup enables the system to correct synchronization issues before they affect touch point calculation accuracy.
2Device complexity
If image capturing units operate independently to reduce complexity, then device simplicity is maintained, but time synchronization between units deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reference areas and reference area backgrounds as intermediary elements that mediate between multiple independent image capturing units. These reference areas serve as common reference points that all units can compare against, enabling synchronization without requiring complex inter-unit communication or control mechanisms. The intermediary reference system allows independent units to operate autonomously while maintaining temporal coherence.
3Productivity
If continuous image capture is performed to improve responsiveness, then touch detection speed is improved, but time difference accumulation between units increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously comparing reference areas from different image capturing units and detecting deviations. When time differences are detected through reference area comparison, the system generates compensation information that adjusts the timing or selection of images used for touch point calculation. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain high capture rates while actively correcting time difference accumulation in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for compensating time difference between images and electronic apparatus using the same method are provided. Input images are received by a plurality of image capturing units respectively. Each input image is checked to see whether a reference area and a reference area background are the same. When the reference area of the input image received from one of the image capturing units is not the same as the reference area background, a compensation image number is accumulated, and other input images are received continually until the reference area of each input image received from the image capturing unit is not the same as the reference area background. Afterwards, time difference between the input images received from a plurality of image capturing units is compensated according to the compensation image numbers.