Stereoscopic Imaging Device Synchronization via Data Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

In stereoscopic imaging, existing systems using two imaging devices often fail to synchronize imaging timing and exposure periods accurately, especially during variable speed imaging, leading to inconsistencies between left and right channel images, resulting in a rough image, especially when capturing high-speed scenes.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves connecting the first and second imaging devices in a communicatable manner, where the first device transmits its imaging timing and exposure period data to the second device, allowing the second device to synchronize its imaging timing and exposure period, ensuring that both devices capture images at the same timing and exposure duration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If variable speed imaging is performed with frame period changes, then imaging flexibility and adaptability are improved, but imaging timing synchronization between two imaging devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging flexibilityVSAvoidimaging timing synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by having each imaging device transmit its imaging timing data and exposure period data to the other device. This feedback mechanism allows the imaging devices to adjust their timing based on actual operational parameters, ensuring synchronization even during variable speed imaging modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by transmitting imaging timing data and exposure period data between imaging devices before actual image capture. This advance information exchange allows each device to pre-configure its imaging parameters to match the other device's timing, ensuring synchronized capture during variable speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If imaging timing and exposure period are not synchronized between two imaging devices, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization mechanism complexityVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary data transmission mechanisms that carry imaging timing and exposure period information between devices. These intermediary signals act as mediators that coordinate the imaging operations of multiple devices without requiring complex direct synchronization hardware, thus maintaining image quality while managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If synchronized imaging is implemented between two imaging devices, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidsynchronization system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging timing data and exposure period data transmission serves multiple functions: it synchronizes imaging timing, coordinates exposure periods, and enables variable speed imaging operations. By making the data transmission mechanism multi-functional, the system achieves high-quality synchronized imaging without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2533542B1Imaging device and imaging method
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2533542B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2533542B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2533542B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first imaging device and a second image device are connected with each other in a communicatable manner, and data of imaging timing and data of an exposure period of the first imaging device are transmitted to the second imaging device. In the second imaging device, the imaging timing and the exposure period can be set based on the data of the imaging timing and the data of the exposure period which are received. Therefore, an image is taken by the first imaging device and the second imaging device with the imaging timing and the exposure period of the first imaging device agreeing with those of the second imaging device.