Image Capture Device Integrating Audio for Time-Lapse Videos

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Solution Overview

Problem

Time-lapse videos without audio content tend to decrease user engagement due to the lack of auditory experience, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

An image capture device that integrates both visual and audio sensors, allowing for synchronized capture and playback of time-lapse videos by determining a time-lapse video frame rate to include audio content alongside visual content, enabling audio to accompany the visual frames for enhanced engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If time-lapse videos are captured without audio content, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simpler, but user engagement decreases due to lack of auditory experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiduser engagement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines audio capture and video capture into a single integrated system. The audio sensor and image sensor are merged into one device, with synchronized capture of both modalities. The processor integrates audio data and visual data into a unified time-lapse video file, creating a multi-sensory experience that enhances user engagement while maintaining device integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The image capture device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a visual recording device and an audio recording device. The housing carries both image sensor and sound sensor, allowing the single device to perform multiple functions (video capture, audio capture, and synchronized integration) rather than requiring separate dedicated devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If audio sensor is integrated into the image capture device, then user engagement is enhanced through auditory experience, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser engagementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges audio capture functionality into the existing image capture device structure. The audio sensor is integrated into the housing that already carries the image sensor, creating a unified multi-functional device. This approach enhances user engagement through added audio capability while avoiding the complexity of completely separate audio and video systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both image sensing and sound sensing capabilities within a single housing. This universal design allows one device to perform multiple recording functions (visual and auditory) simultaneously, enhancing user engagement without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby managing complexity through integration rather than multiplication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If audio content is captured and integrated with visual content, then user engagement is enhanced, but the processing and synchronization requirements increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser engagementVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processor merges audio data and visual data into a single integrated time-lapse video file. This consolidation of data streams into one unified output reduces the complexity of managing separate audio and video files, simplifies synchronization, and enhances user engagement by delivering a cohesive multi-sensory experience through a single integrated product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The integration of audio content into time-lapse videos enhances user engagement by providing a more immersive experience, addressing the limitations of previous technologies that lacked audio in time-lapse playback.

Implementation Method 1

The image sensor may generate a visual output signal conveying visual information defining visual content based on light guided thereto by the optical element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The sound sensor may generate a sound output signal conveying audio information defining audio content based on sound received by the sound sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic Transduction:

Implementation Method 3

The optical element may be configured to guide light within a field of view to the image sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS12167152B2Generating time-lapse videos with audio
Publication Date: 2024.12.10 GOPRO INC
  • US12167152B2 patent drawing
  • US12167152B2 patent drawing
  • US12167152B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An image capture device may capture visual content based on a time-lapse video frame rate. Audio content may be captured along with the visual content based on the time-lapse video frame rate being a target time-lapse video frame rate. Capture of the audio content may be stopped based on the time-lapse video frame rate being different from the target time-lapse video frame rate.