Digital Image Time Correction via Optical Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reliability of arranging or organizing digital image frames is affected by the accuracy and time zone of the internal clocks of capturing devices, leading to inconsistencies in chronological ordering.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a processing unit that obtains image data and metadata from digital image frames, recognizes a reference instant of time using optical machine-readable time markings, determines a time offset, and adjusts the metadata to include corrected capture times, ensuring all frames are aligned on a common timeline regardless of the device or time zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If internal clocks of capturing devices are used to determine capture times, then the capturing process is simple and automatic, but the accuracy and reliability of chronological ordering is compromised due to clock accuracy and time zone variations
Solution Approach 1:
An optical reference time marking is introduced as an intermediary element that is captured in the scene alongside the main subject. This marking contains accurate reference time information that serves as a mediator between the capturing device's internal clock and the actual capture time, allowing for calibration and correction of time discrepancies without complicating the automatic capturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the time parameter by determining a time offset between the internal clock time and the reference time from the optical marking, then applies this offset to correct the capture time. This parameter adjustment resolves the accuracy issue while maintaining the simplicity of automatic operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple capturing devices with different internal clocks are used, then the system has greater versatility and adaptability, but the chronological ordering reliability deteriorates due to inconsistent time zones and clock accuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The optical reference time marking serves as a universal time reference that can be used across multiple different capturing devices regardless of their manufacturers, models, or internal clock configurations. This universal reference enables consistent chronological ordering across diverse devices while maintaining their individual versatility and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the reference time marking to provide feedback on the accuracy of each device's internal clock by calculating a time offset. This feedback mechanism allows each device to self-correct its time recordings, ensuring reliable chronological ordering across multiple devices without requiring synchronization protocols
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a processing unit configured to: obtain image data and metadata of digital image frames captured by a capturing device, the metadata comprising initial time of capture determined in accordance with an internal clock of the capturing device, the at least one digital image frame comprising a reference digital image frame captured of a scene comprising a machine-readable time marking indicating reference time; recognize a reference instant of time on the basis of the image data of the reference digital image frame; determine a time offset between the reference instant of time and the initial time of capture of the reference digital image frame; and adjust the metadata of a digital image frame so as to include corrected time of capture.