Automatic Time Synchronization for Multi-Device Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manually synchronizing visual content captured by multiple image capture devices is difficult and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
Equipping each image capture device with an optical element, image sensor, clock, transmitter, and receiver, along with processor components, to independently transmit and receive time information, allowing for the generation of time synchronization information for captured images, enabling automatic synchronization across devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual synchronization method is used, then synchronization can be achieved, but time consumption and difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical synchronization process with an automated electronic system. Image capture devices automatically transmit time information through transmitters and receivers, and processors automatically generate time synchronization information, eliminating the need for manual frame-by-frame alignment while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Each image capture device independently transmits its own time information and automatically generates time synchronization information for its captured images based on received time information from other devices. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external manual intervention in the synchronization process.
2Measurement precision
If manual synchronization method is used, then synchronization can be achieved, but operational complexity and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual operational process with an automated electronic system. processors in each image capture device automatically receive time information, calculate time synchronization information, and tag captured images, eliminating the need for manual frame-by-frame alignment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Each image capture device independently performs the complete synchronization process: receiving time information from other devices, generating time synchronization information, and tagging its captured images. This self-service mechanism dramatically reduces operational effort while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
3Productivity
If automatic synchronization system is implemented, then time efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the synchronization system into independent modular components: optical elements for light guidance, image sensors for capture, clocks for time generation, transmitters for time information transmission, receivers for time information reception, and processors for synchronization calculation. Each component performs a specific function, making the overall complex system manageable through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each image capture device is designed as a multi-functional unit that can both transmit its time information to other devices and receive time information from them. This universal design allows any device in the system to serve multiple roles, reducing the need for specialized components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
4Measurement precision
If independent time information transmission is implemented, then synchronization accuracy improves, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential time information from each image capture device for transmission and synchronization purposes. Rather than transmitting complete image data or metadata, the system transmits only the critical time stamps and time synchronization information, minimizing communication overhead while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
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
Facilitates efficient and automatic synchronization of images from multiple devices, reducing manual effort and enabling the creation of time-synchronized videos or edits from diverse capture sources.
Implementation Method 1
The optical element may be configured to guide light within a field of view to the image sensor
Implementation Method 2
The image sensor may be configured to generate image output signals based on light that becomes incident thereon
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple image capture devices may individually generate time information and capture images. Individual image captures devices may receive time information of other image capture device(s). Individual image capture devices may transmit its time information to other image capture device(s) independent of reception of the time information of other image capture device(s). Individual image capture devices may generate time synchronization information for the captured images based on its time information and the received time information of other image capture device(s). Images captured by different image capture devices may be time-synchronized based on at least one of generated time-synchronization information.