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US 12,764,430 B2Granted
Feedback-controlled sensor array and sensor unit
AssigneeAi4Iv Srl
InventorsGiampietro Tecchiolli, Massimo Gottardi, Michela Lecca, Luca Parmesan
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Abstract
A system, apparatus, and method for feedback-controlling a sensor array are disclosed. The apparatus includes an imaging sensor unit having a sensor module with a plurality of photosensors, a memory module coupled to the sensor module and configured to receive a sensor output therefrom, and a local control module coupled to the sensor module. The local control module is configured to receive a local feedback signal from the sensor module and a global feedback signal, and to use the local feedback signal and the global feedback signal to control the memory module to store the sensor output.
Claims15
An imaging sensor unit comprising:
- a sensor module including a plurality of photosensors;
- a memory module coupled to the sensor module, the memory module configured to receive a sensor output from the sensor module;
- a local control module coupled to the sensor module, the local control module configured to:
- receive a local feedback signal from the sensor module;
- receive a global feedback signal;
- and
- use the local feedback signal and the global feedback signal to control the memory module to store the sensor output,
- wherein the global feedback signal includes a threshold value;
- and wherein the local control module is configured to:
- compare the local feedback signal to the threshold value of the global feedback signal;
- and
- upon the local feedback signal meeting the threshold value, control the memory module to store the sensor output,
- wherein the plurality of photosensors include:
- a first photosensor sensitive to a first portion of the visible spectrum, the first photosensor configured to output a first sensor output component;
- a second photosensor sensitive to a second portion of the visible spectrum, the second photosensor configured to output a second photosensor output component;
- and
- a third photosensor sensitive to a third portion of the visible spectrum, the third photosensor configured to output a third photosensor output component;
- such that the sensor output includes the first, second and third photosensor output components,
- wherein the imaging sensor unit further comprises:
- a winner-takes-all node configured to:
- receive the first, second and third photosensor output components;
- determine a winning photosensor output component by identifying which of the first, second and third photosensor output components exhibits the greatest difference in magnitude to an initial value of the respective first, second and third output components;
- wherein the local feedback signal includes the winning photosensor output component, such that:
- the local control module is configured to compare the winning photosensor output component and the threshold value of the global feedback signal;
- wherein, upon the winning photosensor output component meeting the threshold value, the local control module is configured to:
- cause the memory module to store the first, second and third photosensor output components.
23 more elements
A method of controlling an imaging sensor unit, wherein the imaging sensor unit comprises:
- a sensor module including a plurality of photosensors;
- a local control module coupled to the sensor module;
- and
- a memory module coupled to the sensor module;
- wherein the method comprises:
- receiving, at the memory module, a sensor output from the sensor module;
- receiving, at the local control module, a local feedback signal from the sensor module;
- receiving, at the local control module, a global feedback signal;
- and
- using the local feedback signal and the global feedback signal to control the memory module to store the sensor output,
- wherein the global feedback signal includes a threshold value;
- and wherein the method comprises:
- comparing the local feedback signal to the threshold value of the global feedback signal;
- and
- upon the local feedback signal meeting the threshold value, controlling the memory module to store the sensor output,
- wherein the plurality of photosensors include:
- a first photosensor sensitive to a first portion of the visible spectrum, the first photosensor configured to output a first sensor output component;
- a second photosensor sensitive to a second portion of the visible spectrum, the second photosensor configured to output a second photosensor output component;
- and
- a third photosensor sensitive to a third portion of the visible spectrum, the third photosensor configured to output a third photosensor output component;
- such that the sensor output includes the first, second and third photosensor output components,
- wherein method further comprises:
- receiving the first, second and third photosensor output components;
- determining a winning photosensor output component by identifying which of the first, second and third photosensor output components exhibits the greatest difference in magnitude to an initial value of the respective first, second and third output components;
- wherein the local feedback signal includes the winning photosensor output component;
- comparing the winning photosensor output component and the threshold value of the global feedback signal;
- and
- upon the winning photosensor output component meeting the threshold value, causing the memory module to store the first, second and third photosensor output components.
25 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.