Camera-Display Synchronization via Time-Sliced Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photographers at events with alternative image content on physical displays face challenges in capturing well-defined and controlled images, as existing technologies often result in unsteady flickering or incompatible image content due to high frame rates and complex synchronization requirements, affecting both viewer experience and photo quality.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that synchronize a digital photography camera with alternative image content on physical displays by using a camera-synchronization signal based on a master-clock signal, allowing photographers to control when images are captured, ensuring only intended content is recorded, and reducing flicker through time-sliced multiplexing and inverse image techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high frame rate camera recording is used to capture each image displayed on the signboard, then image content accuracy is improved, but equipment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video stream into multiple independent feeds corresponding to different data content instances shown on the physical display. Instead of requiring a high frame rate camera to capture every displayed image, the system uses a standard frame rate camera and subsequently separates the different content instances through de-multiplexing of the video stream, thereby reducing equipment requirements while maintaining content accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system synchronizes the physical display and camera operation in advance by coordinating the display of different data content instances with the camera's frame capture timing. This preliminary synchronization allows a standard frame rate camera to capture the intended content without requiring high frame rate capabilities, thus reducing equipment complexity while maintaining image content accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If high computing power de-multiplexer is used to generate individual video feeds, then feed separation accuracy is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing synchronization between the physical display and camera operation to enable the de-multiplexer to separate video feeds more easily. By coordinating the display timing with camera capture timing, the video stream naturally contains distinguishable segments that can be separated with simpler processing, reducing the computing power requirement while maintaining feed separation accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If dedicated images for broadcast viewers are inserted on the physical display, then broadcast viewer experience is improved, but direct viewer experience deteriorates due to flickering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic display of different data content instances on the physical display, synchronized with the camera's frame rate. By displaying broadcast-specific images periodically at intervals that align with the camera capture cycle, the system ensures these images are captured in the video stream while minimizing their visibility to direct viewers, thereby reducing flicker perception while maintaining broadcast viewer experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system displays alternative images for broadcast viewers for brief intervals that are sufficient for camera capture but too short for direct viewer perception. By rushing through the display of these images during timing windows when the camera is capturing frames, the system incorporates the content into the video feed without causing noticeable flicker to attendees present at the event.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a method and device for synchronizing a digital photography camera with alternative image content shown on a physical display, comprising: generating at least two different sets of image data, each set of image data comprising a sequence of individual images; generating a master-clock signal (M); displaying the images of said at least two sets of image data in a time-sliced multiplexed manner on said physical display triggered by said master-clock signal, generating a camera-synchronization signal (C) on the basis of said master-clock signal (M), generating a camera-actuation signal (A) for capturing at least one image with said digital photography camera; generating at least one shutter release signal (S) for said digital photography camera on the basis of said camera-synchronization signal (C) and said camera-actuation signal (A); and transmitting said at least one shutter release signal (S) to a shutter control unit of said digital photography camera.