Multi-Camera Frame Synchronization Using Shared System Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image synchronization methods for multiple image sensors in electronic devices are resource-intensive and prone to synchronization uncertainties and variations, leading to inefficiencies and potential artifacts in processing and interaction with extended reality environments.
Innovation Solution
Determine frame identifiers for each image frame using system pulses and predetermined offset times based on exposure and readout times for each camera, allowing synchronized image processing across multiple cameras without relying on individual time stamp calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual time stamp calculations are used for each image sensor, then synchronization can be achieved, but resource consumption increases and synchronization uncertainties and variations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the timing reference function into a single shared system pulse that triggers all image sensors simultaneously. Instead of each sensor maintaining its own independent time stamps, all sensors synchronize to the same system pulse signal, combining the timing reference function into one unified source that eliminates redundant calculations and reduces resource consumption while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pulse acts as an intermediary that mediates timing between multiple image sensors. Rather than sensors directly calculating and comparing individual time stamps, the system pulse serves as a common reference intermediary that triggers all sensors at synchronized moments, eliminating synchronization uncertainties while reducing the computational resources needed for individual time stamp management.
2Productivity
If individual time stamp calculations are used for each image sensor, then each sensor can operate independently, but synchronization uncertainties and variations lead to processing inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the timing control function into a single system pulse that governs all image sensors. This merging eliminates the complexity of managing multiple independent time stamp calculations across different sensors, simplifying the synchronization mechanism while improving processing efficiency by ensuring all sensors capture frames at precisely synchronized moments without uncertainty.
3Use of energy by moving object
If system pulses with offset times are used for frame identifiers, then resource consumption is reduced, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining fixed offset times for each image sensor relative to the system pulse. These offset times are established in advance based on each sensor's exposure and readout characteristics, allowing the system to use simple addition (system pulse time + offset) to generate frame identifiers without requiring complex real-time calculations, thus reducing resource consumption while keeping implementation straightforward.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject technology may provide time-synchronized image frames from multiple cameras to various system and/or application processes running on an electronic device. In one or more implementations, a frame identifier may be determined for each image frame from each camera based on a system pulse associated with the capture of the image frame. By generating frame identifiers based for images from multiple cameras based on a centralized source such as the system pulses, subsequent processes can immediately identify images from multiple cameras having the same frame identifier for co-processing of those images.