Electronic Apparatus Synchronized Video Recording via Time Code

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Solution Overview

Problem

In scenarios where multiple electronic apparatuses record video signals, the timing of recording start and stop cannot be synchronized, leading to differences in remaining recording medium capacity, resulting in unnecessary video signal recording and inefficient utilization.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with an input unit for time codes, a determination unit to assess the advancing time address, and a control unit to initiate or switch recording based on synchronized time codes, ensuring only synchronized video signals are recorded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If recording start and stop are performed by operating each electronic apparatus manually, then ease of operation is improved, but recording timing synchronization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operationVSAvoidrecording timing synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A time code is introduced as an intermediary signal that is input to each electronic apparatus. This time code serves as a common reference that coordinates the recording operations across multiple devices, enabling frame-level synchronization while maintaining manual operation capability through the determination unit that checks time address advancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If all electronic apparatuses record only synchronized video signals, then recording medium utilization efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording medium utilization efficiencyVSAvoidsynchronization control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each electronic apparatus autonomously determines whether to record by itself checking if the time address is advancing through the determination unit. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex centralized control systems while ensuring that only synchronized video signals are recorded across all devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If time code synchronization is implemented, then recording timing synchronization is improved, but loss of time increases due to processing delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording timing synchronizationVSAvoidprocessing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The time code is prepared in advance with predetermined time addresses that indicate when recording should start and stop. By using pre-calculated time addresses that advance in synchronization with the video signal, the system eliminates processing delays that would otherwise occur during real-time synchronization decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11616929B2Electronic apparatus and method of controlling the same, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 CANON KK

AI summary

An electronic apparatus includes an input unit configured to input a time code from an external device, a determination unit configured to determine whether or not a time address of the time code input from the input unit is advancing, a recording unit configured to record a video signal, and a control unit configured to control to cause the recording unit to start recording of the video signal in a case that it is determined by the determination unit that the time address is advancing.