Master-Client Camera Synchronization for POV Image Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Point of View (POV) cameras, also known as action cameras, have small image sensors and limited network capabilities, resulting in low-quality image capture and limited network functions, which restricts their ability to deliver high-quality images and special effects like bullet-time or virtual reality content.
Innovation Solution
A data transmission system that synchronizes multiple POV cameras with camera control devices, allowing for synchronized image capture and transfer of images to an external device, enhancing image quality and enabling special effects by using a master control device to coordinate client control devices and ensure frame and time synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple POV cameras are used to improve image quality and enable special effects, then image quality and special effects capability are improved, but device complexity and network coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the multi-camera setup into independent camera units, each with its own control device. This segmentation allows each camera to operate independently while being coordinated through the master-client control architecture, improving image quality through multiple perspectives without overwhelming system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces control devices as intermediaries between the external device and cameras, and between master and client control devices. This intermediary layer simplifies the coordination complexity by providing a structured communication protocol and centralized time synchronization mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If synchronized image capture from multiple cameras is implemented to enable special effects, then special effects capability is improved, but time synchronization requirements and network coordination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs time synchronization preliminarily by having the master control device synchronize time with the external device before coordinating client control devices. This preliminary time alignment ensures that subsequent synchronized image capture operations can proceed efficiently without repeated synchronization delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The master control device receives acquisition requests from the external device and coordinates client control devices based on this feedback loop. This feedback mechanism enables precise timing control for synchronized capture, allowing special effects to be achieved with minimal time loss.
3Manufacturing precision
If images are transferred from multiple cameras to an external device, then image quality is improved, but network load and data transmission complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Control devices serve as intermediaries that manage data transmission between cameras and the external device. This intermediary architecture consolidates network communication through the master control device, reducing overall network load while maintaining high-quality image transfer capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Data transmission systems and methods. In one embodiment, a data transmission system includes a plurality of imaging devices, a plurality of control devices, and an information processing device. One of the plurality of control devices operates as a master control device and a remainder of the plurality of control devices operate as client control devices. The information processing device is configured to transmit an acquisition request for one or more images captured by a first imaging device of the plurality of imaging devices to the master control device. The master control device is configured to transfer the acquisition request to one of the client control devices that controls the first imaging device. In response to receiving the acquisition request, the one of the client control devices is configured to transfer a list of images captured by the first imaging device to the information processing device.