Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2024 - 12

Machine Vision
The difference in moving from fixed
frame rates is how each pixel can adjust
its sampling rate according to its visual
input. This personalized approach allows
each pixel to determine its sampling
points by reacting to variations in incident
light levels. Consequently, the sampling
process is no longer dictated by an
artificial timing source but rather by the
signal itself or specifically by temporal signal
amplitude fluctuations. The outcome
produced by such cameras evolves from
image sequences into a continual stream
of individual pixel data generated conditionally
based on scene dynamics.
Event sensors offer several advantages,
including high-speed operation (equivalent
to 10,000 fps), highly efficient
power consumption (down to the microwatt
range), low latency for quicker
response times, reduced data processing
needs (10-10,000x less than frame-based
systems), and a high dynamic range of
up to 120dB. These features make event
sensors suitable for various applications
and products.
Applying Event-Based Vision
Initially, neuromorphic event sensors
found commercial use not in machines
but for humans, for vision restoration in
visually impaired individuals. This led to
use cases in industrial automation and
process monitoring. These uses demonstrated
the benefits of event sensors to
numerous vision tasks, especially those
involving fast-moving and changing elements,
unpredictable ambient lighting
conditions, and limited resources. Subsequent
generations of event-based systems
have been applied in industrial settings
for tasks like high-speed counting, preventative
maintenance (e.g., vibration
monitoring), enhancing robotic efficiency
and safety, eye-tracking or gesture
tracking for AR/VR as well as various logistics
and safety/security applications.
These inherent advantages make
event sensors ideal for IoT applications.
Power consumption plays a critical role
in IoT devices, particularly those relying
on batteries. Event-based vision is
well-suited for such scenarios as it operates
at significantly lower power levels
compared to frame-based camera
systems. Moreover, event-based cameras
excel in challenging lighting conditions
common in many IoT applications due
to their light-independent information
processing. Their high dynamic range
allows them to capture a wide range of
light intensities within a single frame,
making them perfect for environments
with varying lighting conditions like
outdoor scenes with bright sunlight or
nighttime settings.
With a dynamic range exceeding
120dB, event-based cameras can function
effectively even in environments
where traditional cameras struggle with
varying lighting conditions - be it extremely
bright settings like public spaces
or vehicles during the day or dimly lit
scenarios such as nighttime operations
or dark factory settings. Furthermore,
these cameras offer minimal latency
by transmitting information only when
there is a change in brightness within
the scene. Real-time response proves advantageous
in swiftly changing lighting
situations, like abrupt shifts from light
to dark or vice versa. Event-based cameras,
which detect individual alterations in
light intensity, are less prone to motion
blur compared to conventional framebased
cameras.
Neuromorphic-enabled event sensors can be used for a variety of industrial automation tasks, helping
improve productivity, quality, safety, security, and preventative maintenance. (Image: Prophesee)
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Tech Briefs, August 2024

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Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2024

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