Camera Array Synchronization via Daisy Chain Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems using multiple cameras often produce videos with poor quality due to lack of synchronization and coordination between cameras, leading to independent and uncoordinated recording.
Innovation Solution
A camera array system with synchronized camera modules, including a master camera and multiple slave cameras, that can initiate and stop recording simultaneously, provide a 3× field of view overlap, and include a connection hub for power and data transfer, enabling the generation of three-dimensional video and audio data for panoramic images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are used to record videos in different locations, then the coverage area is improved, but the video quality deteriorates due to lack of synchronization between cameras
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the recording task into multiple independent camera modules, each capturing a specific portion of the scene. The cameras are segmented into master and slave units, with each module independently recording while maintaining synchronization through the daisy chain connection. This segmentation allows expanded coverage area while maintaining video quality through coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The daisy chain connection establishes a feedback mechanism where the master camera module sends synchronization signals to slave modules, and status information flows back through the chain. This feedback system ensures all cameras start and stop recording simultaneously, maintaining video quality across the expanded coverage area.
2Device complexity
If each camera operates independently, then the device complexity is reduced, but the coordination between cameras deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The daisy chain connection acts as an intermediary mechanism between camera modules. Rather than requiring complex centralized control or pairwise communication between all cameras, the daisy chain provides a simple linear intermediary path for synchronization signals and status information, maintaining coordination while keeping individual camera operation simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The daisy chain connection serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power distribution, data communication, and synchronization signaling between camera modules. This multi-functional intermediary reduces the need for separate coordination systems, maintaining simple camera operation while ensuring stable coordination.
3Reliability
If cameras are synchronized to start and stop recording simultaneously, then the video quality is improved, but the device complexity increases due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The master camera module performs preliminary actions by initiating the recording start signal that propagates through the daisy chain to all slave modules before actual recording begins. Similarly, the stop signal is preliminarily sent through the same chain. This preliminary signaling mechanism ensures synchronized operation without requiring complex real-time coordination during recording.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the synchronization control function into the existing daisy chain connection structure that already provides power and data communication. By combining synchronization signaling with the established connection infrastructure, the system achieves coordinated camera operation without adding separate complexity for synchronization mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure includes a camera array comprising camera modules, the camera modules comprising a master camera that includes a processor, a memory, a sensor, a lens, a status indicator, and a switch, the switch configured to instruct each of the camera modules to initiate a start operation to start recording video data using the lens and the sensor in the other camera modules and the switch configured to instruct each of the camera modules to initiate a stop operation to stop recording, the status indicator configured to indicate a status of at least one of the camera modules. The camera modules of the camera array are configured to provide a 3× field of view overlap.