Network Camera Timestamp Synchronization with Noise Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image monitoring systems face challenges in synchronizing timestamps from network cameras with those of network video recorders (NVRs), leading to potential time errors due to format diversity, reference time differences, and temporary timestamp errors, which can hinder accurate recording and event monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A time synchronization apparatus and method that includes a data receiving unit, noise determining unit, and setting control unit to analyze timestamps from network cameras, correct noise-like errors, and adjust offsets and network latency to synchronize timestamps between network cameras and NVRs, even in unstable network environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If timestamps from network cameras are directly used for synchronization, then the system operation is simple, but time errors occur due to format diversity, reference time differences, and temporary timestamp errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a timestamp analysis unit as an intermediary component between the network camera and NVR. This unit analyzes incoming timestamps, identifies noise-like errors through statistical methods, and corrects them before synchronization. The intermediary processes the timestamp data to filter out temporary errors while maintaining the overall simplicity of the synchronization operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the timestamp analysis unit continuously monitors incoming timestamps, compares them against expected patterns, and adjusts the synchronization offset accordingly. When noise-like errors are detected, the system uses feedback from the analysis results to correct the timestamps and recalculate synchronization parameters, ensuring accurate time synchronization despite format diversity and reference time differences.
2Measurement precision
If noise-like timestamp errors are corrected through analysis, then timestamp accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timestamp analysis unit operates autonomously to detect and correct noise-like errors in timestamps. It uses built-in statistical analysis capabilities to identify anomalies and self-correct the timestamp data without requiring external intervention or complex external systems. The unit maintains a running statistics buffer and uses it to automatically filter errors, improving timestamp accuracy while keeping the added complexity contained within a single functional module.
3Reliability
If network latency is considered in timestamp synchronization, then synchronization accuracy in unstable networks is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of timestamp patterns and network latency characteristics during normal operation. By maintaining a running statistics buffer that continuously updates with timestamp data, the system prepares correction parameters in advance. When synchronization is needed, the pre-computed statistics and latency compensation parameters are already available, allowing quick adjustment without extensive real-time processing, thus improving reliability in unstable networks while minimizing processing time delays.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a time synchronization apparatus and method for a network camera and a network video recorder (NVR) connected to the network camera. The apparatus includes: a data receiving unit receiving a data stream from the network camera, the data stream including timestamp information of the network camera; a noise determining unit determining whether time information input from the network camera is a noise based on a timestamp of the network camera contained in the timestamp information; and a setting control unit setting a timestamp of the NVR based on the determining of the noise determining unit, wherein the data stream comprises data obtained by the network camera and the timestamp information of the network camera which indicates a time when the data stream was transmitted from the network camera.