Synchronous Master Image Sensor Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in achieving a synchronous stop of imaging operations across multiple image sensors due to transmission delays, making it difficult to securely stop all image sensors in an identical frame.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control system where one image sensor functions as a synchronous master, controlling other sensors as slaves, with the master sensor stopping imaging operations and not transmitting a synchronous signal to slaves unless a predetermined period has passed without receiving the next signal, ensuring all sensors stop imaging in sync.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stop request is broadcasted via the control bus to all image sensors, then the stop command can be transmitted to all sensors, but transmission delays cause sensors to stop at different frames instead of synchronously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated synchronous signal line as an intermediary channel separate from the control bus. This dedicated line transmits stop commands directly to the synchronous slave sensor without going through the control bus, thereby eliminating the transmission delays and synchronization issues caused by bus arbitration and contention. The intermediary channel ensures reliable and timely delivery of synchronization commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control path into two independent channels: the control bus for general commands and a dedicated synchronous signal line for timing-critical stop commands. By separating the synchronous stop command transmission from the general control bus traffic, the system eliminates interference and delays, ensuring that the stop command reaches both sensors simultaneously for frame-accurate synchronization.
2Reliability
If imaging operation is stopped by broadcasting a stop request via the control bus, then all image sensors can receive the stop command, but it is difficult to achieve simultaneous stop in the identical frame due to transmission delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated synchronous signal line as an intermediary channel separate from the control bus. This dedicated line transmits stop commands directly to the synchronous slave sensor without going through the control bus, thereby eliminating the transmission delays and synchronization issues caused by bus arbitration and contention. The intermediary channel ensures reliable and timely delivery of synchronization commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a dedicated synchronous signal path in advance before imaging operations begin. This preliminary setup of the synchronous signal line ensures that when a stop command needs to be issued, the communication path is already prepared and optimized for low-latency transmission, eliminating the need for complex runtime arbitration and ensuring frame-accurate synchronization.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an image sensor configured to function as a synchronous master that controls synchronous imaging performed by a plurality of image sensors. In a case where a stop request is acquired, the image sensor stops imaging operation on the basis of the stop request, and does not transmit, to a different image sensor functioning as a synchronous slave that performs imaging under control by the synchronous master, a synchronous slave synchronous signal for controlling imaging timing of an image sensor functioning as the synchronous slave on the basis of the stop request.