Media Metadata Synchronization via Clock Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital cameras may have incorrect internal clocks, leading to incorrect timestamps for images, which can cause ordering issues when transferred to computers with correctly set clocks.
Innovation Solution
A media capture application with a graphical user interface that allows users to select media devices, display metadata, and synchronize the internal clock of the camera with the computer's clock, adjusting timestamps of media files accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the camera uses its internal clock to timestamp images, then the timestamping process is simple and fast, but the timestamp accuracy deteriorates when the internal clock is incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization of the camera's internal clock with the computer's clock before transferring and timestamping images. This advance action ensures that the internal clock is accurate when needed, resolving the contradiction between fast timestamping and accurate timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The computer acts as an intermediary between the camera's internal clock and the final timestamp. The computer reads the camera's clock, compares it with its own accurate clock, calculates the time difference, and uses this intermediary measurement to correct timestamps on transferred images.
2Ease of operation
If images are transferred from a camera with an incorrect clock to a computer with a correct clock, then the transfer process is simple, but the chronological ordering of images deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by reading the camera's internal clock, comparing it with the computer's accurate clock, calculating the time difference, and using this feedback information to correct timestamps on transferred images. This ensures chronological ordering is maintained despite the initial clock discrepancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the timestamp parameter of transferred images by adjusting them according to the calculated time difference between the camera's internal clock and the computer's clock. This parameter modification restores correct chronological ordering without complicating the transfer process.
3Measurement precision
If the system synchronizes the camera clock with the computer clock and adjusts timestamps, then timestamp accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service by automatically detecting the time difference between the camera's internal clock and the computer's clock, calculating the correction needed, and applying timestamp adjustments without requiring manual intervention. This automation reduces the perceived complexity for the user while maintaining high timestamp accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
For a first device, some embodiments provide an application for displaying several media content stored on a second device communicably connected to the first device. The application includes a graphical user interface (“GUI”). The GUI includes a media content display area for displaying the media content stored on the second device. The GUI includes a selectable item for activating a synchronization feature that automatically modifies a clock of the second device to match a clock of the first device.