Camera Synchronization Using Wireless Beacon Timing Metadata
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems lack an effective mechanism for synchronizing video timing across multiple cameras, making it difficult to combine video files from different perspectives into a cohesive video during post-processing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a radio circuit and image processor that synchronizes with a master timing signal from an access point device, calculates timing metrics between the radio circuit and image processor timers, and stores these metrics as metadata with video frames, allowing for precise synchronization of video captured from multiple cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple cameras independently record video with their own internal timers, then each camera can capture video autonomously, but the timing synchronization between different cameras deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a master timing device as an intermediary that generates beacon signals containing timestamp information. Each camera synchronizes its timing by receiving these beacon signals, allowing independent operation while maintaining precise timing synchronization through the master timing mediator.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the timing difference between the camera's internal timer and the master timing device through beacon signals. The camera adjusts its timing based on the measured deviation, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains synchronization accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cameras use separate oscillators for timing, then each camera operates independently, but timing deviation between cameras increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master timing device serves as an intermediary reference that all cameras use to synchronize their separate oscillators. This allows each camera to maintain independent operation with its own oscillator while periodically correcting timing drift by comparing against the master timing beacon signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing parameters of each camera by calculating the deviation between its internal timer and the master timing device. This parameter adjustment compensates for oscillator drift and maintains timing accuracy despite using separate oscillators.
3Device complexity
If no timing synchronization mechanism is used, then camera systems remain simple, but video integration during post-processing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements timing synchronization in advance during video capture by embedding timestamp metadata in each frame using beacon signals. This preliminary timing information is captured during recording, simplifying the post-processing video integration process rather than requiring complex synchronization during editing.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing synchronization information is extracted as separate metadata (timestamps) from the video capture process. This extracted timing data is stored independently with each video frame, allowing simple video integration during post-processing by using the pre-captured timestamp information without adding complexity to the camera hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
Timing metadata is generated and added to captured video to compensate for synchronization error between video captured concurrently from multiple cameras. A wireless beacon including timer data is transmitted from an access point to each station camera. A radio circuit of the station camera synchronizes to the timer of the access point based on timing information in the wireless beacon. An image processor in each station camera includes an image processor timer separate from the radio circuit timer. During video capture, timing metrics are generated indicating deviation between the image processor timer and the radio circuit timer. The timing metrics are stored as metadata and can be used to compensate for synchronization error in post-processing.