Image-Capturing Apparatus Genlock Synchronization Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In virtual studio technology, the synchronization of operation timings with a synchronization signal is unstable, leading to disturbances in image synthesis processing when control information is output, and existing methods fail to resolve this issue effectively.
Innovation Solution
An image-capturing apparatus with a controller that synchronizes the synchronization signal and operation timings before outputting control information, using the Genlock function to ensure stable synchronization, thereby preventing interruptions in image synthesis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the Genlock function is activated to synchronize operation timings with the synchronization signal, then the position and orientation information can be output in accordance with the synchronization signal, but the synchronization becomes unstable and causes disturbances in image synthesis processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the synchronization state before outputting control information. The system determines whether synchronization is stable prior to releasing the inhibition flag, preventing unstable synchronized signals from causing image synthesis disturbances. This proactive check ensures that only when synchronization is confirmed stable does the system allow control information to be output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the synchronization state between the Genlock function and operation timings. The system uses the synchronization detection result as feedback to control the inhibition flag, adjusting the output of control information based on the current synchronization stability. This closed-loop feedback mechanism prevents image synthesis disturbances by adapting to real-time synchronization conditions.
2Speed
If control information is output while synchronization is unstable, then the system responds quickly to requests, but image synthesis processing is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of synchronization stability before allowing control information output. By checking the synchronization state in advance and setting the inhibition flag accordingly, the system prevents premature output that would cause image synthesis disturbances while maintaining quick response when synchronization is already stable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the inhibition flag - that mediates between the synchronization state and control information output. This flag acts as a gatekeeper, allowing rapid response when synchronization is stable while blocking output when synchronization is unstable, thus preventing image synthesis disturbances without sacrificing response speed.
3Reliability
If the system waits for synchronization to be stable before outputting control information, then image synthesis is stable, but the response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization stability detection and sets the inhibition flag in advance. When a request for control information arrives, the system can immediately check the flag state and output information without waiting for synchronization to become stable, as long as the flag indicates stable synchronization. This reduces response time while maintaining image synthesis stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the inhibition flag to remember the synchronization state, allowing subsequent requests to be handled quickly without re-checking synchronization. The flag serves as a self-service mechanism that maintains stability information, enabling fast response times while ensuring image synthesis stability through the pre-established synchronization state.
Data Source
AI summary
An image-capturing apparatus is provided. The image-capturing apparatus has an imaging sensor, a controller, and a communication interface. The controller controls operation timings of the image-capturing apparatus. The communication interface outputs an image captured by the imaging sensor and control information of the imaging sensor to the outside at timings controlled by the controller. The controller can control the operation timings of the image-capturing apparatus in accordance with a synchronization signal input to the image-capturing apparatus. The controller synchronizes the synchronization signal and the operation timings of the image-capturing apparatus before the control information is output to the outside, when an instruction to output the control information to the outside is input while the synchronization signal and the operation timings are not synchronized.