Rolling Shutter Pulse Detection for Low-Cost Camera Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser detection systems, particularly those using rolling shutter cameras, struggle to efficiently detect pulsed laser radiation due to limitations in frame rate and exposure time, often missing fast temporal events and requiring expensive, specialized equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that modifies the rolling shutter operation of a sensor array by calculating and configuring predetermined integration periods based on the pulse repetition interval of pulsed radiation, allowing for enhanced detection of pulsed radiation through a spatial Fourier transform and integration period function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rolling shutter camera is used to detect pulsed laser radiation, then the equipment cost is reduced, but the detection capability for fast temporal events is insufficient due to frame rate and exposure time limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the exposure time of each row of sensor elements to match the pulse repetition interval. By making the exposure timing adaptive rather than fixed, the system can detect pulsed events at various repetition rates using a standard rolling shutter camera, resolving the contradiction between using inexpensive equipment and detecting fast temporal events effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the exposure time parameter of the rolling shutter camera based on the anticipated pulse repetition interval. By calculating the optimal exposure time from the pulse repetition interval and configuring each row's exposure accordingly, the patent enables detection of pulsed radiation with variable parameters, overcoming the fixed parameter limitations of standard rolling shutter operation
2Ease of operation
If the rolling shutter operation uses fixed exposure time, then the operation is simple, but it cannot efficiently detect pulsed radiation with varying pulse repetition intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of the exposure time based on the anticipated pulse repetition interval before the actual detection process. By pre-configuring the exposure timing parameters according to the expected pulse characteristics, the system maintains operational simplicity while adapting to different pulse repetition intervals, resolving the contradiction between simple operation and detection versatility
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
Enables the detection of pulsed radiation, including fast temporal events, with improved fidelity and reduced equipment costs, by optimizing the rolling shutter operation to match the pulse repetition interval, facilitating applications such as laser-based communication.
Implementation Method 1
A radiation source such as an LED, laser diode, or laser, may output continuous wave radiation, or may output radiation that is modulated
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A method of detecting pulsed radiation comprising the steps of irradiating at least a portion of an array of sensor elements with pulsed radiation (71); addressing the array using a rolling shutter operation (72); reading the array to obtain a radiation image (73); and then applying a pulse detection operation (74) to the radiation image. The rolling shutter operation (72) is configured to address each element line of the array for a predetermined integration period. The predetermined integration period being calculated using an integration period function, itself a function of an anticipated pulse repetition interval of the pulsed radiation. The method and apparatus for the same enable low cost camera arrays to be used for pulse detection and for wider application in the field of low cost communications.