Stereo Image Pickup Apparatus Time Division Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup systems with multiple cameras face challenges in synchronizing exposure periods and reducing costs while maintaining high image quality, especially when capturing subjects with quick motion, as they often require the same number of signal processing units as image pickup devices, leading to increased costs and timing errors.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a stereo image pickup system with dedicated CDS/AD units for each CCD image pickup unit, a sensor driving signal generation unit to control exposure timing, and a camera signal processing unit that processes signals from multiple CCDs using time division switching, allowing simultaneous exposure and processing with one camera signal processing unit, thereby reducing costs and improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the same number of signal processing units as image pickup devices are used, then timing synchronization and exposure alignment are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple image pickup device signals into a single signal processing unit by sequentially processing signals from different CCDs in different time slots. The signal processing unit receives and processes signals from multiple image pickup devices sequentially, merging the processing function into one unit while maintaining timing synchronization through controlled signal input timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by assigning different time slots for different image pickup devices to input signals to the signal processing unit. Each CCD has a designated time slot for signal input, creating a periodic cycle where signals are sequentially acquired and processed in an organized temporal pattern, ensuring synchronization without requiring multiple parallel processing units.
2Device complexity
If fewer signal processing units are used, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but timing synchronization and exposure alignment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the signal processing unit with knowledge of which image pickup device should input signals at specific time slots. The control unit determines and establishes the signal input timing in advance, ensuring that signals from different CCDs are processed in the correct sequence to maintain exposure alignment and timing synchronization.
3Productivity
If multiple signal processing units are used, then processing speed and productivity are improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the signal processing unit adaptable to handle multiple image pickup device signals through time-division multiplexing. Instead of having static parallel processing units, one processing unit dynamically switches between processing signals from different CCDs in different time slots, maintaining processing capacity while reducing hardware complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A stereo image pickup apparatus having a plurality of image pickup units, an input selection unit for executing a selection processing of an input signal, a sensor driving signal generation unit for driving the image pickup units, and a camera signal processing unit for executing camera signal processing of output data of the image pickup units. The plural image pickup units simultaneously execute exposure and the sensor driving signal generation unit executes mask control of the driving signal and makes different the output timing of the image pickup data from the image pickup unit. The camera signal processing of the image data outputted from the image pickup units can be carried out by a smaller number of camera signal processing units than the image pickup units.