Motion Image Annotation Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems fail to effectively facilitate real-time collaboration and analysis of motion imagery among users at different geographic locations, as they do not adequately utilize the temporal nature of video and lack features for user annotation and change tracking.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for online collaboration that involves storing and communicating motion imagery data and metadata, allowing users to generate and display annotations dynamically in response to input commands, with the ability to modify annotations based on temporal and spatial information, enabling concurrent display and annotation of motion imagery across multiple client devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional video collaboration systems are used, then users can view video streams in real-time, but users cannot effectively annotate and track changes contributed by each user
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments video data and annotation data into separate data streams. Video frames are processed and displayed independently from annotation overlays, allowing each user's annotations to be tracked and attributed separately while maintaining real-time video viewing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary annotation layer that sits between the video stream and the display. This intermediary layer captures, stores, and manages annotations from multiple users, enabling tracking of user contributions without interfering with the real-time video viewing experience
2Productivity
If motion imagery is shared among multiple users in real-time, then collaboration is enabled, but system complexity increases due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic synchronization cycles where annotation data is collected, processed, and distributed to all users at regular intervals. This periodic action maintains collaboration efficiency while preventing system complexity from becoming unmanageable through controlled synchronization bursts rather than continuous complex coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing of annotation data on the server side before distributing to clients. Annotations are validated, formatted, and prepared in advance, reducing the synchronization burden on client devices and simplifying the overall system architecture
3Ease of manufacture
If annotations are stored separately from motion imagery data, then data management is improved, but data integration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the server continuously monitors annotation data and automatically retrieves, processes, and integrates it with the corresponding video frames. This feedback loop simplifies data integration by making it an automated responsive process rather than a manual complex operation
Solution Approach 2:
The server is designed with multi-functionality, handling both video stream distribution and annotation data management through a unified architecture. This universal approach simplifies data integration by using a single platform for both functions rather than requiring separate specialized systems
Data Source
AI summary
A method (400) for online collaboration among users at different locations sharing common motion imagery (302). The method involves storing data defining the motion imagery (MID) in a data store (104) associated with a motion image server (MIS) and communicating the motion imagery to a first client device (FCD). The method also involves generating at the FCD (106) an annotation (304, . . . , 308) capable of being displayed together with the motion imagery. The annotation is defined by metadata distinct from the MID and containing information to associate the metadata with the motion imagery. The method further involves communicating the metadata to the MIS (102), storing the metadata in the data store, and communicating the MID and the metadata to a second client device (SCD). The SCD (108) selectively displays the annotation together with the motion imagery in response to an input command of a second user.